With a score like that the Post Game should really be Fun (For Some).
Pregame: Illinois at Purdue, Tuesday, January 17th, 6:00pm CT, BTN
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With a score like that the Post Game should really be Fun (For Some).
I think we will stay within 8-12 most of the game, then lose by 15-20 when desperation sets in.
IIRC Purdue has the best record of any B1G team against UI. And last year we got beat handily at home and blown away by Purdue in the BTT. So I would have to say this is a likely loss. Hope we come through and beat the odds, as I would really like to see us get to 5-5 or better after the Wisconsin game and beating Purdue would help. Think we would have a shot to play ourselves off the bubble in a good way if we can do that.
Jkat00
- Champaign, IL
We actually beat Purdue 84-70 at home last year.
John Groce @ Illinois is 9-24 in January.
He is 4-0 in April though.
Oops. Guess IDRC.
Cheez
- Sun Prairie WI
Fun for some, interesting for everyone.
If we're competitive - then I'm happy.
I dont trust this coach to have the team ready to compete, though.
Cheez
- Sun Prairie WI
Getting to 5-5 by that point in the season is doable without the Purdue game, as Michigan, Iowa, and Penn State all are beatable.
Of course, we could just as easily be 2-8. This team baffles me.
We'll have to play extremely well to beat Iowa and Penn State!
It's pretty obvious that Groce wouldn't know well played defense if it came up and bit him in the butt
What concerns me moving forward is after a decent showing against Michigan and most of the first half of Maryland, his offense looked totally out of sync and was easily defended.
If you can't defend, you better teach an offense that can consistently put up big numbers.
This isn't that offense
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kathy
Groce: In terms of Maryland, it was about what I thought. Defensively, played about as well as we've played all year
I was really surprised he said this statement. I thought we gave them too many open looks at the 3 point line.
It's pretty obvious that Groce wouldn't know well played defense if it came up and bit him in the butt
What concerns me moving forward is after a decent showing against Michigan and most of the first half of Maryland, his offense looked totally out of sync and was easily defended.
If you can't defend, you better teach an offense that can consistently put up big numbers.
This isn't that offense
I was surprised he said that as well, the defense wasn't porous but not great. Like the poster mentioned too many open looks that didn't fall for Maryland. Thought was a good move to put a SF like Hill on Melo. But when I see Abrams in with either Tate or TJL that isn't the defensive I'm looking for.
Originally Posted by Kathy
Groce: In terms of Maryland, it was about what I thought. Defensively, played about as well as we've played all year
I was really surprised he said this statement. I thought we gave them too many open looks at the 3 point line.
It's pretty obvious that Groce wouldn't know well played defense if it came up and bit him in the butt
What concerns me moving forward is after a decent showing against Michigan and most of the first half of Maryland, his offense looked totally out of sync and was easily defended.
If you can't defend, you better teach an offense that can consistently put up big numbers.
This isn't that offense
I was surprised he said that as well, the defense wasn't porous but not great. Like the poster mentioned too many open looks that didn't fall for Maryland. Thought was a good move to put a SF like Hill on Melo. But when I see Abrams in with either Tate or TJL that isn't the defensive I'm looking for.
When have we played better defense than we did against Maryland? They average 75ppg and we held them to 62. I don't think our defense cost us the game. Giving up four points in the final eight seconds of the first half, and failing to respond when they doubled Mav in the second is what cost us the game.
Cheez
- Sun Prairie WI
Maryland having a poor shooting game night is not the same as Illinois playing good defense. Like other posters said, they had a lot of open shots that didn't fall.
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal with Do Not Contact Tag
Mr. Swanigan should hope NBA scouts are tuning in for this one.
Purdue wins this one 82-61 which will be the beginning of the end.
When people shoot lights out from three against, everyone blames our defense, but when a team does far worse than usual against us our D gets none of the credit. Maryland's first game against us was little more than layup drills for them. In the second, we made them choose tougher shots and they missed a bunch of them.
I am not nominating any Illini to the all-B1G defensive team, but can anyone point to a game where Illinois played better D than it did against MD? It may not have been great D, but I think it was our best this year. Improved defense is good.
BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
D might have been better, but it was almost nonexistent for a good portion of the game against Michigan, just a game before. This only further illustrates our inconsistency on that side of the ball, which again comes down to coaching.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
After reading the Purdue board, I have gained some of my jittery, ill-advised, gameday confidence. We have the pieces to win this game!
Unfortunately, I fear we will come out looking lost only to recover too late, ala the IU game. I am so painfully optimistic that the gang is ticked off from the UMD second half debacle, and Malcolm comes out playing like the superstar he can be and we score the upset.
Unfortunately, I fear we will come out looking lost only to recover too late, ala the IU game. I am so painfully optimistic that the gang is ticked off from the UMD second half debacle, and Malcolm comes out playing like the superstar he can be and we score the upset.
Painter and Groce have had very similar 4-year stretches in terms of record. Painter had a couple of years of success under his belt prior to that stretch to carry him through though. Groce has probably had tougher luck during that time but he is a good man and I hope he can get this team on track enough to get to the dance. Tough road to hoe with this Jeckle and Hyde group but I still think the future is bright and I still believe he can get the job done here. I just don't believe the grass is greener right now. Just ask Texas.
Are you really comparing the replacement of Groce to the replacement of Barnes who took his team to the NCAA tournament in 16 of his 17 seasons at Texas?
IlliniInOK
- no longer in OK! Centralia, IL
I fully expect to lose by about 25, but wouldn't be shocked to see us pull out a win, because that's the kind of season we're having. We could shoot 60% and pull it out, or we could give them 20 layups and dunks and get crushed. I doubt there's much of a chance for something in between.
BlindLoyalty
- FartNoiseMotivation
IMO, the story of the game will be Purdue raining 3s and making FTs.
Groce has to pick his poison. His choice will be to pack it in and double the post w/ a wave of defenders (Thorne, Morgan, Finke and Black) trying to slow Swanigan and Haas. This will lead to wide open 3's by Mathias, Cline, etc. I suspect Groce may alter the strategy at half, concluding giving up one on one 2s is better than uncontested 3s.
Result = Lots of Purdue 3s and FTs in one of the most hostile environs we will see this season.
Groce has to pick his poison. His choice will be to pack it in and double the post w/ a wave of defenders (Thorne, Morgan, Finke and Black) trying to slow Swanigan and Haas. This will lead to wide open 3's by Mathias, Cline, etc. I suspect Groce may alter the strategy at half, concluding giving up one on one 2s is better than uncontested 3s.
Result = Lots of Purdue 3s and FTs in one of the most hostile environs we will see this season.
Season changing game tonight. If they can grab a win, it will be huge for the resume, they know that. I expect the team to come out playing hard and try to chase down a win. I expect to see a little more Thorne tonight to help defend. We have played Purdue tough the last 2 years, including 2 of 3 wins. I am not counting this team out, I expect a closer game than we are seeing on this board.
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