Pregame: Illinois vs Michigan, Wednesday, January 11th, 8:00pm CT, BTN

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#51      
GameOfThrows
I loved the intensity that Malcolm brought in the second half v. Indiana. He's really upped his game the last two games not settling for fade away jumpers, but rather driving it to the rack. That's big time.

JCL played well v. Indiana and has even picked up the intensity on the defensive end. Let's hope this trend continues.

Leron and Finke form a nice tandem at the 4. I think we'll see more of Finke at the 5 and Kipper at the 4 as the season progresses.

I really like Maverick's game this year. He competes. He's maximizing his potential which is nice to see. I really hope he helps this team to the tourney.

Tate and Thorne are playing themselves out of the rotation which is a plus.

Tejon and Kipper are playing themselves into the rotation which is a plus.

AJ must be doing the right things in practice b/c he got Malcolm's minutes in the first half when Malcolm got in foul trouble. AJ has a world of potential. He just needs to breathe and be where his feet are and play. he's thinking too much.

We all see DJW's potential. I really hope he sticks with the program. He and Kipper are really nice players.
 
#52      
ILL3in1
Thorne should not be getting more than 10 minutes of playing time a game and should NOT be in the starting lineup. Imagine the IU start with Mav starting...
 
#53      
oldman
Thorne simply is not as mobile as he was before the injury last year. Probably as frustrating for him as it is for us. Until he improves his quickness he should not be on the floor, maybe at all.
 
#54      
ChazzReinhold
oldman said:
Thorne simply is not as mobile as he was before the injury last year. Probably as frustrating for him as it is for us. Until he improves his quickness he should not be on the floor, maybe at all.
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Seeing him at a few of the early games he was walking with a noticeable limp.
 
#55      
whovous
brubin said:
Thorne should not be getting more than 10 minutes of playing time a game and should NOT be in the starting lineup. Imagine the IU start with Mav starting...
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I am trying to do that, but I keep seeing both Mav and Malcolm with three fouls each before the first TV timeout.
 
#56      
eMitch
GameOfThrows said:
I loved the intensity that Malcolm brought in the second half v. Indiana. He's really upped his game the last two games not settling for fade away jumpers, but rather driving it to the rack. That's big time.
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I don't know that I'd qualify Malcolm's fade away jumpers as "settling". He's pretty darn good at it and when he's on, it can't be stopped even if you know it's coming.

I wholeheartedly agree about his drives to the basket against IU, though. Especially on a day when his outside shot, fade-away or otherwise, wasn't falling.

A mix of both would be as good as it gets.
 
#57      
SescIllini
I've seen Michigan a couple of games for limited minutes. The good news is they remind me of the Illini when we don't play team concept ball. They settle for the 3 and don't seem to have an inside game. The bad news is we need to cover them and not allow them to go "off".

I think this might be a game where Thorne/Mav rotation may work. There bigs are quicker but not like Indiana IMHO. It is also a game where I would highly consider the best defensive sets and go long (Black, Kipper, DJW). If we go with the Tate, Abrams, and JCL combo we are going to get eaten alive by their big guards and 3 point shooters. If we do go small I would like to see Abrams, Hill, Kipper, DJW, and Black. I think we could possible go without a PG at times and go with a Hill, JCL, Kipper, DJW, and Black. Hill often times starts the offense at the top of the key anyway. I don't see this happening, so would like to see Abrams or TJL.
 
#59      
ChiefIllini
TCTORNADO said:
While at Illinois, Groce is 1-7 against Beilein.
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Wasn't he 1-6 vs Matta before the most recent game ;)?

I also feel like most games against Michigan under Groce have been ridiculously close. Could easily have a couple more wins.
 
#60      
illiniknight
ChiefIllini said:
Wasn't he 1-6 vs Matta before the most recent game ;)?

I also feel like most games against Michigan under Groce have been ridiculously close. Could easily have a couple more wins.
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There have been a few close calls. The good news is that this Michigan team is nowhere near as good as some of those in the recent past.
 
#61      
TriCityBurbs
remember before conference play people thought that 3-4 in this 7 game stretch would be fantastic. We are right there, just need to protect home court. 13-6 (3-3) is not ideal, but would probably keep us on track for a bid.
 
