Pregame: Illinois vs Northwestern, Wednesday, February 4th, 8:00pm CT, BTN

Status
Not open for further replies.
#177      
Fly Illini Fly!
MDchicago said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/2018493940593291465

Was curious whether the facts bear this out, and AI says it is true that MSU shoots better in the second half of home games than in the first half. Also true for each of the individual seasons (last two plus this season to date) reviewed.

Overall 3-Year Home Average (approximate, based on box-score aggregation)
  • MSU: 45–47% in 1H → 50–52% in 2H.
  • Opponents: 39–40% in 1H → 37–38% in 2H.
Maybe need to check the rims at Breslin.... Or just tell Keaton, Jake and crew to swish them all that game.
Click to expand...
I mean, when they played there his senior year:

IMG_0145.jpeg
 
#183      
ptgrd23
Last year MSU and others physically dominated our team - keeping us from playing our game.

This year Mirk, Big Z, Keaton and Kylan will not be intimidated. Nebraska and Purdue pushed, grabbed, fouled us and we still beat them. I think MSU is in for a surprise.
 
#185      
skyIdub
Lol...Keaton might have the thickest skin of any player playing at that level I've ever seen. Dude is unflappable. He ain't got no time for shenanigans.

He's thinking about one thing and one thing only right now....smoking kitties.

200w.gif
 
#187      
altgeld88
pruman91 said:


I predict " Tear for ( Jeremy ) Fears....................I really really do....................

the things I can without....................

His :

1. flopping
2. tripping
3. his pushing airborne players in the back
4. punching players in the nutsack
5. just being his thuggish dirty self

I'm pruman91 and I approve this message and any and all countermeasures needed to stop him............

I REALLY REALLY DO....................
Click to expand...
I'm with you Brother Pru. However, if the Illini are going to apply Tears for Fears I prefer The Hurting. 'Cause it lasts much longer. It was an entire album.
 
#191      
Cary67
Isn't the nut puncher currently on Wisconsin’s staff? One man's thug is another's enforcer. From my recollection the rest of the Big 10 and its fans weren't sending Lucas Johnson flowers and accolades for his play.
 
#193      
ILL-Intentions
How much do we see the "Mon-stars" lineup in this game (as Werner called it)? I like the zone against some of these teams like NW and MSU if we know where their 1-2 shooters are. My only issue would be if those smaller/pesky guards hound Mirk all the way up the floor.
 
#194      
MoCoMdIllini
MDchicago said:
Agree, correlation not equal to causation. A few other nuggets from AI.

* No—college basketball teams do not universally shoot better (higher FG%) in the second half overall. Aggregate trends show slight second-half scoring increases for many teams (e.g., more points in 2H due to fouls, pace changes, or garbage time), but FG% is often flat or even slightly lower late due to tighter defenses, fatigue, or desperation shots.

* No, Kansas, UConn, Duke, and Kentucky do not show the same pronounced second-half shooting percentage improvement in home games as Michigan State has at Breslin (where the differential is often 4–8+ FG% points better post-halftime). These elite programs exhibit strong home dominance overall, but their half-by-half shooting patterns are more variable or balanced, with less consistent evidence of a massive, repeatable 2H surge specifically at home.

* Michigan State's second-half shooting improvement is markedly stronger in home games at Breslin Center than in non-home games (road + neutral) over the last three seasons (2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26).
Click to expand...
Do they always start facing the same basket every game? I suppose they do, but I've never really stop and look to *know* it's the case.
 
#195      
MDchicago
MoCoMdIllini said:
Do they always start facing the same basket every game? I suppose they do, but I've never really stop and look to *know* it's the case.
Click to expand...
Apparently it is addressed in NCAA rule:

From the official NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Book (e.g., 2023-24 and recent editions, Rule 1, Section 1, Articles 2-3):
  • Each team shall warm up and shoot during the first half at the basket farthest from its bench. This is standard: The home team selects bench locations (typically one sideline), so the visiting team gets the far basket for the first half (and warm-ups).
  • The teams shall change baskets for the second half. This is explicitly required—"shall" means it's mandatory, not optional.
 
#198      
Illinialldayeveryday
Was back looking at games when this streak started-besides Purdue we have had 10 plus point leads in the second half at some point. Even if we aren't blowing them all out, its been good work.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back