Big Ten Basketball

[radarluv1]

If we can go into the Breslin and win this conference race is over. Richard McBride was awesome tonight dalgreen.

 

You're right, McBride was awesome. I have no problem stating I was wrong when players show up who I thought wouldn't. These last two games have been the best that I've seen McBride play. Yeah, I know he was a role player for the last two seasons, but I don't know why it took him half the season before he decided to become more aggressive. He's also a much better defender this year. Great game by McBride. Props to Jamar Smith and Brian Randle, too.

 

As for James Augustine, why hasn't he figured out that when he's not on the floor due to foul trouble he kills us? It's not necessarily the number of fouls that ticks me off it's the kind of fouls that ticks me off. It's the unnecessary fouls. I'm just glad he wasn't called for his third (which it was an offensive foul) in the early part of the second half. All I know is we better be blowing teams out by the end of the game because if it comes down to FT shooting, we might be in trouble.

James Augustine is the biggest waste of talent. Ten years from now most Illinois fans will say man he had a good career, but if he would have just shown up in the championship game who knows what would have happened. Last night he was dropping passes off of his legs and out of bounds. How can you be on the verge of having 1000 career points and rebounds and do that?

 

it was almost like he was trying to lose the championship game. i dont think he could have played any worse (grammar?) than that.

[bmkhawk]

Another exciting Illinois Wisconsin matchup tonight! It should be a great game for what has become a nice rivalry over the last 3 years or so. Illinois knows that they only play Wiscy once and this is it so they will be fired up. Wisconsin just fell out fo the top 25 and will be eager to show their homecourt advantage still means something.

 

I don't think Wisconsin matches up well with Augustine and I don't think Illinois matches up well with Tucker. The matchup to watch is Chris Rock vs. Dee Brown.

 

My roomates (Illini alums) and myself (Badger) have been giving each other crap all week regarding this game. I'm pumped!

 

i think that randle will shut tucker down.

 

I would think that pretty unlikely. Especially considering the fact Weber said he was giving Randle a "Crash course in post defense." He's likely to get in foul trouble on the road anyway. If Tucker scores under 20 I'd consider it a job well done by Illinois.

 

that would be a first, seeing as how nobody has scored 20 on randle yet, and he always draws the opposing team's best offensive player.

Even if that player is a guard? Somehow I doubt it.

 

you must be kidding.

You think I am crazy for doubting that they would put him on a dominant point guard? You already backtracked regarding them putting him on Killingsworth. I certainly understand him always drawing the other team's best wing player, but I doubt you see him on a dominant 1 or 5.

[Jon]

Yet another horrible shooting performance by the 'Cats. Looks like the good first-half defense will go for naught.

[illiniguy]

Another exciting Illinois Wisconsin matchup tonight! It should be a great game for what has become a nice rivalry over the last 3 years or so. Illinois knows that they only play Wiscy once and this is it so they will be fired up. Wisconsin just fell out fo the top 25 and will be eager to show their homecourt advantage still means something.

 

I don't think Wisconsin matches up well with Augustine and I don't think Illinois matches up well with Tucker. The matchup to watch is Chris Rock vs. Dee Brown.

 

My roomates (Illini alums) and myself (Badger) have been giving each other crap all week regarding this game. I'm pumped!

 

i think that randle will shut tucker down.

 

I would think that pretty unlikely. Especially considering the fact Weber said he was giving Randle a "Crash course in post defense." He's likely to get in foul trouble on the road anyway. If Tucker scores under 20 I'd consider it a job well done by Illinois.

 

that would be a first, seeing as how nobody has scored 20 on randle yet, and he always draws the opposing team's best offensive player.

Even if that player is a guard? Somehow I doubt it.

 

you must be kidding.

You think I am crazy for doubting that they would put him on a dominant point guard? You already backtracked regarding them putting him on Killingsworth. I certainly understand him always drawing the other team's best wing player, but I doubt you see him on a dominant 1 or 5.

Well why would he guard a dominate point when we have dee brown the reigning defensive player of the year, big ten style, at point. What a stupid argument to make. Hey I bet Mike Henderson wouldn't guard the other teams dominant center.

[bmkhawk]

I don't remember me claiming that Henderson always drew the other team's best offensive player either.

 

What a stupid analogy to make.

