March 5 is D-Day for Illinois

[Special_K19]

I foretell this to be the day that Illinois suffers their first defeat. What pantheon of individuals is capable of such a monstrous display of dominance you might ask. Why, it's obviously the Buckeyes of the Ohio State University.

Crazy? Possibly. Probable? You betcha. This game will without a doubt draw the biggest crowd of the season, (although when I went to last year's game, Illinois brought quite a large, boisterous fan base of their own), so the good guys will definatly have a strong 6th man helping them out.

Furthermore, this is the championship game of the season for the Bucks. They have no post-season hopes. Even though they record and play says they are headed to an NCAA tourny bid, AD Andy Geiger says otherwise. Therefore the only thing OSU has to play for fot his season is pride. And what a better way to end a lost season than to end the unbeaten streak of the hottest team in the NCAA and prove to the nation that everyone will be missing a great team during March Madness.

[Royce]

28-24 Michigan at half!!!!!!!!!! (vs. illinios)

[Royce]

Nvm :( ...its over

[Special_K19]

But my prediction still stands. :D

[awefullspellare]

Ohio State lost to Creighton.

'Nuff said.

[Vince10984]

I doubt the crowd will have much effect. We went into MSU and Wisconsin and were able to come out on top there. And both are better teams then Ohio State.

[Chisox73]

I foretell this to be the day that Illinois suffers their first defeat. What pantheon of individuals is capable of such a monstrous display of dominance you might ask. Why, it's obviously the Buckeyes of the Ohio State University.

Crazy? Possibly. Probable? You betcha. This game will without a doubt draw the biggest crowd of the season, (although when I went to last year's game, Illinois brought quite a large, boisterous fan base of their own), so the good guys will definatly have a strong 6th man helping them out.

Furthermore, this is the championship game of the season for the Bucks. They have no post-season hopes. Even though they record and play says they are headed to an NCAA tourny bid, AD Andy Geiger says otherwise. Therefore the only thing OSU has to play for fot his season is pride. And what a better way to end a lost season than to end the unbeaten streak of the hottest team in the NCAA and prove to the nation that everyone will be missing a great team during March Madness.

You are not alone in that assessment here.I've heard this from people at work that THE Ohio State University could very well knock off the Illini that day.

Are you crazy? No. But I hope you're wrong here. :wink:

[Special_K19]

I may be crazy, but that's a story for another thread. I still stand by my prediction, tOSU has nothing to gain or lose and will treat that game as a huge statement game to tell everyone what might have been and to look out for next season. Plus, never count out a Thad Matta coached team.

[Chisox73]

I'm curious.How come OSU is not post-season eligible this year?

[Special_K19]

Last year's coach, Jim O'Brien, gave a recruit $4,000 a few summers ago. So O'Brien was fired and the school gave a one year post season ban. And the recruit didn't even come to Columbus to play.

[Baseball Guru]

I think if Illinois losses before March Madness it will be to MSU in the Big Ten Tourney...

I really dont think they will lose to OSU.. JMO:)

[racinghoss]

I think if Illinois losses before March Madness it will be to MSU in the Big Ten Tourney...

I really dont think they will lose to OSU.. JMO:)

MSU would have to play alot better than they did the last time they played. Illinois dominated them on MSU's home court. Isn't the tourney in Chicago? Yeah, the Illini's home away from home.

I dont think they will lose before the final 4. I dont think that there is a team out there with a defense that can stop all three guards while still defending Powell and Augustine inside. Pick your poison; get beat on the inside by the big men (with the guards dishing it up to them left and right), or get beat by the guards themselves.

I dont think we will lose to OSU, although it will be a good test before the tourney.

[Special_K19]

T Minus 2 days and counting...

[Baseball Guru]

I dont think that there is a team out there with a defense that can stop all three guards while still defending Powell and Augustine inside. Pick your poison; get beat on the inside by the big men (with the guards dishing it up to them left and right), or get beat by the guards themselves.


Are you referring to the conference or in the nation?

[Baseball Guru]

MSU would have to play alot better than they did the last time they played. Illinois dominated them on MSU's home court.


