Illinois Game
- Thread starter saratogashaw
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Happens when you are highly ranked. Consider it a compliment.
I feel like we match up fine with Illinois. We have 10 to 15 fouls to throw at Cockburn, we will go at him for 40 minutes on the other end, and otherwise just don't get torched from 3. But even if we do, we could win a shootout too. On the other hand, we have a tendency to play like hot garbage against them...so we'll probably score 37 and get blown out.
Kofi is 3-0 vs Purdue. He just has Purdue's number. I'm hoping he makes it 4-0
I'm really liking our chances since it'll be in Champaign. (just wish it was a night game)May the best team and here's to no injuries! GO ILLINI!
He's been out for a long time (since around Thanksgiving) due to having a concussion. It really messed him up (concussions really are no joke) I did read that he's rehabbing well and making some progress so that's good to hear at least. I wish him all the best. He was the Big Ten 6th man of the year last year. Honestly I hope he takes his time with getting back to 100% and red shirts.
We'll see. Ivey came off the bench last year and put up zero. Zero chance of that happening.Kofi is 3-0 vs Purdue. He just has Purdue's number. I'm hoping he makes it 4-0
May the best team and here's to no injuries! GO ILLINI!
Ayo is playing in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls.
Kofi however is still an Illini and he's yet to lose to the boilers. May the best team win and hopefully no injuries for either team.
Oh I know that. And there's a reason why Ivey put up zero points... King Kofi would be the reason .
May the best team win and here's to no injuries to either team. I can't help but be confident in the Illini winning this game. We' haven't lost to any Big Ten team yet and its a home game for us.
You also haven’t played any of the top three B1G teams yet and no hard road games except for maybe Iowa. I wouldn’t say your unbeaten streak is crazy impressive yet. Your back half of the schedule is much harder.Oh I know that. And there's a reason why Ivey put up zero points... King Kofi would be the reason .
May the best team win and here's to no injuries to either team. I can't help but be confident in the Illini winning this game. We' haven't lost to any Big Ten team yet and its a home game for us.
We need to watch out for the zebras as well. The "hall of calls" most likely won't be kind to us
Saw a cool stat - the winner of this game will have the best all-time winning percentage in the Big Ten (currently barely belongs to PU).
And Purdue has only played 2 road games, lost @ Rutgers and struggled vs PSU.
Iowa is top 30 in Pomeroy, Sagarin and NET. They'd be higher in the conference standings but had the unfortunate luck to have to play Illinois, @ Purdue and @ Wisconsin in the first 4 games.
Illinois did get a favorable schedule for once but the advanced metrics have our offense and defense both near the top using conference data.
Most years I would argue the schedule makers didn't do Illinois any favors, but this year's schedule does not fall into that category. The start of the schedule wasn't difficult, which was really beneficial given some of the injuries and issues the team faced early. It will be helped by only playing Wisconsin and Ohio State at home and some easy teams away.
The upcoming stretch will be telling. Three ranked teams at home. Win the games in red and as an Illinois fan I'm feeling pretty good about things.
Purdue - home
Maryland - away
MSU - home (ranked)
NU - away
Wisconsin - home (ranked)
IU - away (good at home)
Purdue - away (ranked)
lol you seriously want to go there man? 🤣 How did you guys do against Rutgers this season when you were ranked #1 in the nation for the 1st time ever? I seem to recall they beat you on a last second buzzer beater.🤣
We beat them by 35 points (86-51 to be exact) Look, I dig your fanbase and definitely respect Painter and your team but pardon me for being pretty confident in my Fighting Illini tomorrow.
Also in no way in hell would I ever say our winning streak is "crazy impressive". (Especially after last season's humiliating loss to Loyala freaking Chicago in the 2nd round) But I am definitely liking what I'm seeing so far. Cautiously optimistic
Not sure what you think you got, but you didn't post anything that refuted the post to which you responded.
In response to Rutgers loss. Coach Keady always used to say it's not always about who you play, but when you play them.
That drubbing you guys put on them woke that team up and Purdue walked into a hornets nest that night at the RAC with the #1 target freshly on their chest. If Rutgers loses by 4 to ILL and Purdue is ranked 17 they likely sneak out of there with a win. It's never apples to apples and Purdue and ILL didn't play the same Rutgers team IMO. At the end of the year it all evens out though.
