Pregame: Illinois vs Northwestern, Thursday, February 23rd, 8:00pm CT, BTN

turnaround3 · Feb 21, 2023

Not that it's on the scale of like, a conference championship deciding game or anything *but*...

Is this our biggest game against NU in the modern era? In any era? The teams have never met when both are ranked...ever. In 115 years, this will be the 2nd time they've met with only NU ranked. Illinois won the other time.

RockfordIllini · Feb 21, 2023

I put this game in the Rutgers category, who statistically has been and still is a better defense. Basically it will all come down to how we guard their best players and I actually like this matchup slightly more than Rutgers.

Boo and Chase are experienced and have played great this year but historically both have been prone to inefficiency. We are no longer playing our switch everything defense and Jaden is much improved as an on ball defender so I am hoping he and Sencire can make Boo inefficient. Fingers crossed TJ is back and he and Ty should be able to do the same to Chase.

Biggest potential issue I see is Boo has been great with his floater this year which of course is a weakness of our drop coverage. But if we hold Chase and Boo to around 40% or worse from the field, just like Rutgers not sure they can score enough to beat us.

Will be a tough game. Hope we don’t have heavy legs.

Indiana Jones · Feb 21, 2023

Big game. Need to win the 3-pt. battle.

HailtotheChief · Feb 21, 2023

I hope TSJ is back and Dain’s isn’t in a lot of pain still on Thursday. I’m sure he is feeling it today.

The results from the previous match up has more to do with the schemes we used against them. We have changed that and done much much better.
Also was Epps starting then and playing so much? Our turnovers have decreased since he has took over and Coleman is taking much better care of the ball than early in the season. If we limit our fouls and TOs I see a double digit win. I realize they are a good team but we have made changes, are more talented, have depth, and are home.

727ill · Feb 21, 2023

HailtotheChief said:
I hope TSJ is back and Dain’s isn’t in a lot of pain still on Thursday. I’m sure he is feeling it today.

The results from the previous match up has more to do with the schemes we used against them. We have changed that and done much much better.
Also was Epps starting then and playing so much? Our turnovers have decreased since he has took over and Coleman is taking much better care of the ball than early in the season. If we limit our fouls and TOs I see a double digit win. I realize they are a good team but we have made changes, are more talented, have depth, and are home.

It wouldn't be the worst thing for Dain to take a breather on Thursday. He doesn't match up well with Northwestern at all.

LvilleILL · Feb 21, 2023

727ill said:
It wouldn't be the worst thing for Dain to take a breather on Thursday. He doesn't match up well with Northwestern at all.

Illini2010-11 · Feb 21, 2023

727ill said:
It wouldn't be the worst thing for Dain to take a breather on Thursday. He doesn't match up well with Northwestern at all.

sacraig · Feb 21, 2023

727ill said:
It wouldn't be the worst thing for Dain to take a breather on Thursday. He doesn't match up well with Northwestern at all.

Yeah, it would be a real shame if we were able to play our best big guy in a key game.

Captain 14 · Feb 21, 2023

sacraig said:
Nope. Still not a rivalry game. Just a big game.

Somebody write Chicago's Big Ten Team up on the whiteboard to give the boys an extra boost

727ill · Feb 21, 2023

Clearly nobody here has watched Northwestern play lately. Dain is going to be rendered useless offensively because Northwestern traps everything in the post. I for one would like to not watch a turnover fest with Dain trying to pass or dribble out of a double team.

Defensively, you are now counting on him to play perfect drop coverage against two senior guards (one of which is playing at a first-team all B10 level right now).

I think most people here would agree our best offense + defense lineup on Thursday is TSJ, Mayer, Epps, Coleman and Ty. Let Dain get his 15 and 10 againt Ohio State.

