Im concerned about illinois

Mr Wickerpark

Redshirt
Dec 28, 2016
2,864
33
0
While it became obvious that we have no competitive offense with only 1 playmaker on the court, my greater concern is the question "how long until tap and scottie come back?"

Im hearing that scottie is following protocol for an undisclosed ailment that may keep him out for a significant time, and tap apparently has a high ankle sprain which could mean weeks.

Law gets bullied and becomes powerless and gassed early, and relying on lumpkin to pick up the offense becomes our only option.

Based on what I saw against Purdue, we wont win another game and the NU curse could continue.

I wish I could be more positive but i disagree with most of your comments that this was just one game.....it wasnt....it was an event that clearly showed we are lacking bigtime with our injuries.
 

TheC

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
19,097
1,169
62
While it became obvious that we have no competitive offense with only 1 playmaker on the court, my greater concern is the question "how long until tap and scottie come back?"

Im hearing that scottie is following protocol for an undisclosed ailment that may keep him out for a significant time, and tap apparently has a high ankle sprain which could mean weeks.

Law gets bullied and becomes powerless and gassed early, and relying on lumpkin to pick up the offense becomes our only option.

Based on what I saw against Purdue, we wont win another game and the NU curse could continue.

I wish I could be more positive but i disagree with most of your comments that this was just one game.....it wasnt....it was an event that clearly showed we are lacking bigtime with our injuries.
Perhaps, but I really think Purdue was the worst possible team to play in this situation. Not only are they a talented offensive team, but because they have great shot blockers in the paint, they could sell out shutting down our 3 point shooting. We not only didn't make many 3s, but we didn't get hardly any open looks. We rely on perimeter ball movement and occasional BMac drive and dishes. None of that was open against Purdue because of the matchup advantages they had. Not every team will be able to do that.
 

Mr Wickerpark

Redshirt
Dec 28, 2016
2,864
33
0
odds of being able to finish 4-4 or better?
I dont see it. Not saying im right but i see 2 losses to maryland, 1 each to wisconsin and purdue, maybe a split between rutgers, illinois, michigan, indy if we are lucky, presuming the same injuries.
We need 3 more victories and the illinois game is a must have if we have a ncaa chance.
 
Sep 1, 2001
299
202
0
While it became obvious that we have no competitive offense with only 1 playmaker on the court, my greater concern is the question "how long until tap and scottie come back?"

Im hearing that scottie is following protocol for an undisclosed ailment that may keep him out for a significant time, and tap apparently has a high ankle sprain which could mean weeks.

Law gets bullied and becomes powerless and gassed early, and relying on lumpkin to pick up the offense becomes our only option.

Based on what I saw against Purdue, we wont win another game and the NU curse could continue.

I wish I could be more positive but i disagree with most of your comments that this was just one game.....it wasnt....it was an event that clearly showed we are lacking bigtime with our injuries.
If you're concerned about Illinois, just remember to look at their bench and see who their coach is...Groce is just a god-awful coach. They have talent, but lack any semblance of an identity. You will not lose to Illinois.
 

TejasCat

Sophomore
Apr 5, 2010
3,032
124
63
Lindsey and Tap are both shooters. As result they spread the court, and open up gaps for our other players (BMac, Law, Brown). Without them on the court, we aren't getting the open lanes or shots.

How many open looks did we get last night? We need them both back badly. If not, I am worried.
 

DaCat

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
25,501
1,885
113
I'm not sleeping on Ill-annoys but I'm also not losing sleep over the wheels coming off the Cats season. Did that even make sense?

Beating Purdue was not in the cards. After Smithee jinxed us with his post, Lindsey goes out with mono, Boilers shoot 52% from 3 while we were dicking around at 15% (not making a single 3 until late in the 2nd half), one of their kids has a career night from 3-point land (hadn't scored a 3-point shot in previous 4 games), etc. etc.

Like posters were saying DURING the game, flush this one and let's move on. We lose our top 25 ranking and school record 6-game winning streak, but just keep pounding that rock. I think we will be fine, I feel we will lose no more than 2 games the rest of the regular season.
 

Sec_112

Sophomore
Jun 17, 2001
6,599
195
63
Comparing Illinois to Purdue is borderline laughable. Who is Illinois' Swanigan - the game changer who will ABSOLUTELY crush you night in and night out?

I think Indiana is a much closer comp. to Illinois, including the coach.

