Big Ten Basketball

[radarluv1]

its unfortunate that illinois really hasnt had as much competition yet this year. last year at this time, we had played very good wake and gonzaga, and decent oregon, georgetown, arkansas. this year replace wake and gonzaga with UNC, and thats where we stand. they are heading into B10 play a little too unseasoned, IMO. smith, randle and the post players could have really used a couple more top 40 opponents. now we open with potentially the most important conference game of the year with MSU.

[Too Tall]

its unfortunate that illinois really hasnt had as much competition yet this year. last year at this time, we had played very good wake and gonzaga, and decent oregon, georgetown, arkansas. this year replace wake and gonzaga with UNC, and thats where we stand. they are heading into B10 play a little too unseasoned, IMO. smith, randle and the post players could have really used a couple more top 40 opponents. now we open with potentially the most important conference game of the year with MSU.

 

I'm worried about the MSU game.. We haven't played anyone really good except for UNC.. Mich St. has played a tougher schedule and i'm afraid that the last couple pancakes we've played might hurt us. Atleast its at home though so you never know.. THe team is still pretty young minus James and Dee.. I'd just let Jamar shoot a 3 everytime and we'd probably win.. 59% from 3, thats awesome..

[radarluv1]

its unfortunate that illinois really hasnt had as much competition yet this year. last year at this time, we had played very good wake and gonzaga, and decent oregon, georgetown, arkansas. this year replace wake and gonzaga with UNC, and thats where we stand. they are heading into B10 play a little too unseasoned, IMO. smith, randle and the post players could have really used a couple more top 40 opponents. now we open with potentially the most important conference game of the year with MSU.

 

I'm worried about the MSU game.. We haven't played anyone really good except for UNC.. Mich St. has played a tougher schedule and i'm afraid that the last couple pancakes we've played might hurt us. Atleast its at home though so you never know.. THe team is still pretty young minus James and Dee.. I'd just let Jamar shoot a 3 everytime and we'd probably win.. 59% from 3, thats awesome..

 

and man he lets it go quick! it'l be interesting to see how well he shoots in the conference, as teams adjust.

[XZero771679666304]

its unfortunate that illinois really hasnt had as much competition yet this year. last year at this time, we had played very good wake and gonzaga, and decent oregon, georgetown, arkansas. this year replace wake and gonzaga with UNC, and thats where we stand. they are heading into B10 play a little too unseasoned, IMO. smith, randle and the post players could have really used a couple more top 40 opponents. now we open with potentially the most important conference game of the year with MSU.

 

I think the schedule had to be softer this year. No because there is less talent, but because the team has 3 new starters and a different dynamic. The team went from small to big, and there was going to be a period of adjustment as they learned how to play together.

 

Last year the starters were all used to each other, and operated well enough to play top teams right away.

[rawaction]

Some good points are raised here. Even last year when we destroyed Wake Forrest in the middle of the game Raftery was saying how we were good, but not as good as Kansas, UNC, or even WF they were just having a bad night. Bilas had to say hey Bill they are beating the number one team in the nation by 35 points. As for who has Illinois played, let me ask you, who has Duke played? Memphis and.... Don't feed me the Indiana game either, Indiana lost to Indiana State. No matter what IU is shooting for three they still lost to Indiana State. I for one like the that fact the media doesn't always give Illinois a lot of respect, it allows our players to feed off of it. I read an article last year that said Deron Williams would look for negative things written about himself or his team and then would let them know about it and they would get angry and rally to prove the naysayers wrong. As for the conference, yeah MSU could very easily win it all, but I still like our chances.

 

So, Indiana's not a good team because they lost to ISU? Not gonna earn respect by putting down every other team in the country. There was really no reason to bring up IU. And if you think IU isn't that good, then what does that make Illinois, who was picked behind them, and not unreasonably so?

 

BTW, Memphis is twice as good as any team Illinois has played all season.

 

 

At least Illinois beat the mediocre teams they played - unlike IU.

 

And again an Illinois fan completely changes the entire point of the thread for no apparent reason.

[stitchface]

No Raw, you said IU was good despite losing to ISU while other people are talking Illinois down for not beating anybody good. That is very much the gist of the thread. Perhaps you should re-read it.

