Pregame: Illinois vs Drexel, Friday, March 19th, 12:15pm CT, TBS

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#251      
The article calling Kofi Cockburn the most indispensable, I think is flat out wrong. Having Georgi as one of the best backup centers in the B1G makes this entire team click. Kofi is legit, we all love him but if Kofi gets in foul trouble this team has the depth to pick him up whereas almost every other team listed after us doesn't have that depth.
No big deal, we are still awesome and undefeated in tournament play so far. Until that changes, say what you will.
 
#252      
The article calling Kofi Cockburn the most indispensable, I think is flat out wrong. Having Georgi as one of the best backup centers in the B1G makes this entire team click. Kofi is legit, we all love him but if Kofi gets in foul trouble this team has the depth to pick him up whereas almost every other team listed after us doesn't have that depth.
No big deal, we are still awesome and undefeated in tournament play so far. Until that changes, say what you will.
I feel Georgi has been key to Illinois success. The chemistry of the team would not be what it is if he did not maintain his upbeat attitude after seeing his playing time cut significantly from his freshman year. He was BMOC the first year. He has struggled at times this year yet he steps in when needed with a fantastic attitude. Many others would not have been able to do that. It will be interesting to see his role next year and how he performs.
 
#253      

Deleted member 747903

D
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The article calling Kofi Cockburn the most indispensable, I think is flat out wrong. Having Georgi as one of the best backup centers in the B1G makes this entire team click. Kofi is legit, we all love him but if Kofi gets in foul trouble this team has the depth to pick him up whereas almost every other team listed after us doesn't have that depth.
No big deal, we are still awesome and undefeated in tournament play so far. Until that changes, say what you will.
Agree but it depends which Giorgi you get. Having OSU Giorgi means we are unstoppable
 
#256      
I feel Georgi has been key to Illinois success. The chemistry of the team would not be what it is if he did not maintain his upbeat attitude after seeing his playing time cut significantly from his freshman year. He was BMOC the first year. He has struggled at times this year yet he steps in when needed with a fantastic attitude. Many others would not have been able to do that. It will be interesting to see his role next year and how he performs.
Would argue it is combination of Giorgi, DaMonte, and Belo off the bench. Then I would argue it is two players the best at their position or is it the role Grandy has played at the four, or the best defensive guard, or a freshman shooter who plays solid defense. Bottom line is, it is a team with all the pieces.
 
#257      
grue2 said:
I want to see Kofi shoot some 3s once the game is well in hand. If he makes them, his draft stock goes way up. If he misses, well that was known.


Okay, so it is BS. I just want to see Kofi shoot some 3s. You try and come up with a good excuse.
Free throws. If he can click a la Karl Malone and start making free throws at a high clip out of nowhere, that would be bananas awesome! On St Patty’s Day, we would call that “magically delicious.”
 
#258      
Would argue it is combination of Giorgi, DaMonte, and Belo off the bench. Then I would argue it is two players the best at their position or is it the role Grandy has played at the four, or the best defensive guard, or a freshman shooter who plays solid defense. Bottom line is, it is a team with all the pieces.
I agree that each is key to the success and everyone has been willing to accept their role. I think the hardest roles to accept would be Giorgi and DaMonte moving from starting to back up. It just takes one or two sulking or unhappy players to detract from what seems to be outstanding Illinois chemistry.
 
#259      
#260      

GallopingGhost

Denver, CO
Since this is a Pregame thread about a game about Drexel, let’s actually talk about Drexel

Drexel Dragons
#6 in the Colonial Athletic Association
12-7 (7-5 in conference)
130 BPI
145 Kenpom (95th in AdjO, 247th in AdjD)
135 NET
Equivalent of a Quad 3 game


Got the Autobid by winning CAA conference tournament.
Went 5-1 in Feb and March, had a long pause in the middle of Feb due to COVID (idk if it was their team or others)
Top 75 NET game results- lost to Pitt 74-83 as their first game in Nov

Players
Camren Wynter G Jr: avg 16.8ppg/3.6 R/ 5.3 A.
Junior Guard with good shooting percentage, hits 2pt at about a 50% clip and 3pt at about 40%
James Butler F Jr: 12.9/9/2. Most likely will be the one battling with Kofi most but he’s listed as 6’8”
Zach Walton and Mate Okros are other guards that shoot 3’s at a decent clip (40%) though it seems Zach drives and shoots more than Mate.

