My first thought in watching Purdue against Oakland without TKR was that they were grossly over-rated and that the Illini were more likely than not to grab a victory in Mackey on Jan 24.
Watching them tonight with TKR proved to me that they are a legit top 3 team. That guy is a heck of a player and at the same level as Toppin. Winning in Mackey will take one heck of a defensive effort. But with Tomi and Z both available, and our frosh having 3/4 of a season of experience at a very high level of competition, and if the team is healthy, the probability of an Illini victory is as high as it has been in over a decade. For those who do not do math, I am not saying it is likely, but the probability may be closer to .35 than .05.....but that is precisely from my gut.
As for Bama, what is the record for threes shot in a game? Forty-four tonight is massive, but we may see even more at the UC next Wed. Can't imagine they want to change their attack or lineup against the Illini...an even more powerful frontcourt team than Purdue. Our only hope in holding their shooters in check is our height and hustle by outside perimeter defenders....who so far have done a good job. Stoja, Wags, Kylan, Petro, MIrk, Jake, and Ben will all have to work their tails off and together to earn an Illini victory.