Not my opinion, but Luke's if IRC
Pregame: Illinois vs Northwestern, Sunday, January 26th, 2:00pm CT, BTN
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I'll be at the game in Lincoln. But I don't think we can win there without Tomi.
You know who would help our front court right now? Amani Hansberry
They quite literally just lost to Rutgers at home
And we lost to USC and Maryland so your point is? I really wish we had another true 5 but we don't. I bet next year we have 3 of em. Hell any B10 team with a good big is a concern home or away. Even the teams outside the top 10 in the conference or so not currently tournament teams. Just look at Minnesota or USC. Nebraska beat solid Crieghton and UCLA too so an incomplete Illini team is going to have to play well to win.
Nebraska has a big 5 and with Morez tendency for fouls and no true back up at the 5 I too doubt vegas will have us favored without Big T.
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If we think we can't win any of these upcoming games without Tomi, might as well pack it up. Sack up and get on a winning streak, this team has way too much talent to be thinking like this as a fanbase
Now the team knows it will be without Tominfor a couple of weeks so hopefully that helps the mental preparation- we were awful last game, but I can’t imagine another game where literally nobody plays well- Morez needs to step up, it’s his time to shine and we need to get Will Riley going in Tomi’s absence- Inlike Will as the screener up top, let him play that role
Why isn't it reasonable for a fanbase to think that a team that has 1 active big is extremely vulnerable? Can they win some or all of the games? Sure. But I don't think it's unreasonable to also think they could lose some or all of these games.
If you still feel that way tomorrow, I'll offer you my standard wager (a quarter).
We had way too much talent to lose to Northwestern, USC, and Maryland... But we lost all 3: 2 at home, 1 we got punked... Again, the fanbase has every right to be deeply concerned about this team.
I dont feel we cant win. We can. I think its not nearly as likely as with Tomi. But to act as if we are favored or its a given its as likely as before or even close as with Tomi just is drinking orange Kool Aid.
I was coaching an 8th grade girls basketball team one year which was hit with mono about mid season. Four players were out for various length of times. One player had some complications and was out for the season. The other 3 were out from 10 days to a month. By the way each player had to bring their own water and did not share cups or water bottles.
Hopefully the mono doesn’t last long, but who knows. I’ve never had it myself but I’ve known people who missed entire sports seasons due to mono. It can last months
blackdog
- Champaign
Im less worried about playing without Tomi and more curious how the rest of the team is feeling. I think if everyone else is healthy they can overcome him being out but not if other guys are also under the weather.
We have more talent for sure and without Tomi we still have more talent. That said I wish we had another big. It's vital Morez stay out of foul trouble tomorrow and ither games because as we have seen the most talented team doesn't always make up the best team. Roles matter and depth at all positions. So without Tomi and just Morez as a defender at the 5 we need Morez to stay out of foul trouble to clearly be the best team until Tomi is back.
So, fans can't be frustrated after a brutal loss? I actually think BU will coach this team up, make some adjustments and beat NU.
For some reason, they don't beat NU, I am sure you will find it "forgivable." Mediocrity rules the day for you.
Follow your own advice, and get some Vitamin D . . . . .
I agree with this, but I also was hoping the "way too much talent" belief would get wins over Maryland and Penn State. Hence, there is some doubt.
I think BU will make some adjustments and find a way to beat NU. It's a one-game grind at a time.
What has Humrichous done
What exactly has Riley done to make you think that’s the answer?
We're still a dangerous team without tomi. I think Underwood is pretty weak at adjustments in game. I think adjusting to this reality in between games I think he'll be strong. He did a great job last year with the Shannon suspension, for example.
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