Virginia 85, Texas Tech 77 OT

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#51      
While TT and Auburn are playing very well, my thinking is that the pressure is going to get to them more than Virginia and MSU, who have experienced more recent success.
You might very well be right.

However MSU turns it over and TT plays killer D. Will be a tough one.

Auburn’s injured big will catch up to them. Expect UVA and TT final.
 
#52      

IlliniMot

Springfield, IL
You might very well be right.

However MSU turns it over and TT plays killer D. Will be a tough one.

Auburn’s injured big will catch up to them. Expect UVA and TT final.
That would likely be a horrible hum, albeit well played, game.
 
#56      
So question for you all, if Texas tech can turnaround this quick and be in the final four with this kind of talent. The final four is a possibility for Illinois next year, certainly absolutely not expected. But looking at their roster breakdown... who’s to say we couldn’t?
 
#57      
Here is the image I was referring to of talent breakdown.
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#58      
So question for you all, if Texas tech can turnaround this quick and be in the final four with this kind of talent. The final four is a possibility for Illinois next year, certainly absolutely not expected. But looking at their roster breakdown... who’s to say we couldn’t?

Probably shouldn't overlook that they were in the Elite 8 last year or that Culver is better than anyone we've had in that last decade.
 
#60      
The hair is the large part of it. It's also the overly emotional reactions from a kinda wimpy looking guy.

Kyle Guy cut his man bun because it was causing too much grief. Any hair you have to play with or fix every time down the court needs to be gone. Full disclosure - never liked Finke's man bun either.
I could never get past it either . . .
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#61      
Probably shouldn't overlook that they were in the Elite 8 last year or that Culver is better than anyone we've had in that last decade.
My point included the previous year, that was Beard’s first year at Texas Tech, between 2010-2015 the most wins they had was 14, my point was that a quick turnaround, with NO top 100 recruits (& only one 4 star) made the elite eight and FF in consecutive years. Whereas the year before both, they were not even in the tournament. If they can do it with that talent, who’s to say we can’t dream for that next year? Trying to bring some optimism to Illinois’ hopes next year even if that doesn’t push the narrative, if they can do it, let’s do it next year 😎
 
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#62      
How can that be, he is only a three star?:cool:
This. Giorgi may not be a guard like Culver but he could be great. And the other point I was trying to make transparent, is look at Tech’s key transfer list they pulled in. Illini are strongly shopping the transfer market, and there is just as much potential in the transfer market as the high school recruiting market. I’m hoping we get some solid transfers (2 or 3), and I see us Tourney bound with them as long as Ayo stays, maybe even without him
 
#63      
my point was that a quick turnaround, with NO top 100 recruits (& only one 4 star) made the elite eight and FF in consecutive years. Whereas the year before both, they were not even in the tournament.

It's a remarkable turnaround, but looking at a big picture stat like Kenpom, there's a different story (season{rank}+/-).

2015-16 {54} +14 (pre-Beard)
2016-17 {41} +15
2017-18 {11} +23
2018-19 {5} +30

So even though he missed the tournament, his team was performing quite well on a possession-adjusted basis. So if you believe you can be a pretty good team and still lose a fair number of games, they were pretty good.

Our situation is VERY different. We had a clusterf@#$ of turnover and bad fits for his system in year 1, and year 2 was really where the rebuild actually started. We wound up as 83rd in Kenpom, with a +8. It's not nearly as bad as it appears at first blush, given we started out so crappy, and actually had a sustained run of good play later in the season. But it's still a much bigger leap for us to get that kind of turn-around. Not saying it can't happen, but I think we'd need more things to go right to make that big of a jump. We were more consistent as the season went on, but IMO we'll still need to learn how to win games. There's another gear that high level teams have to develop in order to close out games, and there's already a number of good to great teams in the BIG. These guys need to go dancing next year. I think everyone on the team will believe and expect to perform that well.
 
#64      
It's a remarkable turnaround, but looking at a big picture stat like Kenpom, there's a different story (season{rank}+/-).

2015-16 {54} +14 (pre-Beard)
2016-17 {41} +15
2017-18 {11} +23
2018-19 {5} +30

So even though he missed the tournament, his team was performing quite well on a possession-adjusted basis. So if you believe you can be a pretty good team and still lose a fair number of games, they were pretty good.

Our situation is VERY different. We had a clusterf@#$ of turnover and bad fits for his system in year 1, and year 2 was really where the rebuild actually started. We wound up as 83rd in Kenpom, with a +8. It's not nearly as bad as it appears at first blush, given we started out so crappy, and actually had a sustained run of good play later in the season. But it's still a much bigger leap for us to get that kind of turn-around. Not saying it can't happen, but I think we'd need more things to go right to make that big of a jump. We were more consistent as the season went on, but IMO we'll still need to learn how to win games. There's another gear that high level teams have to develop in order to close out games, and there's already a number of good to great teams in the BIG. These guys need to go dancing next year. I think everyone on the team will believe and expect to perform that well.
Like to be positive but don't believe we were consistent at year end. Had some great games but also some stinkers. Most concerned with lack of opposing turnovers in last few games. Don't believe it was lack of effort but more likely opposing coaches making adjustments. Tough to vary our defenses with our youth but believe it necessary to win in conference games. Size problem should be solved next year (assuming we get January or Patterson) and lots of game experience for our core. Would consider a +8 increase in Kenpom a very negative sign.
 
#69      
Has anyone read the Bruce Pearl/Deon Thomas forgiveness story in the Athletica? Wondering if there is any news there or just someone trying to repair Pearl's image?
 
#70      

IlliniFanAtEIU1953

Rantoul, IL
The ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI are your 2019 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!! #ManagerGamesChampionship @ILL_Managers @IlliniMBB

The Illinois men's basketball team manager's were one of 8 teams that played Friday, April 5th, 2019 at the Final Four.

Illinois played and beat Michigan 45-44 in one of the Elite 8 games.

Illinois then played and beat Ole Miss 59-41 in one of the Final Four games.

Illinois then played and beat Marquette 52-27 in the championship game to win the 2019 men's basketball team manager's championship.

Congrats to the Illinois men's basketball team manager's.

1554565923418.png
 
#71      

BillyBob1

Champaign
The ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI are your 2019 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!! #ManagerGamesChampionship @ILL_Managers @IlliniMBB

The Illinois men's basketball team manager's were one of 8 teams that played Friday, April 5th, 2019 at the Final Four.

Illinois played and beat Michigan 45-44 in one of the Elite 8 games.

Illinois then played and beat Ole Miss 59-41 in one of the Final Four games.

Illinois then played and beat Marquette 52-27 in the championship game to win the 2019 men's basketball team manager's championship.

Congrats to the Illinois men's basketball team manager's.

View attachment 4411

Congratulations to these guys!

Did they have any managers helping them out?
 
#72      
So question for you all, if Texas tech can turnaround this quick and be in the final four with this kind of talent. The final four is a possibility for Illinois next year, certainly absolutely not expected. But looking at their roster breakdown... who’s to say we couldn’t?

Well there is a very good chance that this years team already have beaten the National champs. That seems to me to show you just how far off they are.
 
#74      
MSU -2.5
UVA -6

Seems about right, although if I were betting, I guess I'd take UVA and cross my fingers that they cover.
 
#75      

Steelyunk

Tobacco Road
They need to officiate the regular season like they’re calling this game. No ticky tack. Game moves and flows.
 
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