Pregame: Illinois vs Chattanooga, Friday, March 18th, 5:50pm CT, TNT

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#57      
I would definitely rather be switched with Iowa's position. Chattanooga has 2 really good players in Malachi Smith and Jean-Baptiste. Smith's efficiency numbers especially are outstanding. Similar to us they have three high attempt 3pt shooters over 34%, 1 of whom is over 40%. They have strong 3pt defense and they are really proficient at forcing steals. They are an outstanding offensive rebounding team and really don't turn the ball over much. They are also an outstanding free throw shooting team though they don't get to the line often.

The major advantage we have is they are extremely undersized in the front court- only 2 players on the entire team over 6'7" and nobody over 6'10". If we are smart and get the ball inside to Kofi, we should get them in serious foul trouble and Kofi will eat. Main thing we need to do is be smart with the basketball, limit the turnovers, keep Smith and Baptiste from getting open threes and this is a team that we absolutely cannot fall behind because they will bury us at the line and are very good at guarding the three. Not the best matchup we could've gotten, but still gotta win it. We cannot afford to come out slow in this one or lose our defensive intensity.
 
#59      
Seth Davis with a smug little diss towards the BIG, what a little turd. We shredded his "projected bracket", so he is pouting like a spoiled toddler. How people as clueless as he gets paid so damn much money is a puzzle. I am well into my 60's, and if I ever run into him, I will have no problem telling him what an incompetent boob he is. I have filter problems with controlling vocalizing what I am thinking lol. I was a researcher and basically inferred the Vice Chancelor of the University I worked at was less than brilliant during a meeting once. You could visually see everyone moving/leaning away from me. :) Should probably had anger management counseling at some point, but now valium fills that roll.
 
#61      
Cant say much at Nooga. Houston is an advanced analytics darling - much like Loyola last year. We've seen what Zona can do. Feels like a real tough draw. B1G regular season still harder. Go Illini
 
#63      

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#70      
We have a team that can beat anyone on any given day. Sure we've been a bit inconsistent at times, but we are going in rested, and healthy. To win it all, you have to win 6 games in a row against top notch competition. I love our draw, and I love that we are back! The last 20 years we have been OUT of this tourney too often. Brad Underwood has brought back excitement, and dang it I'm ready!! I can't wait!!
 
#73      

ginabackes00

CrazedUIFan
I am surprised at the concern about Chattanooga. They are not big and athletic on the perimeter. They are very poor at shot blocking and 2 pt defense. Their center almost never passes the ball, nor is he an outside threat. Basically, they lack the ability to exploit our weaknesses. They are the JV version of us.
Which version? 😁
 
#75      

orange100

time to hop on the wife
Based on our inconsistencies this season, I didn't like our chances before the seeding came out- now seeing our bracket I really don't like us to make it past the first weekend. Would love to be wrong but I don't see it.
 
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