Nice, I'm glad. He is the original after he committed to Digger.
Pregame: Illinois vs Ohio State, Sunday, March 14th, 2:30pm CT, CBS
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Ok thanks Cairo...was too lazy to look it up.....we are playing with great confidence and all the parts seem to be fitting together quite nicely right now.....expecting a win today, but it won't be easy
In an odd way, this is where having Young out hurts us a little bit. Looks like yesterday they started 4 perimeter guys plus Liddell. Although Young can stretch the floor too so, who knows.
I think we just have to make them pay for the mismatch on the other end and try and lock down their other shooters as best we can. They shot 12-23 from 3 yesterday. Hopefully they have tired legs.
I think they have to shoot lights out to win and ultimately, we have a lot more ways to win, and I think we pull it out.
The best thing about our team for these games that could be tough matchups for Kofi is that we have developed a legit 8 man rotation. Early it was 7 and we were searching for that guy.
Ayo
Trent
Kofi
Ace
Damonte
Belo
Giorgi
Grand stepping up and stepping in as a starter is a huge development for us. He is good passer and good enough shooter to stretch the court for Kofi in our top 5. Were able to be much more versatile in our defensive matchups now. And Damonte still brings everything he has off the bench. What a job by the staff of developing and evolving our rotation throughout the year.
Ayo
Trent
Kofi
Ace
Damonte
Belo
Giorgi
Grand stepping up and stepping in as a starter is a huge development for us. He is good passer and good enough shooter to stretch the court for Kofi in our top 5. Were able to be much more versatile in our defensive matchups now. And Damonte still brings everything he has off the bench. What a job by the staff of developing and evolving our rotation throughout the year.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Please don't remind me, though thanks for doing so this morning, having crushed Iowa, instead of yesterday morning, when I was a bit worried about them and more susceptible to unbridled rage.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Well said. I notice that Grandison has a really good feel for spacing on offense, which gets him open. His D is solid, too. He forced a big TO late yesterday.
All good my man. I'm flying high today too.Please don't remind me, though thanks for doing so this morning, having crushed Iowa, instead of yesterday morning, when I was a bit worried about them and more susceptible to unbridled rage.
I L L
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Laphonso Ellis , partner with the trilogy of Digger Phelps, Satan and Booby Knight that lied about Deon and the Illini program...
I want to punch that face of Ellis everytime they show the close up of him on espn...smiling jackal *******************...........
Me too bro.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Just rewatched the highlights of yesterday's game. Raftery after Curbelo stripped Toussaint of the ball with 4:20 left in 1H and took it in for a slam uncontested:
"They play with energy, excitement and joy!"
That was the highlight of the game for me (the play and his comment). Just sums up why we love these guys and why their ceiling right now is the ultimate title. BU created all of this that we enjoy, from the ground up.
"They play with energy, excitement and joy!"
That was the highlight of the game for me (the play and his comment). Just sums up why we love these guys and why their ceiling right now is the ultimate title. BU created all of this that we enjoy, from the ground up.
BBV has no legs underneath him. His defense was ok at best. He struggled with this in very limited play last year.
He needs to get healthy and train for the speed of the game. Has a ton of potential and good BIG size.
Deleted member 186590
D
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I wonder if we play some zone today- I don’t remember the last time we played it - but the only way OSU keeps this close is getting hot from three and I think we can take that away with a high ball pressure zone
If we keep our zone high and keep Kofi under the basket, switch all the high screens we essentially take away their offense- yes we likely give up some drives by Washington and walker but they would be going right at Kofi under the basket - I’ll take our chances with that, plus it takes away their cutters when Kofi is planted in the middle. Most of all it eliminates Kofi guarding Liddell out on the three point line which is not good for us
I also like it to get some game practice in on for the tournament in case we have to go to it- positives all around
If we keep our zone high and keep Kofi under the basket, switch all the high screens we essentially take away their offense- yes we likely give up some drives by Washington and walker but they would be going right at Kofi under the basket - I’ll take our chances with that, plus it takes away their cutters when Kofi is planted in the middle. Most of all it eliminates Kofi guarding Liddell out on the three point line which is not good for us
I also like it to get some game practice in on for the tournament in case we have to go to it- positives all around
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
That play plus the strip of Bohannon crybaby and diving on the floor and passing to Ayo for the SLAMDUNK really epitomizes the mentality of this fanastic BB team..
All for one ....everyday guys......
Hopefully National champions in a short time...............
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TheFameProtector
- Champaign
He and DMW are just fantastic glue guys, with Grandy having a bit better ability to pop on offense and DMW on defense. They know where to be on the court, make timely cuts, hustle plays, and (particularly the 2nd half of season) don't seem to get fazed.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
Kofi's ability to seal off big men to create lanes to the hoop for our guards is just so beautiful and really underrated. He had one yesterday that was one of the best I've ever seen (on Garza of all ppl too) and gave Curbelo a wide open lane for a layup. Kofi's passing may leave a lot to be desired at times, but if you count his seals as assists (they're so effective they should be), we'd have another guy averaging 3-4 assists on the team.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Great post.....2 glue guys, with jake getting us started early on offense with his feeds to kofi, rebounding on the O end and scoring....then bring DMW in for the muscle and heady plays on D....plus, with DMW now being a constant threat for 3's there is NO drop off of skills....
Dan
Admin
CBS: Jim Nantz, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery & Tracy Wolfson
fightingillini.com
Big Ten Tournament Notes | Illinois vs. Ohio State - University of Illinois Athletics
No. 2 seed Illinois faces No. 5 seed Ohio State in Sunday's Big Ten Tournament championship game. (2:30 p.m. CT, CBS).
fightingillini.com
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Belo's bounce pass to Ayo while lying on the floor was just sick. I felt like I was watching Hoosiers crossed with the Globetrotters.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Thats a lot of info, but I really would like to know who the refs are today.......CBS: Jim Nantz, Grant Hill, Bill Raftery & Tracy Wolfson
Big Ten Tournament Notes | Illinois vs. Ohio State - University of Illinois Athletics
No. 2 seed Illinois faces No. 5 seed Ohio State in Sunday's Big Ten Tournament championship game. (2:30 p.m. CT, CBS).
hopefully Larry S. is NOT one of them...
That's too bad, I hate to see anyone get hurt. He has worked a lot of years to get a chance to play in this title game. Hope he is back and healthy for NCAA.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
I-N-I'm loving March.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
I wonder what is going through Alan Griffin's mind today. Sweating it out to see if his team will make it into the tourney, while his old team is all over the news and playing for a championship. Guess that's what happens when you value getting yours more than team success 
Deleted member 747903
D
Guest
I thought yesterday's officials were quite favorable to us and let us play physical. Hopefully we get the same crew
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