With our team, A leads to B. It's not a coincidence that multiple players have career nights against us.
Yep, I chose "AND" instead of "OR" there for a reason! Let's look at our last three games and how many points those teams scored in THEIR last three games before/after Illinois:
MARYLAND
53 vs. Rutgers
61 vs. Ohio State (in regulation)
78 vs. Iowa
80 vs. #14 Illinois
70 at Wisconsin
63 at Rutgers
--> Scored 23% more points vs. Illinois than vs. the others
PENN STATE
68 at Northwestern
72 vs. Michigan State
49 at Nebraska
90 vs. #12 Illinois
83 vs. Indiana
--> Scored 22% more points vs. Illinois than vs. the others
IOWA
66 at Maryland
78 vs. #20 Wisconsin (in regulation)
78 at Michigan State
85 at #12 Illinois
--> Scored 15% more points vs. Illinois than vs. the others
With the exception of obliterating a BAD Michigan team at home that was without one of their key players, we are giving up more points to these teams than they have any right to score against us if our defense frankly just shows up!
I love this team, and I really mean that ... so I do not enjoy being harsh on them. But MAN, will it be depressing to look back at this squad if they lose in the Second Round and wonder what could have been if the defense didn't regress. We are too talented, our team chemistry is too good and our roster is too well-constructed to not make the most of this season.