[UMFan83]

Michigan sneaks out a road win vs. Penn State. I know Penn State's record is bad, but they aren't that bad, and regardless I'll take ANY road win in the Big 10. So far at Minnesota and at Penn State is all we got. Hopefully we can solve Iowa in Iowa City this weekend.

[soapy]

I heart Rod Wilmont.

 

I'm always torn when Suhr plays well (which is rare). I obviously want him to do well if he's out there. However, he'll pull out a game like this every once in a while (typically against lesser compitition) and that buys him many more minutes in later games where he is totally over matched. In any case, he played well.

 

Having said that, I wasn't overly impressed. I will say that the 2nd half was much more impressive then the first. Much better movement, dribble penetration, and passing. Though he didn't put up big numbers, I thought Strickland played well in his first game back at the point.

[Magnetic Curses]

Another exciting Illinois Wisconsin matchup tonight! It should be a great game for what has become a nice rivalry over the last 3 years or so. Illinois knows that they only play Wiscy once and this is it so they will be fired up. Wisconsin just fell out fo the top 25 and will be eager to show their homecourt advantage still means something.

 

I don't think Wisconsin matches up well with Augustine and I don't think Illinois matches up well with Tucker. The matchup to watch is Chris Rock vs. Dee Brown.

 

My roomates (Illini alums) and myself (Badger) have been giving each other crap all week regarding this game. I'm pumped!

 

i think that randle will shut tucker down.

 

I would think that pretty unlikely. Especially considering the fact Weber said he was giving Randle a "Crash course in post defense." He's likely to get in foul trouble on the road anyway. If Tucker scores under 20 I'd consider it a job well done by Illinois.

 

that would be a first, seeing as how nobody has scored 20 on randle yet, and he always draws the opposing team's best offensive player.

Even if that player is a guard? Somehow I doubt it.

 

you must be kidding.

You think I am crazy for doubting that they would put him on a dominant point guard? You already backtracked regarding them putting him on Killingsworth. I certainly understand him always drawing the other team's best wing player, but I doubt you see him on a dominant 1 or 5.

 

bactracked on killingsworth? what a joke. killingsworth is a post-up player only. maybe you didn't know that.

 

as for defending a guard, i didn't realize that when you say "guard", you really mean "point guard". randle has shut down probably the best 2 guard in the conference.

[bmkhawk]

You are quite on edge in your replies. What gives? You act like I am saying that Randle is a bad defender or something. I'm not. But, if making thinly-veiled insults is your only means of retort or discussion, then more power to you.

 

What I *am* doing is questioning your statement that randle "always draws the other team's best offensive threat". It's simply not true.

 

I think it is fairly obvious that IU's best offensive threat is Killingsworth. For whatever reason, Randle didn't draw that matchup. As for guard meaning point guard or whatever...does it really matter? You said he drew the other team's best offensive threat...that encompasses every single position on the court.

 

Like I said...had you said he always drew a matchup with the other team's best wing...then that would be accurate. And besides, is not giving up 20 points all year really that big of a deal? I don't think Iowa has given up 20 points to a scorer more than 4 times all year (just a guess).

Edited February 2, 2006 by bmkhawk

[illiniguy]

I don't remember me claiming that Henderson always drew the other team's best offensive player either.

 

What a stupid analogy to make.

No I know you didn't, but I feel he is your best defender. Possibly the best guard defender in the conference not named Dee Brown. That said he wouldn't guard a center for you. Thus, why should Randle guard another point guard and expose Dee to a bigger player? By the way the Hawks fans on the Hawks nest crying about Horner shooting poorly can shut up now, man did he snap.

Edited February 2, 2006 by illiniguy

[rawaction]

I heart Rod Wilmont.

 

I'm always torn when Suhr plays well (which is rare). I obviously want him to do well if he's out there. However, he'll pull out a game like this every once in a while (typically against lesser compitition) and that buys him many more minutes in later games where he is totally over matched. In any case, he played well.

 

Having said that, I wasn't overly impressed. I will say that the 2nd half was much more impressive then the first. Much better movement, dribble penetration, and passing. Though he didn't put up big numbers, I thought Strickland played well in his first game back at the point.

 

Didn't see the game, but Suhr was excellent last night. 10 points, 5 assists, 0 TOs, 3 off. rebs. Vaden did a lot without scoring a bunch. Marco finally rebounded like a 6'8" 260lber should. The team as a whole did a great job rebounding. Vaden and Killer were 1 short of the entire rebouding total of the entire NW team.

