Pregame: Illinois vs UConn, Friday, November 28th, 11:30am CT, FOX

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#76      
Illwinsagain
RollChief said:
Absolutely, especially recently. Brad's been pretty good at MSG save the Duke game.

Below is all of the wins for Brad against high-rated opponents. The rating is KenPom rank at the time of the game.

Neutral Wins (by season):
2018: 46th ranked Mizzou when we were 102nd.
2023: 9th ranked UCLA in Vegas, 2nd ranked Texas at MSG
2024: 14th ranked FAU at MSG
2025: 36th ranked Arkansas
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And this does not include true road games, though they have been mostly (all?) in conference.
 
#78      
Battle89
epkerrigan said:
Might be getting Uconn at the right time. 2 starters possibly coming back might be cold and not quite gelling yet.
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Right time would be when they are still out...
 
#79      
RockfordIllini
Interesting matchup. Like us, UConn has gone 1-1 in 2 close games against ranked teams, one at home and one at a neutral-but-crowd-favored-them venue (Boston). Differences are they dropped their home and won their neutral and also won with their star center (Reed) and lost without him.

Their loss is to Arizona who I think has a pretty similar makeup to us. Good, experienced guard surrounded by a lot of big Euros, and one impact freshman. Peat gave UConn problems and although looks to be a much better athlete than Mirk (Peat’s second jump is incredible), Peat also relies a lot on physicality to score.

I actually like how we match up with their backcourt. Kylan should slow down ball, I think Andrej can have success chasing Karaban and I think Keaton can bother Demary with his length.

They lost the rebounding battle in both of their ranked games, getting crushed in the Arizona game. I don’t know what Reed’s status is but if he does come back hopefully he’s sort of 60-70%ish like Tomi is.

Will be our first real road test. Hopefully our freshmen have been toughened up and will be ready for the physicality. But if they aren’t, I think we’ve got more buttons to push than UConn. I think we get a big game from Kylan and sneak out a win 81-76.
 
#80      
Second place is 1st loser
RockfordIllini said:
Interesting matchup. Like us, UConn has gone 1-1 in 2 close games against ranked teams, one at home and one at a neutral-but-crowd-favored-them venue (Boston). Differences are they dropped their home and won their neutral and also won with their star center (Reed) and lost without him.

Their loss is to Arizona who I think has a pretty similar makeup to us. Good, experienced guard surrounded by a lot of big Euros, and one impact freshman. Peat gave UConn problems and although looks to be a much better athlete than Mirk (Peat’s second jump is incredible), Peat also relies a lot on physicality to score.

I actually like how we match up with their backcourt. Kylan should slow down ball, I think Andrej can have success chasing Karaban and I think Keaton can bother Demary with his length.

They lost the rebounding battle in both of their ranked games, getting crushed in the Arizona game. I don’t know what Reed’s status is but if he does come back hopefully he’s sort of 60-70%ish like Tomi is.

Will be our first real road test. Hopefully our freshmen have been toughened up and will be ready for the physicality. But if they aren’t, I think we’ve got more buttons to push than UConn. I think we get a big game from Kylan and sneak out a win 81-76.
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I agree with us scoring 76, but I don't see, under any circumstance, us holding them to 81. I think we lose this one 92-76. They're just quicker and more athletic and I don't see us with the ability to truly take anything away.

Our only real shot is for us to go absolutely crazy behind the arc and have UConn be average. We'll need double digit threes to be in the game late.
 
#81      
RockfordIllini
Second place is 1st loser said:
I agree with us scoring 76, but I don't see, under any circumstance, us holding them to 81. I think we lose this one 92-76. They're just quicker and more athletic and I don't see us with the ability to truly take anything away.

Our only real shot is for us to go absolutely crazy behind the arc and have UConn be average. We'll need double digit threes to be in the game late.
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Just to be clear I think we get 81!
 
#86      
The Galloping Ghost
I enjoy everything about Mihailo. He's fast and shifty enough to create his own shot, but is also looking to get everyone else involved. He brings energy off the bench. He's completely unlike any other player on the roster, which will cause teams fits. And he basically looks like if this meme became a college basketball player.
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#88      
Zorak
I can't bring myself to predict a win here. I'm between "UConn by 10" and "UConn by 20+".
 
#90      
BrownTown
snakebit12 said:
Has a Brad Underwood coached UI team ever won a game against a high-rated opponent at a neutral site?

Asking for a friend.
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Technically, Iowa State.

University of Texas @ MSG
UCLA @MSG
Arkansas last Thanksgiving
Probably throw in a game or two from the BTT titles.

I do understand what you are saying. We have had some close letdowns in noncon games with Tennessee, Marquette, Bama. Always leaves you feeling like we have what it takes to make it a game but never really breakthrough.
 
#91      
EmeraldCityIllini
BrownTown said:
Technically, Iowa State.

University of Texas @ MSG
UCLA @MSG
Arkansas last Thanksgiving
Probably throw in a game or two from the BTT titles.

I do understand what you are saying. We have had some close letdowns in noncon games with Tennessee, Marquette, Bama. Always leaves you feeling like we have what it takes to make it a game but never really breakthrough.
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I think that UCLA game was in Vegas. However, I’d add FAU @ MSG. And I believe the “we might be seeing tangible progress with this program” game was Maryland at MSG.
 
#92      
BrownTown
EmeraldCityIllini said:
I think that UCLA game was in Vegas. However, I’d add FAU @ MSG. And I believe the “we might be seeing tangible progress with this program” game was Maryland at MSG.
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I got the UCLA and FAU game mixed up. I appreciate you clearing that up!
 
#94      
Fighter of the Nightman
My crappy ESPN app has the win probability at 55/45 UConn. I feel like that’s an accurate weighted average of subpar Illinois (e.g., our UTRGV effort) having almost no shot and a “locked in” effort having a genuine shot, approaching 50/50.
 
#95      
ORANGEANDBLUE2011
lstewart53x3 said:
Do you think that could maybe be because the whole team has practiced together 3 times, ever?

Tomi missed practice time.
Andrej missed practice time.
Petro missed practice time.
Lee missed practice time.

Might take a little while to fully gel.
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Definitely agree! I was thinking/asking in more of an ego and “know your role” way.
 
#97      
jamie13197
I love the men and grandpa, Petro. Going to be easy to fall in love with them. That being said, watching Tennessee v. Houston. You heard it hear first. We are finishing 18-13 or19-12. I hope I'm wrong about are non athletic team and man defense. Since when did we turn into Iowa and whisky.
Let's go and put on good show Friday.
 
#98      
ptgrd23
This is a veteran/old Illini team.

Ben 6th year Grad 23 years old
Big Z JR 22 years old
Tomas Soph 22 years old
Mihuelo Soph 22 years old

Andrej JR 21 years old
Jake JR 21 years old

Kylan SR 20 years old
Jason RS Soph 19 eyars old
Brandon FR 19 years old
David FR 18.75 years old
Keaton 18 years old

Brad learns from his mistakes and will have new strategy vs UConn.

Andrej goes for 35 points as Illini win at buzzer 88-87
 
#99      
NarrowJ
55% seems about right, my WAG on opening line would be -4.5 UConn
 
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