Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
So it sounds like TSJ has Iowa State's defensive scheme scouted already. Thanks for the good news!
Pregame: Illinois vs Iowa State, Thursday, March 28th, 9:09pm CT, TBS
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I get that, just pointing out he'll at least have a reference point having faced the system before. Completely get that he's a vastly different player. I'd go back to what I said in an earlier post. Baylor is the closest mirror of you guys we've faced this season. They had 6 players averaging double digits. Ja'Kobe Walter is an NBA player, so we've faced offensive forces on the season as well.
I have found myself rooting for Iowa State over the years more than almost any other school. Other than the Illini beating Iowa, nothing is better than watching Iowa State do it.
But after spending the last four days in Omaha, it's becoming harder to say that. I heard the same thing with the language Saturday night, and we had much worse seats than you. Couldn't believe how over the top they were, and was worried with so many of them there that Illinois would be playing a road game Saturday night.
Fortunately for us, 80 percent of the Iowa State fans left, no road atmosphere worries at all, and we moved down from the nosebleeds close enough to high-five the winning Illini afterwards. Couldn't have gone any better. So I suppose I should thank all those Iowa State fans.
And to those Illini fans going to Boston asking about pregame parties, just follow on social media or the alumni association, thought they did a great job in Omaha getting all the fans together ahead of time at a bar about two blocks from the arena. I'm sure there will be something like that again. Go early! You will be surprised how fast it fills up with Orange.
Part of the rebounding story you have to take into account is defensive transition. We're not sending guys to the offensive glass and will do everything to limit transitionagree.
I’ll add that our rebounding might be of premium importance in this matchup. 2nd chance points for both teams might spell the difference.
Having lived on the border and worked in Iowa for most of my career (I'm 60). I can tell you that they are like siblings that fight with each other all the time, however as soon as someone from the outside tries to take sides then both come together and attack you.
Various responsesto comments.
Comparing fans or histories is fun but irrelevant to task at hand
Being afraid of BYU: they were lights out from 3 this year in several games. Would always be afraid of a prospect a team hits at 2 stan dev above their average
Agree with variuos keys: 1) can their D turn us over for easy scores? Cannot have lazy pass lapses. 2) Can we pass out of traps AND if so, hit open 3s or get drives to rim? Someone pointed out our passes need to be faster than their recoveries - we need to get them into reaction mode or desired matchup
3) exploit our strengths of rebs - Ty and CH putbacks, and TSJ transitions.
The more we don't do 1) and if ISU offense is not far above their average, the more opportunities we get at transition and thus less opportunities for them for 1).
Related to 1): my guess is the refs will let them play physical hands on D. We have the physicality to counter but also need mental focus.
While I like potential fletch advantage, I'd rather have it close out or stretch a lead, however small vs ability to dig out of a hole.
I think our A game beats their A game.
I really think we rise to the occasion, I really really do
Comparing fans or histories is fun but irrelevant to task at hand
Being afraid of BYU: they were lights out from 3 this year in several games. Would always be afraid of a prospect a team hits at 2 stan dev above their average
Agree with variuos keys: 1) can their D turn us over for easy scores? Cannot have lazy pass lapses. 2) Can we pass out of traps AND if so, hit open 3s or get drives to rim? Someone pointed out our passes need to be faster than their recoveries - we need to get them into reaction mode or desired matchup
3) exploit our strengths of rebs - Ty and CH putbacks, and TSJ transitions.
The more we don't do 1) and if ISU offense is not far above their average, the more opportunities we get at transition and thus less opportunities for them for 1).
Related to 1): my guess is the refs will let them play physical hands on D. We have the physicality to counter but also need mental focus.
While I like potential fletch advantage, I'd rather have it close out or stretch a lead, however small vs ability to dig out of a hole.
I think our A game beats their A game.
I really think we rise to the occasion, I really really do
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
But just like we haven't faced the #1 defense, you haven't faced the #1 offense. This is going to come down to who's playing loose and least afraid of the lights. It's going to be a pick 'em, and I like our odds in those on a neutral court.
I like the fact that Iowa has had a lot of attention, and pressure stacked on them, the Illini have flown under the radar for the most part, not recognized as the threat they pose and talent rich, by most. I think it's one of the things that work in our favor. We're at the point where we reveal who we are, playing the best basketball in the nation at the right time
The officiating has been so-so this year, with officials allowing pretty aggressive rough play, witness the Texas - A&M game last night, that was off the charts.
The officiating has been so-so this year, with officials allowing pretty aggressive rough play, witness the Texas - A&M game last night, that was off the charts.
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We are at the point of the season where everyone left is good. And the outcome of most of these last tournament games is a coin-flip. Decisions come down to two things:
1. How confident your team truly is (not just coach speak) in their hearts and minds when they take the court about being the better team. Supreme belief in your abilities.
2. And then – playing ‘loose’ (not tight) and exerting your will on your opponent on THAT day... meaning that even if you are a somewhat superior team on paper your shots just have to be falling right at that moment in time. And it does not take much to throw your shot off. The margin can be razor-thin and smallest thing can make all the difference.
