When one player is guarded by two then someone should be open. I feel Mayer, Epps, and the addition of Goode playing this time around then that’s a good thing. Dain is getting better at passing in the post. He made a great pass on a cut by Epps and hit guys last night outside too for good looks. They hit some and missed some. Dain passes fine last night. I’d expect more production from Goode this game as well as Mayer doing his thing. Hopefully TSJ is back too.
Pregame: Illinois vs Northwestern, Thursday, February 23rd, 8:00pm CT, BTN
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Most worried about their guards' abilities off their high screen offense. They can drive effectively or hit the three if you go under screens. How we defend this part of the floor will be critical.
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
Its time for revenge.
I confess that I know nothing. But in the old days, the guy defending the screener would step out as the ballhandler started past the screener, forcing the ballhandler way outside. I never see that anymore. I guess the screener diving to the basket makes it no longer tenable? Just weird to me that I used to see that ALL the time (both us doing it, and others doing it to us), and I never see it anymore (or at least not as extreme as I used to see it).
Agreed. Often wheen Dain is out neer the top of the key, the lane looks as wide-open as an 18th-century photo of the Illinois Prairie
This is a must win. I won't feel comfortable with our NCAA chances until we get to 11 conference wins
10 will get it done, but point taken. There just aren't that many good teams this year, especially on the back end. The bubble teams are... decent. The UCLA and Texas wins, short of a complete meltdown, will get us in. Now, where we'll be seeded, that's a whole different can of worms.
The problem with having Dain out of the lineup was shown clearly the last three games - when he's not in there it's almost as if we go to a 5 out offense with everyone standing around out at the 3 pt line. We get stagnant, and this is when we see a lot of bad threes jacked up. Now if we're going to post someone in the lane, maybe that's an opportunity to get they guys moving And some flow into the offense. But then again, I'm not a basketball coach . . .
We have a couple other guys who can score in the lane - Coleman and Meyers. Put either in the high post when Dain is out and have them drive to the hoop. I think if we called more plays for Coleman he would look for his shot more. I would even be willing to try it with Ty Rogers.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
We have a poor 3pt percentage because we shoot a lot of bad threes, not because we have bad 3pt shooters.
Kick out 3s are one the best you can take.
I wish I could be a little nervous about this game as perhaps I should be. But I am not. At all.
Despite being at the PU game in Evanston and encouraging my son to join the celebration on the court.
Despite being at the PU game in Evanston and encouraging my son to join the celebration on the court.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Yeah, it would be a real shame if we were able to play our best big guy in a key game.
If you read your post in S.A. Smith's yelling voice...it's even better.
It's a combination - outside of Goode and occasionally Mayer there is nobody on the roster who is a consistently good 3 point shooter.
Having said that, we do take a lot of bad 3's, which just compounds the issue
Another thing about them doubling Dain I'd like to add is if he can get it out to Goode quickly besides a possible open 3 but look for Goode to get it back door cutter.i was extremely pleased last night with Luke's vision and passing last night.i don't think Luke gets enough credit for that we all know can hit the 3 but was really happy with his court vision so far
I think Mayer is a good three point shooter. He is shooting at 37% and as you imply many are closely guarded since it’s very clear our opponents are keyed in on him more than anyone from 3. Having Goode beside him should provide more opportunities for better looks for each of them and the perimeter shooting percentages should improve. I agree they need better looks and the right guys taking those shots often
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Coleman probably doesn't want to be known as a post up guy, but his moves off the dribble could be done out of the post. Would love to see him post up and see if they would try to double him. I don't think they have one guy that could stop him alone and he would really hurt them with his passing ability if they double.
This is easily the biggest game of the season. We need another quad1 win badly if we want to feel good about a top 6 seed. Lose this one, and it’ll be nearly impossible to climb out of the 8/9 seed group. Also, drop this one and there’s a good chance we finish in the bottom half of the B1G…
We need to be sharper than ever and aggressive. Let’s go.
We need to be sharper than ever and aggressive. Let’s go.
Unfortunately this is not a Quad 1 game.
Is Northwestern not in the top 30 NET? Well, either way, it’s a big game. Northwestern has gained enough respect nationally this year (can’t believe I just said that) for this to be a huge win on the resume regardless of NET rankings.
A photograph of Illinois’ prairie from the 1700’s in color. Wonder if the photographer used film or went digital.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
37
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Photograph by Matthew Brady, although it is not widely known, he was the father of digital photography
Did anyone else find it odd last night that the players and coaching stuff just let Dain lay there on the floor, writhing in pain without paying any mind to him? That was a big man taking a big fall. Surprised they even let him play a few more minutes after that as the dude was clearly uncomfortable out there.
The wife said the same thing. I was like if I fall down you don’t help me!
Seriously though I hope he isn’t too sore and she really did notice that too
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
For now. If we beat NW but they then go on to win @ MD, vs Penn St, and @ Rutgers, then it may still become a Quad 1 game. Quad 1 or Quad 2, this game is still very important.
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