Illinois #16 in 12/19 AP Poll

#26      
CleverHandle1
RockfordIllini said:
I’m not looking past Mizzou because I think that’s a really tough game, but I’m definitely concerned about our next 2 BIG games, @NW and vs. Wisky. We seem to have trouble bringing it on a consistent basis, and although we are much more talented than NW, they seem to really muck it up on defense this year which could give us problems, particularly on the road. And Wisky runs what they always run but are looking really crisp, and I’m guessing any sort of miscommunications or other issues in our defense will be exposed. Unfortunate timing because I think if
we play these 2 games in mid February we blow past both teams easily.

Good news is we’ve got 2 weeks to get things cleaned up, but if we don’t clean up our execution and effort, very real chance we start 0-4. But, gotta beat Mizzou first.
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I could see going Illinois running away with the game against Missouri with 8-9 minutes to go, then pummel BC. Exert a ton of energy in defeating NU in a very close game and then a clanker against Wisky. I hope I am wrong, but I could see Illinois going 3-1 in next four games.
 
#27      
hoopsfan47
The current chemistry of the team is what was expected before the first practice. BU would be challenged to take one of the most talented rosters he has ever had and fit the pieces and time on court together to produce the desired result. There may not be a coach in the game who can do that as each player brings an elite talent...and yet a disturbing weakness. Trying to develop their skills, learn a system, become accustomed to B1G talent, and staying humble and focused is a challenge. Regardless of what we want or see as fans, the fusion of these players into a team is far from given in spite of coaching and motivation technique. Some degree of that challenge is faced by every coach in the country at every level....but the unique makeup of this Illini roster makes Underwood's challenge a bit more difficult than most. It may not get done. We will know in early April.
 
#30      
alaskaillini
hoopsfan47 said:
The current chemistry of the team is what was expected before the first practice. BU would be challenged to take one of the most talented rosters he has ever had and fit the pieces and time on court together to produce the desired result. There may not be a coach in the game who can do that as each player brings an elite talent...and yet a disturbing weakness. Trying to develop their skills, learn a system, become accustomed to B1G talent, and staying humble and focused is a challenge. Regardless of what we want or see as fans, the fusion of these players into a team is far from given in spite of coaching and motivation technique. Some degree of that challenge is faced by every coach in the country at every level....but the unique makeup of this Illini roster makes Underwood's challenge a bit more difficult than most. It may not get done. We will know in early April.
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Agree. This is the reason that the final four is not always Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke and Kansas. Generally, two or three of those flame out spectacularly every year. And you can have a team like North Carolina last year that underperformed all year (not everyday guys) and then turned it on in the tourney and make the final as an 8 seed IIRC. There is a lot of basketball left, and this team was supposedly built for the tourney so who knows how it will play out.
They might need to fail on a few occasions in order to learn for themselves what works. For everyone complaining about BU 's lack of success in March, you may have to accept some growing pains if that is going to change this year.
 
#31      
azillini1
LvilleILL said:
Yall are crazy man. This team will be just fine
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We will certainly make the tournament. but I believe some fans expect a deep run with 2 Senior transfers. At this point, I can't see our offense taking us deep into the tournament. Just my opinion.
 
#32      
LvilleILL
azillini1 said:
We will certainly make the tournament. but I believe some fans expect a deep run with 2 Senior transfers. At this point, I can't see our offense taking us deep into the tournament. Just my opinion.
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This teams potential is 100% higher than last year. Goode being able to knock down open threes is something that is not talked about enough, which will be huge when he comes back
 
#33      
mysterio2525
azillini1 said:
We will certainly make the tournament. but I believe some fans expect a deep run with 2 Senior transfers. At this point, I can't see our offense taking us deep into the tournament. Just my opinion.
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I see a team that's got 3 players fighting for the alpha dog role with 3 different personalities (tj, mm, and ch). Throw in some younger players adjusting to the league and Underwood and it's just in flux. Things will settle and the talent is there.

Just my observation room watching them play and how they interact. I still have no doubt this team will be top 3 in the big ten and looking for a top 4 seed for the NCAA. This was the growing pains we know we're coming.
 
#34      
azillini1
LvilleILL said:
This teams potential is 100% higher than last year. Goode being able to knock down open threes is something that is not talked about enough, which will be huge when he comes back
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Certainly, hope you are correct. I have only attended 2 final fours in my life (Seattle in 1989 and St. Louis in 2005). I bought my tickets in both cases in mid-March before the tournament begin. So far, I haven't bought tickets for 2023. Just my opinion, I don't see an efficient offense with plays being run effectively. Hope I can attend the final four this year with Illinois playing.
 
#35      
jumpingjack
LvilleILL said:
This teams potential is 100% higher than last year. Goode being able to knock down open threes is something that is not talked about enough, which will be huge when he comes back
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I think it also brings another boost of #everydayguys culture and experience back to the floor, which can't hurt with this team. I think we'll peak chemistry wise in early April.
 
#37      
theNewGuy
The great thing about this team is that we've seen a top 5 caliber team at points this season and that isn't even our ceiling.
The bad thing about this team is the floor is also very low. Lose in the first game of the tournament low.
 
#39      
Bigtex
jumpingjack said:
I think it also brings another boost of #everydayguys culture and experience back to the floor, which can't hurt with this team. I think we'll peak chemistry wise in early April.
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Assuming you are aware there are 3 games in April :)
 
#40      
jumpingjack
Bigtex said:
Assuming you are aware there are 3 games in April :)
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Good Luck Charlie What GIF
 
#41      
State of Chicago
#42      
sitka
State of Chicago said:
Great post. I went in and played with the data a bit. Top 20 over almost every time period. Top 34 since 2010. Probably our worst showing, but oddly enough tied with blue-blood UCLA. Only thing you can hold against us is our lack of a title. Hopefully we can bring that drought to an end.
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i think we will have a decent chance to pull away from MSU as this season progresses.......
 
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