Human nature being what it is... you can’t of course actually predict what is going to happen (though the oddsmakers do a remarkable job of often getting their numbers right). What you can hope for every time out is that you go into the game with the right attitude and you do everything you can to physically be at your best AT THAT MOMENT in time. Those things are what you can always control.
The worst outcome is always when you simply are not playing up to your abilities and you let a precious once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip away. Lots of regret after that. Maybe a lifetime of that for players (and fans).
So, always comes out with supreme confidence and back that up by sending a strong message to your opponent. Knowing that you played your very best in any game is what you can live with – win or lose.
And one more thing to remember for this one. Does The Beloved ever want to live with being knocked out by any team from... Iowa?
Iowans can be nice people. But come on now. This is ILLINOIS. And this is BASKETBALL. A marriage truly made in Heaven.
1. How confident your team truly is (not just coach speak) in their hearts and minds when they take the court about being the better team. Supreme belief in your abilities.
2. And then – playing ‘loose’ (not tight) and exerting your will on your opponent on THAT day... meaning that even if you are a somewhat superior team on paper your shots just have to be falling right at that moment in time. And it does not take much to throw your shot off. The margin can be razor-thin and smallest thing can make all the difference.
Human nature being what it is... you can’t of course actually predict what is going to happen (though the oddsmakers do a remarkable job of often getting their numbers right). What you can hope for every time out is that you go into the game with the right attitude and you do everything you can to physically be at your best AT THAT MOMENT in time. Those things are what you can always control.
The worst outcome is always when you simply are not playing up to your abilities and you let a precious once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip away. Lots of regret after that. Maybe a lifetime of that for players (and fans).
So, always comes out with supreme confidence and back that up by sending a strong message to your opponent. Knowing that you played your very best in any game is what you can live with – win or lose.
And one more thing to remember for this one. Does The Beloved ever want to live with being knocked out by any team from... Iowa?
Iowans can be nice people. But come on now. This is ILLINOIS. And this is BASKETBALL. A marriage truly made in Heaven.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Like I said, zero issues with Iowa State as a program or the ISU fans I have met through my many years living in Iowa (have yet to meet any in four years in Chicago, but I do see ISU gear every once in a while). I find your message board population to generally be nuts and delusional, but like you said ...
.I think it will be a good game on Thursday, and I will be ecstatic with a win and not disappointed in our guys if we lose, as ISU is a very good team.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
That would be my plan if I were ISU. Sell out to prevent transition offense, encourage Domask to play booty ball with bodies to offer help contesting around the rim and with defensive rebounding, and then on offense do not settle for jumpers, run offense to get stuff near the rim or the occasional wide open kick-out.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
Not gonna lie, I find it exhausting when fans from other teams come to our board and monopolize the convo. A few posts are great. Racking up 15 in like two hours ain't it.
This, still struggling with the concept that B1G refs call the game more tightly than tournament refs seem to AND a tightly called game is beneficial to Illinois. But really the only players I worry about in an overly physical game are Hawkins, who can be flustered by non calls, and Ty, who doesn’t seem to finish through contact well. Shannon in his current mood, will just feast on contact. Good luck stopping Dain as well if fouls aren’t being called, only thing that stops him are his own fouls and being made to take free throws.
A&M didn't have Tyrece Radford when they beat Iowa state and Taylor shot 0-6 from 3.
Either way we are a long way from November and teams are playing a lot different. Iowa state and Illinois have both been hot. We will see what happens Thursday night.
I enjoy other fans coming on loyalty, as long as they aren’t obnoxious, and they have good points to make. It makes for great conversation! YMMV
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
I will forever be indebted to the Toledo fan who made the football pregame thread interesting for a few weeks, when we were still in the dead of summer. He/she also stuck around after losing to Illinois. Some of the posts were off the walls crazy, but entertaining nonetheless.
OrangeBlue98
- Des Moines, IA
It will be interesting to see what instruction comes out of the officiating in the Alabama-GCU and Houston-A&M games. I personally felt like both games were not called well. The GCU game was also very inconsistent (thanks, DJ Carstensen).
Generally speaking, NCAA games have a tighter whistle compared to the Big 10. We will see what happens early in the games this week.
Bigtex
- DFW
have you seen Iowa St (and Houston) play? On Defense they mug guys. If called tightly, Illinois wins easily!!! If called like the rest of the NCAAT - this will likely be a last possession game.
illinifan31
Former Krush Cow
- South Bend, IN
I am a grown !!! man now and I was a freshman in 2010. Bruce Weber was still our coach. That's probably why he didn't go back to 2010 lol.
sacraig
- The desert
sacraig
- The desert
Might as well go back 20 years and then include Final Fours and title game appearances if we are just going to pick arbitrary lengths of time.
We do run sideline pick and roll to get Domask switched to someone else for booty ball though.
sacraig
- The desert
My office neighbor may have heard me laugh at this.
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