Iowa's team design actually makes me pretty excited to get Goode playing with Miller next year. I'm confident Miller's shot will get dialed in more and more and it looks like Goode is an absolute deadeye. I want other team's fans to worry about our shooting more than I am.
Pregame: Illinois vs Iowa, Friday, January 29th, 8:00pm CT, FS1
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Calillini
Now appearing in Tampa
Probably not going to catch Iowa on a night where they hit 5/23 (they had 23 attempts, not 21) and Bohannon is MIA.
Deleted member 747840
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I think if we come out with intensity and focus on defense, we hold the advantage. When we play with a purpose, we've been better than any team we've played so far, hold maybe Baylor (but we at least were on an even level as them).
Get Kofi going early and often, maybe get Garza in some foul trouble and you're cooking. A big key will be for Kofi to close out on Garza, it's been one of his biggest weaknesses this year.
Get Kofi going early and often, maybe get Garza in some foul trouble and you're cooking. A big key will be for Kofi to close out on Garza, it's been one of his biggest weaknesses this year.
Kofi stay out of foul trouble,...dont reach and dont jump on double pumps and hold your position....do your thing...and we win!
Garza doesn't have the foot quickness as some of the smaller, quicker 5s that Kofi has had to chase outside.
We are due for two great halves of basketball DEFENSE!!!
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
True, so we’ll have to beat them by simply outplaying them. Let’s remember we had these guys down like 16 in the second half last year, and we won by weathering their furious comeback that was fueled by 3s and Garza. Play tough perimeter defense and limit Garza to a good-not-exceptional night, and we can win. Unlike last year, I’m actually not worried about our offense keeping up IF our defense is on point!
ILLINI76
- Springfiled, IL.
From the git go, I will be pulling for our Illini. However, there is no way I can foresee this game being won by the guys in Orange and Blue. Iowa will be coming off and embarrassing loss, their worse shooting performance of the year, as well as looking for revenge from their distasteful loss in SFC last year. Probability is seldom denied and for them to come out anything but mentally prepared and primed to play at the other end of their curve is almost unimaginable.
But, strange things often happen in this game, and hope springs eternal, especially for Illini fans. This game can be won....but will it? We will find out soon. Meanwhile, I am expecting a tough loss, and hoping for a thrilling win. Neither means anything when the ball gets tossed.
But, strange things often happen in this game, and hope springs eternal, especially for Illini fans. This game can be won....but will it? We will find out soon. Meanwhile, I am expecting a tough loss, and hoping for a thrilling win. Neither means anything when the ball gets tossed.
CJ Fredrick looks like he'll be a game-time decision for Friday night. Fran's not dumb enough to tip his hand on whether he'll start or not until then. He classified it as a 'day-to-day' but 'lingering' injury today.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Eh, the last few weeks have shook off any swagger or shine I had as a fan and I now expect the worst in the back of my mind ... but I can't agree with this take 100%. This isn't like a 2010-2016 Illini team where we needed a Brandon Paul or Malcom Hill to absolutely go off to have a chance against an elite team. We HAVE the pieces to beat Iowa, period. If PSU broke us out of our funk, then we can win. If that game did not, then yes - we will lose, possibly badly.
However, Iowa does not simply outclass us at all five positions or anything. If we are effectively feeding Kofi and Miller/Frazier can knock down some (relatively) open shots, it COMPLETELY frees up Ayo to create, and all of a sudden we are a frickin' HANDFUL on the offensive end.
That isn't guaranteed to happen, of course, but my point is that an excellent outing by the Illini results in an Illini win, IMO. We don't need a miracle or anything.
Agree with what you're saying somewhat...but I really think that how well we play defense is the key.....Garza is going to get his 20 or so...but if we harass him, double team at times when he's not expecting it and get him somewhat flustered(couple quick fouls)...and keep Wisekamp, Bohanan and company from going off from 3....then I think our offense will be fine....make no mistake we can't have a ho hum offensive night...but to me the our defensive play is the key..jmhoEh, the last few weeks have shook off any swagger or shine I had as a fan and I now expect the worst in the back of my mind ... but I can't agree with this take 100%. This isn't like a 2010-2016 Illini team where we needed a Brandon Paul or Malcom Hill to absolutely go off to have a chance against an elite team. We HAVE the pieces to beat Iowa, period. If PSU broke us out of our funk, then we can win. If that game did not, then yes - we will lose, possibly badly.
However, Iowa does not simply outclass us at all five positions or anything. If we are effectively feeding Kofi and Miller/Frazier can knock down some (relatively) open shots, it COMPLETELY frees up Ayo to create, and all of a sudden we are a frickin' HANDFUL on the offensive end.
We can't have them hit 6 of their first 7 three's. I am afraid getting down early in this one will be en fuego. Get in the faces of their three point shooters and hope the refs call the chicken wing.
