Pregame: Illinois vs Alabama A&M, Saturday, December 17th, 3:00pm CT, BTN

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#26      

RML

R
RML
I would love to see us play as though we are determined to score on every single offensive possession, and to determined to stop them from scoring on every single defensive possession.

I expect that's exactly what we'll see for the first few minutes. It will be interesting to see how long we keep it up.
 
#27      

sitka

S
sitka
RML said:
I would love to see us play as though we are determined to score on every single offensive possession, and to determined to stop them from scoring on every single defensive possession.

I expect that's exactly what we'll see for the first few minutes. It will be interesting to see how long we keep it up.
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With a win Saturday night, we tie MSU for # 10 in all-time AP poll appearances....

Total AP Men's BB Poll Appearances Summary | College Poll Archive

www.collegepollarchive.com www.collegepollarchive.com
 
#29      

alaskaillini

A
alaskaillini
Well, we are favored in our next 10 games, so hopefully we will be in the polls for a while. In the last 11 B1G games of the year, we are the favorites in only 5. Hope these guys can keep focused and at least win the ones we are supposed to - that would put us at 21-9 and 12-8 in conference. That is not going to win it but might actually squeak in a top 4 finish in a tiebreaker given how balanced the B1G is this year. Think our ceiling is higher, but also our floor is lower as well. This is where BU earns his money - keeping these guys convinced that they are national title contenders and playing that way.
 
#30      

Eternal Optimist

E
Eternal Optimist
What’s the consensus? Do we have a nail biter of a matchup on Saturday?

Fail Season 9 GIF by The Office
 
#34      

jrichisamazing

J
jrichisamazing
Going to go out on a limb and say Ty Rodgers has a great game, maybe even a double double. Seems like the perfect time to step up in practice and earn some minutes.
 
#35      

Vinegarben

V
Vinegarben
I hope coach benches a couple of the upperclassmen like Melendez, Co-Hawk, Shannon and give the freshman some real looks, perhaps show these suppose to be stars and future NBA players how to play the game with passion! I look for Missouri to beat us next week!
 
#37      

Vinegarben

V
Vinegarben
illini0440 said:
Lol. What? 2 of the freshman are in the top 5 of minutes played
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I know that-Play Rodgers, Harris, Epps, Sky and Dainja more, give the upperclassmen a few minutes to spell these guys. Maybe they will wake up and bring it EVERY game!
 
#38      

ChiefIllinois

C
ChiefIllinois
Vinegarben said:
I know that-Play Rodgers, Harris, Epps, Sky and Dainja more, give the upperclassmen a few minutes to spell these guys. Maybe they will wake up and bring it EVERY game!
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Who do you propose to sit those additional minutes? And are you expecting that group to play 35 mins a game?

Not to totally ignore your sentiment here, but this conversation happens literally every year (and that isn’t an exaggeration). And the counterargument that BU actually does play freshmen more than your average HC has also been stated multiple times. Frankly, the minutes distribution isn’t in the top 10 of issues we need to fix.
 
#40      

Emerson Bigguns

Emerson Bigguns
Emerson Bigguns
Vinegarben said:
I hope coach benches a couple of the upperclassmen like Melendez, Co-Hawk, Shannon and give the freshman some real looks, perhaps show these suppose to be stars and future NBA players how to play the game with passion! I look for Missouri to beat us next week!
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If we are benching those 3 guys, I'd be looking for Missouri to beat us next week too. People around here are acting like we didn't beat a top 10 team last week. If I recall correctly, those guys were a big part of that.
 
#41      

Illini92and96

Illini92and96
Austin, TX
Illini92and96
Vinegarben said:
I hope coach benches a couple of the upperclassmen like Melendez, Co-Hawk, Shannon and give the freshman some real looks, perhaps show these suppose to be stars and future NBA players how to play the game with passion! I look for Missouri to beat us next week!
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Melendez is a sophomore and therefore an underclassman himself.
 
#42      

JFGsCoffeeMug

JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
Chicago
JFGsCoffeeMug
It's incredibly obvious that there are some Illinois fans who were spoiled rotten by having Ayo, Trent, and Da'Monte over the past several years.

I suspect some of the same people who are calling this current roster soft were also upset when Trent and Da'Monte stuck around an extra year.
 
#43      

ptgrd23

ptgrd23
ptgrd23
I think our team has a high ceiling

However in the Maryland and Penn State game:

1. Failed to communicate on picks and gave up numerous layups when we did not switch
2. Had nobody crash offensive boards
3. Got out hustled for loose balls
4. Had too many players go 1 on 5 on offense

I suspect the team will have had a hard week of practice and players will either correct these things or go to the bench.
 
#44      

The Galloping Ghost

The Galloping Ghost
Washington, DC
The Galloping Ghost
I'm excited for this one. We expected growing pains going into this season. We've experienced those growing pains. We've also seen that this team can play with and beat anyone on any given night. There's a week of practice under our belts. Now there's a chance to work out the kinks before a rivalry game. Whether we come out firing or it takes some time to get back in gear, I think by the end of the game, we'll be in a good place and ready to get this season really rolling.

Plus, honestly, we desperately need something to mix up the vibe in here.
 
#46      

john1952

john1952
john1952
Vinegarben said:
I hope coach benches a couple of the upperclassmen like Melendez, Co-Hawk, Shannon and give the freshman some real looks, perhaps show these suppose to be stars and future NBA players how to play the game with passion! I look for Missouri to beat us next week!
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Putting your hopes into action will insure a Missouri victory. SMH
 
#47      

ORANGEANDBLUE2011

ORANGEANDBLUE2011
ORANGEANDBLUE2011
I always struggle deciphering Hawkins’ responses and figuring out if I agree with him. I’m consistently confused by his responses on Underwood and leadership. I can’t tell if he’s owning it himself when he talks about getting through to other players, etc. Sounds like he’s finding the right approach and I hope the leaders on this team can! I love the freshman and frankly think they are playing the hardest.
 
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#50      

zentrails

Z
zentrails
Vinegarben said:
I know that-Play Rodgers, Harris, Epps, Sky and Dainja more, give the upperclassmen a few minutes to spell these guys. Maybe they will wake up and bring it EVERY game!
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Only Harris brought it against PSU according to Brad
 
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