drumanimal
- Orlando, FL
Another bad loss!!!
Pregame: Illinois vs West Virginia, Thursday, November 24th, 1:30pm CT, ESPNU
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ESPNU and even if they did, there's not really a window for replays with so many holiday tournaments and a football weekend coming up.
They do make them available on BTN2Go, so check there.
Illinisteve25
- Champaign
Great post Newman! Couldn't agree more...
I would surmise a real up and down year continuing this year on the graph with lots of angst among the fans even with some of the wins. It is what it is and we'll have to deal with it knowing that. Watching the Winthrop game (even though a loss) was much more enjoyable for me than watching our last game with Detroit. Having a belief the glass is half-full rather than half-empty can help one's attitude this year, if you want to stay sane moving forward. I guess we'll see how much having a full healthy squad for our current coaching staff will succeed.
Words not often heard... but on this one I agree too.
Illini1221
Peru,IL
West Virginia has not been tested at all this year. We have, in a big and sickening way. I have a relatively decent feeling about this game, but if we turn the ball over more than 20 times, then we have no chance. If the refs are calling it close and we take care of the basketball, advantage us.
WVU's first three opponents have an average Sagarin ranking of 279, FWIW.
Yes, we've had some cupcakes, too, so what has our Sagarin ranking been with our first opponents?
216, I think. McKendree doesn't count, of course.
This is our biggest advantage.
First off, I need to vent for a moment. Why the @#$%!!! is Aaron Jordan getting more play than both DJW and TJL??!!!! AJ has potential, but the game needs to slow down for him before he'll be successful. I have a feeling that Groce's "players play players" motto has screwed this one up. Maybe AJ is a better practice player than both DJW and TJL, but he is not a gamer like DJW and TJL. Play the friggin better players!!!!
Okay, I had to get that out. Maverick and Big Mike Thorne and underwhelming thus far. I hope they only combine for 25 minutes in this game. Finke and Black can man the post on D, and spread the ball out on O. Finke is a good ball-handler and passer which will help beat the press. DJW and TJL both need minutes in this one. AJ, not so much.
Looking forward to seeing how this team responds. Remember: Tracy "Bulldog" Abrams is leading this team. Have faith that he'll get the guys to buy in and work harder in practice, and more importantly get after it for 40 minutes and play team D and rebound the ball!!!
PS: Maybe Fletch needs to lighten their workouts so that the players can be ready to play in the games. In season weight training in basketball can be detrimental. Difficult to hone your shot when your legs and arms are sore and fatigued.
That's all I got. No prediction. Just hope.
Go Illini and Happy Thanksgiving!!
Okay, I had to get that out. Maverick and Big Mike Thorne and underwhelming thus far. I hope they only combine for 25 minutes in this game. Finke and Black can man the post on D, and spread the ball out on O. Finke is a good ball-handler and passer which will help beat the press. DJW and TJL both need minutes in this one. AJ, not so much.
Looking forward to seeing how this team responds. Remember: Tracy "Bulldog" Abrams is leading this team. Have faith that he'll get the guys to buy in and work harder in practice, and more importantly get after it for 40 minutes and play team D and rebound the ball!!!
PS: Maybe Fletch needs to lighten their workouts so that the players can be ready to play in the games. In season weight training in basketball can be detrimental. Difficult to hone your shot when your legs and arms are sore and fatigued.
That's all I got. No prediction. Just hope.
Go Illini and Happy Thanksgiving!!
You're sad about something that hasn't happened yet. Nor will it. I think too many have the same mindset.
No, I'm not really sad. I was making a funny. You know, borrowing our president elect's favorite Twitter phrase.
Besides, I have moved beyond depression into the 5th stage in the Kubler-Ross five stages of grief - acceptance.
I have accepted that we're going to get destroyed by West Virginia.
I am glad we were given the challenge that was Winthrop. It was an opportunity to see what our guys are made of under a stressful situation. I would have preferred that we won, but oh well. It's only going to get more stressful against WVU. I think we all know this already. So let's see what else they are made of, if they have anything left to deal with WVU's pressure.
Fan sentiment is an important consideration when an AD is deciding whether to retain or extend a coach. The AD needs to know if the fan base has lost confidence in the coach.
Of course, home attendance is a good proxy for that level of confidence. Our near DePaul like home attendance speaks volumes.
I haven't seen West Virginia play this year. I don't know how well they shoot the 3, but since they've become press Virginia they haven't really had a knock down shooter. I'd like to see us 2-2-1 on scores to slow them down in their attack, then fall back into a 2-3 and make them prove they can shoot. Force enough misses, and rebounds, and the press setup won't be clean. This should also keep our guys out of foul trouble, presumably the guys we need to board like Leron, and guys we need to score like Tracy, Malcolm, JCL etc.
I would also bet that Tracy's leadership really came through after the last loss. Probably stepped and let people know it was unacceptable, he's not going out like this etc. His leadership is his greatest asset, and I bet its been/will be on full display since the loss and in the WVU game.
I would also bet that Tracy's leadership really came through after the last loss. Probably stepped and let people know it was unacceptable, he's not going out like this etc. His leadership is his greatest asset, and I bet its been/will be on full display since the loss and in the WVU game.
Just IMO, but I wouldn't say that actual ball handling, i.e. dribbling a basketball is really a strong point for either Abrams or Tate. Not sure on Lucas as I haven't seen enough of him yet. Tate's a pretty good passer and seems to have a good understanding of the game, but isn't a strong dribbler under pressure. Abrams is a little better there, but his strengths are more about toughness and attacking.
So I'm pretty concerned about this match up. Might depend on how the refs call things, if it's tight then it could work to our advantage. But WVa tends to be like some Purdue teams we've faced, i.e. they just bump and push constantly, figuring the refs won't want to call every one of them.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
They have only played cupcakes so far, but WV is #1 in the country in turnover percentage today, per Ken Pom. By a pretty wide margin, too. Concerns about ball handling are spot on.
I think there will be plenty of turnovers and plenty of layups too.
Such is the nature of attacking a pressing team.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
On the plus side, we look so much better when we are moving forward and passing the ball. Pace should be entertaining.
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