Deleted member 747903
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When have they ever called the chicken wing? With our luck, they for sure won't start on Friday.
illini80
- Forgottonia
I agree that our defense is they key. It seems there are many that believe Iowa‘s defense is legendary bad. If that is the case Friday night and we play any defense at all we should win. Sadly I don’t think it will be that easy. We need to play our best game on offense and defense. I do think the time is right for this team to turn the corner. I’m sticking with that belief until proven otherwise. I-L-L!
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Taking out what a big game it has become from a rivalry perspective (and that we only meet once this year), this is such a pivotal game for our season. The difference between our record after a win (11-5, 7-3 in B1G) and a loss (10-6, 6-4 in B1G) is pretty astounding for only being a one-game difference. If we win this game, our Tournament resume is looking mighty fine:
Record: 11-5 (7-3)
NET Ranking: #7 (and presumably higher)
NET Top 50 Wins: vs. #5 Iowa, vs. #31 Purdue, vs. #36 Penn State, at #36 Penn State, vs. #37 Minnesota, vs. #48 Indiana
Q1 Record: 2-4
Q2 Record: 6-1
Q3 Record: 1-0
Q4 Record: 2-0
Road Record: 3-2
With 2 Q1 wins, 6 Q2 wins and zero losses to Q3 or Q4 teams (thanks for climbing into Q2, Maryland!), we'd have an outstanding resume. Additionally, if you can beat Iowa, you have every chance in the world to notch several more signature wins from this upcoming schedule after the Hawkeyes:
at #48 Indiana
vs. #15 Wisconsin
at #3 Michigan
vs. #78 Northwestern
at #37 Minnesota
vs. #165 Nebraska
at #15 Wisconsin
at #17 Ohio State
We also should get makeup games for possible road victories at #165 Nebraska and at #84 Michigan State. This next game vs. Iowa really has the chance to practically erase whatever damage has been done by the 5 losses we have racked up already ... I know that sounds melodramatic to some, but this would honestly be the definition of a signature win. Let's go give them everything we've got!
Record: 11-5 (7-3)
NET Ranking: #7 (and presumably higher)
NET Top 50 Wins: vs. #5 Iowa, vs. #31 Purdue, vs. #36 Penn State, at #36 Penn State, vs. #37 Minnesota, vs. #48 Indiana
Q1 Record: 2-4
Q2 Record: 6-1
Q3 Record: 1-0
Q4 Record: 2-0
Road Record: 3-2
With 2 Q1 wins, 6 Q2 wins and zero losses to Q3 or Q4 teams (thanks for climbing into Q2, Maryland!), we'd have an outstanding resume. Additionally, if you can beat Iowa, you have every chance in the world to notch several more signature wins from this upcoming schedule after the Hawkeyes:
at #48 Indiana
vs. #15 Wisconsin
at #3 Michigan
vs. #78 Northwestern
at #37 Minnesota
vs. #165 Nebraska
at #15 Wisconsin
at #17 Ohio State
We also should get makeup games for possible road victories at #165 Nebraska and at #84 Michigan State. This next game vs. Iowa really has the chance to practically erase whatever damage has been done by the 5 losses we have racked up already ... I know that sounds melodramatic to some, but this would honestly be the definition of a signature win. Let's go give them everything we've got!
I am a very happy camper today. Was thinking game is on Saturday and just realized it’s tomorrow night. Hell yeah.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed that. He uses that on every spin move and it’s never called against him.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
Not a single player on Iowa that can guard Ayo. Expect a big game from him 30+ points, at the very least he has to match Garza.
Dan
Admin
Body, beets, Big Ten basketball: Juice shots help Illini reach peak performance
The Illini take two shots of beet juice before games, which maximizes performance.
247sports.com
Last year in Iowa city, Coach Francis ran an effective match-up zone and the Illini lost 72 to 65
www.si.com
Why might the zone be less effective this year, than it was last year? Thoughts?
Zoned Out - How Can Illini Defeat More Zone Defense Looks?
Illinois only converts 28.4 percent of 3-pointers in Big Ten play so Brad Underwood knows his team can’t likely shoot teams out of a zone.
www.si.com
Why might the zone be less effective this year, than it was last year? Thoughts?
Deleted member 29907
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Guest
My quick thoughts:Last year in Iowa city, Coach Francis ran an effective match-up zone and the Illini lost 72 to 65
Zoned Out - How Can Illini Defeat More Zone Defense Looks?
Illinois only converts 28.4 percent of 3-pointers in Big Ten play so Brad Underwood knows his team can’t likely shoot teams out of a zone.
Why might the zone be less effective this year, than it was last year? Thoughts?
1. Better outside shooting potential - Miller, DMW, Ayo, Trent can all get hot.
2. Better passing team this year - something started to click
3. Grandison at the free throw line is a much better option in the middle of the zone - can pass, can shoot, hits the boards hard
4. Kofi one year older
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