The Duke game was a necessary loss IMO to show this staff and team what needs to be done against some of the better teams we will face in March or potentially a Duke rematch. The guys played / shot poorly, and the Mara limited minutes because of ticky tack fouls was not ideal but we need to get better defending OOB plays / back cuts and figure out a way for our guards to attack teams who have more height and athleticism 1-3. Tip of the cap to Duke for their guard play as I expected that to be the weakness of that team, but outside of some lazy box outs I thought our front court looked as advertised against a team with NBA talent.
Now, Illinois, I know there have been some jokes about them not being our rival but man do I hate the idea of losing to a program 10 straight times and whether it is size and rebounding or great three point shooting a team like this is who has scared me the most all season. Their style of play 5 out with size, a dynamic scoring guard and a disruptive guard defensively with size to match up is the kryptonite of this basketball team and has been all year. Clinching the Big-Ten on the road against a team that has had our number for years would be therapeutic to say the least, and would tell me more about this team than a non-con game in Feb. when we are still in B10 mode. You lose to them 2x including the B10 tournament you likely lose a 1 seed. Mara should be able to stay on the court as their bigs aren't quick enough to take it off the dribble against him, but I don't know how effective he will be sitting in the corner on defense. Need a massive rebounding game out of Yax and Morez, and you are going to need to give Wagler the Braden Smith treatment. I can live with him taking 6+ contested threes but if he can break down the defense and get to the paint at will whether to score or pass it will be an issue. I trust these guys will have enough motivation for the B10 champ and Morez return to ILL to get it done but man am I nervous.
