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

Navy_illini · Feb 22, 2023

NW is not our rival. This is a made up narrative. They are not even the closest Big Ten campus to ours. I think a lot of people think this because we play each other the last week for football. Remember this was not always the case and this was done to preserve scUM and O$U for the last weekend. For basketball they don’t make my top 7 teams I would consider a rival.

They are a conference opponent we need to beat and this year are a very good team.

Illini in Indiana · Feb 22, 2023

IMO, this game is very important. It could be another top 25 win, draws us in to the top of the B10, and locks a tourney bid.
Not a must win, but it would be a great win.

My prediction, Illini get up by 15 in 2nd half but wins by 7. 76-69

fuggles · Feb 22, 2023

Fighter of the Nightman said:
Yeah, no one is saying they are our biggest rival, but the overall record is not a deal breaker. Georgia/Georgia Tech (football), Kansas/Kansas State (basketball) and even Illinois/Missouri (both) are very clearly rivalries regardless of what the overall record is. A lopsided overall series record might diminish a rivalry, but it certainly doesn't disqualify it. I'm not a fan of "gatekeeping" rivalries, and I'm perfectly fine with calling Northwestern a "rival" on paper ... even if they're significantly far behind Iowa, Indiana or Missouri.

I'm not willing to call them a rival. That's what they want and the media in Chicago who has been crapping on the U of I for decades. Northwestern sucks at basketball. Their fans are terrible. They threw coins and racist remarks at our players back when I was in school. I have no respect for them. Nor do they deserve it.

Illini in Italy · Feb 22, 2023

sacraig said:
Mountain is decent, but usually games start while I'm still at work or in the middle of bath and bed time for my kids, so no I rarely get to see a whole game.

On the other hand, when the kids are older it will be great.

I loved the AK time zone - football games at 9:00 am on Saturday mornings, 4 pm basketball games. It sucks on the East coast . . .

Chillinini · Feb 22, 2023

Although I would love to see TSJ play, need to be very cautious with his concussion protocol. We all know and are familiar with concussions in the basketball program lately.
Hopeful for a full and successful recovery.

fulton steamer · Feb 22, 2023

Kinkyfish said:
I might still be on the ground

I would just call for a shovel.

kyillinifan · Feb 22, 2023

I wonder if we will get 40 free throws tomorrow .

FloridaMan · Feb 22, 2023

kyillinifan said:
I wonder if we will get 40 free throws tomorrow .

40 percent perhaps. Last time we had 40 attempts in a single game was 2015-16. Your point is well taken; the first one at NW was absurd.

IlliniCub 16 · Feb 22, 2023

Illini in Indiana said:
IMO, this game is very important. It could be another top 25 win, draws us in to the top of the B10, and locks a tourney bid.
Not a must win, but it would be a great win.

My prediction, Illini get up by 15 in 2nd half but wins by 7. 76-69

Do you even follow the Illini? When we win, we win by 9.

Emerson Bigguns · Feb 22, 2023

IlliniCub 16 said:
Do you even follow the Illini? When we win, we win by 9.

tcb13 · Feb 22, 2023

Illini231 said:
Why would he be in practice uniform if he was in concussion protocol?

Part of Return to Participation (RTP) is physical activity followed by monitoring the recovery/response. It is no different than recovery from a physical injury - there's a point in time where you are capable of practice but not yet game-ready.

RML · Feb 22, 2023

Emerson Bigguns said:

After a long, last second, contested 3 by the other side.

sacraig · Feb 22, 2023

RML said:
After a long, last second, contested 3 by the other side.

One Man Fast Break · Feb 22, 2023

this is a MUST win imo

Seagee · Feb 22, 2023

FinallyMadeAnAccount said:
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1628488813541482498

well this isn't good - if he's out again that's 3 games without him and this one is a must-win

Ayo-esque…

Second place is 1st loser · Feb 22, 2023

One Man Fast Break said:
this is a MUST win imo

Monday was a must win for tournament purposes. A loss there would have been an absolute disaster. From the perspective of trying to get a top 4 seed, the rest of them are must wins. This would be a really, really, really nice one to have, but it's not a season breaker like the game vs Minny would have been.

illiniguy · Feb 22, 2023

Illini in Italy said:
I loved the AK time zone - football games at 9:00 am on Saturday mornings, 4 pm basketball games. It sucks on the East coast . . .

Username doesn't check.

jumpingjack · Feb 22, 2023

I am so damn ready for this game. I feel like Coleman is breaking out as a leader, Mayer has found his way of leading, and RJ/Goode are getting some mutual sophomore mojo going. This team is loaded and I don't think Northwestern is ready for what's gonna hit em tomorrow night.

Fighter of the Nightman · Feb 22, 2023

jumpingjack said:
I am so damn ready for this game. I feel like Coleman is breaking out as a leader, Mayer has found his way of leading, and RJ/Goode are getting some mutual sophomore mojo going. This team is loaded and I don't think Northwestern is ready for what's gonna hit em tomorrow night.

I’d be so damn happy if you’re right!

lexwaldez · Feb 22, 2023

hodgesonfire said:
Illinois definitely has trouble defending intelligent guards. I think the NW game will tell a lot about the teams potential in the tournament. Can the team defend and win the turn over margin?

You forgot about rebounds (assuming somebody misses a shot which isn't guaranteed - no doubt somebody has a career night).

jumpingjack · Feb 22, 2023

Fighter of the Nightman said:
I’d be so damn happy if you’re right!

Honestly, I think there's been a shift in Coleman's demeanor the last couple of games and it's the difference between trying to be an NBA guy and embracing his god-given NBA talent. I think the poster dunk over TJD might end up being the tipping point in how his season goes. Let's start with kicking the Cats in the !!! and see how it goes, but I am even more optimistic than usual.

alaskaillini · Feb 23, 2023

Illini in Italy said:
I loved the AK time zone - football games at 9:00 am on Saturday mornings, 4 pm basketball games. It sucks on the East coast . . .

But I hate to have to set my alarm on a Saturday to get up for an 11 am CT start.

Fun fact - back in the 1980s Alaska had 3 time zones - SE was on PT, then AK time, then Aleutian time. Was a pain in the butt.

EyeoftheIllini · Feb 23, 2023

tcb13 said:
Part of Return to Participation (RTP) is physical activity followed by monitoring the recovery/response. It is no different than recovery from a physical injury - there's a point in time where you are capable of practice but not yet game-ready.

Right. And he wasn’t practicing with the team — at least in report I saw. It was an individual workout with Coach Anderson. I’m not counting on him playing.

john1952 · Feb 23, 2023

jumpingjack said:
Honestly, I think there's been a shift in Coleman's demeanor the last couple of games and it's the difference between trying to be an NBA guy and embracing his god-given NBA talent. I think the poster dunk over TJD might end up being the tipping point in how his season goes. Let's start with kicking the Cats in the !!! and see how it goes, but I am even more optimistic than usual.

Agreed. He is looking to drive first and try to penetrate the paint instead of head faking and looking for the three, he should be commended

kyillinifan · Feb 23, 2023

I hope Krishna lets the refs know that NW fouls. Will the refs give us any home cookin like they use to with Wisc.