Just finish strong down the stretch here. I hope to stay out of the bottom half Wednesday games in the tournament. So just win. Go Illini
Pregame: Illinois at Purdue, Wednesday, February 27th, 7:30pm CT, BTN
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3DegreeIllini
- Chicago,IL
This has been an annoying feature of the last few games. It feels like they come out thinking someone is going to be the guy here and 3-4 guys spend the first half trying to figure out whose night it is instead of letting the game come naturally. That led to some baffling shots by Trent against PSU (“ayo sitting, so I guess it’s me!”) and I felt like Giorgi coming off the B1G POTW honors came out and played ineffective hero ball at times when it was clear the opponent’s game plan was focused around stopping...the POTW.
And I think others sort of fade back when they think “this is an Ayo game” or “it’s Giorgi’s time I guess.” Having a 3-4 headed monster isn’t effective when literally only 1 of them can have an “on game” at a time.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Yep ... just give me a Thursday first round game in the BTT, win that one and play on Friday so I can actually go support our guys at the UC ... that’s all I’m asking for out of this season at this point.
Totally agree. The reverse is also true. We could lose to anyone in the country on any given night.
Proven we can beat or compete with anyone. Played tight with Gonzaga. Beat MSU. Killed Minnesota. Played with Wisconsin both games. Beat Maryland. But again, we've lost to some crappy teams.
Deleted member 11241
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I know Purdue is a good team, but they are definitely beatable. Last couple games I have watched of theirs they have looked pretty shaky. If we can play like we did against MSU and Maryland and maintain that tenacity for 40 min, we can beat them. Edwards can turn into a chucker and if he isn't hitting, Purdue struggles
Purdue has not been playing great of late, but managing to win. Just play hard and with a free mind....let it go, no thinking on the shot.
Deleted member 29907
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Start those ready to play. If the 2nd team was beating up on the first - there must be some guys in there who are more hungry. Honestly Giorgi and Ayo could use a bit of a reality check after their POW/FOW weeks IMO. They got there because they were hungry, seems like they taking a bit for granted. A mild critique, not blistering so lets not start the "why would anyone want Samba over GB responses" but I think they've lost a bit of the edge. Could just be Freshman wall I guess.
Tennessee has no RSCI top 100 players and they're top 10 i the NCAAs right now.
Ayo scored 18 points Saturday.
Missed lay-ups and short shots along with bad FT shooting cost us the game.
Be ready for some disappointment tomorrow.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Slow day at work ... here are our last six trips to Mackey, all losses:
1/17/2017: #21 Purdue 91, Illinois 68
3/7/2015: Purdue 63, Illinois 58
1/2/2013: Purdue 68, #11 Illinois 61
12/31/2011: Purdue 75, Illinois 60
3/1/2011: #6 Purdue 75, Illinois 67
2/20/2010: #4 Purdue 75, Illinois 65
HOWEVER, guys, just like with our recent trips to Columbus, our last win at PU was in 2009:
12/30/2008: Illinois 71, #9 Purdue 67 (OT)
Hey, we broke our Columbus streak; we might as well break our West Lafayette one, right?? Tryin' to stay positive, but I'm nervous for this one.
1/17/2017: #21 Purdue 91, Illinois 68
3/7/2015: Purdue 63, Illinois 58
1/2/2013: Purdue 68, #11 Illinois 61
12/31/2011: Purdue 75, Illinois 60
3/1/2011: #6 Purdue 75, Illinois 67
2/20/2010: #4 Purdue 75, Illinois 65
HOWEVER, guys, just like with our recent trips to Columbus, our last win at PU was in 2009:
12/30/2008: Illinois 71, #9 Purdue 67 (OT)
Hey, we broke our Columbus streak; we might as well break our West Lafayette one, right?? Tryin' to stay positive, but I'm nervous for this one.
Deleted member 29907
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Yes he did. Again, not trying to over emphasize this whole critique but you could argue he should have had more like 24 pts. Was 1 - 4 from beyond the arc. 2 TOs on 3 assists. Shot 50% from the field - so not bad - but what I am seeing is Ayo waiting until crunch time to turn it on. We need him scoring big from the gate. Perhaps my expectations are too high - but we need him making that 13 ft shot with his man on his back and for the last few games - he's coming up short.
A fair number of those were garbage time.
And none in the first half, if I recall right. I didn't consider that a good game from him.
IIRC, BU stated In the radio post-game interview) that the issue was he did not in the first half (2 points?).
BU (we?) need to see consistency ............................ on the positive side.
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