Do we have enough to handle IL
- Thread starter hdhntr1
- Start date
I share your malevolent vibes. Maybe I have just been conditioned that way by previous regimes. I hope that I am wrong. But I think that they have more talent than us that is healthy. And I still have PTSD from that Carmody coached team that lost a big lead and lost on a last-second shot. Watching Weber try to hug Craig Moore at the end of the game still gives me the ***** after I replay it in my mind. Very traumatic to experience as a big fan of the Cats. Believe me, I'll be rooting with all my heart and mojo, and please CC- somehow eke out a win for us. I think our advantage is that CC can out-coach Groce. I am hoping that the Illini just go through the motions- being that they are most likely not going to the NCAA tourney this year. We have much more to play for.
At the same time, Purdue was the first game after the change in lineup. IU was able to adjust in their second game. Also we do have 5 days rather than 2 off so hopefully we can get things back under control.
This is where the raucous home crowd needs to drag the 'Cats across the finish line if need be.
I still like the 'Cats at home in this one!
I still like the 'Cats at home in this one!
I think/hope that Tap can give about 10 relief minutes. Illinois is no Purdue, not even close and watching their last couple of games on TV, it looked like a few of them are playing out the season. NU by 7or 8.
I think we should have played more of Vic at 2, three forward lineups sort of against Purdue. We played BMac and Brown nearly all the game, and Ash to fill in the gaps. But against Illinois I think we will be perfectly fine with Brown in there. Their guards don't scare me too much, and they have enough short guys that Brown can match up against also. He'll prob guard Abrams some? Their bigs can move around and shoot okay, but none have the post strength or skills of Haas and Swanigan. I also don't think we will shoot that poorly twice in a row. I like our chances.
Regarding the original post, Illinois is the three faces of Eve, so, depending on which Illinois shows up, NU my have enough, or not.
I think Ash is a match defensively for Illinois' talent. He's strong and physical and should get some minutes if NU struggles to stop the Illini.
Skelly should have more success against Illinois than the physical freaks of purdue. And Law offensively.
I think Ash is a match defensively for Illinois' talent. He's strong and physical and should get some minutes if NU struggles to stop the Illini.
Skelly should have more success against Illinois than the physical freaks of purdue. And Law offensively.
If there is a good Illinois, I have certainly not seen them lately (and I've watched them more than any other BIG team besides us). They haven't played well in weeks, have not won a true road game this season, and our game will be their third in 8 days while we have rested. As the old Magic 8 ball would say about our shot at victory "Signs point to yes". And the signs are HUGE, like billboards....
Thanks for cheering me up, Mike. I really don't like the Illini. I generally feel as though UI has no class whatsoever. Many of my friends from high school went the Ch/Urbana. They often jabbed me about how the Illini dominated NU in basketball and football. I would really get stimulated if we could beat the Illini convincingly on our way to the tourney while they stay home and pout while steeping in those corn fields that they are surrounded by downstate.
Yeah, that Michigan game... and 2H against Penn St. I mean if you watch their individual players they definitely have talent. But I agree they are wildly inconsistent, and don't have much of a plan on offense. I think part of it is prob poor coaching though that's hard to say for sure.
If they don't manage to beat an absolutely reeling Minny team at home today (losers of five straight- how I wished we played Minny now that Coffey has hit the wall rather than earlier in the season!) I think you can stick a fork in 'em.
EDIT: You can stick a fork in 'em.
EDIT: You can stick a fork in 'em.
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