[rawaction]

No Raw, you said IU was good despite losing to ISU while other people are talking Illinois down for not beating anybody good. That is very much the gist of the thread. Perhaps you should re-read it.

 

And those 2 things are only in the same sentence, because illiniguy had to bring up the IU/ISU game for no reason. It had nothing to do with the discussion going on at the time. Heck, he brought up Duke for an unknown reason too.

 

And perhaps you should re-read and show me a spot where anyone has talked down Illinois. The only thing is Sully completely going off the deep end because of a Clark Kellogg column. Hell, I called U of I a potential Final 4 team in this thread and you personally talked them down and said that they haven't played anyone.

[XZero771679666304]

No Raw, you said IU was good despite losing to ISU while other people are talking Illinois down for not beating anybody good. That is very much the gist of the thread. Perhaps you should re-read it.

 

And those 2 things are only in the same sentence, because illiniguy had to bring up the IU/ISU game for no reason. It had nothing to do with the discussion going on at the time. Heck, he brought up Duke for an unknown reason too.

 

And perhaps you should re-read and show me a spot where anyone has talked down Illinois. The only thing is Sully completely going off the deep end because of a Clark Kellogg column. Hell, I called U of I a potential Final 4 team in this thread and you personally talked them down and said that they haven't played anyone.

 

IG brought up the IU/ISU game to detract from Duke's schedule, saying that playing IU wasn't a true challenge because IU couldn't beat a mediocre team. I don't necessarily agree with that, but he did bring it up for a reason.

[stitchface]

No Raw, you said IU was good despite losing to ISU while other people are talking Illinois down for not beating anybody good. That is very much the gist of the thread. Perhaps you should re-read it.

 

And those 2 things are only in the same sentence, because illiniguy had to bring up the IU/ISU game for no reason. It had nothing to do with the discussion going on at the time. Heck, he brought up Duke for an unknown reason too.

 

And perhaps you should re-read and show me a spot where anyone has talked down Illinois. The only thing is Sully completely going off the deep end because of a Clark Kellogg column. Hell, I called U of I a potential Final 4 team in this thread and you personally talked them down and said that they haven't played anyone.

 

IG brought up the IU/ISU game to detract from Duke's schedule, saying that playing IU wasn't a true challenge because IU couldn't beat a mediocre team. I don't necessarily agree with that, but he did bring it up for a reason.

 

The point was that Duke beating IU might be such a great feat since ISU also did it. Since that is in the thread, which is rather vaguely titled, it is pertinent to the discussion. Frankly, your tone and generalizations add less to the discussion than any tangent topics. It seems to me that the IU fan is the one being overly defensive here. For the record, I don't agree with Sully - or at least I don't care.

[stitchface]

Some good points are raised here. Even last year when we destroyed Wake Forrest in the middle of the game Raftery was saying how we were good, but not as good as Kansas, UNC, or even WF they were just having a bad night. Bilas had to say hey Bill they are beating the number one team in the nation by 35 points. As for who has Illinois played, let me ask you, who has Duke played? Memphis and.... Don't feed me the Indiana game either, Indiana lost to Indiana State. No matter what IU is shooting for three they still lost to Indiana State. I for one like the that fact the media doesn't always give Illinois a lot of respect, it allows our players to feed off of it. I read an article last year that said Deron Williams would look for negative things written about himself or his team and then would let them know about it and they would get angry and rally to prove the naysayers wrong. As for the conference, yeah MSU could very easily win it all, but I still like our chances.

 

So, Indiana's not a good team because they lost to ISU? Not gonna earn respect by putting down every other team in the country. There was really no reason to bring up IU. And if you think IU isn't that good, then what does that make Illinois, who was picked behind them, and not unreasonably so?

 

BTW, Memphis is twice as good as any team Illinois has played all season.

 

I'm not sure that's true - Texas beat them up pretty good.