[Magnetic Curses]

You are quite on edge in your replies. What gives? You act like I am saying that Randle is a bad defender or something. I'm not. But, if making thinly-veiled insults is your only means of retort or discussion, then more power to you.

 

i think that's paranoia.

 

What I *am* doing is questioning your statement that randle "always draws the other team's best offensive threat". It's simply not true.

 

i think it's (to use an andy dufresne reference, and please don't take offense) obtuse of you to take issue with it.

 

when a team's best offensive weapon is strictly a post player, of course he won't be guarding them. i made that pretty clear in my discussion with chocolate milk.

 

I think it is fairly obvious that IU's best offensive threat is Killingsworth. For whatever reason, Randle didn't draw that matchup. As for guard meaning point guard or whatever...does it really matter? You said he drew the other team's best offensive threat...that encompasses every single position on the court.

 

and YOU said that you doubted that he would be given the task of defending a guard, which has been shot down, so i guess both of our statements are somewhat inaccurate, although my statement required a bit of reading between the lines to understand.

 

if wilt chamberlain came back from the dead and played for indiana, Randle wouldn't be guarding him, either.

 

randle is the ron artest of the illini, they'll stick him on anything from 1-3, and possibly a 4, depending on who the 4 is. in indiana's case, i believe that it was vaden, who's not generally a 4, but is a pretty good offensive player that would present a matchup problem for anyone else besides randle.

[Jon]

I heart Rod Wilmont.

 

I'm always torn when Suhr plays well (which is rare). I obviously want him to do well if he's out there. However, he'll pull out a game like this every once in a while (typically against lesser compitition) and that buys him many more minutes in later games where he is totally over matched. In any case, he played well.

 

Having said that, I wasn't overly impressed. I will say that the 2nd half was much more impressive then the first. Much better movement, dribble penetration, and passing. Though he didn't put up big numbers, I thought Strickland played well in his first game back at the point.

 

Didn't see the game, but Suhr was excellent last night. 10 points, 5 assists, 0 TOs, 3 off. rebs. Vaden did a lot without scoring a bunch. Marco finally rebounded like a 6'8" 260lber should. The team as a whole did a great job rebounding. Vaden and Killer were 1 short of the entire rebouding total of the entire NW team.

But Indiana didn't double-up Northwestern in rebounds. That alone is a moral victory for the Wildcats.

 

Seriously, though. Indiana may not be a great rebounding team, but they're doing significantly better than 26.7 per game. It helps when you try for them.

[soapy]

I heart Rod Wilmont.

 

I'm always torn when Suhr plays well (which is rare). I obviously want him to do well if he's out there. However, he'll pull out a game like this every once in a while (typically against lesser compitition) and that buys him many more minutes in later games where he is totally over matched. In any case, he played well.

 

Having said that, I wasn't overly impressed. I will say that the 2nd half was much more impressive then the first. Much better movement, dribble penetration, and passing. Though he didn't put up big numbers, I thought Strickland played well in his first game back at the point.

 

Didn't see the game, but Suhr was excellent last night. 10 points, 5 assists, 0 TOs, 3 off. rebs. Vaden did a lot without scoring a bunch. Marco finally rebounded like a 6'8" 260lber should. The team as a whole did a great job rebounding. Vaden and Killer were 1 short of the entire rebouding total of the entire NW team.

 

You didn't miss much, per se, but it was a little bit different. Davis really did shake things up. He changed the starting linuep, but also changed the rotation quite a bit. Suhr was one of the first players off the bench. Ratliff didn't play much in the 1st half, but did in the 2nd. Kline made a few decent plays (basically just didn't screw up). Allen actually made a few nice plays in the paint as well. Monroe didn't play much (and looked pretty poor when he was out there) and Callaway didn't play at all. I don't know if Davis was trying to make a statement (again) or if he really feels this is his new "rotation". I'd hate to see Suhr try to play 20+ minutes against UConn. It won't be pretty. He can give you that against Northwestern, but not against more talented backcourts.

 

I don't hold out much hope for the UConn game. It will be interesting to see who gets matched up with Boone. I assume it's going to be Vaden (if last year is any indicator), Kline and/or Allen.

[Jon]

Edit: A tad outdated. Stupid stats. Edited February 2, 2006 by Jon

[cubweiser03]

MSU with 3 of the top 5 points leaders in the big ten. Ager, Brown and Davis. Pretty amazing.

