It's officially game day. LFG.
Pregame: Illinois vs Houston, Sunday, March 20th, 11:10am CT, CBS
- Status
Underwood sounds like the infection is still a problem so I hope he's feeling GREAT by tomorrow morning. Even more, let's all hope Trent is feeling GREAT tomorrow (and beyond!). Trent seems to have the most feeling of "team" and "Illini" and that may contribute to his being seen as the leader. He brings heart and I think many of us feel that from him. So, bring it, Trent; we're with you!
Somebody here suggested that the team be made aware of some of the pertinent history of the Houston coach to fire them up to show him how it should be done. I agree. Use some righteous indignation that a coach with that history dares to show up to play Illinois. Play with pride! Beat 'em and Go Illini!
Somebody here suggested that the team be made aware of some of the pertinent history of the Houston coach to fire them up to show him how it should be done. I agree. Use some righteous indignation that a coach with that history dares to show up to play Illinois. Play with pride! Beat 'em and Go Illini!
If we win this game and make the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005, I sincerely hope that at some point in my life I run into Trent, DMW, Kofi, Grandi, or Plummer (or anyone else on this team) with the opportunity to buy them a beer to say “thank you”.
And if we lose, I hope for the exact same thing.
Go Illini!
And if we lose, I hope for the exact same thing.
Go Illini!
chrisRunner7
- Spokane, WA
Feeling quietly confident after watching the extended Houston-UAB highlights on YouTube.
I think we win if Trent shuts down 6'4" Kyler Edwards. Streaky shooter (33.6% from three) who shot 6-8 on threes on Friday against UAB, but who has PLENTY of 1-6 or 0-7 or 2-9 games throughout the season. Pink eye has not slowed down Trent's defense and I think he gets it done.
I think you gotta put DMW on 6'5" Taze Moore. Moore repeatedly backed down a smaller UAB guard in the post and it'd be a disaster to have Plummer on him. That means you're forced to "hide" Plummer on Jamal Shead and hope for the best.
I just hope the team comes out with energy and tenacity and doesn't let up. No sleepwalking into a 15-point first half deficit, please. And then if the shots don't fall and we lose to a very good Houston team, so be it.
Outstanding questions:
Will Trent be able to see out of both eyes
Will Grandison be able to use both arms
How will Kofi handle double teams
I think we win if Trent shuts down 6'4" Kyler Edwards. Streaky shooter (33.6% from three) who shot 6-8 on threes on Friday against UAB, but who has PLENTY of 1-6 or 0-7 or 2-9 games throughout the season. Pink eye has not slowed down Trent's defense and I think he gets it done.
I think you gotta put DMW on 6'5" Taze Moore. Moore repeatedly backed down a smaller UAB guard in the post and it'd be a disaster to have Plummer on him. That means you're forced to "hide" Plummer on Jamal Shead and hope for the best.
I just hope the team comes out with energy and tenacity and doesn't let up. No sleepwalking into a 15-point first half deficit, please. And then if the shots don't fall and we lose to a very good Houston team, so be it.
Outstanding questions:
Will Trent be able to see out of both eyes
Will Grandison be able to use both arms
How will Kofi handle double teams
Me too... and gosh, Houston seemed awfully proud of themselves for getting things done vs. high-40s Kenpom and NET.
Kofi's got 40 lbs on Carlton. Hopefully CH can outrun and outrebound White.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Alfonso Plummer was ready for his NCAA Tournament moment
Plummer had 13 of the Illini's 25 second half points in a first round win over Chattanooga.
PITTSBURGH — Alfonso Plummer had never played in an NCAA Tournament before.
But with the game on the line Friday, the graduate transfer from Utah was tasked with saving a sinking Illinois offense from disaster. The Illini started 0-for-9 from 3 and were down double digits in the second half to 13-seed Chattanooga with the end of the season looking them straight in the face.
Then Plummer finally got the team’s first 3 to fall. The next possession he got another. Then he hit a stepback jumper. All of a sudden it was a one-point game.
