Pregame: Illinois vs Michigan, Wednesday, January 11th, 8:00pm CT, BTN
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We will win this game by 10+. Book it.
Will we play defense? If so, this game is winnable. Play D like we did most of the game at IU, and we get beat.
This is a much bigger game than today's game.
We haven't been able to solve Beilein's offense very often, so I'm not too optimistic. But they are a little down this year and it's at home, so we have a shot.
+1. I'm as frustrated as anyone, but the key to staying on track to make the tournament remains the same: go 3-4 over the first seven and then win the ones you're supposed to. The season hasn't gone down the tubes quite yet. Lose at home to Michigan and it becomes much more dire.
It seems as though every other game is the one that puts our season on the line - a game which we must win or give up on the rest of the season. I suspect if I looked up "bubble team" in the dictionary, all I would find would be the Illinois logo. We have pretty much zero margin for error this year.
I'm confused. We're expected to be happy rolling over for good teams so long as we beat enough of the fellow mediocre teams to make the tourney?
I agree that this game is more important, but the singular focus on the tourney rather than the direction of the program makes me uneasy.
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Illini1221
Peru,IL
For this year, yes I'm fine with squeaking into the tourney. But I think most of us feel the program is in good hands with Whitman, which is why people are being patient.
Of course we're not supposed to be happy rolling over for anyone. And of course the current direction is concerning: this is an unprecedented period of futility for a top-15 all-time program. But obviously making the tourney is still the goal and there's still a path for us. What's confusing about that?
Unless you're insinuating that we should be hoping to lose against fellow mediocre teams so that we miss the tournament, sealing Groce's dismissal. If that's the case, I'm confused, because I'm the kind of fan that roots for a win every time we step on the court and a tournament appearance every year. I'm not currently optimistic about the team's prospects this year or going forward under Groce, but I hope like heck they prove me wrong.
I'm certainly not hoping for losses. But it's hard for me to be too happy about wins vs. mediocre teams when we are constantly pummeled by decent teams.
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I'm with you. If we make the tourney this season, that is a big accomplishment. The BIG is really tough this season. Not many elite teams, but no bad teams. Whichever teams win 10 games in the conference will have earned those 10 wins.
If we make the Dance this season, it will because guys TJL and Kipper earned more minutes and helped the team win. Those two along with Black, Finke, JCL, DJW and AJ form a really nice nucleus for next season especially considering Frazier and Tilmon are coming aboard. The future will look bright and hopefully some of the concern and pessimism fades.
Let's be honest, Tate and Thorne are not BIG caliber players. As their minutes dwindle, our play will improve. Be patient and have faith. Hold serve at home, steal 1-2 road games somehow and we're in the Dance.
Pay attention to teams we played in non-conference. They're doing their part to help our RPI.
We need to take the next two. Michigan is up first....
I could see us leading at the half. The question is will groce counter any adjustments by belein.
Illini1221
Peru,IL
Need to grind these next two games out, starting Wednesday night. Both must wins.
Just start Morgan and I'm happy. Tate less than 10 min, TJL 15
The students won't be back for either of the next 2 so I'm content with only winning 1 of them.
The students don't play or coach. We need both of these next 2. Road wins will be mighty hard to come by, so 8-1 at home would really help.
But the Orange Krush helps because no one else at the SFC wants to stand or cheer during the most important parts of the game.
I know what he was alluding to, energy in the building, etc.
If our senior laden team is so fragile we can't win without the students we have the wrong players. That's my take. Ditch the excuses, go out and win the damn game.
Flat out you have take care of home court. Even if you lose 2 at home, there is no reason why you can't get 3-4 road wins to get to 10-11 B1G conference wins.
We only have 7 more B1G road games. I can't see us going 3-4 in them. Winning at home and stealing at the most 2 on the road. Even 2 is stretching it with how we've looked away from SFC so far.
I hope to be wrong.
I guess you're "content" with the NIT as well?
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