Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Might need to do this. Switched to Fubo a few months ago because it was so much cheaper sharing my sister’s login, and this is the first issue! Had SEC Network with HuluTV.
Pregame: Illinois vs Alabama, Wednesday, November 20th, 8:00pm CT, SECN
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Basically the home court advantage.
Arkansas St. and McNeese kept the final score within 10 in Tuscaloosa, and both games were pretty close the 2nd half. I think there’s a chance Bama isn’t as good as we think they are. If that’s the final score it means a). Bama was lights out shooting, b). Our defense is nowhere near as good as we think, or c). Some combination of the two.
I think (hope) we keep it close the entire game and suspect Bama narrowly pulls away (79-74 Crimson Tide). I’m chalking up the Ole Miss exhibition game to first “real” game jitters and weird lineup combinations. I don’t think we’re that bad nor Ole Miss is that good.
Great points except the Kylan / Matt Mayer offense comp. Yes, Kylan has failed to get really anything going there, but I think he’s at least making the right reads and, hold for a few questionable shots, playing within the flow of the offense. I’d also argue he’s been super engaged, it just hasn’t translated to points. Matt Mayer was a chucker whether he was making them or not, and that 22-23 team often abandoned any sort of offensive scheme and just went iso-ball with Mayer taking contested jumpers early in the clock.
I agree with this. To think that a well -coached mid - major "bullied" a talented Big 10 team is concerning to me. These players need to figure it out before conference play.
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Purdue beat them on their home floor with the crowd and some nice calls by the refs, then got their butts kicked at Marquette last night. Purdue looked horrible. I think the Illini can make the game interesting but Tide will be out to prove Purdue was a fluke!. Alabama-81 Illini 74
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
But while being “bullied,” that team consistently lead by 12-15 points and was never threatened. Also, I love how people are worried over a team that “hasn’t gelled” yet. That team that hasn’t gelled put up 112 and 90 points in their first two games. If that’s the case, imagine when they DO gel! I think that as Illini fans, so many of us are so used to having to wear our metaphorical protective cups that we’re so afraid to embrace even a shred of optimism for fear of an inevitable nut punch.
I don't feel great about this one and initially had this picked as a loss at the first of the year. I just hope they don't get blown out. Alabama will have home cooking and they are hungry to avenge their off night at Mackey. I feel that we are still several months away from seeing what this team is capable of. I wish I were wrong but tonight we get our first lump. I think Sears goes off.
This game feels like it depends heavily on Kylan having his best performance yet.
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
I think we see a fast paced game and we finally have a great night shooting 3's and pull out a 85-81 victory.....................here's hoping for a great game by the Illini and a victory over a higher ranked opponent............I really really do.....................
Do they though? If I've learned anything about college basketball refs over the decades it's that refs are going to ref, and any expectation that they're going to call a consistent game or call fouls consistently generally is thrown out soon after the opening whistle.
That said, I agree with your larger point in that this team will certainly struggle with physical opponents due to their young age and inexperience, especially against power 5 upperclassmen opponents. That's just life in the B10. You either grow to get more comfortable with it as you gain experience your freshman year or you get picked on all season. B10 seniors taking B10 freshmen's lunch money is a time honored tradition.
That all said, it's Game 4. Still a long time to grow and acclimate to the college game.
I’m excited to see Boswell v Sears. Boswell has defended at an all big ten level so far, if he can clamp him I like our chances a lot more (to state the obvious).
Looking forward to tonight. We’ll get a nice read at where we’re at. Win or lose, the team will still need to keep developing for them to reach the heights for which we’re hoping. But I’d prefer that work to continue as an undefeated team.
This game is going to depend on how well we can shoot it and how well we can rebound in my opinion. Alabama is going to get their points, but we've gotta limit their 2nd chance opportunities and generate some of our own. Thus far Alabama has had a tough time shooting the 3 ball, hitting at only a 30% clip, while putting up threes as 47% of their shots (that's a terrible about 0.91 pts per possession on nearly half of their shots!). If we can contest their behind the arc and the numbers hold, we'll have a decent chance in this one.
On the other end of the floor, Bama will allow you to shoot threes though they do contest them. We've just got to take advantage and make the high quality looks we get. Bama also hasn't really turned teams over, so from a matchup perspective, that style of play should in theory benefit us.
Play smart clean basketball, make your shots, and hope this isn't a "get right" shooting game for Bama and take home the victory! Go Illini!
On the other end of the floor, Bama will allow you to shoot threes though they do contest them. We've just got to take advantage and make the high quality looks we get. Bama also hasn't really turned teams over, so from a matchup perspective, that style of play should in theory benefit us.
Play smart clean basketball, make your shots, and hope this isn't a "get right" shooting game for Bama and take home the victory! Go Illini!
I think we'll go as Kasparas goes this year - he's really the key to our whole offense - if he plays well, I like our chances to hang with them, if he's timid or turning it over at a high rate - we can get blown out
Sorry if it's been mentioned here, but how did Purdue beat Bama? Are there holes they found or weaknesses that we can exploit as well? Watched them play Marq last night and was not impressed in the slightest.
The more I look at this, the more intrigued I am by this match up (and our chances).
Alabama has been pretty mediocre at limiting 3 point shots on defense. And we happen to shoot more threes than almost any team in the country.
Alabama thrives on getting and converting on high quality looks at the rim and getting to the foul line. So far, we've done well at forcing tough twos without fouling.
So, I think this comes down to Tomi. If he can protect the rim without fouling and stay on the court as a three point threat, I really like our chances.
Alabama has been pretty mediocre at limiting 3 point shots on defense. And we happen to shoot more threes than almost any team in the country.
Alabama thrives on getting and converting on high quality looks at the rim and getting to the foul line. So far, we've done well at forcing tough twos without fouling.
So, I think this comes down to Tomi. If he can protect the rim without fouling and stay on the court as a three point threat, I really like our chances.
The HOLE is called Mackey and it's loud.
Even though we are playing in Alabama, one advantage to it being a "neutral" site is that the Bama players will not be as used to shooting in this gym compared to their home court.
For a team struggling to find its shot, this might not be as ideal of a location to find it as opposed to it being a true home game with familiar rims and sightlines. For example, if the Illini were struggling shooting the ball, I would not feel great about a game at the United Center curing our three-point woes.
Obviously they could end up shooting really well anyway, but it's some reason for optimism that the Tide may not find their touch from beyond the arc just yet.
For a team struggling to find its shot, this might not be as ideal of a location to find it as opposed to it being a true home game with familiar rims and sightlines. For example, if the Illini were struggling shooting the ball, I would not feel great about a game at the United Center curing our three-point woes.
Obviously they could end up shooting really well anyway, but it's some reason for optimism that the Tide may not find their touch from beyond the arc just yet.
Mayer kind of had to be a chucker tbh. That was basically the entire half court offense.
Cox also went nuclear from 3 right when Purdue needed it most. It was a huge momentum swing when Alabama had actually been able to take a lead despite not shooting to their standards.
I hope that DGL plays well. It seems when he plays well off the bench we win and have several guys in double figures when he does. He is underrated defensively too. He is streaky and makes a big impact when he is rolling.
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