“Fonz got hot in the second half,” coach Brad Underwood said.
That heater kept the team in it, and with 12 seconds left Plummer drove to the lane and drew a foul. Down one, two free throws would have given the team the lead.
Plummer nailed both, and a Coleman Hawkins block sealed a 54-53 win to send Illinois to the second round and keep Plummer’s first and final Big Dance appearance alive. Plummer was the stone-cold killer who put the ball in the basket late with the game on the line.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Good signs:
* We've won 10 of our last 14 games (8 were on the road, or neutral)
* 11 of those opponents are in this year's NCAA Tournament field
* We seem to play well in games immediately after poor outings (with UTC being the lone exception)
If we can get three 3-pointers from Grandison (or Melendez/Goode in his place), we win!
* We've won 10 of our last 14 games (8 were on the road, or neutral)
* 11 of those opponents are in this year's NCAA Tournament field
* We seem to play well in games immediately after poor outings (with UTC being the lone exception)
If we can get three 3-pointers from Grandison (or Melendez/Goode in his place), we win!
Illini in OC
In. The. Alley.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
pre-game meal..............................
being an early game we decided on a breakfast brunch type menu.............................
Western Omelet / run through the garden
Hashbrown's
Biscuits and Gravy
Orange Juice
Persian Cinnamon Rolls
Coffee
gummy bears
groping and squeezing
Here's hoping for a victory and heading to the Sweet 16 for the beloved .............................................
being an early game we decided on a breakfast brunch type menu.............................
Western Omelet / run through the garden
Hashbrown's
Biscuits and Gravy
Orange Juice
Persian Cinnamon Rolls
Coffee
gummy bears
groping and squeezing
Here's hoping for a victory and heading to the Sweet 16 for the beloved .............................................
Hey Pru if you don't mind me asking a personal question??? What do you weigh??? Don't tell me 165...cause I may call BS on that...
...enjoy the breakfast and an Illini win.... and the NL'sPlummer is OK. Trent is sick and Grandi is hurt. DMW, Idk. I'd say it's a degradation rather than outliers. I think Trent and Belo offense have to wake up to give us a good chance.
He burns a lot of caloriesHey Pru if you don't mind me asking a personal question??? What do you weigh??? Don't tell me 165...cause I may call BS on that...
I'm with Brad when he said that we can't play any worse offensively .....I think we'll play pretty solid D and shoot the ball better from the perimeter....IF we make a decent FT % and keep them off the offensive boards then I am cautiously optimistic ....two big if's...
but it's doable....getter done boys!....lets keep this thing going
drsmitty74
- Rochester
Can he make at least 7, please?
Rebounding will a huge factor in this game- I think Kofi and Hawkins can handle their bigs on the glass - it’s guard rebounding that will be the difference
DMW and Belo will be key for that, if we win the rebounding battle, I think we win
They are not a great FT shooting team either (which is good because neither are we)
DMW and Belo will be key for that, if we win the rebounding battle, I think we win
They are not a great FT shooting team either (which is good because neither are we)
Michigan State’s Offensive Rebounding is a far cry from what it once was. But, yeah MIchigan State, program DNA
-wise is undoubtedly the closet thing to that in the B1G for sure.I’m not 100% positive but I think Izzo prefers to send just 3 to the offensive glass. 4 is extreme.
danielb927
Orange Krush Class of 2013
- Rochester, MN
KenPom factlet for Game Day - Houston has only faced one top-25 offense (Alabama) and one top-25 defense (Oklahoma St.) this season. Illinois is 26th in offense AND 24th in defense.
texillwek
🔶🔹🔸🔷
Yeah, I was on march madness savings time and leapt forward a day. Glad to hear the other two are still with us!
I’m going to be working during at least the first half if not all of the game today, most likely. Pray for me. Send positive thoughts. Whatever you desire
Go Illini!!
Go Illini!!
It's game day! LFG!!! 
- Status