[stitchface]

Some good points are raised here. Even last year when we destroyed Wake Forrest in the middle of the game Raftery was saying how we were good, but not as good as Kansas, UNC, or even WF they were just having a bad night. Bilas had to say hey Bill they are beating the number one team in the nation by 35 points. As for who has Illinois played, let me ask you, who has Duke played? Memphis and.... Don't feed me the Indiana game either, Indiana lost to Indiana State. No matter what IU is shooting for three they still lost to Indiana State. I for one like the that fact the media doesn't always give Illinois a lot of respect, it allows our players to feed off of it. I read an article last year that said Deron Williams would look for negative things written about himself or his team and then would let them know about it and they would get angry and rally to prove the naysayers wrong. As for the conference, yeah MSU could very easily win it all, but I still like our chances.

 

So, Indiana's not a good team because they lost to ISU? Not gonna earn respect by putting down every other team in the country. There was really no reason to bring up IU. And if you think IU isn't that good, then what does that make Illinois, who was picked behind them, and not unreasonably so?

 

BTW, Memphis is twice as good as any team Illinois has played all season.

 

 

and this certainly is putting down Illinois in my opinion. and its fans and numerous people in this thread.

[rawaction]

No Raw, you said IU was good despite losing to ISU while other people are talking Illinois down for not beating anybody good. That is very much the gist of the thread. Perhaps you should re-read it.

 

And those 2 things are only in the same sentence, because illiniguy had to bring up the IU/ISU game for no reason. It had nothing to do with the discussion going on at the time. Heck, he brought up Duke for an unknown reason too.

 

And perhaps you should re-read and show me a spot where anyone has talked down Illinois. The only thing is Sully completely going off the deep end because of a Clark Kellogg column. Hell, I called U of I a potential Final 4 team in this thread and you personally talked them down and said that they haven't played anyone.

 

IG brought up the IU/ISU game to detract from Duke's schedule, saying that playing IU wasn't a true challenge because IU couldn't beat a mediocre team. I don't necessarily agree with that, but he did bring it up for a reason.

 

The point was that Duke beating IU might be such a great feat since ISU also did it. Since that is in the thread, which is rather vaguely titled, it is pertinent to the discussion. Frankly, your tone and generalizations add less to the discussion than any tangent topics. It seems to me that the IU fan is the one being overly defensive here. For the record, I don't agree with Sully - or at least I don't care.

 

What generalizations might you be speaking of?

[rawaction]

Some good points are raised here. Even last year when we destroyed Wake Forrest in the middle of the game Raftery was saying how we were good, but not as good as Kansas, UNC, or even WF they were just having a bad night. Bilas had to say hey Bill they are beating the number one team in the nation by 35 points. As for who has Illinois played, let me ask you, who has Duke played? Memphis and.... Don't feed me the Indiana game either, Indiana lost to Indiana State. No matter what IU is shooting for three they still lost to Indiana State. I for one like the that fact the media doesn't always give Illinois a lot of respect, it allows our players to feed off of it. I read an article last year that said Deron Williams would look for negative things written about himself or his team and then would let them know about it and they would get angry and rally to prove the naysayers wrong. As for the conference, yeah MSU could very easily win it all, but I still like our chances.

 

So, Indiana's not a good team because they lost to ISU? Not gonna earn respect by putting down every other team in the country. There was really no reason to bring up IU. And if you think IU isn't that good, then what does that make Illinois, who was picked behind them, and not unreasonably so?

 

BTW, Memphis is twice as good as any team Illinois has played all season.

 

 

and this certainly is putting down Illinois in my opinion. and its fans and numerous people in this thread.

 

It was provoked. Unlike his comment.

[stitchface]

the generalization is that all Illinois fans are alike. Your response to me was a response to him and not to me. Whatever, Hoosiers smell.

[rawaction]

the generalization is that all Illinois fans are alike. Your response to me was a response to him and not to me. Whatever, Hoosiers smell.

 

Where did I say or even suggest that all Illinois fans are alike? And yes, we do smell, but I blame Gary and anything south of Indianapolis for that.

[stitchface]

I think we'll find out about Illinois Thursday night. They will be top 5 if they win (by rankings if not truth).

[XZero771679666304]

I think we'll find out about Illinois Thursday night. They will be top 5 if they win (by rankings if not truth).

 

True. I think Illinois will get better as the year goes on, though. Especially if Randle starts playing to his potential and being more aggressive.

