Pregame: Illinois vs Iowa, Saturday, March 28th, 5:09pm CT, TBS

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#451      
ptgrd23
Cant find my Battle33 flying illlini tshirt. My wife must have donated it
 
#453      
Fighter of the Nightman
Heisenbobble said:
Morning, Illini fans! How is everyone feeling about tonight’s game? I’m just as nervous about this one as I was about the Houston game. Worried that Iowa will play balls out with house money. Illini Nation really needs this win. It’s been far too long.
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Sick to my stomach nervous, lol. My wife works today so it’s me and the 2 year old settling in for the big game. Most of my friends are Iowa fans having grown up in Iowa City, and a loss would be SO painful. I also don’t think I could mentally accept Iowa winning a title before we do if they kept the magic going. We are so close to Indy and the ultimate stage, and I think I’ve found a way to go to the Final Four if we make it … to falter at the finish line to a rival would just be so heartbreaking.

But with all of that said … I’m NOT nervous for our team. I think the staff will have them ready, and the boys will bring the intensity. I truly believe in this team, but as the game gets closer I have nerves I’m not sure I’ve EVER had watching Illinois, haha.

Let’s go get our SIXTH Final Four!!
 
#455      
Dee_4_Three_83
Second place is 1st loser said:
This free throw issue has not been a one off situation. We lost to Alabama, Wisconsin(twice) and I believe MSU and all of those losses could be directly attributed to free throw shooting.

We don't even take into account missing the front end, which is the equivalent of a turnover.

Against Houston, we built an enormous lead, but our inability to close that game out with 5 minutes to go created a bit of a dicey situation.

As we sit here today, if we NEED two free throws, who do you want up there that you feel confident about?

If we get beat in a game because the other team just played better and seemed better, that's fine. UCONN and Michigan fall into that category. I can live with that.

It would be a real shame if we get bounced because we shoot 55% from the line or shoot 80% all game, then gag at the end by going 1 of 6.
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Who I would like to see on the line in a tight game is Andre Stojakovic. But, he seems to be the inbounder, so it falls to Kylan to be the guy. I think it isn't just about the free throw shooting though. It's about who you think will be able to be strong with the ball and not cough it up when getting fouled. I think Kylan and Keaton both had some pressure free throws that they missed, then they composed themselves and made them Friday night. I think that bodes well for them to step up and know how to overcome that for this game if needed.

I hope it is the same situation we had Friday, where missing free throws is the difference between a 10 point and a 20 point win. And I hope that we make them and have the human victory cigar in there to make the last free throw or hand the ball to the Hawkeyes when the clock hits zero.

Obviously today is a huge legacy and program elevating game. I am choosing to think that we are already on a really good level, and this win will just accelerate our program's stature. Regardless, our program is on a great trajectory and it's been a successful season. Go Illini!
 
#457      
RockfordIllini
All of Iowa’s tourney wins have been close which concerns me, as we’ve had trouble closing games. So I took a look at their schedule throughout the year to see how they’ve done in close games all year, and they’ve actually played a ton of close games which I’m defining as games where the final score ends within 3 possessions. The good news is they don’t have a Maholmes like record in close games. By my count they went 9-7 so a smidge above average, but included in that record are close losses to bottom feeders Penn State and Maryland. And against KenPom top 20 teams they finished 3-7, but 2 of those wins have come in the tourney. During the regular season they finished just 1-7 with their only win vs Nebraska, though they were only blown out twice.

And McCollum talked about how they need a 100% game to win consistently. I went back and rewatched the highlights from our game and I actually think we already saw a 100% game from Iowa, at least in the second half. Fuelgaris and Sage and Koch all drilling 3s. Guys cutting and finding layups. That’s what they are doing now and we’ve seen it and withstood it.

Now, we also had the luxury of building an 11 point lead at the half and we also got some timely shot making from Keaton in crunch time to close it out, and we also went 9-11 from the line.

So there’s a few ways to look at it, something may have clicked for Iowa and they’ve gone up a level. Or they are just continuing to do their thing and play in low possession close games. I happen to think it’s likely the latter, which means they are due to lose one of their close ones.

And as for us, while Keaton has regained his form somewhat in the tourney, I don’t know if he’s quite as nails as he was in January and February before he hurt his shoulder so I don’t think we can bank on Keaton to take us home in a close one. And we are 66% on free throws. Neither bodes well in a close game.

That said, we are as locked in defensively as we’ve been all year. And for as good as we’ve played I don’t know that we’ve had an A offensive performance since Penn, who was just overmatched.

So my prediction, we execute enough offensively and get enough stops to close out a too close for comfort win, maybe 78-73. But of course anything can happen.
 
