Pregame: Illinois vs Penn State, Sunday, February 11th, 6:00pm CT, BTN

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/coll...cle_c6a9ccb2-cfb8-5efe-afe5-cd7099b4b46a.html


“When you dive into them I really like their parts,” Underwood said Saturday. “They have an elite guard in Carr, who might arguably be the best point guard in the league. He’s big and he’s No. 2 in (Big Ten) scoring.”

Carr is averaging 19.3 points a game, where Stevens checks in at 15.7 and Watkins at 13.0 points and 9.7 rebounds.

“I love the Watkins kid inside,” Underwood said. “He’s like Inspector Gadget — long arms, goes for every rebound and clogs the paint. We’ll have to sit down and guard better than we did the other night.”

“Trent had to go through the process of learning how to play,” Underwood said. “His basketball IQ is really high and that expedites his learning curve. It was a matter of him getting a feel for the game and you throw his cockiness in with that and you have a guy who is starting to see his potential.”

“He can do some things that not a lot of people can. The thing that’s exciting is that he has another level or two he can go to. He will improve as he gets stronger and adds a floater to his game.”


we will need to be shooting lights out to have a chance to win this one...PSU is fighting for a spot in the tourney...we are fighting for respect...

PSU 75
ILLINI 60

hope I'm wrong

We stinks, but we've been close a number of games. They are playing for a tourney spot, so they should bring it, even on the road. That said, I think it's close and comes down to the last 2 minutes. Think we lose though. Any team with decent bigs seems to expose us.

Goldtop said:

He has been lately until the last game. Williams has not been a good outside shooter and against Wisconsin that is what we needed. Didn't work out anyway.

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Yeah. I heard BU mention that in the after game. Problem is we also needed defense and rebounding. I also didn't notice MS getting a lot of good looks from the outside. Right now MS still looks hesitant out there as does Alstork and so the ball gets stuck. Tough one to figure out. What I don't get is why Alstork or AJ didn't guard Happ when he brought the ball up the court all the time. We did hat for a minute but not for long. We should have harassed the crap out of him I and then switched before th 3 pt line.

Any more info on what the 6 am meeting was about

oleoleahy51 said:

I just can't conceive of a time when a school without a basketball pedigree like Penn State would be favored at Assembly Hall! And I can't accept that another school without same, Nebraska, would be having such a great season. What the heck has happened at Illinois? And why is there little hope things will change? Ayo, if he arrives, can't do it alone. And why can't Illinois land a truly BIG MAN to help run that offense?

Sorry, got to go. There's more curling on Olympics coverage!

P.S.

I think Coach U is the man. But winning is everything.

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" coach, this is the worst season to try to quit drinking...I know you are trying to break the colts, but I need a double shot ASAP "

USAFILLINI said:

Any more info on what the 6 am meeting was about

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None that I know of. It is probably going to stay that way.

I don't understand why we are only a 2 point dog.

Oh, please, we have to win this one. I have a church dinner I'm leaving for right now and play to be home just in time for tip-off. I have several Penn State diehards to talk with so... C'mon, guys, get their good guys to foul out and then take advantage of it.