Should be a fun game, both teams can score.
I mean, we put up 84 against Purdue
Well then the O/U ought to be around 168,
Pregame: Illinois vs Nebraska, Saturday, January 16th, 1:30pm CT, BTN
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Well then the O/U ought to be around 168,
FeelYourPaign
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A week ago, I thought that this game was winnable, but somewhat close as both Illinois and Nebraska had somewhat similar Ken Pom rankings. Illinois was at #128 and Nebraska was at #143. We had the home court advantage, so we should be favored by 5-6 points. Something like that.
Then, Illinois played terrific basketball against PU and we climbed nicely to #97 ! But Nebraska also played well, dominating lesser opponents in Rutgers and Minnie, climbing to #103. And guess what? It still looks like a game where we have 5-6 point advantage, but can't afford to sleep on Nebraska.
Bring it on !
Then, Illinois played terrific basketball against PU and we climbed nicely to #97 ! But Nebraska also played well, dominating lesser opponents in Rutgers and Minnie, climbing to #103. And guess what? It still looks like a game where we have 5-6 point advantage, but can't afford to sleep on Nebraska.
Bring it on !
It also points out what is somewhat of a flaw (IMO) with Pomeroy's rankings. He seems to overvalue blowing out bad teams, which is why Wisconsin has tended to be overrated by him. Not sure a 30 point win tells us more than a 20 point win.
Well then the O/U ought to be around 168,
Sounds fun
Haha that's awesome.
I don't blame them for thinking that.
We're a bit heady from the Kool-aid after the Purdue game, but anybody else is going to be checking our schedule and seeing a few losses that shouldn't have happened and more than a few wins that were far too close. Then they're going to hear that we're missing 3-4 offseason starters depending on their source.
With that said, Groce is going to keep the team fired up and executing on a high level. We're going to make corn meal out of Nebraska.
I know that we won't shoot as well, but I hope that we can have the same energy and defense.
If Illinois wants to go anywhere this season this is a must-win game. Shooting may not be the same, but we need that energy.
Don't really see this as even questionable to be honest. Granted the teams are fairly closely rated (per Kenpom) but UI is at home and the higher rated team. Also if you did in a bit more you will notice a huge discrepancy in SOS with UI at 34 and Neb at 224. So while some numbers point to these teams being similar UI has played a substantially more difficult set of opponents. There is a good chance the record looks much different if UI had played Neb's schedule. Additionally Neb is mediocre at both offense and defense whereas UI is good on offense and horrible on defense (besides the PU game). Finally the tempo played by each team is different. Neb likes a half court game while UI wants to get up and down the court.
UI needs to push the pace in this game to play to their strengths. If they get caught in one of those classic Neb half court games it could get interesting because it puts pressure on the UI def to sustain for the full shot clock while somewhat neutralizing the strength of UI to get out and score in transition.
UI needs to push the pace in this game to play to their strengths. If they get caught in one of those classic Neb half court games it could get interesting because it puts pressure on the UI def to sustain for the full shot clock while somewhat neutralizing the strength of UI to get out and score in transition.
Oh my, do we think we can still make the tournament with this team? I thought at this point it was all about pride.
Fortunately, not everyone shares your opinion.
We are in this thing till we are not, that's why you play the games. Do I think we have a chance at making the tournament? Yes I do think we have a chance...Do I think it's a great chance? No, but let's keep winning and see where the chips fall when we get to March. The reason I have hope with this team is that we have tons of freshman who are learning and getting better. If this were a team of seniors I wouldn't have the same optimism since we already know what their value is.
As for the game I'm glad Nebraska routed Minnesota, it should grab the players attention(in case they wanted to keep patting themselves on the back for that Purdue win) that they need to play hard in order to win. Come out with similar energy as the Purdue game and we should win. I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of box and 1 on White to try to contain him and let the others try to beat you.
Our history of recent years leads me to doubt that we can put two such efforts back to back. It seems natural for such a young group to have a letdown after a game like they played against Purdue.
The good news is that we are at home and Nebraska is not very good. Though I do remember us having some problems against their zones in the past when they fielded some very long defenders. Dunno if they still do that or not, but I suspect a lot of our shooters' eyes will light up if they see a zone this year.
Plus now you have Finke or Hill who can flash to the middle of that zone and hit the mid-range jumper or pass out of it to an open man for 3.
Definitely all about pride at this point! It's still a crucial game, nonetheless. Even with a depleted roster we're the better team playing at home. If we don't come out of this with a W, Groce won't hear the end of it.
I really want to believe we're not a team that plays down to their competition anymore...like the team we saw against Chattanooga. A definitive victory here would be nice.
It's not all about pride. Also Chattanooga has an rpi of 60ish so can we stop pretending like this was a bad loss especially considering the injuries at the time?
+1
There is still plenty of time. One of the perks of playing in the B1G! Will it be easy? No, but it is still doable especially with how smooth our offense looked against Purdue, plus our intensity on the defensive front. Team is starting to gel despite the never ending stream of injuries.
I will say that a bunch of bubble teams picked up quality wins yesterday unfortunately.
AJ needs to loosen up when he shoots. Very stiff and mechanical. He takes about the same jumping height on every shot. JCL's varies depending on the how much time, defensive pressure he is under. Pull up hard on your mid range. I'd rather see he shot start falling instead of him getting it off quickly.
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We're not going to the tournament. If you consider an NIT appearance an aspiration for this team, than fine. Otherwise in my eyes it's about doing the things we can control(energy,defensive effort), improving as a unit and beating an inferior conference opponent at home--aka pride.
Chattanooga is not a bad team at all. But the way in which we lost that game was very disappointing. We lost to a good team, but the way in which we lost makes it a bad loss in my eyes. Just my opinion though.
Need to amend my prediction. Illini win close one 76-72. Start The Streak
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