MSU played horrible that night... Of course a lot of that can be attributed to a good Illinois team but again, I didnt say they would lose to MSU but if they were to lose before the NCAA tourney that is the team I would predict would beat them....


I am with the belief that if you have a #1 seed locked up and are undefeated that a loss right before the NCAA's is a good thing.. Kind of a wake up call and prevents overconfidence....

JMO:)

[racinghoss]

Are you referring to the conference or in the nation?

Definately no team in conference, but I think that that statement can be spread out to the whole NCAA. Unless Illinois has a bad game (which they have had, but still won against inferior opponents) nobody can stop them. What I mean is, if Illinois is going to lose they will have to play a poor game and the other team will have to play well. If Illinois plays a decent or great game, it does not matter what the other team does. The only exception to this would be UNC. That would be a great game. Keep in mind that I am a little biased, but I still believe what I wrote here.

MSU played horrible that night... Of course a lot of that can be attributed to a good Illinois team but again, I didnt say they would lose to MSU but if they were to lose before the NCAA tourney that is the team I would predict would beat them....

MSU was on thier home court and played decent, but not as well as I have seen them play on other nights. Considering the whuppin' that the Illini put on them at home, I think the Spartans would have to play their best game ever to have a chance at beating Illinois, especially in Chicago.

I am with the belief that if you have a #1 seed locked up and are undefeated that a loss right before the NCAA's is a good thing.. Kind of a wake up call and prevents overconfidence....

:lmao: Since when is it good to lose a game? When did any of your coaches tell you that it is OK to lose? What can you learn from losing? Everything that the Illini have done so far this year has been the right thing. If they lose and start trying to decipher why, then change things to correct it, I dont think the results would be good. What about the intimidation factor that they will have on other teams if no team has beat them yet? UNC is a good team, but if the Illini are undefeated when they play I think that the UNC players will have that in the back of their minds going into the game. It may not effect their play much, but starting a game timid can kill you later. IT IS NEVER GOOD TO LOSE :eviltongu .

[Baseball Guru]

:lmao: Since when is it good to lose a game? When did any of your coaches tell you that it is OK to lose? What can you learn from losing? Everything that the Illini have done so far this year has been the right thing. If they lose and start trying to decipher why, then change things to correct it, I dont think the results would be good. What about the intimidation factor that they will have on other teams if no team has beat them yet? UNC is a good team, but if the Illini are undefeated when they play I think that the UNC players will have that in the back of their minds going into the game. It may not effect their play much, but starting a game timid can kill you later. IT IS NEVER GOOD TO LOSE :eviltongu .


I know a lot of people dont agree with that idea but that is still my opinion...

It is also my opinion that UNC is actually the best team in the nation..

As far as D's go I would love to see Illinois go up against the tough zone that Syracuse has to offer... That would be an interesting challenge....

[rockin500]

I know a lot of people dont agree with that idea but that is still my opinion...

It is also my opinion that UNC is actually the best team in the nation..

As far as D's go I would love to see Illinois go up against the tough zone that Syracuse has to offer... That would be an interesting challenge....
james, UNC is not the best TEAM in the nation. thats illinois. now UNC may be the most TALENTED team, but they arent the best.

[Baseball Guru]

I guess we'll see come the NCAA tourney now wont we?

It is IMO that UNC is the BEST team in the nation..

[Special_K19]

Obviously by March 5th, I meant March 6th. :D

And I agree that Illinois is the best team in the nation, just not for tomorrow's game.

[racinghoss]

james, UNC is not the best TEAM in the nation. thats illinois. now UNC may be the most TALENTED team, but they arent the best.

Yeah, have you seen Illinois play this year? They are a well oiled machine that plays as a TEAM. They are well coached, believe in the system and their coach and themselves, and know what it takes to win. UNC knows what it takes to look good and play well individually. Williams is a good coach, but his team is not playing like a team.

I cant wait to see the Illini play some of these "superior" teams in the tourney. Bring on the Orangemen, they are a quality team that should make some noise in the tourney, but no team has stopped Illinois yet...
Even a tough zone (which Illinois has a tendency to struggle against) has not kept them from winning. Look at what Michigan and MSU tried to do. They tried to slow the game and play zone defense. Illinois still hammered them.

