BIG is gonna be tough this year
- Thread starter hdhntr1
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Near sweep of the Big East in Gavitt Games? Guess which team has the one Big Ten loss. In fairness, they do look like they can score.
Healthy? He's injured? As well as Greer played I just thought he took Ash's minutes in the rotation--not trolling.
But they don't look like they can play any defense, which is a recurring problem for them...
This year looks tougher than most. OSU has two impressive road victories, IA beat #13 Oregon on neutral court. The only two that have lost were PSU to DePaul in OT and IL to Georgetown
We'll know more after the ACC challenge, but this is the first time the Gavitt series wasn't a tie, and blowing out their 2 ranked teams like that is awesome.
Seems to me that last year was really a weak one overall, with NU and Iowa losing their mojo despite a lot of returning starters, Minnesota and Wisconsin going mash unit on us, IU and UI rebuilding, etc. Going 3-11 in the challenge was also an all-time worst.
We might be competitive (I hope) if we find a consistent offence and don't get out- muscled.
Seems to me that last year was really a weak one overall, with NU and Iowa losing their mojo despite a lot of returning starters, Minnesota and Wisconsin going mash unit on us, IU and UI rebuilding, etc. Going 3-11 in the challenge was also an all-time worst.
We might be competitive (I hope) if we find a consistent offence and don't get out- muscled.
Mike Watkins is under suspension otherwise PSU probably wins that one. Got outrebounded badly in a two point OT loss. Yes, the BIG is going to be very tough this year. Hope the Cats are up to the challenge!
We’ll struggle down low for sure, and that GU loss was disappointing, especially with the schedule coming up for us. However, it is worth noting that we were playing without Frazier.
I know, but would Frazier have improved the team defense that dramatically? Not based on what I saw of him last year, and that is why you lost...
Frazier has been incredible against Gonzaga. Illini down 2 with the ball and 30.5 seconds to play. Chance to tie or win.
But close inly counts in hireshoes and hand grenades-- and I think the lack of defense will haunt them all year unlesd they can improve it, Will be far more exciting to watch then they have been in recent seasons, though...
Illinois had its moments, and the B1G appears to be somewhat back after a down year last season. But Duke looks just about unstoppable this year. Hate the one-and-done crap, but coach K has recruited incredible talent this year.
And another unimpressive Illini outing to drop to 1-4. Can't rebound or play defense at all at this point, not a recipe for success...
Still not counting out that Illinois gets better throughout the year. Still, glad NU has Rutgers and Illinois for 4 games this season.
Game plan vs. Illinois: Beat the press/trap and feed Dererk Pardon in the post again and again. On the other end, defend Illinois' guards. Game Over.
That should be our offensive plan in most games. Like today, but it didn’t happen. I know the Fighting Undies only have one win thus far, but I am not counting on two wins against them just yet from what I have seen.
Tjey would not be able to play defense anywhere near as well as Fresno State did, based on the sample size to this point. The Illini are flat-out terrible at defense and rebounding thus far.
Two of their 5 starters would start on NU. You have to be able to shoot to exploit that awful D. Pardon should have a field day against them, but someone needs to get him the ball.
Greer may become solid but he is not there yet. He needs to get stronger. Remember that he was not originally going to graduate till 2019 and we moved him up a year. He will likely struggle this year and have plenty of ups and downs, but next year,I gotta think he will be really good.and solid