Pregame: Illinois vs Nebraska, Thursday, February 25th, 6:00pm CT, BTN
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Let's just go out there and play hard and smart tonight. I'm sure guys are angry and frustrated - rightfully so. Last thing we need to see is someone taking out that frustration in a physical nature that leads to our own flagrant and unintended consequences. Ayo will be back.
Everyday guys will win tonight. Hope Ayo will be ready for Sat. I hope to see DMW take some threes. I kept wondering why he turned down his 3's on Tuesday.
Well, the plan, in theory, is the right one, but he's got to make free throws. That will be the game plan going forward. If he gets position, foul him. Here's where not having that little 7 foot jumper hurts.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Disagree with a caveat.
Ayo clearly makes everyone on the team better with his presence. As for Ace being "restricted"? Caveat: maybe he can bring a similar game to Ayo's with isolation?
He's not going to draw double teams and the defense will not be focused on locking him down....that is until he shows he can't be stopped 1v1.
He has shown a couple of flashes driving to the basket recently and this could be his opportunity to show his entire skill set. However, as with Curbelo, and CoHawk...the freshman gonna freshman...so we will have to be prepared for the same game speed/control issues.
The one mostly obvious thing is we shouldn't suffer too much defensively with DMFW getting most of Ayo's minutes.
DaMonte has to start in Ayo’s place tonight, right? He’s probably our best shot at slowing down Allen. They got 83 against Penn State. Not sure we can break 80 without Ayo. Need to lock down as best we can on defense.
GallopingGhost
- Denver, CO
I agree with what others have said. Excited to see others step up with Ayo out. I expect a big game from Kofi who got 21 points last time out. I also expect Ace to maybe fill a bit more space on the floor by driving or iso. I just want to see us locked in. I think we get the W, but don’t want to give a prediction, cause it seems I have not been that accurate.Go Illini!!
My post during the game
Looks like I called it.. As soon as I saw Ayo go down. "Broken nose"
at least he'll be rested
Looks like I called it.. As soon as I saw Ayo go down. "Broken nose"
at least he'll be rested
Trent on Allen. I would guess Miller will take Banton, DMFW on McGowens, Grandison on Mayen and Kofi taking out Tuesday night on Derrick Walker.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Think Allen shoots over the top of Trent. Think we need DaMonte’s length.
agree with this. Allen is too big for Trent. (not dogging Trent at all... he is so tenacious)
i am pissed about Ayo and i hope the illini are on a mission tonight.
Especially being senior night, DMW will start. I just hope BU says to him that with Ayo out we need to make up 16 shots — and I expect you to have at least 5 of them.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
I'll take a 'glass half full' view and say that this can only make the team better. This can only be a good thing going into the tourney(s).
On top of that I'll throw some more 'every 16 years' great Illini team coincidences at you.
Disclaimer: I'M NOT comparing these players and/or their individual value to those teams. However Gill was certainly as valuable as Ayo, and Randle was voted a team Captain that year and absolutely would have helped Augie in the paint with his length and athleticism.
The 1989 FF team had Kendall Gill go down with an ankle injury.
The 2005 FF team had Brian Randle go down with a (bonehead) wrist injury.
The 2021 ___ team has Ayo go down with a broken nose.
Carry on my wayward Fighting Illini.
On top of that I'll throw some more 'every 16 years' great Illini team coincidences at you.
Disclaimer: I'M NOT comparing these players and/or their individual value to those teams. However Gill was certainly as valuable as Ayo, and Randle was voted a team Captain that year and absolutely would have helped Augie in the paint with his length and athleticism.
The 1989 FF team had Kendall Gill go down with an ankle injury.
The 2005 FF team had Brian Randle go down with a (bonehead) wrist injury.
The 2021 ___ team has Ayo go down with a broken nose.
Carry on my wayward Fighting Illini.
illini will have to make up for the 20 points without Ayo tonight.
We HAVE to play solid defense to put less pressure on our O. Damonte, Grandson and Miller have to step up and knock down some shots.
We HAVE to play solid defense to put less pressure on our O. Damonte, Grandson and Miller have to step up and knock down some shots.
I expect a more aggressive, trapping defense for stretches tonight. Nebraska will turnover the ball in transition if you let them.
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