Who do you have as the #1 and #2 seeds. Mine:

1's - Illinois, UNC or Wake (whoever wins the ACC), Kentucky and Boston College.

2's - Kansas, UNC or Wake, Duke, Arizona or Washington (whoever wins the conference).

[Special_K19]

Game Time!!

GO BUCKS!!!!!!

[Royce]

upset city babyyyyyyy

[Special_K19]

:banana: :banana: :banana:

VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:banana: :banana: :banana:

[Special_K19]

What a game though, I thought the Bucks were done, especially with that 5 point swing to end the half. But their D stepped and they started hitting their shots. What a finish. Illinois's still #1 and'll have the top seed and probably win it all, but what a great moral victory for the Bucks. An ideal way to end a sour season. I'm especially happy for Fuss-Cheatham, he's graduating this year without ever playing in the NCAA tourney when they would have qualified this season, and his parents passed away right before the season started in a car crash.

[racinghoss]

DAMN! DAMN! DAMN! DAMN! DAMN!

Like I said earlier, Illinois would have to play a crappy game and the bad guys would have to play their best game all year to win --> and that is what happened. Too bad that OSU team cant play in the tourney.

Hopefully Illinois will rebound and destroy everyone in the Big 10 tourney, then do the same in the dance. It is too bad that OSU wont even be in the Big 10 tournament so we could pay them back.

I heard someone say that Coach Webber was running out of ways to get the team motivated before a game. Now he should have tons of things to say. A loss is never good, but if you are going to lose one it should be a game that is basically meaningless otherwise.

Now, what about seeds and ranks. I have already heard people saying that Illinois should lose the #1 ranking and the overall #1 seed (which is what would have them playing in Indy and Chicago in the dance). Stupid southern commentators that love to bury thier nose in the ACC's behind :doublefin .

[Special_K19]

Illinois should still stay #1. I'm prettys ure OSU is eligible to play in the Big Ten tourney, just not the NCAA. What a good rematch that would be.

If anything, this loss showed that Illinois is vulnerable inside. Look for teams with inside presence try to exploit that in the tourneys.

[racinghoss]

Illinois should still stay #1. I'm prettys ure OSU is eligible to play in the Big Ten tourney, just not the NCAA. What a good rematch that would be.

If anything, this loss showed that Illinois is vulnerable inside. Look for teams with inside presence try to exploit that in the tourneys.

THe biggest reason they seemed vulnerable today is because the guards did not have a good game. Deron Williams did not show up today. When at least 2 of the 3 are playing well they dont seem to have trouble with the big guys down low.

Although I still think that Illinois is the best team in the NCAA, I must admit that I am a little more nervous now about the postseason than I was yesterday.

[rockin500]

they will be the #1 seed and the #1 team in the tournament.

and yep, they are vulnerable inside, thats always been the case this year.

[Baseball Guru]

Damn, I am truely suprised by this game.. A ton of upsets today with Kentucky and Kansas going down as well.....

Also while I think that they will be a #1 seed no matter what, them being the #1 team in the tourney depends how they do in the Big 11 tourney.. They lose IMO they will not be the #1 overall team in the tourney... That also depends on how the other top teams do....

No matter what, this is such an awesome time of the year:thumbsup:


It will be interesting if Carolina beats a good Duke team if that will be enough to overtake Illinois in the polls.. It would be strange to see a #1 team lose and the #2 team win and there not be a change...

Monday's polls will be interesting....

[Baseball Guru]

Who do you have as the #1 and #2 seeds. Mine:

1's - Illinois, UNC or Wake (whoever wins the ACC), Kentucky and Boston College.

2's - Kansas, UNC or Wake, Duke, Arizona or Washington (whoever wins the conference).


Factoring in conference tourney's here are my predictions:

#1's: Illinois, UNC, Louisville, Kentucky

#2's: Wake, Zona, B.C., Kansas



I think Wake and Kentucky could be interchangeable...

