Pregame: Illinois vs Duquesne, Saturday, March 23rd, 7:40pm CT, TNT

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#326      
Late to this thread but I agree with this to an extent. Teams are definitely out hustling to loose balls though at certain stages in our game, not necessarily only the beginning.

That’s why it was refreshing to see TJs determination to get that loose ball against Morehead State.

Let’s start that way today.
I haven’t seen lapses in effort with this team since the tournament season started. Being “too tight” has been a bigger issue at times.
 
#327      

JFGsCoffeeMug

BU:1 Trash cans:0
Chicago
Ty, Quincy, and Harmon looked nervous last game. Lights might have been a little too bright. Moment might have felt a little too big. The possibility of losing and going home might have felt crushing.

But we survived.

Time to adapt and just go out there and do what they've done all season. Establish themselves on defense and take what the other team gives them on offense. Contribute. That's all they need to do tonight.
 
#329      

altgeld88

Arlington, Virginia
Simple pre game speech.....this team knows how to win...this team knows how to have fun.

Now go do both.
I prefer a message targeting their 'tude from the tip. Via one of my favorite scenes in one of my favorite films: Lost in Translation

More Intensity GIF.gif
 
#332      
Everyone is saying Duquense coming out aggressive and going to try to punk Illinois. Need to get Dainja in early, go big and key on mismatches. Quincy needs to play aggressive and relaxed, seems to have dissappeared in teh Big Ten Chamipionship and first game. Quincey locked in and involved and we are a much better team.
 
#334      
I'd like to see a t-shift of a bear dancing with a troll. Insert the appropriate heads.
 
#336      
plenty of analytics out there that claim being a slow methodical and defensive minded team wins you tournament games. Duquesne does just that. This isn’t a gimme.

That being said, we can win it on the offensive side of the court, I don’t believe they can. I think this is a close game for most of the way but I trust this offense can pull away when it matters like they’ve done in the past 4 games.
 
#337      
On paper, this doesn't look very pretty for the Dukes...Thinking they'll go Jimmy Clark (6'3") on Shannon, which would leave either Grant (6'2") or DiMichele (6'4") to deal with Domask. They may try and throw their 5 man Dixon on Ty, who should look to be aggressive today. If they stray from that, Dixon is better suited to guard Coleman on the perimeter than their big guy Mahorcic, but neither are particularly comfortable out there. Quincy needs to put his foot down and outplay Drame & the freshman Necas. They're going to have to straight up hide Kareem Rozier as best they can. He's only 5'9".

Of course, this can all go out the window if we don't bring good energy from the tip. If we have our heads on straight, we'll cruise tonight. LFGO
 
#339      
If this team ends up doing something special in the tournament I think they should forever be known as the Nail Biting Illini. This habit they have of letting teams hang with them for most (but not all) of the game can be maddening. But it's also quite entertaining. If you all are like me you've nibbled your nails down to the cuticle.
I have no more fingernails to bite, and I won't move to my toenails. I L L
 
#341      

Illini2010-11

Sugar Grove
Let's just call it what it is. Duquense is the worst team left in the tourney.

Real monsters don't play with their food.
Analytically speaking, this is not accurate at all. Oakland had a NET in the 100s and is a 14 seed. Yale is a 13 seed and had a NET of 83 slighly below Duquesne. So not the worst team left, but still a much better draw than the other 3 seeds left. Illini need to take advantage of this and make it to the second weekend. No excuses.
 
#344      

BBIQ

Texas
Today is going to be a Hawkins game. I can feel it! I love that we have 4 guys that can take over a game and as long as 2 of them are playing well it seems we can run with anybody.
 
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