Pregame: Illinois at Rutgers, Wednesday, February 16th, 6:00pm CT, BTN

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#277      

Timj83

T
Timj83
Scanggg said:
Rutgers has reallyyyy shortened the rotation during this hot streak and all 5 starters are playing 30+ minutes.

As for the bench...

Mag 6'7 - bouncy athletic strong wing. A bit raw. Decent shot. Role player

Miller 6'1 - backup freshman PG. Plays tough pressure man D. Annoying as it gets for other PG. No outside shot and limited offensive game

Reiber 6'10 - skilled backup 5. High IQ. Doesn't have the strength for Kofi. Can step out and shoot the 3

Hyatt 6'6 - strong wing / 4. Likes to shoot. Turns the ball over. Gets lost on D. Lots of physical tools. Can create his own shot.

Palmquist, Agee, and Jones are pretty much out of the rotation.

Jones was a 4 star recruit and played close to 30 minutes first game. Agee played 18. Both are out of the rotation currently.
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Thanks Scanggg appreciate the info and discussion. Look forward to a great game.
 
#279      

InDaAZ

InDaAZ
Eugene, Oregon
InDaAZ
urbanite said:
As fans, we have the luxury to choose where we sit on the scale of pessimist to optimist. Our outlook on a game isn't going to affect its outcome.

From a practical perspective, it would be silly to ignore Rutgers' recent performance. Based on the season as a whole, Torvik's model predicts Illinois -5.2. Based on the last three games, it predicts Rutgers -5.1. There's a valid reason to suggest this game is more difficult that it might appear.

That said, from the same practical perspective, Rutgers is extremely shallow. They basically have one bench player that contributes in any meaningful way, while we have several. They've also been playing at a very slow tempo. If we can dictate a higher-tempo game (potentially causing fatigue and fouls to become issues), we have a major depth advantage.
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Your analysis is solid, and your concerns are valid - but a far cry from the ā€˜sky is falling, weā€™re probably going to loseā€™ tenor of the posts I was referencing. Go, Illini!
 
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#280      

LouHenson

LouHenson
LouHenson
Every game in the BIG is tough, pretty much has been that way for my 60 years in this earth. They are even tougher on the road. Rutgers has been a good addition to the BIG in basketball. Tonight will be tough, but great fun to watch.
 
#281      

1Illinifan

1
1Illinifan
huge game, been thinking about how this game and Saturday determine this season. Absolutely pivotal we come out tonight from the start with energy. Can't have another flat start like Maryland. Also, must keep the same energy through the entire game. Northwestern cannot happen again, we will not win if we let them back in it in their place. A win tonight, coupled with a Northwestern win tonight at home against Purdue, would be huge.
 
#283      

Illiniguy13

Illiniguy13
Illiniguy13
The Sprouting Divot said:
Are you threatening me?!
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Bring It Reaction GIF
 
#287      

Scanggg

S
Scanggg
Timj83 said:
Thanks Scanggg appreciate the info and discussion. Look forward to a great game.
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Thanks. Fun to get the other fans opinions before big games!

I really like your coach and program. Will be rooting for a deep NCAA run for Illinois and a championship... unless they play Rutgers

Other fan bases in the B1G are so much more hateable but I'm sure you all know that already šŸ¤£
 
#288      

Turpin & Tate in 2008!

Turpin & Tate in 2008!
Addison, IL
Turpin & Tate in 2008!
GallopingGhost said:
I donā€™t know why but Iā€™m honestly terrified for tonight. I think this will be a very very tough game. Rutgers is in a Cinderella comeback movie right now, and weā€™re just another team in their ā€œwinning streak montageā€.

The headlines are too perfect: 4 ranked wins in a row! Down goes Illinois!

Sorry this is so negative but I think Iā€™m bracing myself so Iā€™m not let down. Itā€™s all internal coping! šŸ˜µā€šŸ’«
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We just ended Northwestern's 3-game winning streak. Rutgers at the RAC presents a greater challenge but I have confidence that our boys can end their 3-game streak as well.
 
#291      

Timj83

T
Timj83
Scanggg said:
Thanks. Fun to get the other fans opinions before big games!

I really like your coach and program. Will be rooting for a deep NCAA run for Illinois and a championship... unless they play Rutgers

Other fan bases in the B1G are so much more hateable but I'm sure you all know that already šŸ¤£
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Many of us feel the same way about Rutgers. Much respect for what Pikiell has been able to achieve and how hard he gets your teams to play. Good luck on every part of your season except when you play us hope to see you get into the tourney.
 
#292      

Illini 993

I
Illini 993
My hope is that this is the game that we don't have the 10 minute dry spell that has happened so often this year. IMO, that would be the first stepping stone to this team playing up to its potential. If the Illini are able to achieve that potential, I absolutely believe that we are a legit Final Four team. If it doesn't, it will still be a good year, but not great. Also hoping that we have a few laughers (unlikely) down the stretch to give Trent and others a little break on minutes played.
 
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