#62      
LurkLongandProsper
ChiefIllini said:
Wasn't he 1-6 vs Matta before the most recent game ;)?

I also feel like most games against Michigan under Groce have been ridiculously close. Could easily have a couple more wins.
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Average margin for us is -10.375 against UM under Groce, with only 1 win, and only 1 loss by less than 8.

Source

That is opposed to against OSU, where the average margin was -4.71 under Groce, with 1 win (not including this year), and 3 losses by less than 8.

Source
 
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#63      
BananaShampoo
LurkLongandProsper said:
Average margin for us is -10.375 against UM under Groce, with only 1 win, and only 1 loss by less than 8.

Source

That is opposed to against OSU, where the average margin was -4.71 under Groce, with 1 win (not including this year), and 3 losses by less than 8.

Source
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Dammit, man! There you go with your facts again! It's like the late great Han Solo always used to say: "Never tell me the odds!". :thumb:
 
#64      
LurkLongandProsper
BananaShampoo said:
Dammit, man! There you go with your facts again! It's like the late great Han Solo always used to say: "Never tell me the odds!". :thumb:
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Honestly, it was lower than I thought it'd be, I remember the look Stauskas gave sideline Krush en route to wholloping us by 31 pretty candidly :eek:(Of course, I vividly recall that game as well, was quite the whoopin')
 
#66      
Deleted member 16068
My fears........Zak Irvin will light us up from outside and the Wagner kid will do damage inside.

Aaaahhhhhh........I still somehow have hope.
 
#67      
TriCityBurbs
If we let VVagner and Irvin get going it'll be a blowout. No students on campus so we need a packed loud SFC. Difference in this game in my opinion will be Abrams, if he can slow down Walton and hit a couple theees I think we win. Morgan/Black/Kipper(hope he plays) will have the advantage on the boards.
 
#68      
FiveStar
eMitch said:
I don't know that I'd qualify Malcolm's fade away jumpers as "settling". He's pretty darn good at it and when he's on, it can't be stopped even if you know it's coming.

I wholeheartedly agree about his drives to the basket against IU, though. Especially on a day when his outside shot, fade-away or otherwise, wasn't falling.

A mix of both would be as good as it gets.
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The way he's shown he's capable of driving to the basket these last couple games indicates those midrange jumpers are indeed settling. The percentages at which he hits those midrange jumps vs layups indicates those are settling. His midrange should be limited use counter. Example drive to the rim a couple times to set the tone, fake a drive and pull up, drive and fake a pull-up (hesitation move) and finish the drive when the defender bites.

It's great to have that midrange weapon, but long 2s are the worst shot in basketball for a reason.
 
#69      
zoggle101
2DEEP said:
My fears........Zak Irvin will light us up from outside and the Wagner kid will do damage inside.

Aaaahhhhhh........I still somehow have hope.
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You're right about Irvin and Wagner, but the rest of the wolverines starting five is legit too. Derrick Walton is an experienced pg, Duncan Robinson(might be hurt?) can light you up from deep, along with decent size at the 3, and DJ Wilson has had an awesome year at the four. They've experienced backups, plus some other good freshmen who's minutes reserved because of how good the starters are. We have to be on our A game.

Irvin is one of the what seems like countless elite sg's in this conference.
 
#70      
jrichisamazing
LurkLongandProsper said:
Honestly, it was lower than I thought it'd be, I remember the look Stauskas gave sideline Krush en route to wholloping us by 31 pretty candidly :eek:(Of course, I vividly recall that game as well, was quite the whoopin')
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Do you remember 10 days later when TA missed a bunny that would've beat them in the B1G tourney?
 
#72      
Second and Chalmers
jrichisamazing said:
Do you remember 10 days later when TA missed a bunny that would've beat them in the B1G tourney?
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And very possibly would have put us in the tournament.

He suffered two season ending injuries and went through two full years of rehab with that being his last relevant action. And he's still out there playing with assertiveness and passion. Love that kid.
 
#75      
blmillini
Second and Chalmers said:
Hill has gotten there. But Tracy is a natural floor leader that way.
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I like Hill but he tends to fold in the clutch situations. More often than not he forces things and loses the ball without even getting a shot off. The bulldog is much better getting it done.

I'm talking specifically last play of the game, game on the line.
 
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