Pregame: Illinois vs Houston, 9:05pm CT, TBS

Status
Not open for further replies.
#76      
Coogfan1
Illini2010-11 said:
Really good analysis here. The bold is why I feel confident the Illini can win. It is not often that the most efficient offensive team plays a very slow pace.

Houston is a very physical team. The Illini have a lot of length, but they are not the most physically dominating team at all. A lot will be determined with how tight the refs call the game. If the refs allow a lot of physicality with limited whistles, I think that will favor Houston's style.

It really is a coin flip type of game. I think free throw shooting down the stretch will determine the winner of the game.

I think whoever wins this game tonight goes to the Final 4.
Click to expand...
Hard agree on your last sentence. These two teams are special and have the right guys to get to Indianapolis.

Also, to your point, how this game is called will go a long way. It’s no secret that Houston is one of the most physical teams in college basketball.
 
#77      
IlliniTime
Thaillini22 said:
In terms of the pre-game media punditry, it seems like we have no chance. Like, everyone has good things to say, but are afraid to pick us to win.

I like that.
Click to expand...
Me too. Our shaky end to the season turned people off to us. That’s a great prelude to a massive sneak attack.
 
#79      
the juiceman cometh
Vinegarben said:
I just watched the replay of the elite 8 from 2005 against Arizona. Illini down by 15 with 4 minutes, down by 9 with under a minute to go and somehow tie game and win it in OT. I feel like the Illini somehow will beat Houston in a nail biter down the stretch by an unsung hero by 3 points. 76-73 [Petrovic];)
Click to expand...
Wait, are you back to rooting for us?

1774544585876.png

Basketball knower over here:

1774544633603.png
 
#80      
WyattEarp
Illiniforlife said:
How is the board feeling today about the game—on a scale from 1 to 10?

1 meaning we’re going to get beat by 30 and give up a 30–0 run

10 meaning we’re going to blow them out by 25+.

I’m probably at about a 3.5 to 4. I think their defensive aggressiveness could really cause us problems, especially if the officials let them play. Plus, how are we going to handle their quick guards? Do we keep playing drop coverage if Flemings is torching us in the mid‑range?

I just hope Brad isn’t too stubborn to make the
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
#84      
wc_illini
The line has nudged even more towards Illinois since I posted last night. It had already moved from Hou -3.5 (but slightly favoring Illinois at those points) to -2.5 (but slightly favoring Houston), and now it's Hou -2.5 pretty much straight up. Moneyline odds are now 42-43%

At Kalshi, we briefly dipped below 40% two days ago, but now it's back up to 43%
 
#85      
Mistakenj
I think tonight’s game will tell us 2 things: 1) do we need to get more athletic next year and 2) can Underwood make in-game adjustments and out coach a really good coach.

Werner’s last podcast brought up something pretty revealing….the only single digit seed Brad has beaten in the tournament at Illinois was Iowa State.
 
#86      
MikeTisdale
Coogfan1 said:
Houston fan, here. I come in peace.

I’ve been browsing yalls forum for the past few days and it seems many of you feel the same way as us Houston fans. Both teams will need to bring their A+++++ game to advance to the elite 8. This is a final four level matchup. Y’all’s offensive efficiency and rebounding differential is quite terrifying. Houston usually forces highly efficient offensive teams into playing a slower game, but this Illinois team is one of the worst matchups I could imagine. The Illini already play at a slow pace, which means Houston will have to look elsewhere if we want to impose our will.

I personally believe this game will be won on the boards. Houston has had many elite rebounding teams, like our suffocating defense, it’s been part of our identity. However, I feel that we are not as strong in this category as we have been in the past.

I think experience will also go a long way in this matchup. I believe the final score will be somewhere around 68-66, but I can’t even pick a winner. I think this will be an enjoyable game for anyone who isn’t an Illini or Cougar fan. Get ready to get your cardio in watching this one! Good luck!
Click to expand...
If Houston is only scoring 68 points, then Illinois is going to win by 15+ points.
 
#88      
Curbelo Fanboy
bleedorange and blue said:
Over Over Over due
Click to expand...
This is true. We all know our tourney history of heart break, near misses, self inflicted wounds & screw jobs. This feels like a spot where if you want to that next level, you eventually have to just go out & win a mf'n game. Just that simple. No excuses, no bs just get the job done. We have never really played over our potential in the tourney historically. A win as a 5 over a 4 vs Ciny, a 3 over a 2 against Iowa State and a 9 over an 8 against UNLV don't really move the needle. Winnings as a 3 over a 2 in a virtual road game as a clear underdog would change the perception of the program & the head coach.
 
#90      
ptgrd23
Time for Keaton to shine. I want to see an incredible performance like the Purdue and Nebraska road wins.

TSJ came thru with 29 points to beat Iowa State.

Keaton this is your chance to join the ranks of Deron Williams, Nick Anderson etc as the Illini great who leveled up in the NCAA and got us to the FF
 
#91      
Altuve27
Illiniforlife said:
How is the board feeling today about the game—on a scale from 1 to 10?

1 meaning we’re going to get beat by 30 and give up a 30–0 run

10 meaning we’re going to blow them out by 25+.

I’m probably at about a 3.5 to 4. I think their defensive aggressiveness could really cause us problems, especially if the officials let them play. Plus, how are we going to handle their quick guards? Do we keep playing drop coverage if Flemings is torching us in the mid‑range?

I just hope Brad isn’t too stubborn to make the necessary adjustments.
Click to expand...
rocky GIF
 
#93      
jrock
I think the game simply comes down to 1 thing and that will be how its' officiated. The way the NCAA tournament has gone so far is not a good sign for the Illini heading into this match-up. If the refs swallow their whistles like they have been for the majority of the tournament this game will not be close.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RML
#94      
jrock
MikeTisdale said:
If Houston is only scoring 68 points, then Illinois is going to win by 15+ points.
Click to expand...
Its happened 11 times this year where Houston has given up more than 68 pts. They are 5-6 in those games. We may be better suited having Bos or Mirk bring the ball up. I really feel like Keaton will get eaten alive if he's the one bringing the ball up the floor. I think we play hard but not very well offensively.

Defense wins championships and that holds here tonight too. Houston 68-62.
 
Last edited:
#95      
Todd99
jrock said:
Its happened 11 times this year where Houston has given up more than 68 pts. They are 5-6 in those games. We may be better suited having Bos or Mirk bring the ball up. I really feel like Keaton will get eaten alive if he's the one bringing the ball up the floor. I think we play hard but not very well offensively.

Defense wins championships and that holds here tonight too. Houston 68-62.
Click to expand...
Get Out Romano GIF by TV Land
 
#100      
Noblesville Illini
DJM said:
FT's have been a concern for me. We have consistently throughout the year hovered around 80%.
Since Maryland we are 47-68 for 69%.
Can't leave any points at the line.
Click to expand...
Yes, free throws will decide this game. Refs calling for them and players hitting them. We better not miss bunnies either. It’s nearly Easter after all!!! /s
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back