Pregame: Illinois vs Arizona, Saturday, December 11th, 4:00pm CT, FOX

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#101      

WeWillWhen

WeWillWhen
WeWillWhen
Spokane Illini said:
I saw Arizona play Michigan early on. They stymied Michigan's offense. They put tremendous ball pressure on Michigan's guards that got them totally out of rhythm. Koloko will probably be Kofi's biggest competition this season. We need to move the ball quickly or their pressure defense will be disruptive in the front court. They try to push it on every defensive rebound. Their new coach, Tommy Lloyd, was the assistant at Gonzaga for the past 20 years. I live in Spokane, so know all about how the Zags play basketball, and from what I observed in the Arizona-Michigan game, it was Gonzaga basketball. Expect a lot of cutters toward the hoop for easy lay ins and fast breaks as often as possible. He has basically adopted Gonzaga's footprint on offense. It will be hard to hold them down from scoring. They will play quite different from our typical Big Ten teams but should be a fast and exciting game.

Go Illini!
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I watched Koloko live in high school several times. He is tall, but nowhere close to as strong as Kofi (who is?). I'm actually rather surprised that he's the Cats' 2nd leading scorer, as I have never been impressed with his offensive game. Good shot blocker, though. If the Illini's 3-point shots are falling, they'll be fine.
 
#102      

hoopsfan47

H
hoopsfan47
A couple of times every game, Kofi turns into a double team from his blindside and loses the ball. So...I have been thinking, for a couple of years, that there could be some audio signal from his teammates that could make him aware of that tactic. It is really simple....when he get an entry pass, if he is alone and with room to operate.....the point guard starts yelling blue immediately to let him know there is nothing around but blue sky. If a double comes from his blind side, he yells red...over and over. i have not seen this done, but just wondering if anyone has or played with anyone who needs this kind of help...of which there are very, very few. Guards are generally moving changing direction quickly out on the court and this tactic would likely be of little help. But Kofi gets doubled every game, usually from the blind side, The player off which a defender on the blind side leaves to double should also be calling red immediately to let Kofi know he is getting the blind side double as well as the fact he is likely an open shooter at the arc. I have never played with someone who could use this tactic, and I have been doubled myself but was pretty much a perimeter scorer where I was aware of everyone in front of me. Anyone seen this done or have any thoughts? Having played a little and coached a very little, I have given it some thought for some time and have not come up with a significant deterrent, other than crowd noise which is not a factor most of the time. The two words used are not important and could be changed at any timeout. Chartreuse and Magenta likely will not work.
 
#103      

Noblesville Illini

Noblesville Illini
Nappanee, IN
Noblesville Illini
hoopsfan47 said:
A couple of times every game, Kofi turns into a double team from his blindside and loses the ball. So...I have been thinking, for a couple of years, that there could be some audio signal from his teammates that could make him aware of that tactic. It is really simple....when he get an entry pass, if he is alone and with room to operate.....the point guard starts yelling blue immediately to let him know there is nothing around but blue sky. If a double comes from his blind side, he yells red...over and over. i have not seen this done, but just wondering if anyone has or played with anyone who needs this kind of help...of which there are very, very few. Guards are generally moving changing direction quickly out on the court and this tactic would likely be of little help. But Kofi gets doubled every game, usually from the blind side, The player off which a defender on the blind side leaves to double should also be calling red immediately to let Kofi know he is getting the blind side double as well as the fact he is likely an open shooter at the arc. I have never played with someone who could use this tactic, and I have been doubled myself but was pretty much a perimeter scorer where I was aware of everyone in front of me. Anyone seen this done or have any thoughts? Having played a little and coached a very little, I have given it some thought for some time and have not come up with a significant deterrent, other than crowd noise which is not a factor most of the time. The two words used are not important and could be changed at any timeout. Chartreuse and Magenta likely will not work.
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Stop and Go?
 
