Illinois plays at Ohio State Thursday night and if they win they will be playing Iowa to win at least a share of the BIG championship. Given those implications, at Champagne, and the revenge factor for the loss in IC Iowa will more than likely be beaten like a drum Sunday. Not to mention Iowa does not do well against physical teams and it appears only one 3-point shooter. Hope I am wrong, but hard to imagine any other outcome given last nights lousy effort.
Illinois Sunday
- Thread starter DewHawk
- Start date
Agree. What's frustrating is, all we had to do was show a pulse at Nebby and even last night and we're in the same position.
Rivalry needs a little fuel on it.
I would love for them to win Thursday, then lose to us Sunday.
I would love for them to win Thursday, then lose to us Sunday.
We're they not physical when we played them before? Iowa hasn't lost back to back games but once in conference play, and they should be motivated Sunday as well. Illinois has been just as erratic as Iowa, Hell the whole league has been erratic all season. Iowa 74 Illini 68......
Illinois won 7 in a row including at Michigan, at Purdue and at Wisconsin. They then lost 4 in a row: at Iowa, Maryland, MSU by a point, and then at Rutgers with Ayo Dosunmu out with an injury. They are currently on a four game win streak including a win at Penn State.
Zero bad losses or losses by huge margins. They swept Purdue, lost by a last second shot at Maryland and also beat Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan, and Northwestern on their home courts.
What is "erratic" about any of that?
Having said all of that, I think we win at their place by double digits. We are a real tough match-up for them. They can't stop our scoring and they've been known for going on long scoring droughts.
If they win at OSU, I might revise that outlook because that will mean that they are playing for a share of the Big Ten regular season title. Things will be a little more hyped. I think OSU wins that one handily though.
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The one thing about this team is that they seem to bounce back from bad losses, so I will trust them and predict they get it done on Sunday. If so, then go win one in the BTT and we should be on the 5-6 line and ready to make some noise in the big dance.
I like how we match up with Illinois, home or away. Much better matchup for us than PU, much better.
The turd they just dropped in CHA doesn't ensure a loss at illanoy. That's one thing about this group that they've had some putrid individual games, but haven't let that snowball.
I think illanoy most likely wins it, though.
I think illanoy most likely wins it, though.
You talk about a revenge factor but that doesn't always mean crap. Look what Iowa had going into the Purdue game. A 40 point revenge game and senior night. So if you play like sh-- this doesn't necessarily help. Just hope we can come back strong but our odds aren't the greatest
I could only hope you worked for Riverside Casino and my betting site....I could use an easy $100.
Conversely, if Illinois loses tonight Sunday's game becomes a battle for the 4th seed in BTT. If the hawks ended up winning that we'd be in a 3-way tie with Illinois and Penn State (going out on a limb saying they'll beat Northwestern). Even if Ohio State knocks off Michigan State and joins the party, our record against the group still wins out and pushes Illinois down to a 7 seed
Getting the vibe that guy might be a troll, but there is very little chance that we blow you guys out. We are a legitimately good team (evidenced by our good, old fashioned Big Ten battle in IC), and we’ll be favored for good reason. However, other posters are right that you might be the worst matchup for us in the conference. Additionally, we just don’t usually blow anyone out ... with the ironic (in your case) exception of Purdue, who we twice beat like a red headed step child.
I don’t think tonight’s result will have too much of an effect on Sunday, either. Yes, if we win tonight we’ll be playing against you for our first Big Ten title in 15 years (wow, time flies when you have sucked!) ... but that doesn’t change the two basic facts that 1) yes, when you’re hitting your shots and can free up Garza you are a tough matchup for us and 2) we’re as tough defensively and mentally as anyone in the league. Regardless of if we win tonight or lose by 50 or if you had beaten Purdue handily ... expect a battle down to the wire in Champaign Sunday.
Illinois isn't mentally or defensively tough against us. Honestly, kind of Purdue in reverse to me.
Hope the Bucks win tonight as Garza wraps up POY on Sunday.
Kofi will be good but Garza owns him, and no one else on your team can come close to checking Luka.
What are you talking about? Lol. You played a GREAT game against us on your home floor, and we were in it until the end. We held you well below your scoring average on a day when you shot well ABOVE your shooting average for the year - both overall and from three. Not mentally or defensively tough against you? Come on. If you're confusing your Illini teams with last year, that's another story.
You're letting your fandom do the talking. Even my buddy Raptor - who has the most irrational hatred of the Illini I have ever seen, even including Indiana, Missouri and Northwestern fans - is a knowledgeable fan and gives us our due. He predicts a victory, but he doesn't pull that prediction out of his ass.
I feel like it's setting up to be one of the biggest games of the year. If OSU gets the win tonight it'll be an absolute bloodbath in Champagne for the 4th seed. Like your dinosaur friend, my hate runs deep but I respect the hell out of the turn around you guys have made this year. It makes the rivalry that much more exciting
Not going to say it won't happen, but Illinois is not what you would call dominant on their home court. The last few wins have been nail bitters. So there's always a chance.
Rustys Dad said:
Sadly, I expect at least a 10-point loss.
Do I Hear 30?
Come on, we can't let the bidding stop here.
Sadly, I expect at least a 10-point loss.
Do I Hear 30?
Come on, we can't let the bidding stop here.
A
anon_qczsdwtnv6esw
Guest
I still think Illinois plays undisciplined basketball and it costs them at times. Especially in high pressure situations.
Not me. 1) I hope Illinois loses everything they play. 2) If they win tonight, Iowa is eliminated from the double bye. There will also be a lot more on the line Sunday. That won’t favor Iowa either.
Feliz is a bull dog. He actually barrels his way to the basket with his shoulder but never gets called for the offensive foul because he does a great job at not extending his off arm. But he clears space with his upper body. Never seen a 6 foot nothin not explosive guard get to the basket and finish rather easily like him because of his physicality. A little Andre Woolridge like. It’s effective and that’s why I hate it so much.
At this point Iowa is in the NCAA tourney so losing to IL and potentially first round in the BTT doesn't have big picture ramifications other than dropping to a 7 or maybe 8 seed. Long season, guys are dinged up, likely some mental fatigue. It will be disappointing to lose at IL and first round BTT, but ultimately redemption awaits in the tourney which should rejuvenate the team. Connor, Bakari and Joe T need to find ways to score vs. focusing so much on facilitating if teams are going sell out to stop Garza. Make them pay for focusing so much on Garza and they will have to adjust or live with the consequences. Right now there are no consequences for sending 2-3 guys at Garza.
I think the Hawks can earn a double bye if they beat Illannoy Sunday. I like our chances a lot better than almost anyone on this thread. The pressure will be on them IMO. If we can keep someone in front of Dosunmu (sp?) so he doesn't get on a roll, Hawks can win this game. We will need a fair shake from the zebras (Luka on the floor, and not laying there like at MSU) and some better 3-pt shooting than we have seen in the past few weeks.
Hawks come out determined after the disappointing Purdue game. I see Iowa going all out and earning the 4 seed.
A win Sun would sure breathe life into the program after Tuesday’s disaster. Hate to go limping into the postseason yet again.
Even if we lose, all can be cured in the BTT. I know they haven’t been great in tournaments but if they shoot well they can win any number of games. I just hope they stay in the 6 to 4 range. The 2 seeds have had their way with us even when we’ve had good teams.
A sweet sixteen birth would be pretty awesome and would hopefully carry some momentum into next year
A sweet sixteen birth would be pretty awesome and would hopefully carry some momentum into next year