Retro62 · Feb 21, 2023

This close to the end of the regular season, I would like to see another effective game from both RJ and Goode. If we can get solid production out of those two moving forward, we really will be that dark horse team in the tourney. Showing that against a top team like NW (did I really just type that?) would be great.

urbanite · Feb 21, 2023

Bigtex said:
Don't let Buie get to the hoop and don't foul him. I am ok with him shooting from distance. Audige much better shooter - don't help off of him.

Audige is better than Buie from beyond the arc, but neither is good (~33% vs. ~29% in conference play). Buie is much better from midrange (~46% vs. ~31% in conference play).

sacraig · Feb 21, 2023

727ill said:
Clearly nobody here has watched Northwestern play lately. Dain is going to be rendered useless offensively because Northwestern traps everything in the post. I for one would like to not watch a turnover fest with Dain trying to pass or dribble out of a double team.

Defensively, you are now counting on him to play perfect drop coverage against two senior guards (one of which is playing at a first-team all B10 level right now).

I think most people here would agree our best offense + defense lineup on Thursday is TSJ, Mayer, Epps, Coleman and Ty. Let Dain get his 15 and 10 againt Ohio State.

I can definitely say that I have not spent a lot of time watching games that don't feature the Illini.

Having said that, this is one of the key aspects of coaching and scheming. You watch film and you find a way to get your best players looks against what you expect the other team to do. They try to do the same to you. How Northwestern chooses to guard Dainja is likely going to be very different from how they chose to guard Edey since the two are very different players. How we choose to play Dainja is going to be very different from how Edey played against Northwestern for the same reason.

Maybe Dainja will not be as impactful in this game. Who knows? But we are unequivocally better off if he is an option for us.

727ill · Feb 21, 2023

sacraig said:
I can definitely say that I have not spent a lot of time watching games that don't feature the Illini.

Having said that, this is one of the key aspects of coaching and scheming. You watch film and you find a way to get your best players looks against what you expect the other team to do. They try to do the same to you. How Northwestern chooses to guard Dainja is likely going to be very different from how they chose to guard Edey since the two are very different players. How we choose to play Dainja is going to be very different from how Edey played against Northwestern for the same reason.

Maybe Dainja will not be as impactful in this game. Who knows? But we are unequivocally better off if he is an option for us.

I was not saying you bench Dain completely, obviously Brad is not going to do that. What I would like to see is a couple of things:

1. Do not try to run offense through Dain, it's likely not going to work and it's going to result in turnovers. If you want to get Dain looks, find him in transition or in a pick-and-roll lob action.

2. Avoid putting Dain in pick-and-roll actions on defense. This is going to be practically impossible which is why was advocating for Coleman Hawkins at the 5 and Ty at the 4 for the majority of the game. Buie is so good at taking easy two's off pick-and-roll. I would rather us switch those actions that get initiated at the top of key and the only way you do that is to sit Dain.

kyillinifan · Feb 21, 2023

Yes they will trap Dain once he gets the ball. He will have to recognize the 2nd person to come at him. One player will be open. I would assume that they will leave Melendez to trap Dain. What stops the trapping the center is hitting shots. I hope Shannon plays. Dain will have to learn how to play through the traps. I am sure that the staff has seen enough film to know where the trap will come from. We have to hit shots plain and simple. Go ILLINI! I hope the crowd goes crazy like they did against Wake Forrest long ago. I hope Krush gives the NW bench everything they haven't heard on the road.

illini0440 · Feb 21, 2023

Brad already mentioned it in the post game presser yesterday. You'll see more Luke Goode in the corner Thursday because of the post traps.

727ill · Feb 21, 2023

illini0440 said:
Brad already mentioned it in the post game presser yesterday. You'll see more Luke Goode in the corner Thursday because of the post traps.

The question is, can Dain get the ball out fast enough? He hasn't been the quickest decision maker in that department.

Illiniguy13 · Feb 21, 2023

727ill said:
Clearly nobody here has watched Northwestern play lately. Dain is going to be rendered useless offensively because Northwestern traps everything in the post. I for one would like to not watch a turnover fest with Dain trying to pass or dribble out of a double team.