The losses we have, have MUCH more to do with us beating ourselves from lack of executing than those teams beating us. We have the top offense in the country and if it gets going today, we likely are going to win comfortably. That is just the facts.
Then again, since we're playing at your place as usual the illwhini will get away with their usual muggins of our guards and in the paint. I'm glad you're optimistic about your team as you should be, but so are we and really the only team that beats us today, is us. Sorry that is just the way it is and how good our team really is.
If you haven't noticed ,that was a pure luck shot in the end. Yes, we didn't play our best, but it's the big ten conference and road games are horrible for anyone. All the top teams have been beaten now too, so that said, this game should be a thriller and I hope refs let them play. Illinois was my team to beat last season and they even coughed it up in the tourney like most of the big ten did. I'm never overly confident with any big ten team nowadays.
lol those aren't facts. Those are just your opinions. The FACT is you guys lost to Rutgers and didn't win a single game while you were ranked #1 in the country(which lasted for a millisecond 🤣. Also we beat Rutgers by 35 points (those are facts )
You guys should be very confident in your team (I'd be confident too if I were a Boiler fan) But the whole "no one has beaten us but ourselves" is so cringe worthy.
Its pretty funny that you're already making up some excuses even before the game hasn't even tipped off though. lol (already ready to blame the refs I see 🤣 )
May the best team win and hopefully no injuries. Win or lose I'll be back post game to discuss the outcome of the game today.
Happy MLK Day everyone!
Oh no doubt about that. Last year's tourney was the biggest nut punch as an Illini fan in a long time (I've lost count of how many nut punches the Illini fanbase has had over the past decades haha) so yeah I just want to clarity I'm not overly confident at all just cautiously optimistic at the moment. Can't get too high or too low.
Everything I said was factual. We lost because we didn't execute on defense nor play as we are capable. I mean that really isn't disputable but then again you're just spouting your opinion without even watching our games.
And again no excuses are being made, history has already proven what I said to be true. Sorry it hurts your feelings.
He's one of the top defensive players in the college game. He doesn't force shots, and makes the team that much better. Who would you suggest Painter replace him with?
After being at the game on Friday and seeing Sasha in person, you are EXACTLY spot on. I will admit to being wrong. He is so much better on defense, then you can really see on tv. His shooting was not great Friday as he was 1 for 7 I believe and we do have other shooters. I'd love for Morton just to get a shot at starting. If he's not doing well, then get him out, but he needs to get a chance.
Right now, Morton is more valuable as a role player. He can play four positions and he too is a pretty good defender
Was a good game, both teams played tough. I think IL is a legit team, especially if Curbello plays like that. However, like I said, you are just now hitting the meat of the conference season. Let's see how you guys do.
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Illinois' weaknesses have been shown to the rest of the league today. Bad part is that not many teams have an Edey and Williams in the post
GG, Best team won. The Zachen took the crown.Oh I know that. And there's a reason why Ivey put up zero points... King Kofi would be the reason .
May the best team win and here's to no injuries to either team. I can't help but be confident in the Illini winning this game. We' haven't lost to any Big Ten team yet and its a home game for us.
Congratulations on the win. I thought Purdue played well. I think we will know who the best team is in two months. I'm going out on a limb and predicting Illinois wins at Purdue. I know that's hard to believe given what you saw today.
Everyone be well.
I like that we have IU next - should prevent a let down. We play with the intensity of today we win comfortably - no Curbello in Bloomington
That was a great game, I'm glad not many teams are such a bad match up with the 2 bigs that Purdue has. We have Curbelo back now so I'm feeling much better about the long term prognosis. And Illinois can still win the B1G even if the return match goes the same way, our schedule sets up well. Tough games for sure but the destiny is still mainly in our control.
As a native of southwestern Illinois, there is NOTHING sweeter than seeing Purdue take it to the Featherheads.
One helluva game, and thank goodness Purdue overcame its late-game gag reflex to put away a talented Illini team…
oh to be in Kam’s tonight, rocking the Old Gold and Black—- the beers would be on me 😎🍺👍🍺😎🍺
One helluva game, and thank goodness Purdue overcame its late-game gag reflex to put away a talented Illini team…
oh to be in Kam’s tonight, rocking the Old Gold and Black—- the beers would be on me 😎🍺👍🍺😎🍺
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