Pregame: Illinois vs Maryland, Saturday, January 14th, 5:00pm CT, ESPN2
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Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
Just some thoughts...
Last night, I was watching parts of the Wisconsin and Ohio State game. There was a break in the broadcast, and the analysts were talking about the stats of Maryland's freshman. Sounds like the turtles have a good core of freshman, as when you combine their ppg, they are averaging about 25-30 a game. What you can take away from that is, it's not just Melo you have to guard. But Jackson and Cowan can have a big night if you don't defend them.
It also depends which Illinois team shows up. If the Illinois team that beat Michigan appears again this Saturday, I think they'll win. If the team that played Maryland on the road shows up, chalk that one up as an L.
I think one of the vast differences in this upcoming game is Maryland's frontcourt is better than Michigan's. They'll be more physical.
Last night, I was watching parts of the Wisconsin and Ohio State game. There was a break in the broadcast, and the analysts were talking about the stats of Maryland's freshman. Sounds like the turtles have a good core of freshman, as when you combine their ppg, they are averaging about 25-30 a game. What you can take away from that is, it's not just Melo you have to guard. But Jackson and Cowan can have a big night if you don't defend them.
It also depends which Illinois team shows up. If the Illinois team that beat Michigan appears again this Saturday, I think they'll win. If the team that played Maryland on the road shows up, chalk that one up as an L.
I think one of the vast differences in this upcoming game is Maryland's frontcourt is better than Michigan's. They'll be more physical.
I think Maryland honestly might be better at every position than Michigan right now -- certainly 1/2, defensively certainly at the 5, and the 3/4 probably fluctuate based on the night.
Getting Mav involved early is key. Some mid-range action from he & Leron to draw Dodd away from the hoop would be nice to see.
I'll repeat. We need to go 4-4. Not a must here (I think MI+IA are easier), but would really boost us. Let's get payback.
BlindLoyalty
- FartNoiseMotivation
It will be interesting to see if Morgan plays much in the rematch. In game 1 the Terps went small (injury forced) and our bigs were destroyed on the defensive end. Turgeon forced Groce to play small and their smalls were much better than our smalls. Morgan only played 15min & Thorne 19.
With Dodd back it is a dilemma for Turgeon. Does he go small again and try to force Groce to react? I like our odds in this game if it features a traditional lineup (Dodd + Morgan). If the game is 4 smalls and a PF, I give the Terps a slight edge.
I'm expecting a letdown after our best performance of the year, but I still think this one is winnable.
It was 16.
My point is that it's unrealistic to think we are going to shoot 64% against Maryland and it's also unrealistic to allow them to shoot over 50% from the field and expect to win.
Cowan and Huerter are legit basketball players. I was really impressed by their basketball IQ and just how they played the game. Obviously Trimble is a mismatch for us too.
Hopefully, the team has learned that they have to bring intensity every night, every possession. We got after it on the defensive end, hustling for loose balls etc. THAT is how you defend your home court.
We have an advantage on about every team we play: our Depth. We have to utilize it. We can wear teams down, and we can rest guys and avoid lags that other teams cannot.
Excited to see how the team plays vs. Maryland, a much stiffer test than Michigan.
BlindLoyalty
- FartNoiseMotivation
Analytics tell a different story. The numbers indicate that depth generally does a few things...depth limits the impact of injuries and limits the impact of foul trouble. In college basketball, the numbers don't support the notion that depth provides advantage re: opponents fatigue.
please site your source.
I don't see any teams playing 5 guys for 40 minutes each. If your depth is of higher quality than your opponents, then you gain an advantage in those minutes played by non-starters. My belief is that our non-starters are better than other team's non-starters. Therefore, we have that advantage. When we rest our starters, there is less of a drop off then when our opponents rest their starters. I would call that an advantage. And again, this is just an opinion. Ny eyes show me this.
Every time Dakich covers our games we get our butts handed to us.
Let's change this trend please!