[rawaction]

I heart Rod Wilmont.

 

I'm always torn when Suhr plays well (which is rare). I obviously want him to do well if he's out there. However, he'll pull out a game like this every once in a while (typically against lesser compitition) and that buys him many more minutes in later games where he is totally over matched. In any case, he played well.

 

Having said that, I wasn't overly impressed. I will say that the 2nd half was much more impressive then the first. Much better movement, dribble penetration, and passing. Though he didn't put up big numbers, I thought Strickland played well in his first game back at the point.

 

Didn't see the game, but Suhr was excellent last night. 10 points, 5 assists, 0 TOs, 3 off. rebs. Vaden did a lot without scoring a bunch. Marco finally rebounded like a 6'8" 260lber should. The team as a whole did a great job rebounding. Vaden and Killer were 1 short of the entire rebouding total of the entire NW team.

 

You didn't miss much, per se, but it was a little bit different. Davis really did shake things up. He changed the starting linuep, but also changed the rotation quite a bit. Suhr was one of the first players off the bench. Ratliff didn't play much in the 1st half, but did in the 2nd. Kline made a few decent plays (basically just didn't screw up). Allen actually made a few nice plays in the paint as well. Monroe didn't play much (and looked pretty poor when he was out there) and Callaway didn't play at all. I don't know if Davis was trying to make a statement (again) or if he really feels this is his new "rotation". I'd hate to see Suhr try to play 20+ minutes against UConn. It won't be pretty. He can give you that against Northwestern, but not against more talented backcourts.

 

I don't hold out much hope for the UConn game. It will be interesting to see who gets matched up with Boone. I assume it's going to be Vaden (if last year is any indicator), Kline and/or Allen.

 

I'm assuming Kline will get the start, but Vaden will see most of the time on Boone. IU can't match up with size, so they are gonna have to try to use their speed advantage and shoot lights out like they were doing early in the season. I'd even like to see a lot of Ben Allen (with 4 guards) drawing the UConn big men outside, and everyone just driving to the basket. If you force them to play zone you have a shot to get open jumpers, which have to be on.

 

Rudy Gay is the #3 for UConn, but he would be the tallest player in IU's starting lineup. He's gonna be impossible to matchup with. Just gotta hope he's gonna hang around shoot 3's, and not be aggressive to the hoop, like he has done in the past.

[bmkhawk]

You are quite on edge in your replies. What gives? You act like I am saying that Randle is a bad defender or something. I'm not. But, if making thinly-veiled insults is your only means of retort or discussion, then more power to you.

 

i think that's paranoia.

 

What I *am* doing is questioning your statement that randle "always draws the other team's best offensive threat". It's simply not true.

 

i think it's (to use an andy dufresne reference, and please don't take offense) obtuse of you to take issue with it.

 

Now why would I take offense to someone using a word to describe me that means "lacking of quickness of perception or intellect"? I don't know....

 

What I *really* find interesting is that me taking a bit of offense to your comment about me maybe not knowing that Killingsworth is a post-up player is "paranoia", but you thinking that Chocolate Milk's question to you asking if you had seen Alando Tucker play is a "ridiculous" and "meant to be insulting" comment? Not sure I have the ability to reconcile your two stances there. Then again, maybe I am being "obtuse" again.

 

Like I said...why are you so on edge in this discussion? You do know that you can have a civil conversation about sports even if people disagree with you, right?

 

By the way, Randle was certainly not without aid in his efforts to contain Tucker.

Edited February 2, 2006 by bmkhawk

[soapy]

I'm assuming Kline will get the start, but Vaden will see most of the time on Boone. IU can't match up with size, so they are gonna have to try to use their speed advantage and shoot lights out like they were doing early in the season. I'd even like to see a lot of Ben Allen (with 4 guards) drawing the UConn big men outside, and everyone just driving to the basket. If you force them to play zone you have a shot to get open jumpers, which have to be on.

 

Rudy Gay is the #3 for UConn, but he would be the tallest player in IU's starting lineup. He's gonna be impossible to matchup with. Just gotta hope he's gonna hang around shoot 3's, and not be aggressive to the hoop, like he has done in the past.

 

This is the kind of game where they'll miss White the most. That would allow Vaden to focus on Gay. My guess at this point is Wilmont will match up with him (most of the time).

