My thoughts....and I want this win as much as any Illini fan, which I have been for 65 years.
1. Iowa is simply a better team, maybe not more athletically gifted but they certainly know how to play basketball better than our guys. They shoot the heck out of it by moving the ball quickly and securely and do not take off balance flings as a result, something our guys do far too often. Maybe, because of their size, the Illini find that necessary....I don't but maybe I am wrong and quick hurls at the hoop while falling down or being draped by two huge defenders is sound strategy for quick guards in today's game...but I want guards who can handle, move the ball quickly, and hit shots anywhere from the rim to 25 ft. away at a 50% clip....not 25%. Giorgi cannot do it alone and Garda will likely outscore and out-rebound him simply because he stated he was a dominant center...and no one has said that about Garda...huge mistake by Giorgi.
2. In Illini wins their defense has been spectacular in both execution and effort. We have not seen that lately and playing their second game in a row I certainly have no reason to see a doubling of energy and focus on defense. The result I expect is a continuation of running flings at the hoop, boings from the arc, and a plethora of fumbles and mystery passes to the 6th row. Man, I hope I am a fool for having these expectations, but there has simply been nothing presented in that last few games to expect otherwise. Iowa by 15. Now, Ayo, go prove me wrong. Wait...I am old but I seem to remember a decent player for the Illini by that name.....is there one still?