Pregame: Illinois vs Northwestern, Tuesday, February 16th, 8:00pm CT, BTN

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#1      

Dan

Admin
Illinois vs Northwestern
Tuesday, February 16th
8:00pm CT
BTN
 
#2      

foby

Bonnaroo Land
Let's make it 6 straight.
 
#3      

altenberger22

South Carolina
OK, this one should be a little more comfortable. Up 14 at the half, and then we get the bench some minutes.
 
#5      

Calillini

Now appearing in Tampa
OK, this one should be a little more comfortable. Up 14 at the half, and then we get the bench some minutes.
Why should this one be a little more comfortable? Last night the worst team in the BIG took us to OT and only Ayo saved us.
I am uncomfortable being comfortable with an Illini team that has only twin consistent scoring threats.
 
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#6      

Deleted member 747802

D
Guest
Please no one say "this should be a win," or "hope the bench gets some minutes." Hopefully the team has learned its lesson (finally) not to take lightly and play to the competition. But, I'm concerned that in February it is still an issue. At least this game is a quick turnaround.
 
#7      

altenberger22

South Carolina
Why should this one be a little more comfortable? Last night the worst team in the BIG took us to OT and only Ayo saved us.
I am uncomfortable being comfortable with an Illini team that has only twin consistent scoring threats.
Home court.

While admittedly there will be no home crowd advantage, I like the notion of (1) no travel, (2) sleeping in our own beds, (3) an extra day of preparation compared to NW, (4) not having to travel back from New Jersey late Saturday night like the Wildcats, and (5) we're familiar with the court, rims and backdrop behind the baskets......all while playing an opponent somewhat comparable to NEB.

I think all that should equate to "comfortable". It's the first time I'm predicting a semi-easy win. I also predicted the Husker game would be much closer than we wanted.
 
#8      
Not a big fan of the weave at the top of the arch to start our first few possessions of a game...just doesn't seem to create many opportunities .....would like to see the ball go to the paint (either pass or dribble) and establish an inside presence first.....would help open the perimeter game for Miller, TF, Ayo, DMW....just my observation.....bury the Kats early
 
#9      

Deleted member 747903

D
Guest
Please no one say "this should be a win," or "hope the bench gets some minutes." Hopefully the team has learned its lesson (finally) not to take lightly and play to the competition. But, I'm concerned that in February it is still an issue. At least this game is a quick turnaround.
Northwestern has so much more talent than Nebraska so let’s be careful with this one. Put them away early and establish Kofi and please for the love of god don’t let Audige get going
 
#12      
Not a big fan of the weave at the top of the arch to start our first few possessions of a game...just doesn't seem to create many opportunities .....would like to see the ball go to the paint (either pass or dribble) and establish an inside presence first.....would help open the perimeter game for Miller, TF, Ayo, DMW....just my observation.....bury the Kats early
I cringe every time they get stuck in weave mode. Curbelo wasn't great yesterday, but when he first came off the bench they stopped the weave BS and passed with purpose. More of that, please!
 
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#15      
Northwestern has so much more talent than Nebraska so let’s be careful with this one. Put them away early and establish Kofi and please for the love of god don’t let Audige get going
agree on being careful .
..just seems like Northwestern has given up a little and fading after early season rank.

Got to hand it to Hoiberg/Nebraska ...the fact that he can keep those guys motivated to play at a high level is pretty amazing..
he is a great coach. Given that they are winless in B10.. pretty remarkable that they are playing seven games in 12 days in five states...that's particularly scary in B10.
 
#16      
Why should this one be a little more comfortable? Last night the worst team in the BIG took us to OT and only Ayo saved us.
I am uncomfortable being comfortable with an Illini team that has only twin consistent scoring threats.
Man from where we’ve been the last 15 years Let’s just enjoy the ride. #6 in the country and 2 all Americans.
 
#17      

Retro62

North Bethesda, Maryland
agree on being careful .
..just seems like Northwestern has given up a little and fading after early season rank.

