Pregame: Illinois vs West Virginia, Thursday, November 24th, 1:30pm CT, ESPNU
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I read your post and thought "what is this guy smoking?", then looked at your username, realized you weren't talking about Illinois, and everything made sense
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
I assume that you're seeing quite a bit of anxiety on here about WVU? I know that I am eager for the game, but skeptical of our ability to handle constant pressure. A good test that the realist in me expects to lose, but the fan in me plans to enjoy.
Hope your guys eat a big turkey lunch and sleep walk through the game
I assume that you're seeing quite a bit of anxiety on here about WVU? I know that I am eager for the game, but skeptical of our ability to handle constant pressure. A good test that the realist in me expects to lose, but the fan in me plans to enjoy.
Hope your guys eat a big turkey lunch and sleep walk through the game
Alot of our fan base feels we are a top 15 team again this year. Some also feel we will barely win 20 games. I tend to see the makings of another top 15 team. We will press and try to speed you up. We are just a bad match up in the early season for teams in a tournament setting. I feel good about the game and that is in no way a slight at you all. I feel we will get a better game from illinois than the FSU/Temple winner/loser. I'm predicting 70-56 WVU. And if we lose I'll be back here to eat my crow lol.
How do you all feel you will do this year? It seems some fans support Groce and some do not. He seems to be a good coach imo.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
Opinion is divided on Groce for sure. I think consensus at this point is that he's a good recruiter, but not a great Xs and Os guy. Some are losing faith after the Winthrop loss and a perceived lack of progress over the last 5 years.
It's early in the season, but going 0-2 in this tournament would really turn up the heat on Groce's already toasty seat.
Captain Bubbles
- Fairfield, IL
Can't wait for this showdown. I'm going with Illinois topping the Kansas of the East.
Maybe the season is not over after all.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
I'm not intending to be argumentative but message board sentiment <> fan sentiment. Message boards are a world unto themselves, and a certain element only shows up when a result like Winthrop occurs. They're nowhere to be found when things are going well.
illinoisfan11
- Peoria, IL
Lower than I expected. I really like UI's chances tomorrow. I smell a money line wager coming from myself.
Which is why he referenced our anemic attendance in a freshly renovated building.
Fan interest in Illinois sports, not just basketball, is on life support.
Stay tuned for some data on why. Sunday, probably.
http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=23198
That's the attendance info for last year and I doubt it's going to get better this year but we will see.
That's the attendance info for last year and I doubt it's going to get better this year but we will see.
I for one, don't think people 'insist on being downers' ... I think when they are 'beat down' consistently, they get sick and tired of being sick and tired. Sooner or later, the down-trodden want to rise up and speak out....
Lower than I expected. I really like UI's chances tomorrow. I smell a money line wager coming from myself.
I like it. But I'm going to have a hard enough time listening to family conversations as is.
Illini4Reel
- Champaign, IL.
We cannot overlook that the Illini have played 3 games (one OT) since last Tuesday. In comparison, West Virginia has only played 1 game during this same time period. Will fatigue play a role tomorrow and Friday? I think so. Go Illini
Maybe on Friday, but I don't think the games played has a big impact. I do wonder if back to back games impacts Abrams and Thorne with their recent recoveries from injury.
Also as an FYI I am seeing this game listed as 2:30 eastern time or 1:30 central vs 2 pm central as in the thread subject.
The early season predictions were all over the place. This is a tough team to project because of all of the recent injuries and off-court issues that have been going on. We have a proven 6th year point guard in Abrams who is a double digit scorer, and our best ball handler. Mr. Do Everything in Malcolm Hill who is mostly comparable to Denzel Valentine, but tends to try to doo too much under pressure. We have a lot of bigs, our best rebounder is Black and he is a guy that could potentially be a true 15 and 10 player if he ever learns to play without fouling, this will only be his second game this year because he had to serve a 4 game suspension. Our Centers are Thorne and Morgan, both seniors and bring different things to the table. If Thorne can get back in shape him and Morgan could both be double-figure scorers. We have a lot of depth at each position, our roster is mosly made up of fringe top 100 guys and 4 star recruits. Finke is a true stretch 4 who is a terrific rebounder for his size, and can stretch the floor with his 3 point shot. Our starting 2 Coleman-Lands is a subpar defender, and does not have very good control of the ball but is a knock-down shooter, and is capable of scoring 18 points any night..and it will be all threes, he rarely dribbles inside the arc. This will be a tough matchup for us, but it will be a good learning experience. Groce teams typically play their best ball in Febuary, but this team has the potential to be a fringe top 30 team, and capable of making the tournament. Tomorrow nights game will not be the best Illinois team that you guys will see, and I expect a 15 point loss. That pretty much sums up this season so far.
I'm interested in learning more about this comment and specifically why Sunday would be of import?
Dan
Admin
Oops, thanks updated the time
I have cobbled together some data analysis, but it needs to wait until the football regular season is over for final numbers.
most likely eluding to the football game against Chicago's big ten team (jk).
We lose that game, the stigma of loser looms larger over UIUC. Of course we arent supposed to win, but a win against NW is always welcome.
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