If you're a running or pressing team, then depth can give you an advantage -- but Illinois is neither. I think the part of the reason we played great against UM is because the rotation was shortened. And while our non-starters might be better than other teams', if they're using basically using an 8 man rotation with starters playing 30 minutes (see Maryland's last game against IU) and we're running 10 guys out there, our non-starters are playing against their starters.
You are correct about playing 10-12 guys. That's too big of a rotation.
Last game we had a 9 man rotation. Essentially an 8 man rotation with AJ providing a brief spell/spark here and there. Yes, if we were to play 10+ guys, you would be correct. We would lose our advantage. But, TJL, Kipper, and Finke are plus-substitutes. AJ and DJW can provide positive and athletic contributions. Thorne could help with a few minutes against Purdue otherwise he's not needed. Tate? "In Case Of Emergency".
There were several factors as to why we played well against Michigan.
1) Michigan's defense is awful. We shot 63%
2) Our guys played with intensity
3) On offense, our guys played with purpose and together
4) Our limited rotation allowed guys to get some flow and rhythm
5) TJL and Kipper are upgrades
6) Mav is playing with confidence and being assertive
7) Malcolm is playing with an edge
8) JCL has upped his D and is not just settling for jumpers
9) TJL (a real PG) drastically improves the offense
#2-#9, we can control. Plus Tracy and Leron are really valuable players for our team and need to continue doing what they do. They are two of the most valuable players on the roster.
We have to improve on Defense. Coach Groce said so. We, as fans, know that. If the team improves on Defense, they could really do some things this season. The potential is there. Last game vs. Michigan was nice and all, but it was one game vs. the worst defense in the BIG and at home. But, it's a huge step in the right direction. It's something to build upon. And since the first five minutes of the Indiana game (when Thorne played over Mav), our team has played really well on offense. Now, it's time for our guys to grab their lunch pails and get after it on the defensive end, and continue to attack the glass and run down loose balls.
I still believe the best is yet to come. Coach Groce, the staff and the players are getting closer. It's nice to see this team evolve.
I'm one who thought 2 of 7 was most probable and a good enough start to finish 9-9. Pre-season, I would have been elated at 3 and 4 to start.
However, after 4 games
- it sure looks like OSU and scUM and even IU were not as tough of opponents as thought and NW, Minn, even PSU and Iowa will be much tougher than thought
- given we had 2 very disappointing "no-show" performances it is hard not to think another "no-show" performance or 2 won't happen again, and this time throw away a chance at a winnable game.
MD and scUM are the two B1G teams right above us in KenProm rankings. 2 wins should improve our relative position a lot, but a split seems the likely outcome. Assuming a loss @PU that gets us to 3-4 start.
That should make me more confident of 9-9 then I was pre-season, but with the way the league is playing out, and us still the 10th ranked team in B1G on KenProm..... it feel like 9-9 as still a reach.
Lets find a way to sweep these two and I'll be very glad to eat crow and upgrade my expectations!!!!!! GO ILLINI
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This years BT has too much parity. I just hope this is the year the Illini catch a hot streak for 4 to 5 games no matter the opponent. I would prefer if it started now! Like what I'm starting to see from the likes of JCL, MAV (Who I have always been critical on, "jokes on me"), and KIPSET. Sports is all about momentum.
Deleted member 29907
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Seriously you don't think I know the end score? 1) it was a statement of general nature about the size of the win. 2) if you don't count garbage time it was closer to twenty. My point is I don't think anyone expects us to shoot that well again but we will have to win by offense and not defense.
kcib8130
- Parts Unknown
I've seen both extremes of this, some have said the B1G is super tough and really deep, and others have said it is as bad as its been in a while. I think the bolded word really sums it up. With 1 top-ten caliber team in the conference, i think the conference as a whole is very similar. It is not as strong as it has been recently though.
That being said, it really limits the margin of error. Not as many good teams, not as many opportunities for resume-building wins. Especially with a friendly second half league schedule.
kcib8130
- Parts Unknown
Source?
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