Pregame: Illinois vs Texas Tech, Tuesday, November 11th, 7:30pm CT, FS1

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#227      
zentrails
Combo said:
That's great. We could use another skilled guard. Right now, when Boz or Keaton goes out, there's a huge dropoff.
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Plus having a good veteran PG so those two can concentrate more on scoring would be a great thing.
If that vet PG is one of our better players, so much the better obviously.
 
#228      
Fighter of the Nightman
frozenrope9190 said:
Im sorry, but there is no such thing as a must win game 3 games into the season. Especially in the era where the roster turnover is so high and teams need some time to gel against other collegiate competition.
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Again, it depends what you mean by “must.” Must to make the Tournament? Obviously not. Must to get a top 3 seed? Almost certainly not, at least on paper. Must to compete for a #1 seed? I mean, I guess not, but it would be an unfortunate missed opportunity.

Must to start the long process of re-establishing the House of ‘Paign as a venue that away teams actually fear again? Yes. No doubt about it.
 
#231      
NarrowJ
Texas Tech’s injury report just lists all five injuries as “lower body” and give no timetables for any of the players.

IMG_0865.jpeg

Watts and Toppin returned last game and should play for sure tomorrow.
 
#232      
frozenrope9190
Fighter of the Nightman said:
Again, it depends what you mean by “must.” Must to make the Tournament? Obviously not. Must to get a top 3 seed? Almost certainly not, at least on paper. Must to compete for a #1 seed? I mean, I guess not, but it would be an unfortunate missed opportunity.

Must to start the long process of re-establishing the House of ‘Paign as a venue that away teams actually fear again? Yes. No doubt about it.
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I get it. But its still the 3rd game ofthe season. Last time Illinois was a #1 seed they lost like 6 games in the regular season. Way too many variables out there to start talking about seeding in March. We're still eating Halloween candy.
 
#233      
jamie13197
RollChief said:
If that's true, then I see no way that we lose this game. We're bigger than TTU at every position - I'll preface this with I know that height and weight aren't necessarily the most accurately reported, but if we take both of our teams' respective total heights and weights, our average height this year on KenPom is now #2 in the country at 79.4" (6'-6.4"), compared to TTU's 76.7" (6'-4.7"), giving us a 2.7" average advantage.

We aren't just taller, we're also bigger. By weight, we're 21.4 lbs heavier on average and at least 10 lbs heavier at every position. At the 4 and 5, we're 27 lbs heavier. I made the table below using the % played by players at each position (for example, at PG, we play KB 46%, Fagbemi 26%, Stoj 21%, and Jake Davis 7%).

View attachment 44798

In terms of how this has been translating to more measured stats, we're +31.5 on the glass through 2 games, good enough to be ranked #2 in the nation. TTU is tied for 97th in the nation, with +10 per game against relatively similar competition.

I will be absolutely shocked if we lose this one on the glass because we should easily big-brother them in rebounds.
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Get JT Toppin in Foul trouble quickly. I'm in, sold. If not he will wreak havoc on us!
 
#234      
jamie13197
I thought 23-8 or 24-7 before season and that was before more injuries. Brutal schedule and new roster. It is what it is! I love me some Kylan, Mirk the Mercenary, and Hummy! Freshman Keaton, we'll get a much better understanding of what he is tomorrow night. I really like this kid from Kansas. Jake, gotta love! Wow. I enjoy seeing our men in more than 1 year. Makes me care more! Let's go Illini! See how good Defensively we have improved. Great coaches RedRaiders have. May be difference.
 
#236      
hoopsfan47
FromTheLogo said:
This comes down to the 3 guys in stripes.
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It is not likely that the referees will win or lose this game for either team. 98% of the plays will likely be called correctly. But there is the possibility that a call can be made or missed in tense moment that gives possession or a basket made to a team...or against.

But for CERTAIN, there will be a few calls missed and all referees hope those even out. What I am hoping is that Z fully understands that he must be available for the entire first half and not sit after 4 minutes with a couple of dumb fouls. He is a huge piece of an Illini victory puzzle tomorrow night.

If our guys play focused and move the ball on offense, and their feet on defense, I am fairly confident in an Illini victory. With all the scoring talent we have, I will be looking more for the defense to be determined to make it a tough 40 min. for the Red Raiders as well as grabbing EVERY rebound.
 
#237      
hoopsfan47
For sure, with only two guys running out of eligibility, it also makes me wonder if they might band together for another season in an effort to become legendary. Game may be too mercenary for that now, but if it were to happen and they all come back but Kylan and Ben, they would be top 3 as the season starts.

And I am pretty sure we could find enough $ to make that happen. Or not.
 
#238      
WolfpackIllini
This game will let us know if we are for real.
I think we are, but we shall see.
Only thing I see lacking on our side is steals - we aren't very aggressive and/or don't have fast hands.
 
#241      
Serious Late
BBlock24 said:
Now the line is down to -3.5 lol. That was fast. Maybe it was the Tomi news?
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It was a very inefficient sportsbook posting the opening number (Draftkings). As other sportsbooks opened their lines, the number kept coming in less Illini-friendly. Circa and Pinnacle opened -3.5, but got bet up to -4.5 pretty quick. Good news. Unless it's a head fake. 🤷
 
#242      
Brosky
Tomi, Petro, and Stoy. Who will be healthy enough to play? It will be important to see how all our new faces respond to a challenge this tough.
 
#243      
Ga65
Not as optimistic as several posters but think it would be a huge win without Tomi. Foul problems at the 5 biggest worry. Would like to see that reversed with Andrej, Kylan, and Keaton attacking the rim.
 
#248      
Birdus
No one on this team can guard Toppin but Kylan. He could go off for 35. If he does, it could be a long night with their shooters. I do think we win the game if we shoot a decent percentage from the field.
 
#249      
thefalcon5
Birdus said:
No one on this team can guard Toppin but Kylan. He could go off for 35. If he does, it could be a long night with their shooters. I do think we win the game if we shoot a decent percentage from the field.
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Until proven otherwise, non-guard star players are going to have a good time offensively against us.

As electric as Mirk has been on the glass and offensively, his defense has looked pretty pedestrian. Ben is who he is (which is surprisingly not as awful as some would have you believe), but perhaps we can see a little Andrej on Toppin.

Would’ve been a fun Ty matchup.
 
#250      
grantlab
I actually think the Toppin matchup changes a lot pending whether their VCU transfer center is active in this one. Toppin pretty much exclusively played the 5 against Sam Houston St. — if that’s the case, we can shuffle Mirkovic and Big Z on him defensively and go a lot smaller at the 4 with Humrichous. Texas Tech really isn’t that big otherwise. If Bamgboye is active, I think you have to have Z and Mirk on the floor together for most of the game, and fouls become a lot more penal.
 
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