We are favored by about -23, and ESPN predictor has us as a 96.2% chance of winning.

5B1363B8-EBDD-4CAB-9F15-798095AF8DC5.jpeg
 
#261      

Epsilon

M tipping over
Pdx
Nice read. I think what a lot of the fan base is feeling.
I have been thinking a lot about how grateful I am to be able to watch this team this year too. So many pieces clicking at the right time and it’s been a great distraction from the insanity of the past year. I had actually been thinking about starting a ‘gratitude’ thread dedicated to the players, coaches, support staff, and the MBB program in general for the gift of this year. But wanted to wait until the tournament was over (and hopefully with a trophy). I just have so many great memories of all the contributions each player made, and also thought it would be great to acknowledge some of the under appreciated players that have been key to this year’s success, like DMFW, Giorgi, and Trent in addition to the stars who have been receiving accolades (Ayo, Kofi, Curbelo).
 
#262      

haasi

New York
TJ Bickerstaff is an athletic 6’9 wing and a grandson of Bernie. Based on brief glance, kind of reminds of Dalano Banton. Long, athletic, rebounds, can handle ball and slash to score but not a great shooter.
 
#263      
Can't imagine a realistic scenario where this game is even close. We beat teams without Ayo, Giorgi would be starting on Drexel, etc. No disrespect to Drexel, but c'mon now. If it is close, this board will absolutely implode.

Let's get through it without injury or covid. Boost anyone's (maybe Coleman) confidence who may need it.

Then the games begin!
 
#264      

dgcrow

Kelso, WA
Can't imagine a realistic scenario where this game is even close. We beat teams without Ayo, Giorgi would be starting on Drexel, etc. No disrespect to Drexel, but c'mon now. If it is close, this board will absolutely implode.

Let's get through it without injury or covid. Boost anyone's (maybe Coleman) confidence who may need it.

Then the games begin!
It shouldn't be close unless the Illini simply take the game for granted, which is doubtful. One of the few notables about the contest is that it is the first time the Illini and Drexel have ever met on the basketball court.
 
#265      

Deleted member 747903

D
Guest
It shouldn't be close unless the Illini simply take the game for granted, which is doubtful. One of the few notables about the contest is that it is the first time the Illini and Drexel have ever met on the basketball court.

Based on how we have come out lately I expect us to go for the jugular early and get out to a 20+ point lead by halftime.

Remember that the B10 tourney was the first postseason experience for our entire roster and they got out to great starts in all three games. Don't expect anything different here.
 
#267      

Deleted member 746826

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The article calling Kofi Cockburn the most indispensable, I think is flat out wrong. Having Georgi as one of the best backup centers in the B1G makes this entire team click. Kofi is legit, we all love him but if Kofi gets in foul trouble this team has the depth to pick him up whereas almost every other team listed after us doesn't have that depth.
No big deal, we are still awesome and undefeated in tournament play so far. Until that changes, say what you will.
georgi has his moments but sometimes he looks like tiny tim out there!
he is not a great rebounder.
 
#268      

Deleted member 747903

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georgi has his moments but sometimes he looks like tiny tim out there!
he is not a great rebounder.

Not true. Giorgi has a great motor when he's in a good groove out there. It's the times when he gets called for ticky tack fouls or something else that's avoidable that his game seemingly disappears.
 
#269      

Deleted member 746826

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Not true. Giorgi has a great motor when he's in a good groove out there. It's the times when he gets called for ticky tack fouls or something else that's avoidable that his game seemingly disappears.
he is a consistent source of delight even when he does not play well.
However, he often does not play well, at least in spurts.
sure its great when he puts in ten straight points, and the last three were something special, but there are also times when he should not be on the court with belo. he has better hands than egwu so he out to be able to handle more of those passes from belo.
and he is what he is rebounding, but just doesnt seem to h ave much vertical to his game.
 
#273      
It shouldn't be close unless the Illini simply take the game for granted, which is doubtful. One of the few notables about the contest is that it is the first time the Illini and Drexel have ever met on the basketball court.
I think Virginia’s loss to UMBC makes it less likely we’ll see another 16 over 1 upset any time soon since players now know that it CAN happen. Also, if they fall behind a bit, they won’t have the added pressure of being the first 1 seed to lose to a 16.
 
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