College Basketball 2020-2021

[Irrelevant Dude]

Cockburn is not on any NBA draft lists, so unless he wants to play overseas to make money, I'm not 100% sure he leaves either.

Kofi has made huge improvements over the course of this season. At this point, I think it is likely that someone would take a flier on him late in the first round or early second. I would love to see him come back for one more season though and work himself up to a possible lottery pick.

[SouthSideRyan]

I can only assume dexter took an interest in Illini basketball again sometime earlier today

[bukie]

MSU went old school thugball from the outset, and Illinois didn't respond well, and couldn't make FTs.

[SouthSideRyan]

So word is Izzo’s murderball broke Ayo’s nose out next 2 games and mask the rest of the year. There was no foul called live.

[raw]

Another year, another season where IU has its token top 10 team they unexplicably sweep only to likely put themselves on the outside looking in because they can't beat Rutgers, or Penn St, or Nebraska.

[UMFan83]

I have not seen Michigan look this terrible all year (didn’t watch the Minnesota game). Impressive performance so far for the Illini without Ayo. Hopefully Michigan can make this a game

[woodchip2153]

I have not seen Michigan look this terrible all year (didn’t watch the Minnesota game). Impressive performance so far for the Illini without Ayo. Hopefully Michigan can make this a game

 

I don't think I've ever seen a team play as good as defense as Illinois is playing tonight. It's like they know what Michigan is going to do. Of course it helps that Michigan is missing some shots.

[17 Seconds]

geez louise

[Tim]

Wow...what a statement game.

[bukie]

I was concerned tonight's game would be a blowout without Ayo. Looks like I was right.

[stitchface]

I was concerned tonight's game would be a blowout without Ayo. Looks like I was right.

 

woah. did not expect that score.

[SouthSideRyan]

Well that was fun.

[UMFan83]

All year Michigan has played such fluid offense and outworked teams particularly on the boards. In this game they were playing iso ball on offense and getting vastly outworked. It was one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen. A Murphy’s law type of game for Michigan. Don’t get me wrong I give Illinois a ton of credit for the performance. But Michigan is not that bad at all. It was like watching a complete inverse of the team I’ve watched all year. Like my head is still spinning wondering how that just happened.

 

But Underwood seems to know how to coach against Michigan and is unbelievable at getting his team motivated. I expected this to be a really tough game even without Ayo just due to Illinois having that chip on their shoulder and they did not disappoint. I’d like to see this game again next weekend (I think?)

[Tim]

All year Michigan has played such fluid offense and outworked teams particularly on the boards. In this game they were playing iso ball on offense and getting vastly outworked. It was one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen. A Murphy’s law type of game for Michigan. Don’t get me wrong I give Illinois a ton of credit for the performance. But Michigan is not that bad at all. It was like watching a complete inverse of the team I’ve watched all year. Like my head is still spinning wondering how that just happened.

 

But Underwood seems to know how to coach against Michigan and is unbelievable at getting his team motivated. I expected this to be a really tough game even without Ayo just due to Illinois having that chip on their shoulder and they did not disappoint. I’d like to see this game again next weekend (I think?)

I second that thought. I'd like to see this exact game again next weekend.

[sneakypower]

ayo dosunmu ewing theory

[gflore34]

All year Michigan has played such fluid offense and outworked teams particularly on the boards. In this game they were playing iso ball on offense and getting vastly outworked. It was one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen. A Murphy’s law type of game for Michigan. Don’t get me wrong I give Illinois a ton of credit for the performance. But Michigan is not that bad at all. It was like watching a complete inverse of the team I’ve watched all year. Like my head is still spinning wondering how that just happened.

 

But Underwood seems to know how to coach against Michigan and is unbelievable at getting his team motivated. I expected this to be a really tough game even without Ayo just due to Illinois having that chip on their shoulder and they did not disappoint. I’d like to see this game again next weekend (I think?)

 

Curbelo is the x-factor, Michigan doesn't have anyone who can stay with him, in a rematch I would expect a far better game from Livers, et. al. Just didn't see anyone who's going to keep Curbelo from getting to hoop, scoring or dishing. Man it's been a long, long, time since the Illini had the player no one has an answer for and it feels good.

 

I gave it a rest for a while after the Illini got pushed around and out-hustled by Ohio State in January, didn't think this was going to happen. Underwood couldn't get a solid 40 minutes out of these guys however, now, appears he's starting to get some consistent effort .