Got to hand it to Hoiberg/Nebraska ...the fact that he can keep those guys motivated to play at a high level is pretty amazing..
he is a great coach. Given that they are winless in B10.. pretty remarkable that they are playing seven games in 12 days in five states...that's particularly scary in B10.
Honestly, I'm rooting for them to win a few of these games, and if they play like they did against us, there is no reason they can't. Is part of that because it makes our scare look better...of course...but they also deserve a couple of wins with that brutal schedule, and coming close is no substitution for a win.

Sorry, this probably belongs in the NU post-game thread. I'm sure Dan will move it if that's the case...unless I throw in...BEAT NW!!!
 
#18      

skyIdub

Winged Warrior
Not a big fan of the weave at the top of the arch to start our first few possessions of a game...just doesn't seem to create many opportunities .....would like to see the ball go to the paint (either pass or dribble) and establish an inside presence first.....would help open the perimeter game for Miller, TF, Ayo, DMW....just my observation.....bury the Kats early

That weave is an attempt to force the defenders to run through multiple screens. Eventually, if the screens are good and the passes are good, someone catches a screen with a bad switch, and we get an open look. Nebraska played tough D. Every team from here on will deny and double and triple Kofi in the post. Our shooters (looking at DMFW and Curbelo) are going to need to be confident, if not fearless, and take some open shots.

Also, some of the passes into Kofi have been floaters that gives the double team time to close on the entry pass. Better entry passes will help.
 
#19      
Northwestern was up 10 early but now is down 10 at the half at Rutgers. Not sure if COVID and the AD change, along with the money hit, will keep Chris Collins in Evanston another year, but if they get rid of him, I'd put in a call to Scott Nagy.
 
#20      
That weave is an attempt to force the defenders to run through multiple screens. Eventually, if the screens are good and the passes are good, someone catches a screen with a bad switch, and we get an open look. Nebraska played tough D. Every team from here on will deny and double and triple Kofi in the post. Our shooters (looking at DMFW and Curbelo) are going to need to be confident, if not fearless, and take some open shots.

Also, some of the passes into Kofi have been floaters that gives the double team time to close on the entry pass. Better entry passes will help.
I think it also is a tool Underwood uses at times to keep the guys moving without the ball instead of stagnating and standing around waiting for a pass behind the three point line.
 
#21      

foby

Bonnaroo Land
Northwestern was up 10 early but now is down 10 at the half at Rutgers. Not sure if COVID and the AD change, along with the money hit, will keep Chris Collins in Evanston another year, but if they get rid of him, I'd put in a call to Scott Nagy.
Before Collins, NW had never been to the NCAA tourney and had only enjoyed an AP ranking at some point in the season 2 times from 1959-60 through 2012-13. With Collins, they made their first tourney and have been ranked at some point in the season 3 of the last 5 years. Also considering his current team is very talented and built to have success the next 2 seasons and not so much this year, I would bet 38% of my beach houses that he gets 2 seasons.
 
#22      
Not a big fan of the weave at the top of the arch to start our first few possessions of a game...just doesn't seem to create many opportunities .....would like to see the ball go to the paint (either pass or dribble) and establish an inside presence first.....would help open the perimeter game for Miller, TF, Ayo, DMW....just my observation.....bury the Kats early
Game announcers like the weave. Say it wears opponents out trying to keep up with their man and break through screens. I don't see anything to complain about concerning it.
 
#23      
Game announcers like the weave. Say it wears opponents out trying to keep up with their man and break through screens. I don't see anything to complain about concerning it.
I get the theory of the weave; I think some team from Harlem popularized it many years ago. We're not playing the Generals though, and if they don't set hard screens or make smart passes while running it, it can become a glorified practice exercise.
 
#25      
Not related to the upcoming game but all you can do is laugh at someone choosing Charles Bassey over Ayo Dosunmu for First Team All Americans.
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