Pregame: Illinois vs Penn State, Thursday, March 9th, 5:30pm CT, BTN
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AyoDos11
- Southern Illinois
I rewatched the UCLA game and Shannon looked like he owned the place. Maybe that neutral site tournament feel really gets him going. Add in the fact that we're also playing in his hometown this week, and oh boy. The rest of the B1G better watch out!
Its Chicago. Can't we find a cop to pay off to plant an ounce of coke in Pickett's gym bag?
I'm surprised that we don't get pressed more often/aggressively. We have shown some suspect ball handling and passing.
Or maybe someone could plant it in his gym locker? If there’s a lock he or she might have to pick-ett though.
I’ll see myself out…
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I’m at the game tonight and it looks like the higher seeded team bench is to the left of the scorers table. Just an FYI for anyone still looking to grab tickets. Let’s pack the UC with orange like the old days!!!!
Shannon seems pretty much a lock to be drafted in the second round. And if the Illini surprise and have a deeper run in the tournament than most expect... he could maybe sneak up a bit further as 'Team Leader' of a successful tournament team. We love Hawkins and his versatility and energy, but the points are coming from Shannon. But both of these guys have a bright future in The Association when their time comes.
And for any Chicago area player like Shannon... playing on that United Center floor just has to be extra special. We'll see if that translates into a good team performance. But either way it's still something special to these guys... (Rose, Ayo, Anthony Davis, etc.).
We are fortunate in Illini Nation that Shannon chose to come home to play. The Illini would be most seriously challenged this Season if he were not on the team.
I think team's want us to set up in our half court offense rather than speed us up.
Yeah, and if Shrewsberry could get the game played on the Wrigley infield grass circa 1983 he'd do it.
Goaltend a couple back into his face and take it from there. Nothing easy!
AyoDos11
- Southern Illinois
This. We are 1000x better when we push the pace. When Shannon or Epps is going full speed, 90% of the time they are either scoring or going to the line. At the beginning of the season I pictured a run and gun type of offense utilizing our length and speed. For some reason, we like to run a stagnant offense which is the #1 source of our offensive woes.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Is this a self portrait JJ ....??...............................It is a jumping gif ........jumpingjack ?????.......anyone ?? anyone ??
Anyone know if Epps is back and available for big ten tourney???
I don't think we like to. It's more that when we play porous defense, we don't get the transition opportunities. Can't push the ball the same way after a make. That's one of the circular logic reasons for why when we look bad, we look really bad and when we are playing solid d and getting kills, we have shown the ability to quickly get ourselves back into games.
I am way more animated than that during games
... If they do script road unis, I'll be first in line to buy them, no doubt!Illini in Indiana
- Indiana
So you're saying were due to start hitting 3's at a 40%+ clip for the next 10 gamesCan we hold Picket to his season average and find a way to make a dent in their 3 point shooting?????
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Back Penn State to score upset over Illinois in Big Ten tourney opener
Bet on Penn State to take down the Illini for a third time this seasonwww.inquirer.com
So according to our handy calculator, the Nittany Lions went 24-for-53 from 3-point range (45.3%) in the two games, Illinois went 14-for-50 (28.0%), and Penn State finished a combined plus-27 on the scoreboard — despite getting outrebounded by a combined 61-52 margin.
Now, there’s a good chance you’re thinking, “Big whoop — two games is hardly a big sample size.” And you’d be right.
So let’s analyze some season-long stats, beginning with this one:
No team in the Big Ten made more 3-point shots this season both overall (334) and in league play (209) then Penn State. And it wasn’t even close, as Iowa checked in at No. 2 both overall (254) and in conference (169).
What about 3-point shooting percentage? Penn State has made 38.9% of its treys overall, which ranks 12th in the nation and second in the Big Ten (behind only Michigan State at 40.1%).
In conference-only games, Penn State (39.4%) again trails only Michigan State (41.5%).
Which Big Ten teams do the Illini trail in 3-point shooting? Every single one. Yep, Illinois is 14th in the 14-team league at 31.0% overall and a woeful 29.1% in conference games. That 31.0% figure? It ranks 334th out of 363 Division I schools.
He practiced today
Yeah, probably. They’re last four in right now
Does not really matter.
If we win a few games we could be seeded as high as 6 in the dance. Else we could be as high as 9 or even 10.
No matter what the seeding is if we do not play in the 1st half, what good is it? Our nervousness is about inconsistent play. And, that is the problem, not Penn State or anyone else.
It seems to me that the team has left clues all season as to where their strength lies. When they play with urgency they look utterly fantastic, which is why they have had so many 2nd half comebacks after falling way behind. When they play straight up they are an average team, prone to lethargy. Why not do balls out pressure to create an artificial sense of urgency? I realize that is a fan's idea of a plan but honestly what are their chances continuing as they have been? Sweet Sixteen is almost certainly their ceiling. Why not roll the dice and go for the glory? They have the talent and the track record this year.
Dan
Admin
BTN (Brandon Gaudin, Robbie Hummel & Rick Pizzo)
fightingillini.com
Illini Open Big Ten Tournament Thursday vs. Penn State - University of Illinois Athletics
No. 7 seed Illinois opens Big Ten Tournament play in Chicago during Thursday's second round at the United Center, facing No. 10 seed Penn State (5:30 p.m. CT, BTN).
fightingillini.com
Would love to see a win or two as a warmup for the real tourney, but I have to say I'm surprised we're -2.5 in this one, and ESPN has us at almost 63% chance of winning.
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