[UMFan83]

All year Michigan has played such fluid offense and outworked teams particularly on the boards. In this game they were playing iso ball on offense and getting vastly outworked. It was one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever seen. A Murphy’s law type of game for Michigan. Don’t get me wrong I give Illinois a ton of credit for the performance. But Michigan is not that bad at all. It was like watching a complete inverse of the team I’ve watched all year. Like my head is still spinning wondering how that just happened.

 

But Underwood seems to know how to coach against Michigan and is unbelievable at getting his team motivated. I expected this to be a really tough game even without Ayo just due to Illinois having that chip on their shoulder and they did not disappoint. I’d like to see this game again next weekend (I think?)

 

Curbelo is the x-factor, Michigan doesn't have anyone who can stay with him, in a rematch I would expect a far better game from Livers, et. al. Just didn't see anyone who's going to keep Curbelo from getting to hoop, scoring or dishing. Man it's been a long, long, time since the Illini had the player no one has an answer for and it feels good.

 

I gave it a rest for a while after the Illini got pushed around and out-hustled by Ohio State in January, didn't think this was going to happen. Underwood couldn't get a solid 40 minutes out of these guys however, now, appears he's starting to get some consistent effort .

 

The feedback I'm seeing on Michigan sites (trying to justify how a team that has looked unbeatable the last month just got curbstomped at home) is that Curbelo is a limited shooter but Michigan defense was going over on screens and staying in his face allowing him to blow by defenders and get to the basket. It would be interesting to see if some defensive adjustments change things in a future matchup. Don't get me wrong, Illinois is talented and will give Michigan matchup issues regardless of adjustments but that seems like one obvious adjustment that may help.

[SouthSideRyan]

Extending ball pressure on small, fast, penetrating guards was certainly a decision.

[UMFan83]

Extending ball pressure on small, fast, penetrating guards was certainly a decision.

 

Right? I'm sure there was some logic behind it but Juwan has been lauded all year for gameplanning and in game adjustments. It was clear from the start that the gameplan was a giant flop and not just due to poor execution. It's crazy though how similar the Illini and Michigan play. Very similar defensive strategies, what they are generally trying to do on offense is similar too. Illinois just did it 1000x better than UM last night. Still SMH, though I like the Illini so its great to see them rise up as a program. Should be a nice little rivalry between these 2 teams the next few years. Next year MIchigan will have a 5 star coming in at center when Dickinson gets into foul trouble so that will be nice

[UK]

It's good to see the Illini as a #1 seed in the month of March. Well deserved too.

[gflore34]

It's good to see the Illini as a #1 seed in the month of March. Well deserved too.

 

Tied with Kentucky for the most games vs. Quad 1 competition at 15, leading the nation in Quad 1 victories with 9, there's no question they should be a #1 seed regardless of the outcome of Saturday' game and the BTT. I'd sure like to see them win on Saturday though, for the moment, they've reversed trends of losing to Wisconsin, Iowa, Purdue and Michigan, Ohio State is next. It's looking as if Underwood has turned it around, recruiting is still puzzling, they had a great class last season but, appears to be back to where it was during the Groce era this year. Missing on all of the top targets, kids seemingly about to commit suddenly committing to another school without so much as a visit (Jones to DePaul). However, I think Kofi will be back next season and, if I'm not mistaken, Williams and Frazier may be able to take a fifth year, throw in an improving Curbelo/Miller/Hawkins, they should be among BT favorites.

[gflore34]

Extending ball pressure on small, fast, penetrating guards was certainly a decision.

 

Right? I'm sure there was some logic behind it but Juwan has been lauded all year for gameplanning and in game adjustments. It was clear from the start that the gameplan was a giant flop and not just due to poor execution. It's crazy though how similar the Illini and Michigan play. Very similar defensive strategies, what they are generally trying to do on offense is similar too. Illinois just did it 1000x better than UM last night. Still SMH, though I like the Illini so its great to see them rise up as a program. Should be a nice little rivalry between these 2 teams the next few years. Next year MIchigan will have a 5 star coming in at center when Dickinson gets into foul trouble so that will be nice

 

Tonight will be interesting, expecting MSU to really turn it up on the physical borderline dirty play.

[bukie]

Giorgi Bezhanishvili is a trip in interviews...

 

[UMFan83]

Giorgi Bezhanishvili is a trip in interviews...

 

 

bukie its that time of year. tell me its coming...even with our meager small board, I look forward to the board's bracket.

[bukie]

I'm game if anyone else is, it's a weird year but somebody has to make a bracket.