#104      

IllinoisssssssVarsity

I
IllinoisssssssVarsity
hoopsfan47 said:
A couple of times every game, Kofi turns into a double team from his blindside and loses the ball. So...I have been thinking, for a couple of years, that there could be some audio signal from his teammates that could make him aware of that tactic. It is really simple....when he get an entry pass, if he is alone and with room to operate.....the point guard starts yelling blue immediately to let him know there is nothing around but blue sky. If a double comes from his blind side, he yells red...over and over. i have not seen this done, but just wondering if anyone has or played with anyone who needs this kind of help...of which there are very, very few. Guards are generally moving changing direction quickly out on the court and this tactic would likely be of little help. But Kofi gets doubled every game, usually from the blind side, The player off which a defender on the blind side leaves to double should also be calling red immediately to let Kofi know he is getting the blind side double as well as the fact he is likely an open shooter at the arc. I have never played with someone who could use this tactic, and I have been doubled myself but was pretty much a perimeter scorer where I was aware of everyone in front of me. Anyone seen this done or have any thoughts? Having played a little and coached a very little, I have given it some thought for some time and have not come up with a significant deterrent, other than crowd noise which is not a factor most of the time. The two words used are not important and could be changed at any timeout. Chartreuse and Magenta likely will not work.
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In Texas basketball culture anytime somebody is coming from behind to try to steal or trap they call wolf. Never heard that before here but if you don’t hear wolf your good, if you hear somebody’s coming from your blind spot.
 
#105      

lexwaldez

lexwaldez
lexwaldez
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Will be at the game with my fiancé and family. My parents haven’t been to a game since 2016 or so, my sister hasn’t been since the renovation and her boyfriend has never been to SFC/Assembly Hall. Hoping the atmosphere is as good as it should be! Krush needs to watch a video of the Wake Forest game and bring it like the old days!!
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I think it's stripe the SFC - check your tickets and figure out if you're orange or blue. I believe I'm orange. That's good luck! In Haiti.
 
#107      

DocMorgan

DocMorgan
DocMorgan
hoopsfan47 said:
A couple of times every game, Kofi turns into a double team from his blindside and loses the ball. So...I have been thinking, for a couple of years, that there could be some audio signal from his teammates that could make him aware of that tactic. It is really simple....when he get an entry pass, if he is alone and with room to operate.....the point guard starts yelling blue immediately to let him know there is nothing around but blue sky. If a double comes from his blind side, he yells red...over and over. i have not seen this done, but just wondering if anyone has or played with anyone who needs this kind of help...of which there are very, very few. Guards are generally moving changing direction quickly out on the court and this tactic would likely be of little help. But Kofi gets doubled every game, usually from the blind side, The player off which a defender on the blind side leaves to double should also be calling red immediately to let Kofi know he is getting the blind side double as well as the fact he is likely an open shooter at the arc. I have never played with someone who could use this tactic, and I have been doubled myself but was pretty much a perimeter scorer where I was aware of everyone in front of me. Anyone seen this done or have any thoughts? Having played a little and coached a very little, I have given it some thought for some time and have not come up with a significant deterrent, other than crowd noise which is not a factor most of the time. The two words used are not important and could be changed at any timeout. Chartreuse and Magenta likely will not work.
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#108      

STL Illini

S
STL Illini
doowink said:
I think these are the 5 keys for the Illini to beating Zona or just about any other major opponent for the rest of the season:

1. Take care of the ball....12 or fewer turnovers per game
2. Take advantage of fast break opportunities, but don't get caught up in the hap hazard run and gun style of play for any extended period of time
3. Break the Defensive Pressure with passes rather than trying to dribble through the traps
4. The offense needs to go through Kofi.....get him the ball....he gets double, triple teamed then kick it out to Plummer, Trent, Grandson, Goode,
Hawkins for the 3.
5. Continue the excellent FreeThrow %....especially the finally 5 minutes of the game

we do these things and the W's will follow
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The same game plan for every team that plays basketball in any league….
 
#111      

sacraig

sacraig
The desert
sacraig
hoopsfan47 said:
A couple of times every game, Kofi turns into a double team from his blindside and loses the ball. So...I have been thinking, for a couple of years, that there could be some audio signal from his teammates that could make him aware of that tactic. It is really simple....when he get an entry pass, if he is alone and with room to operate.....the point guard starts yelling blue immediately to let him know there is nothing around but blue sky. If a double comes from his blind side, he yells red...over and over. i have not seen this done, but just wondering if anyone has or played with anyone who needs this kind of help...of which there are very, very few. Guards are generally moving changing direction quickly out on the court and this tactic would likely be of little help. But Kofi gets doubled every game, usually from the blind side, The player off which a defender on the blind side leaves to double should also be calling red immediately to let Kofi know he is getting the blind side double as well as the fact he is likely an open shooter at the arc. I have never played with someone who could use this tactic, and I have been doubled myself but was pretty much a perimeter scorer where I was aware of everyone in front of me. Anyone seen this done or have any thoughts? Having played a little and coached a very little, I have given it some thought for some time and have not come up with a significant deterrent, other than crowd noise which is not a factor most of the time. The two words used are not important and could be changed at any timeout. Chartreuse and Magenta likely will not work.
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Why, exactly, would they need to speak in code?
 