#460      
Altuve27
Jeremy Werner does it so so can I! 😂 Three keys and a prediction:

1. We have to be the tougher, grittier team. Loose balls have to be ours. We have to abuse them on the glass.

2. Free throws. Free throws. Free throws. 80% is where we need to be.

3. MUST chase Iowa off the three-point line. Make them shoot contested 2s.

Prediction: 80-72 Illinois
 
#461      
Illinicpa14
RockfordIllini said:
All of Iowa’s tourney wins have been close which concerns me, as we’ve had trouble closing games. So I took a look at their schedule throughout the year to see how they’ve done in close games all year, and they’ve actually played a ton of close games which I’m defining as games where the final score ends within 3 possessions. The good news is they don’t have a Maholmes like record in close games. By my count they went 9-7 so a smidge above average, but included in that record are close losses to bottom feeders Penn State and Maryland. And against KenPom top 20 teams they finished 3-7, but 2 of those wins have come in the tourney. During the regular season they finished just 1-7 with their only win vs Nebraska, though they were only blown out twice.

And McCollum talked about how they need a 100% game to win consistently. I went back and rewatched the highlights from our game and I actually think we already saw a 100% game from Iowa, at least in the second half. Fuelgaris and Sage and Koch all drilling 3s. Guys cutting and finding layups. That’s what they are doing now and we’ve seen it and withstood it.

Now, we also had the luxury of building an 11 point lead at the half and we also got some timely shot making from Keaton in crunch time to close it out, and we also went 9-11 from the line.

So there’s a few ways to look at it, something may have clicked for Iowa and they’ve gone up a level. Or they are just continuing to do their thing and play in low possession close games. I happen to think it’s likely the latter, which means they are due to lose one of their close ones.

And as for us, while Keaton has regained his form somewhat in the tourney, I don’t know if he’s quite as nails as he was in January and February before he hurt his shoulder so I don’t think we can bank on Keaton to take us home in a close one. And we are 66% on free throws. Neither bodes well in a close game.

That said, we are as locked in defensively as we’ve been all year. And for as good as we’ve played I don’t know that we’ve had an A offensive performance since Penn, who was just overmatched.

So my prediction, we execute enough offensively and get enough stops to close out a too close for comfort win, maybe 78-73. But of course anything can happen.
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Anything can happen

I just look at the insane offense stats and close game endings just to win those games.

It’s 1 game but feel like regression to their mean is more likely. The offensive rating on Torvik is like 15% better than the #1 team this year - that’s just not sustainable in basketball….but it’s 1 game and anything can happen.
 
#462      
lstewart53x3
Iowa with 3 of their best wins of the season in the tournament, but if you sort Torvik by the last month (from March 1st on), here’s the rankings of the teams they beat:

#53 Clemson (by 6)
#30 Nebraska (by 6)
#15 Florida (by 1)

Compared to:

#88 Penn (by 35)
#37 VCU (by 21)
#5 Houston (by 10)

And now it comes down to:

#19 Iowa vs #4 Illinois
 
#463      
AnnoyedWithGarza
I have lost my Illinois hat, right before the tournament started. Stopped wearing my good Illinois gear for the last 3 games.

I'm down to wearing the same black pull over and White Sox hat.
 
#466      
band camp
AnnoyedWithGarza said:
I have lost my Illinois hat, right before the tournament started. Stopped wearing my good Illinois gear for the last 3 games.

I'm down to wearing the same black pull over and White Sox hat.
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Ive been wearing black on gamedays too. Its been working.

Im in black and gray today in honor of great Dane puppy Pic yesterday.

Cool gray, Jordan's 11s are my shoe choice for the day. I have a shoe problem too.

Also, sporting a Tomi-style mustache.
 
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#467      
AnnoyedWithGarza
band camp said:
Ive been wearing black on gamedays too. Its been working.

Im in black and gray today in honor of great Dane puppy Pic yesterday.

Cool gray, Jordan's 11s are my shoe choice for the day. I have a shoe problem too.
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Do you think the pants matter? I'll put the shorts back on and freeze if it matters. Haha
 
#472      
Curbelo Fanboy
Heisenbobble said:
Morning, Illini fans! How is everyone feeling about tonight’s game? I’m just as nervous about this one as I was about the Houston game. Worried that Iowa will play balls out with house money. Illini Nation really needs this win. It’s been far too long.
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We “should” win but should don’t hang no banners. Nervous but if we play good we win. It’s that simple really. I hope we come out cooking from the tip.
 
#473      
DJM
Second place is 1st loser said:
This free throw issue has not been a one off situation. We lost to Alabama, Wisconsin(twice) and I believe MSU and all of those losses could be directly attributed to free throw shooting.

We don't even take into account missing the front end, which is the equivalent of a turnover.

Against Houston, we built an enormous lead, but our inability to close that game out with 5 minutes to go created a bit of a dicey situation.

As we sit here today, if we NEED two free throws, who do you want up there that you feel confident about?

If we get beat in a game because the other team just played better and seemed better, that's fine. UCONN and Michigan fall into that category. I can live with that.

It would be a real shame if we get bounced because we shoot 55% from the line or shoot 80% all game, then gag at the end by going 1 of 6.
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I'm going to pick the guy I'd pick to have my back in a barroom fight no matter how big the other guys are.
. With that thinking it's pretty obvious: Jake.
seriously, Dude has ice water in his veins.
 
#475      
PopChampaign
Gonna wear a denim shirt over this to work. Off for
The game,
Aura Tuff GIF
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