DGL does not play with the pace Moretti plays at or gets the looks for others that Moretti gets. DGL has struggled to play in the flow of the offense when he’s in there. Typical for a freshman in some regards.
Pregame: Illinois vs Rutgers, Sunday, January 21st, 12:00pm CT, BTN
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That makes sense. Thanks!
Typical home away swing is 6 pts. Michigan got +3 from being at home, even at a neutral site, then Illinois +3 at State Farm. So I’d expect we would’ve been 7 pt favorites against Michigan at home (give or take a point or two).
I’d expect us to be around 9.5 against Rutgers.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I only get to CU once or twice a year for a game, but if you have not been in a decade, I STRONGLY recommend spending some time Downtown ... it has changed a ton since my first time being in that area (circa 2015), and I have heard it is straight-up unrecognizable from pre-2014. While there are a ton of cool spots, these are the two that we hit every single time we are in Champaign:
1. If you want a nicer dinner, Nando Milano in Downtown Champaign is tough to beat. Excellent atmosphere right next to that area of Downtown that is cut off to traffic and is like one giant patio. The food, of course, is also phenomenal.
2. For a casual beer, Blind Pig Brewery is our go-to and always will be. Note that there is another Blind Pig location that is also cool, but the one in Neil Street is the coolest, IMO ... it has a back area that leads into one of the best beer gardens I have ever frequented!
I figured others would give great Campustown locations, so I figured this is the best thing I could offer!
mhuml32
Gesture of Northern Aggression
Home teams are winning at an insane clip in Big Ten and other top conferences. Home court advantage is a very real thing. Vegas also thinks that Illinois' KenPom/Barttorvik/etc. is inflated because Shannon is suspended.
I think defensively they are about the same. The difference is that DGL is the better scorer and Moretti is better at running the offense and distributing the ball. Brad seems to be looking more for what Moretti brings to the floor.
frozenrope9190
- Aurora, IL
We start up 20-4, and then coast for 30 minutes. Thats my hope.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Yep, 12 road wins in the Big Ten so far in 46 games:
#24 Illinois W 76-58 at Rutgers
#23 Wisconsin W 70-57 at Michigan State
Indiana W 78-75 at Michigan
Michigan W 90-80 at Iowa
#1 Purdue W 67-53 at Maryland
Minnesota W 73-71 at Michigan
Northwestern W 76-72 at Penn State
#15 Wisconsin W 71-60 at Ohio State
Maryland W 76-67 at #10 Illinois
Iowa W 86-77 at Minnesota
#2 Purdue W 87-66 at Indiana
#14 Illinois W 88-73 at Michigan
Only Illinois, Purdue and Wisconsin have more than one ... that's the company we want to be keeping!
For bars I’d hang out downtown and check out different spots as others have mentioned. Nando has been good mentioned as a nice spot. If you want something slightly more casual, IMO the best restaurants in Champaign are
1. Black Dog BBQ
2. Golden Harbor (Chinese)
3. Maize (Mexican)
4. Papa Del’s (Pizza)
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
I haven't seen any updates this year, but I believe Underwood's teams have been quite good on the road relative to their peers over the last 4 years or so.
Rose Bowl Tavern in Urbana is a fun dive bar that pretty regularly has live music.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Yeah, I might look at the other schools later, but this is mighty impressive for an overall Big Ten road record since we turned this thing around in 2019-20. Keep in mind, the old mantra is to compete for a Big Ten title you protect your home court and go .500 on the road (a 15-5 record). Obviously, that is not exact science.
2020: 5-5
2021: 8-2
2022: 7-3
2023: 3-7
2024: 2-1
Total: 25-18 (.581)
Worth noting that we lost our final FIVE road games in a row last year ... so for the vast majority of the time, we truly have been Road Warriors.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
So many good memories in that place, now > 30 yrs in the rear-view mirror. So pleased that it's still going strong.
I was in there with friends one evening in the summer of '89. The bar was having some kind of raffle draw. It was late and I was feeling no pain. They drew my ticket and I won (a Labatt's wall mirror, no less). Then they drew again for another prize: my ticket. And a third time: my ticket. I was too buzzed to calculate the probability of this occurring but it was the funniest happenstance in my entire life.
I never bought a lottery ticket after that.
Used up my good luck for a couple lifetimes that evening.I like this matchup. They're so bad on offense. They don't have dynamic guards like Young. Honestly can probably play a C game and win. hoping we get a decent cushion to spell some dudes. I could see a game where the bench gets some tick and its not total blowout.
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
Entertaining and insightful discussion. These guys are just my favorite now.
Couldn't agree more! The sheer amount of college basketball content they put out regularly is really impressive. Always a great watch.
We lost to a bad Maryland team, at home, less than a week prior and the question is still out there as to what we are without TJ... especially on the road.
Heck, after last Sunday, our fans were on the edge. Why should Vegas be any different?
BU is simply trying to win games. Continuity and development are great things, but not things you can accomplish/foster if you are losing. Lose too many and someone else is in your seat.
Moretti has been with the team for a year. Dravyn for about 6 months. Why is it an insult that Nico is playing? Is he not on scholarship to play basketball?
The guys who play best in practice are going to play in the games. Coach is trying to hang banners, not hand out participation trophies. If these guys or their moms have a problem with it, there are plenty of other programs that would be happy to have them, and plenty of other good players who would love to don the Orange and Blue.
I know and agree that players shouldn't get time just to keep them happy. I was just curious about what the issue with DGL was since Moretti is not a great defender either.
And others answered that question.
Guesses in the starting line up now?
Whitmans Sampler
- Eastern Iowa
Live look at the Scarlett Knight’s locker room
Rogers
TSJ
Domask
Guerrier
Hawkins
BENCH:
Goode
Danja
Harmon
Solid 8 deep lineup with
Morreti
hansburry
DGL
Waiting in wings
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
If Terrance is allowed to play in this game, which I presume he will, I can't think of a better game to bring him back into. Lowest stress game left on the schedule I might suggest and it's a home game.
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