[Magnetic Curses]

You are quite on edge in your replies. What gives? You act like I am saying that Randle is a bad defender or something. I'm not. But, if making thinly-veiled insults is your only means of retort or discussion, then more power to you.

 

i think that's paranoia.

 

What I *am* doing is questioning your statement that randle "always draws the other team's best offensive threat". It's simply not true.

 

i think it's (to use an andy dufresne reference, and please don't take offense) obtuse of you to take issue with it.

 

Now why would I take offense to someone using a word to describe me that means "lacking of quickness of perception or intellect"? I don't know....

 

What I *really* find interesting is that me taking a bit of offense to your comment about me maybe not knowing that Killingsworth is a post-up player is "paranoia", but you thought that Chocolate Milk's question to you asking if you had seen Alando Tucker play is a "ridiculous" and "meant to be insulting" comment? Not sure I have the ability to reconcile your two stances there. Then again, maybe I am being "obtuse" again.

 

Like I said...why are you so on edge in this discussion? You do know that you can have a civil conversation about sports even if people disagree with you, right?

 

i didn't say you are obtuse, i said it's obtuse of you to not be able to understand that there's a difference between randle guarding ager or tucker and randle guarding killingsworth. killingsworth is strictly a post player.

 

are you capable of doing dumb things but not being dumb? i know that i am, and i didn't mean it to be an a-hole.

 

now, if i say: "no offense, but you're stupid", i think that i'd take offense.

 

as for civil conversation, you're being every bit as beligerent as i am, if not moreso. it's comical to see someone accuse another of being agitated, when the person doing the accusing is being incredibly insulting himself.

 

i said, "maybe you didn't know that", in response to killingsworth being a post player, because i honestly did not know if you knew he was a post player or not. none of your previous statements would have led me to believe that you did. you certainly were unaware that randle has completely shut down such scorers as hairston and ager--remember what the point was?:

 

that would be a first, seeing as how nobody has scored 20 on randle yet, and he always draws the opposing team's best offensive player.

 

Even if that player is a guard? Somehow I doubt it.

 

you DID say this, right?

 

I apologize if i've offended you, but any inferred "edginess" is purely incidental.

[Magnetic Curses]

By the way, Randle was certainly not without aid in his efforts to contain Tucker.

 

yep, and tucker did pretty well but was matched by randle all-around. what's your point?

[bmkhawk]

Well, I don't know where you thought I was insulting you, but if you saw it that way...I apologize.

 

Now, let's move past this spat and look forward to our two teams having a great race down the stretch.

 

Personally, I don't like Iowa's chances. Although the schedule has given them quite a break. Out of the four teams they only play once, they get/got OSU and Michigan at home and NW and PU on the road. Big break.

 

However, if Horner can start making 3s again at a 40% clip, that will give them a big shot in the arm.

Edited February 2, 2006 by bmkhawk

[bmkhawk]

By the way, Randle was certainly not without aid in his efforts to contain Tucker.

 

yep, and tucker did pretty well but was matched by randle all-around. what's your point?

 

I'm just saying that Tucker was double and triple teamed quite a bit that game. All that being considered, Tucker had a pretty good game.

 

That said, Wisky looks to be in a little bit of trouble with their new lack of depth at the post.

[Magnetic Curses]

Well, I don't know where you thought I was insulting you, but if you saw it that way...I apologize.

 

Now, let's move past this spat and look forward to our two teams having a great race down the stretch.

 

Personally, I don't like Iowa's chances. Although the schedule has given them quite a break. Out of the four teams they only play once, they get/got OSU and Michigan at hom and NW and PU on the road. Big break.

 

i'd be happy with the illini getting 11-12 wins and coasting into the tourneys feeling pretty good. i think if they beat MSU at breslin they'll win the conference.

[Magnetic Curses]

By the way, Randle was certainly not without aid in his efforts to contain Tucker.

 

yep, and tucker did pretty well but was matched by randle all-around. what's your point?

 

I'm just saying that Tucker was double and triple teamed quite a bit that game. All that being considered, Tucker had a pretty good game.

 

That said, Wisky looks to be in a little bit of trouble with their new lack of depth at the post.

 

i don't remember tucker being triple-teamed, but he was definitely double-teamed in the post. despite his defensive prowess, randle still needs a little help with top players down low. it also didn't help that the game was played in madison and randle got stuck with a couple early foul calls.

 

overall, if randle can play like he did offensively and hold the opposing star under 20, illinois will have a lot easier time.