#112      

21ChampaignSt

21ChampaignSt
21ChampaignSt
IllinoisssssssVarsity said:
In Texas basketball culture anytime somebody is coming from behind to try to steal or trap they call wolf. Never heard that before here but if you don’t hear wolf your good, if you hear somebody’s coming from your blind spot.
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I think this is pretty universal. Kind of like yelling, "Peter" in football. Either that or all my coaches trace their basketball lineage back to Texas. I was colorfully screaming "wolf" at my TV during the Marquette game when Trent got his pocket picked from behind in the final minute.
 
#114      

haasi

haasi
New York
haasi
BlindLoyalty said:
Arizona leads the nation in assists/game (23) is 6th in nation blocked shots/game (7) 3rd in nation in defensive rebounds/game (31.86). Those numbers are a recipe for a good defensive team. They play fast, they pass the ball and all 5 on the court can score the ball. This is not Sean Miller's offense. Mathurin will be difficult to guard, he is supremely talented and fun to watch. Lack of height/size at the guard position may be a challenge on D. Illinois had 19 offensive rebounds vs Iowa...AZ is one of the best in the nation at limiting offensive rebounds...should be a fun battle on the glass. Reunion for Plummer and Pelle Larsson who were backcourt mates at Utah. This should be one of the better up and down games of the year.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1467957166648619009
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Wow. Mathurin looks really good. In addition to all those crazy dunks went 4 for 9 from 3. Quick look online shows some have him projected in nba lottery. 6’6 or 6’7 with long arms crazy athleticism and skill. Probably some mix of damonte, grandison, and hawkins guarding him.
 
#119      

Chieeeeffffff

C
Chieeeeffffff
Can we call up Ty Rodgers to check Mathurin?

In all seriousness, Oregon State might be the worst power conference team in America, so take the dunk contest highlights with a grain of salt. Mathurin is obviously a super athlete, but I didn’t see much of anything in the half court. As others have said, the gameplan has to be to blow up their transition game and make their bigs feel the pain of guarding 7 ft 300 lbs.
 
#120      

jrichisamazing

J
jrichisamazing
Another first year head coach, just like Marquette and Cincinnati...but I think enough games have been played that BU will have a good game plan ready for Arizona. We win by 15.
 
#121      

TheGMan

TheGMan
TheGMan
hoopsfan47 said:
A couple of times every game, Kofi turns into a double team from his blindside and loses the ball. So...I have been thinking, for a couple of years, that there could be some audio signal from his teammates that could make him aware of that tactic. It is really simple....when he get an entry pass, if he is alone and with room to operate.....the point guard starts yelling blue immediately to let him know there is nothing around but blue sky. If a double comes from his blind side, he yells red...over and over. i have not seen this done, but just wondering if anyone has or played with anyone who needs this kind of help...of which there are very, very few. Guards are generally moving changing direction quickly out on the court and this tactic would likely be of little help. But Kofi gets doubled every game, usually from the blind side, The player off which a defender on the blind side leaves to double should also be calling red immediately to let Kofi know he is getting the blind side double as well as the fact he is likely an open shooter at the arc. I have never played with someone who could use this tactic, and I have been doubled myself but was pretty much a perimeter scorer where I was aware of everyone in front of me. Anyone seen this done or have any thoughts? Having played a little and coached a very little, I have given it some thought for some time and have not come up with a significant deterrent, other than crowd noise which is not a factor most of the time. The two words used are not important and could be changed at any timeout. Chartreuse and Magenta likely will not work.
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My hope is that the other players aren't just standing around watching Kofi (though it'd be easy to do), and may not be in a position to really yell it out. Plus, it probably would happen too quickly.

Just gotta let Kofi do his thing. Sometimes he is gonna lose the ball, but a lot of times he will score. He is also getting better at passing out of the double team. So maybe as time goes on, he will get a better feel for the double teams, and teams may stop doing it as often if it starts leading to wide open 3s
 
#122      

destindog

D
destindog
doowink said:
I think these are the 5 keys for the Illini to beating Zona or just about any other major opponent for the rest of the season:

1. Take care of the ball....12 or fewer turnovers per game
2. Take advantage of fast break opportunities, but don't get caught up in the hap hazard run and gun style of play for any extended period of time
3. Break the Defensive Pressure with passes rather than trying to dribble through the traps
4. The offense needs to go through Kofi.....get him the ball....he gets double, triple teamed then kick it out to Plummer, Trent, Grandson, Goode,
Hawkins for the 3.
5. Continue the excellent FreeThrow %....especially the finally 5 minutes of the game

we do these things and the W's will follow
Click to expand...
6. Tell Hawkins to stop shooting 3 pointers
 
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