Pregame: Illinois vs Michigan, Friday, January 14th, 8:00pm CT, FS1

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#252      
THE BASKETBALL DIARIES
Here is what folks are writing about college basketball:
Jeff Borzello, ESPN.com: “There weren't many programs in the country hotter than Michigan as the 2021-22 college basketball season began. The Wolverines were coming off a season in which they won the Big Ten regular-season title, came within a basket of the Final Four and Juwan Howard -- who was coming off winning the national coach of the year award last season -- had signed the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. A little over two months into the season, things have unraveled. Michigan, which entered the season ranked No. 6 in the country, has dropped completely out of the top 25 and sits at just 7-6 after losing three of its past four games. The Wolverines have one win over a team ranked inside the top 120 of the NET, and four losses by double digits. Perhaps the only reason Michigan's record isn't worse is the Wolverines went on pause due to COVID-19 issues and saw their home game against No. 10 Michigan State and road trip to No. 7 Purdue postponed this past week. Their next scheduled game is at No. 25 Illinois on Friday, when dropping to .500 overall is very much a possibility.”

Not saying they're comparable, but Illini fans of all people, know what it's like to bring in a coach that does well for a year or two (both programs with a national COY), but having the advantage of inheriting a winning culture. Howard has his own recruits now, and I think that's a different challenge. The way he's recruiting, he should have plenty of time to adjust his coaching --probably just a question of how rocky a ride he has. Great recruiting is in some respects a double-edged sword, coach has a lot more to work with, but fans and boosters expect more.
 
#253      

alamocityillini

San Antonio
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#254      
No great insight here but I definitely expect to see a retooled Michigan squad that will give us their best shot. Just win!
After reading Robert's piece, I'm nervous that Kofi's substellar Nebraska performance was a lingering effect of him twisting his ankle at Minny. Would be nice to have him at full power (along with another strong showing by Payne.)
 
#258      
I will stick with my original prediction.....we shoot well from 3 we win by double digits.....shoot poorly from 3 and we win...but barely....
thinking that we've not shot real well from 3 the past couple games...specialy AP....think they'll collapse on Kofi and force him to kick it out to the perimeter....we hit a few perimeter shots and that opens things up for the big guys inside
 
#259      
Realistically, I want all the top teams to keep losing because I really want to see Trent and DMW "officialy" win the regular season title.

But in my own fantasy world, I would love to see an undefeated MSU come in to town in 11 days to play an undefeated Illinois. SFC would literally be up for grabs.
 
#261      

altgeld88

Arlington, Virginia
Did you see us play PSU a few years later? Not even close. The PSU game was barely even basketball.
Yes, I did. That's the low point of modern Illini basketball IMO; however (and I know it's bold talk), in comparison that Purdue-Michigan game was mesmerizing in the utter incompetence of both teams. I couldn't look away.
 
#262      

lstewart53x3

Scottsdale, Arizona
After reading Robert's piece, I'm nervous that Kofi's substellar Nebraska performance was a lingering effect of him twisting his ankle at Minny. Would be nice to have him at full power (along with another strong showing by Payne.)
Illinois vs Maryland (after the Minny game):

Kofi Cockburn - 28 min. 23 points. 18 points.

Seemed to be alright in that one.
 
#264      
Never an easy game when playing a B1G rival. Its great to see us win even with subpar shooting. Still favorties to win the B1G according to the model but lots of competition between us, wisconsin, msu, purdue, and osu. Need to win our home games to keep pace.

Model prediction:
#13 ILL 75 77.95%
#29 MICH 68

Season schedule projections:

B1G projection:

Seed projection: 4
 
#265      

Ransom Stoddard

Ordained Dudeist Priest
Bloomington, IL
I expect scUM to throw everything they've got at Kofi to a) get him to the FT line, and b) to get him in foul trouble. If b) happens, I think this could be an absolute breakout game for Mr. Payne based on what he's shown in his minutes lately.