[illiniguy]

I think we'll find out about Illinois Thursday night. They will be top 5 if they win (by rankings if not truth).

I disagree on a national level games in January don't mean crap, This game could though in all likelyhood decide how Illinois does in the Big Ten. One would have to think that if MSU comes in to AH and wins they would then hold the upperhand. That being said we are 52 for our last 54 so I think you gotta like our chances.

 

As for the Indiana Isu game, I was trying to point out, and perhaps badly so, that everyone is playing patsies in the nonconference schedule. It just so happens that we took care of ours. Good teams do that. We are a good team, are wwe a great team.. I don't think we are yet. But, we could be by the end of the year.

 

As for Duke, yeah they are really good, but again they haven't played a real road game again this year in their preseason schedule. I do appluad them for playing Texas though as it is very un K like to do so. Seriously though watching that game they get the benefit of the doubt on every single call. Shedlen Williams on one play traveled then made the layup, the refereee then called a defender three feet from him for a foul. Even the announcer, Len Elmore, was like um.... Well that should have been a travel. This doesn't just happen once in a while either, You will see replays of Duke defenders ripping guys heads off for no calls. The early '90's Duke teams were fun to watch as they didn't need every break in order to do well. It is amazing they don't always go undefeated.

[Magnetic Curses]

Some good points are raised here. Even last year when we destroyed Wake Forrest in the middle of the game Raftery was saying how we were good, but not as good as Kansas, UNC, or even WF they were just having a bad night. Bilas had to say hey Bill they are beating the number one team in the nation by 35 points. As for who has Illinois played, let me ask you, who has Duke played? Memphis and.... Don't feed me the Indiana game either, Indiana lost to Indiana State. No matter what IU is shooting for three they still lost to Indiana State. I for one like the that fact the media doesn't always give Illinois a lot of respect, it allows our players to feed off of it. I read an article last year that said Deron Williams would look for negative things written about himself or his team and then would let them know about it and they would get angry and rally to prove the naysayers wrong. As for the conference, yeah MSU could very easily win it all, but I still like our chances.

 

So, Indiana's not a good team because they lost to ISU? Not gonna earn respect by putting down every other team in the country. There was really no reason to bring up IU. And if you think IU isn't that good, then what does that make Illinois, who was picked behind them, and not unreasonably so?

 

BTW, Memphis is twice as good as any team Illinois has played all season.

 

 

and this certainly is putting down Illinois in my opinion. and its fans and numerous people in this thread.

 

no, you're crazy, just like i'm crazy and paranoid.

 

my problem with being called a paranoid whiner is that maybe there's a reason to be a paranoid whiner.

 

you can't consistently negate the returning runner-up in the NC game, two-time defending OUTRIGHT Big Ten Champ--which returned the B10 POY and their top big man, is adding their best athlete, and possibly the best shooter in the B10--without ruffling a few feathers of some illini fans.

 

they're negated when people say the Illini should feel special to be picked third in the B10. newsflash: MSU has been picked to finish first in the conference each of the last two years--they haven't, what's so different about this year other than the hype surrounding their supposed star players? IU couldn't beat ISU (i think this is the point of bringing up the sycamores), what makes them think that the illini are going to roll over? is it the addition of killingsworth? he's a very good player and a dominant force down low, but the illini players have seen better.

 

and then to hear some nimrod OSU-guy (mr. kellog) come out and say that the conference is actually up, despite putting 2 teams in the final four and 1 in the title game last season is absolute torture to fans who have been looking for their team to garner some NATIONAL accolades after going 37-2 last season.

 

it looks like the illini are just going to have to take the rest of the B10 out back, tie them to a tree and bash them with a shovel like they did last year, to get any recognition. but why should they get it? they did it last year and nobody learned.

[Bruno7481]

Some good points are raised here. Even last year when we destroyed Wake Forrest in the middle of the game Raftery was saying how we were good, but not as good as Kansas, UNC, or even WF they were just having a bad night. Bilas had to say hey Bill they are beating the number one team in the nation by 35 points. As for who has Illinois played, let me ask you, who has Duke played? Memphis and.... Don't feed me the Indiana game either, Indiana lost to Indiana State. No matter what IU is shooting for three they still lost to Indiana State. I for one like the that fact the media doesn't always give Illinois a lot of respect, it allows our players to feed off of it. I read an article last year that said Deron Williams would look for negative things written about himself or his team and then would let them know about it and they would get angry and rally to prove the naysayers wrong. As for the conference, yeah MSU could very easily win it all, but I still like our chances.

