Pregame: Illinois vs Rutgers, Saturday, January 11th, 11:00am CT, BTN

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#26      

Retro62

Retro62
North Bethesda, Maryland
Retro62
This is the game where we have another chance to show consistency; I mean both the players and the coaches. I feel like BU is finally working the adjustments and finding ways to keep guys focused and energetic, and whatever group is in seems to be much more cohesive.

Who would have thought the Rutgers game at home would be such a big game this year?
 
#27      

Hopingfor500

H
Hopingfor500
Retro62 said:
This is the game where we have another chance to show consistency; I mean both the players and the coaches. I feel like BU is finally working the adjustments and finding ways to keep guys focused and energetic, and whatever group is in seems to be much more cohesive.

Who would have thought the Rutgers game at home would be such a big game this year?
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In this conference, they're all big games. This is as strong as I can remember it. Michigan State is the clear #1, Maryland is a clear #2, but then 3-12.....any given night an L is or a top 50 win is on the table.
 
#28      

Rap73

R
Rap73
Hopingfor500 said:
In this conference, they're all big games. This is as strong as I can remember it. Michigan State is the clear #1, Maryland is a clear #2, but then 3-12.....any given night an L is or a top 50 win is on the table.
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I disagree with Maryland as a clear 2. They have not won a big ten road game and Illini should have beat them. I believe any including Michigan State can be beaten on a given night.
 
#31      

Illinisteve25

Illinisteve25
Champaign
Illinisteve25
Thought we were done with these 11am kickoffs...... I mean tips offs.. Gotta start the pregame early this Saturday and cant wait!!
 
#32      

drsmitty74

drsmitty74
Rochester
drsmitty74
TCTORNADO said:
Rutgers will be without their best player, Geo Baker. He's out for 2 or 3 weeks with a broken thumb in his left/non shooting hand.
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They were without Baker when they beat Penn St.

Rutgers is a very good team. Won 6 in a row with wins against Wisconsin, Seton Hall, Nebraska and Penn St. in those last 6 games.

We better be ready to play.
 
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#33      

QCillini48

Q
QCillini48
I hate these 11am Saturday morning games for us following a couple big wins...

Always feels like a trap game!!
 
#35      

Illiniguy90

I
Illiniguy90
83nation said:
Ranked? Are we even in the tourney right now?
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If we beat Rutgers we would be 4-2 in a conference by far the strongest conference in the country this year and our only 2 conference losses are to 2 of the 3 teams projected to have a chance at the conference title.
 
#36      

Illiniguy90

I
Illiniguy90
220Illini said:
We will not be ranked with a win. Missouri was not long ago. Win 3 out of the next 4 and we should be ranked but really I only care about this game. Rutgers is a good team.
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Purdue and Wisconsin were both "Receiving votes" and we took care of Purdue and beat Wisconsin on the road. Maybe we wont be ranked but the voters that voted for those teams shouldn't have too much difficulty swinging over to us if we close out vs Rutgers as well. Especially considering there's talk about Rutgers getting ranked if they beat us.
 
#37      

urbanite

U
urbanite
This has all the makings of a trap game for Illinois. Though it does make me feel better that Rutgers is 1-3 away from home.

TCTORNADO said:
Rutgers will be without their best player, Geo Baker. He's out for 2 or 3 weeks with a broken thumb in his left/non shooting hand.
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Could be a double-edged sword. He leads the team in 3P attempts while shooting 27% from outside. Rutgers is the worst 3P shooting team in the conference, and their attempts have gone down since he's been out (admittedly, two games is a really small sample size).
 
#38      

TCTORNADO

TCTORNADO
TCTORNADO
It will be interesting to see where Vegas opens this game. I would imagine Illinois -3 or -4. Only natural to have a little letdown after the biggest win of the Underwood era.
 
#40      

ChiefIllini

C
ChiefIllini
Mizzou and Miami derailed the season, but beating Mich, PU, and Wisc have righted the ship. I still think we need the next two games to really feel like we are in a positive position to make the tournament.

We bucked the trend of fading late in a close game last night. If we can prevent a let down game early in the conference season (i.e. RU and NW at home), I have real (and justified) hope in this team.
 
#42      

RockfordIllini

R
RockfordIllini
Was at the game last year. Took everything we had to beat them. I imagine they've had this game circled since before the year began both as a great opportunity for a road win and also as a revenge game. We have to come ready to play

Looking at their roster I think Harper Jr will give us the most problems. We don't have anyone that can match up well with 6'6 245. Having Baker out helps us. Really like his game. Hope we continue to run effective screen/rolls with Kofi and Ayo and need to knock down some shots. Go Illini!
 
#48      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
1) I have been singing Rutgers' praise for a while ... maybe I see a little bit of Illini football in them (i.e., they're the sole big state school in a big, fertile state, and there is no excuse for them not to be good besides "muh, hasn't happened lately!" ... let alone as bad as they have been!), but I find myself liking their squad and happy for their fans. This game will be T-O-U-G-H. They're improved from the team last year that took us to OT in Champaign.

2) As stated, this ain't your daddy's Rutgers basketball, but let's keep these good vibes goin' vs. the Scarlet Knights since they joined the Big Ten:

2/9/2019: W 99-94 vs. Rutgers (OT)
2/25/2018: W 75-62 at Rutgers
1/30/2018: W 91-60 vs. Rutgers
3/4/2017: L 62-59 at Rutgers
2/16/2016: W 82-66 vs. Rutgers
2/3/2016: W 110-101 at Rutgers (3OT)
2/3/2015: W 66-54 vs. Rutgers

That lone loss was the nail in John Groce's coffin, IIRC. Past success is not an indication of future success, but they're one of the few teams we've truly dominated over the last ~5 years. Let's keep it up!
 
#50      

illinihawk16

illinihawk16
Chicago
illinihawk16
RockfordIllini said:
Was at the game last year. Took everything we had to beat them. I imagine they've had this game circled since before the year began both as a great opportunity for a road win and also as a revenge game. We have to come ready to play

Looking at their roster I think Harper Jr will give us the most problems. We don't have anyone that can match up well with 6'6 245. Having Baker out helps us. Really like his game. Hope we continue to run effective screen/rolls with Kofi and Ayo and need to knock down some shots. Go Illini!
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Kipper is 6'6 220, but has the ability to play big on the defensive side. And he's actually been relatively consistent on the defensive end this year, especially compared to previous years. Admittedly I haven't watched Harper (or Rutgers) play at all this year, but based on size I think Kipper could be a capable defender here.
 
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