Defensively, you are now counting on him to play perfect drop coverage against two senior guards (one of which is playing at a first-team all B10 level right now).

I think most people here would agree our best offense + defense lineup on Thursday is TSJ, Mayer, Epps, Coleman and Ty. Let Dain get his 15 and 10 againt Ohio State.

I really don't think Northwestern is going to regularly swarm Dain all game with a double team. He's not Edey or TJD. Could be wrong though, they might. Even if they do I don't think benching him is the right call, he's by far and away our best post player. He also has played pretty solid drop coverage in the post this year.

Emerson Bigguns · Feb 21, 2023

727ill said:
Clearly nobody here has watched Northwestern play lately. Dain is going to be rendered useless offensively because Northwestern traps everything in the post. I for one would like to not watch a turnover fest with Dain trying to pass or dribble out of a double team.

Defensively, you are now counting on him to play perfect drop coverage against two senior guards (one of which is playing at a first-team all B10 level right now).

I think most people here would agree our best offense + defense lineup on Thursday is TSJ, Mayer, Epps, Coleman and Ty. Let Dain get his 15 and 10 againt Ohio State.

They also played two of the best Centers in the sport within their last 3 games. Any chance of slowing down Purdue and IU is predicated on doubling their All-American. Regardless, benching Dain because we are afraid they might double him makes no sense. Attracting a double should be a good thing.

727ill · Feb 21, 2023

Illiniguy13 said:
I really don't think Northwestern is going to regularly swarm Dain all game with a double team. He's not Edey or TJD. Even if they do I don't think benching him is the right call, he's by far and away our best post player. He also has played pretty solid drop coverage in the post this year.

Have you watched Northwestern this year? They double in the post almost 100% of the time when it's a competent post player that is receiving the ball.

illini0440 · Feb 21, 2023

727ill said:
The question is, can Dain get the ball out fast enough? He hasn't been the quickest decision maker in that department.

You'll see Ty and Mayer take their guy to the pot as well. I hope they send the double to them as well.

727ill · Feb 21, 2023

Emerson Bigguns said:
They also played two of the best Centers in the sport within their last 3 games. Any chance of slowing down Purdue and IU is predicated on doubling their All-American. Regardless, benching Dain because we are afraid they might double him makes no sense. Attracting a double should be a good thing.

I'm not so sure if attracting a double on Dain is good for us. Not only has Dain not proven he can make quick decisions with a double but we also stink as a team shooting the three.

I guarantee you that Chris Collins' gameplan if we enter in the post w/ Dain is to hard double and let us start jacking threes. He knows he is screwed if we actually do what we do best and get to the basket and draw fouls.

727ill · Feb 21, 2023

illini0440 said:
You'll see Ty and Mayer take their guy to the pot as well. I hope they send the double to them as well.

Yes, would love to see Ty and Matt takes guys down to the post. My point was only regarding Dain.

Illiniguy13 · Feb 21, 2023

727ill said:
Have you watched Northwestern this year? They double in the post almost 100% of the time when it's a competent post player that is receiving the ball.

I have. It doesn't mean that Brad is going to set Dain up on the block every time down the floor and play into those traps. We run a lot of stuff with Dain in the pinch post and will probably see it more on Thursday. Dain knows he will see those traps at points throughout the game and he'll look to pass out quick. If he's on his game and successfully gets the ball out more often than not, we have Goode back and guys like Epps and even RJ out of their funks. And if it doesn't go well and he's getting into trouble in those traps then yes I agree Brad should abandon ship.

Retro62 · Feb 21, 2023

This is another really late one for us east coasters...especially for a teacher that gets up at 5:15am. I hope to be energized by a win...that will get me through the day.
I have a student in one of my mythology classes whose parents are Illinois grads and he is very into the Illini himself. It's fun to hear his take on the games. I also share some of the info and insight I get from you all, which is fun to pass on to a new generation. Both of us have been talking about this game for a while; his parents are from Chicago.