 

So, Indiana's not a good team because they lost to ISU? Not gonna earn respect by putting down every other team in the country. There was really no reason to bring up IU. And if you think IU isn't that good, then what does that make Illinois, who was picked behind them, and not unreasonably so?

 

BTW, Memphis is twice as good as any team Illinois has played all season.

 

 

and this certainly is putting down Illinois in my opinion. and its fans and numerous people in this thread.

 

no, you're crazy, just like i'm crazy and paranoid.

 

my problem with being called a paranoid whiner is that maybe there's a reason to be a paranoid whiner.

 

you can't consistently negate the returning runner-up in the NC game, two-time defending OUTRIGHT Big Ten Champ--which returned the B10 POY and their top big man, is adding their best athlete, and possibly the best shooter in the B10--without ruffling a few feathers of some illini fans.

 

they're negated when people say the Illini should feel special to be picked third in the B10. newsflash: MSU has been picked to finish first in the conference each of the last two years--they haven't, what's so different about this year other than the hype surrounding their supposed star players? IU couldn't beat ISU (i think this is the point of bringing up the sycamores), what makes them think that the illini are going to roll over? is it the addition of killingsworth? he's a very good player and a dominant force down low, but the illini players have seen better.

 

and then to hear some nimrod OSU-guy (mr. kellog) come out and say that the conference is actually up, despite putting 2 teams in the final four and 1 in the title game last season is absolute torture to fans who have been looking for their team to garner some NATIONAL accolades after going 37-2 last season.

 

it looks like the illini are just going to have to take the rest of the B10 out back, tie them to a tree and bash them with a shovel like they did last year, to get any recognition. but why should they get it? they did it last year and nobody learned.

 

Dude, they got loads of respect and recognition last year, what are you talking about?

 

Yes, they bring back Brown and Augustine, but don't forget they also lost some key guys (Williams, Head, Powell). Again, why do you care so much what Clark Kellog's opinion is? He didn't bash Illinois.

 

I think there are about 4 teams that could posibly win the Big10 this year. Just because someone doesn't pick Illinois doesn't automatically mean they are "disrespecting" them.

 

Your team is good, accept it. You don't need NATIONAL accolades.

[Magnetic Curses]

Yes, they bring back Brown and Augustine, but don't forget they also lost some key guys (Williams, Head, Powell). Again, why do you care so much what Clark Kellog's opinion is? He didn't bash Illinois.

 

i would argue that not picking them #1 until they prove that they aren't is a knock on them.

 

one can't some out and say "illinois isn't good". that would be lunacy. what they say is "illinois is going to finsih third and they're going to have to like it."

 

as i've said, illinois has turned over their team a couple of times without finishing lower than second.

[rawaction]

Am I losing my mind? Does anyone else see that this thread is not making sense?

[Magnetic Curses]

Am I losing my mind? Does anyone else see that this thread is not making sense?

 

no, welcome to the club.

 

i think the gist of what this thread has become is: illinois is underrated, perrenially.

[rawaction]

Yes, they bring back Brown and Augustine, but don't forget they also lost some key guys (Williams, Head, Powell). Again, why do you care so much what Clark Kellog's opinion is? He didn't bash Illinois.

 

i would argue that not picking them #1 until they prove that they aren't is a knock on them.

 

one can't some out and say "illinois isn't good". that would be lunacy. what they say is "illinois is going to finsih third and they're going to have to like it."

 

as i've said, illinois has turned over their team a couple of times without finishing lower than second.

 

So, should UNC be #1 this year? By that logic it would seem they would be. They lost players as did U of I. It's not the same team that won it last year, that's why they aren't picked to win.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

i would argue that not picking them #1 until they prove that they aren't is a knock on them.

 

Ridiculous. It's more of a knock to the rest of the B10 to have that attitude.