[Royce]

Louisville #1 seed?! :no: :no: :no: 3 seed at best

Wake, Illinios, UNC, BC are the #1 Seeds

[racinghoss]

Also while I think that they will be a #1 seed no matter what, them being the #1 team in the tourney depends how they do in the Big 11 tourney.. They lose IMO they will not be the #1 overall team in the tourney... That also depends on how the other top teams do....

It will be interesting if Carolina beats a good Duke team if that will be enough to overtake Illinois in the polls.. It would be strange to see a #1 team lose and the #2 team win and there not be a change...

Monday's polls will be interesting....

If Illinois loses the #1 ranking it will be a travesty. It is still only thier first loss of the year to a conference rival that would be a tourney team if they were not suspended. All the other teams have at least 3 losses, and many of them lost to nobody teams (non-tourney contenders). Illinois' resume still looks better than UNC's and Wake's and Kentucky's. If they drop in the rankings it will just add evidence to my theory that the ACC is overrated
and the media's pet conference.

Kentucky and Kansas both lost today also; and UNC just barely got by Duke in yet another fantastic finish. Kansas lost to Mizzou which is not a very good team at all. At least Kentucky lost on the road to a pretty good Florida team. You're right, Monday's rankings will be very interesting.

Louisville as a #1 seed? :nono1: :no:

[Chisox73]

I honestly don't think that Illinois will drop in the polls.UNC just barely beat Duke.Incredible finsh in that game.UNC had to overcome a 9-point deficit late in the game.

[Special_K19]

Great day of basketball, very exciting. It was a good day to crash on the coach and watch the games.

[Baseball Guru]

Obviously me picking Louisville as a #1 seed is a sleeper of sorts.. Sure, anyone can go out and pick the top 4 teams in the Nation and play it safe but I am picking the Cards as a sleeper #1 or #2 at worst...

Keep in mind that Louisville, along with Carolina and Wake are the only 3 teams in the top 10 that did not lose this week.. The Cards run the table and win their conference tourney they will be in the top 4 or 6.... They may even crack the top 6 this week... They are 26-4 and have quietly won 15 of 16....

Also, I do think Illinois deserves to still be #1.

NC barely beating Duke is impressive no matter how close the game was... Duke is a highly ranked team....

As for BC a #1 seed, I think the only way that happens is if they win the BE tourney which IMO they will not...

[racinghoss]

I agree that Louisville will be a "sleeper" (if you can sleep on a top ten team) in the tourney IF they run the table. Otherwise a 2 seed with favorable logistics.

I think BC (or whoever wins the regular season Big East crown) deserves a #1 seeding. That is the toughest conference in the nation this year. Much more competitive from the top down that the ACC, Big 10, Big 12 or any other.

[Baseball Guru]

I agree that Louisville will be a "sleeper" (if you can sleep on a top ten team) in the tourney IF they run the table. Otherwise a 2 seed with favorable logistics.

I think BC (or whoever wins the regular season Big East crown) deserves a #1 seeding. That is the toughest conference in the nation this year. Much more competitive from the top down that the ACC, Big 10, Big 12 or any other.

Agreed:thumbsup:

I think UConn is playing the best ball out of the BE right now....

[yagsy]

:eek: I'm agreeing with all of James' points except one. You know that really is scary! ;)

Big East = toughest conference
UConn will win the Big East Championship
Would :lust: to see the Illini go up against the Orange Zone
The Louisville Cardinals have been quietly going about their business and kicking BUTT! Sue me, I'm a Rick Pitino fan since his days when he took Providence to the Final Four! I just love his style of the College game.
UNC IS NOT THE BEST TEAM :nope: and I said that at the beginning of the season too. I think they are talented yes, but the Illini truly do play as a team.

They just gotta go all the way. If the AZ Wildcats or Orangemen do not win it all (I know the 'Cuse really don't have a shot at this point) then I would LOVE to see the Illini win it all! :thumbsup:

[awefullspellare]

Major Props for getting that one right. Great job!

[Special_K19]

Not really, like I was going to pick against the Buckeyes. I just made a big deal about it.