With that said, I don't think Illinois is a gimmie (or a 13-point win in the case of the Indiana comparison) - especially without Lindsey. However, I think there's a larger margin for error, even with Lindsey out. There's also a lot more room for Law to work.

In the end, the Cats are a nice team, but not great. Every game is a battle - with or without Lindsey.
 

Mr Wickerpark

Redshirt
Dec 28, 2016
2,864
33
0
It may be between us or indy for the 6th and prolly final spot for the ncaa.
Purdue: wisconsin: maryland, msu, michigan, indy/nu.

Gotta beat rutgers, illinois, indy, mich. And we are in.
 

Hungry Jack

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2008
37,143
2,654
67
I made a new tinfoil hat this morning. Double-walled. And I found some Happy pills. I'm ready.
 

mikewebb68

Senior
Oct 24, 2009
9,811
501
113
I dont see it. Not saying im right but i see 2 losses to maryland, 1 each to wisconsin and purdue, maybe a split between rutgers, illinois, michigan, indy if we are lucky, presuming the same injuries.
We need 3 more victories and the illinois game is a must have if we have a ncaa chance.

It will be tough for us to lose twice to Maryland. I will give you a guess as to why. As for Illinois, they appear to be playing as if they are attempting to get their coach fired. If their play does not improve, we would have to play like we did vs. Chicago State to have a chance of losing to them. A loss is possible, but given who we beat without Pardon, I think we will be fine vs. them without Lindsey.
 

Gladeskat

All-Conference
Feb 16, 2004
116,627
1,823
113
Illinois has had games and stretches in games were they look very good (Michigan, OSU). However, they don't seem to have a clear offensive plan much of the time, with possessions consisting of one or two passes and then one-on-one action. They have some good players but just don't function well as a unit. They also make some questionable personnel moves in games, like starting Thorne over MMorgan earlier in the season (Thorne is a poor center) and Tate over their freshman guard, TJL, as well as pulling players when they're hot.

I could easily see Illinois beating us if they're on their game and we aren't (d'uh). They have some guys who are excellent shooters like Coleman-Lands and Finke, and Morgan has become a pretty decent center.
 

purplejustice

Redshirt
Jan 2, 2006
1,074
43
48
CC and his staff have the time to prepare for Illinois. I feel confident that the game plan and the home crowd should help us on Tuesday. We need a strong shooting night from Brown to compliment Mac and Law. Pardon and Sanjay should control the boards. If it is a close game, we know how to win. This is not a time to panic. Keep the faith and the enthusiasm.

Go Cats!
 

mikewebb68

Senior
Oct 24, 2009
9,811
501
113
Illinois has had games and stretches in games were they look very good (Michigan, OSU). However, they don't seem to have a clear offensive plan much of the time, with possessions consisting of one or two passes and then one-on-one action. They have some good players but just don't function well as a unit. They also make some questionable personnel moves in games, like starting Thorne over MMorgan earlier in the season (Thorne is a poor center) and Tate over their freshman guard, TJL, as well as pulling players when they're hot.

I could easily see Illinois beating us if they're on their game and we aren't (d'uh). They have some guys who are excellent shooters like Coleman-Lands and Finke, and Morgan has become a pretty decent center.

Agreed, but the Michigan and OSU, mut seem like ages ago to them, and those games were at home (Michigan boatraced them in the game on the road, depsite the deceptive final score).

Lately, they have looked like a total trainwreck, at least to me. Even their win against Iowa was a horribly played game by both teams. Combine this with the fact that they have not won a true road game all season (unless you count the Missouri game in St. Louis, and even if you do Missouri is a horrific team), and the fact that teams generally play better in the second game after they lose a start player since they have had time to adjust to the loss, and I am suspecting that this one will not be as close as some on here might think. Yes, we can lay an egg and lose, but that would be out of character with our season thus far.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hdhntr1

Sec_112

Sophomore
Jun 17, 2001
6,599
195
63
It will be tough for us to lose twice to Maryland. I will give you a guess as to why.

I know, I know!! Call on me, Mr. Webb!! I am ever-so smart!!

There seem to be a few more of these statements lately. Such is the price of winning.
 

mikewebb68

Senior
Oct 24, 2009
9,811
501
113
Continuing my theme from above ...

Now let's count how many threads contain the brilliant declaration that Lindsey's "just tired."

Such is the price of winning.

I think it will be at least equal to the number of posts indicating we were "fatigued" after our 1-2 BIG start....