Game thread for Northwestern vs. Illinois

[Darren72]

Best half of the season I think

Yes. Wow. What fun to watch.

 

[Username Not Available]

Boo is just focused on winning. I think so far he has outscored the Illini by himself.

 

[CappyNU]

Illinois had zero energy as that half went on, Underwood is going to be at dangerous levels of red-assery.

 

[SmellyCat]

Is it possible Boo is better now than he was...last week? I think he is.

 

[zbag51]

Damn, Boo is amazing.

 

[Hungry Jack]

20 minutes of hell for Illinois

 

[GrandRapidsCatFan]

Boo is a legend, tonight cements it

 

[NUCat320]

NU hit the O-glass and just outhustled Illinois in the last ten minutes.

Amazingly, the Cats are shooting just 35%; 8-16 from 3, but only 5-21 from 2.

10 turnovers for Illinois, 3 for NU. Three steals for Chase.

 

[GatoLouco]

27 years ago today Trainspotting hit the theatres. So far, tonight, IL is not choosing life.

 

[DarkSide576]

All kinds of time left. IU was looking a lot worse than U of I.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

I am in awe of this whole team, but Boo Buie has me totally speechless.

 

[NUCat320]

“As high as a four seed” feels, at this specific moment, like it’s underselling NU.

This is incredible.

 

[BosCat]

Good news for Illnoise, they got #0 out of the game. Bad news.... #4 is also pretty good

 

[PURPLECAT88]

All kinds of time left. IU was looking a lot worse than U of I.

Yup. That’s what the first half looked like. Hope we learned our lesson and come out strong in the second.

 

[bjm989_rivals]

All kinds of time left. IU was looking a lot worse than U of I.

Very true. Need to keep playing solid D and getting good shots. Stop any Illini momentum before it starts.

 

[DaCat]

Great first half by the Cats. Just blew out the Pumpkins.

 

[GrandRapidsCatFan]

Very true. Need to keep playing solid D and getting good shots. Stop any Illini momentum before it starts.

We had a big lead, they tied it up, and we reasserted our will. Hopefully we continue that in the second half, bend but don't break

 

[ballerog711]

Stay focused, start the half like it is 0-0.

Also, might be down to 7 players second half. This one was a little much for Martenelli.

 

[bjm989_rivals]

All kinds of time left. IU was looking a lot worse than U of I.

I do somewhat enjoy discussing at the half which teams we’ve made to look worse…don’t you?

 

[Username Not Available]

I want to see the second half NU adjustments that don't give Illinois the comeback that Indiana had. No need to let them back in the game tonight.

 

[SmellyCat]

27 years ago today Trainspotting hit the theatres. So far, tonight, IL is not choosing life.

This is a really random reference, but I'm guessing Illinois would rather be in the worst toilet in Scotland than in the best toilet in their locker room right now.

 

[TheC]

All kinds of time left. IU was looking a lot worse than U of I.

I’m not saying this game is over because Illinois could battle back, but they don’t have a Trace Jackson Davis.

 

[DarkSide576]

I do somewhat enjoy discussing at the half which teams we’ve made to look worse…don’t you?

StaY humblE, huStle, act as If we have DOne this before.

 

[DaCat]

I’m not saying this game is over because Illinois could battle back, but they don’t have a Trace Jackson Davis.

They were 0-11 from 3-point land in the first half. I have a feeling they'll make some in the second half. This one ain't over yet.

 

[bjm989_rivals]

I want to see the second half NU adjustments that don't give Illinois the comeback that Indiana had. No need to let them back in the game tonight.

There will be some regression to the mean and IL might hit a couple threes, but man, if we keep playing D like the first half, we can stop any momentum.

I’m going to rewatch a couple possessions from the first half just to watch our defense. There was one where Nicholson is out to challenge a three and back to help stop an offensive put back and get a rebound (or something like that). Incredible mobility for a big man.

And a series of traps in the post where we force a TO. Just incredible D so far.

 

[CappyNU]

The first game this year against Illinois we were up by 4 at the half and they came out on a 10-3 run to start the second, so let's hope we don't repeat that again.

 

[SmellyCat]

Has NU had the game yet where they just dominated in both halves? I mean, I guess Iowa a few days ago counts, but I want it to happen again tonight. Pedal to the metal guys. They can rest on April 4.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Is there a BradCon meter?

 

[Dugan15]

Has anyone ever died from eating too much crow? Because, my plate is really, really full! What a fun ride!

This game is NOT over though.

 

[TheC]

They were 0-11 from 3-point land in the first half. I have a feeling they'll make some in the second half. This one ain't over yet.

Agreed… just saying we will have to play worse for Illinois to come back.

 

[zbag51]

At some point Illinois will probably make some sort of run. Just need to minimize it, keep playing hard D, and don’t let it get out of hand.

 

[bjm989_rivals]

StaY humblE, huStle, act as If we have DOne this before.

Please take on whatever message board persona that you feel will help us win the game! I prefer a little more optimism and some confidence, my friend.

 

[NUCat320]

The first game this year against Illinois we were up by 4 at the half and they came out on a 10-3 run to start the second, so let's hope we don't repeat that again.

Prescient. Or a jinx. Or failed reverse jinx. Or something.

 

[bjm989_rivals]

Okay. Not liking this…time for another Cats run.

 

[TheC]

Exactly what we couldn’t have happen. It’s a game again.

 

[HawkCat]

Looking very much like the IU game.

 

[CappyNU]

Prescient. Or a jinx. Or failed reverse jinx. Or something.

Welp.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Game on

 

[CappyNU]

Also, that foul on Verhoeven was ********, he didn't even touch him.

 

[Username Not Available]

I feel like they didn't listen to me, but what we really need is someone else to heat up on NU. Berry is trying but he's cold.