If Howard plays a big lineup we may suffer on the inside, but hopefully we can compensate with another record night for 3 pointers.
 
#267      
I must be the only person who just isn't all that impressed by Dickinson. He's good, sure. But I think it's laughable he was flirting with the draft. But a bunch of people who know more about basketball than me seemed to think it was reasonable, so who knows.
Right there with ya.
 
#268      
Would love to see a blowout and get the guys a little rest before Purdue, but I have a feeling this is going to be a battle that comes down to the last minute. Just hoping for a win here.
 
#272      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
I like to now wait for the alamocityillini post about shark prediction before going out on that proverbial limb........Not too bold , I know , but that's about where I am as far as college BB nowadays.....so unpredictable , but exciting in that same vein......

i believe we are due to snap back with a lot better 3 pt shooting and if scUM leaves Kofi (coffee ? ) 1-1 with Huntie baby that will lead to another beatdown by our big man against the most overrated big in the country....

lets go with ......................

Illini 82
scUM 70

Another double digit b1G win for the beloved and then rest up for that matinee against purdont........Win tonight and we go up in the most important ranking ....B1G record of 6-0.............

statues-cycladic-thinker-statue-6-5h-g-022s-1_300x300.jpeg


9 1/2 hours till tip off .......Plenty of time for Mr. Coward to abscond from his duty and again be the Cowardly wimp he is ...............

pf01.gif


yep , it's that time again..............Light up or leave me alone.............................

 
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#273      

alamocityillini

San Antonio
I like to now wait for the alamocityillini post about shark prediction before going out on that proverbial limb........Not too bold , I know , but that's about where I am as far as college BB nowadays.....so unpredictable , but exciting in that same vein......

i believe we are due to snap back with a lot better 3 pt shooting and if scUM leaves Kofi (coffee ? ) 1-1 with Huntie baby that will lead to another beatdown by our big man against the most overrated big in the country....

lets go with ......................

Illini 82
scUM 70

Another double digit b1G win for the beloved and then rest up for that matinee against purdont........Win tonight and we go up in the most important ranking ....B1G record of 6-0.............

View attachment 14297

9 1/2 hours till tip off .......Plenty of time for Mr. Coward to abscond from his duty and again be the Cowardly wimp he is ...............

View attachment 14298

yep , it's that time again..............Light up or leave me alone.............................

See post #252 above. Illinois 78-69
 
#274      
How prepared could Juwan possibly be if he can’t even pronounce Kofi’s name. Seriously, after what he did to Michigan last year? He called him Coffee!!??
I have a strong feeling he pronounced it incorrectly on purpose....just like when Izzo pronounced Ayo incorrectly after the injury. No way they don't know how to pronounce Kofi and Ayo. Just trying to be disrespectful.
 
#275      
I haven't watched any Michigan games this year so I went to barttorvik.com to try to find out why they are so inconsistent. It seems to all boil down to Caleb Houstan. His 7 best games (according to the efficiency stats) have all been wins. His 6 worst games have all been losses. The media has been talking about his shooting woes, but he hasn't been consistently bad. It's more like, game to game, he is either red hot or can't hit the broad side of a barn. So to me that is one of 3 keys to the game.

1) Don't let Houstan get going. That probably means sticking Damonte on him to start. Hopefully Damonte can get in the freshman's head. But it will probably be a team effort with Hawkins and Grandison also shutting him down.

2) Kofi needs to play smart defensively. I know he will want to lock down Dickinson, and I hope he does. But sometimes that means being over aggressive and picking up silly fouls. It's more important for Kofi to stay on the court. I'm okay with Kofi giving up 25 to Dickinson, because if Kofi stays on the court he will get that 25 or more back on the other end. But it could be trouble if Dickinson gets 25 while Kofi sits on the bench in foul trouble for half the game.

3) Need the crowd to be loud! I'm a little nervous about the home court advantage because of the snow coming plus having no Krush. Hopefully the snow doesn't keep people away.
 
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