gflore34

In looking at what teams remain in the South bracket is there any reason to not believe Arizona' going to roll over all of them?

I honestly don't believe its luck, its surely by design, for whatever reason the NCAA is out to horsefeathers over Illinois and I don't know why. The only thing Underwood can do is keep getting them in, one of these years, despite the NCAA' efforts, the match up dominoes are going to fall the Illin' way. I mean, no, but also, noooooope I know the part about Illinois purposely getting screwed over by the NCAA is a far fetched overreaction however, the thought if Underwood can keep getting them in the Tournament one of those is going have favorable match ups is not so bizarre.

I honestly don't believe its luck, its surely by design, for whatever reason the NCAA is out to horsefeathers over Illinois and I don't know why. The only thing Underwood can do is keep getting them in, one of these years, despite the NCAA' efforts, the match up dominoes are going to fall the Illin' way.

Houston' good, playing with 3/5 of team, without question Frazier right eye was still affecting him, result not so surprising. Let's see how Houston fares on the offensive boards vs the length of Arizona, Houston fouls and goes over the back quite a bit. And that ridiculous T on Melendez hurt quite a bit, I am so sick of the Illini getting fucked over time and again in the NCAA, seeding, BS calls. By the way, I didn't think either of these teams has much of a chance vs. Arizona.

Underwood should strongly consider leaving Williams and Grandison on the bench in favor of Goode and Melendez. Williams and Grandison at this point, are next to useless, one has no offensive game and the other is still injured, makes no sense for either of them to see the floor. He won't do it, it'd require some risk taking and balls, instead, because of foolish loyalty, he'll go with Williams and Grandison far too long.

How refreshing would it be if the Illini weren't team that's over hyped and comes out flat? Is allowable that they could be the that team plays fast and loose having fun instead of playing like their collective jocks are in a noose? Could it just horsefeathering happen once, just horsefeathering once?

Very frustrating to watch him offensively. Glad his career didn't end with that game. But, on the bright side he still defended very well and that alley-oop to Hawkins late in the game is not getting talked about enough. Underwood said during today's press conference that Frazier was unable to see out of his right eye during the game, which not only affected his perception on shots, but also made it so he couldn't see the ball when he was dribbling in his right hand. During the Chattanooga pregame PC's it appeared his right eye was almost swollen shut hopefully, it'll be cleared up or at least significantly improved today. It really sucks that injuries, illness, etc. have robbed this Illini team of what could have been, at one point Friday the Illini were +15 with Curbelo on the floor, think about what they may have been with a healthy Curbelo all season. If he sticks around and some NIL money can be found to entice Kofi to return, they could be special next season.

You’re starting to wander from the generic homer schtick into Sulley territory here, and that’s not good for anybody. As I was writing thought I should have added "the following is tongue in cheek..." nevertheless, I believe the Illini have good chance tonight. Given how inconsistent and mistake prone they've been coupled with that crappy game in the BTT its understandable Chattanooga is a trendy upset pick.

Thus far, Kentucky and Iowa are the most surprising, of course, didn't see these coming, hell, Iowa, if you put any stock in what Andy Katz, et al were preaching, was supposedly the hottest team in the history of college basketball. While it sucks for the Big Ten' image as "the best conference in college basketball" I was happy to see Iowa go down. No more Jordan Bohhannon...ever has a nice ring to it for us Illini fans. Speaking of the Illini I don't know why they're bothering to show up for tonight' game, all of the "experts" have Chattanooga winning quite easily, think Underwood should just forfeit and go back to Champaign?

Good for Adams he cashed in while the iron was hot, for the Packers is it really going to be that much of a loss? They'll be someone else who emerges simply because Rodgers is at QB maybe, someone they draft with the picks coming back, seems everything they touch, at least in the regular season, turns to gold. And it horsefeathering sucks...

Lately, it seems, teams with early exits from the BTT have performed better in NCAA, leaves you to wonder the utility of the BTT besides it being a money making venture. Wouldn't be shocking at all to see the Illini and other teams that lost early in the BTT go further in the NCAA than Iowa or Purdue. Having experienced 2017 and 2018 Michigan I still have a hard time seeing this as a thing, but there you go...Iowa goes down. Of course Richmond also had to win 4 games in 4 days in their conference tournament. I don't know, several times the announcers said Iowa looked gassed, they were short on quite a few open 3's but, as you said Richmond had to win 4 in 4 days.

Lately, it seems, teams with early exits from the BTT have performed better in NCAA, leaves you to wonder the utility of the BTT besides it being a money making venture. Wouldn't be shocking at all to see the Illini and other teams that lost early in the BTT go further in the NCAA than Iowa or Purdue.

That and I strongly believe Ayo was still feeling the after effects of his concussion which got re-aggravated towards the end of the BTT Championship game. Pink eye? What's next for the Illini? Measles, mumps, chickenpox? This season has been ridiculous with injuries, illness, suspensions, etc. can't make this horsefeathers up. The early BTT exit and extra rest certainly won't hurt and, do not know if this means anything but, lots of people are jumping on the Tennessee-Chattanooga band wagon, that idiot from CBS has them going to the Sweet 16. You'd think the Illini just barely got in or something.

Seth Davis crapping all over the Big Ten except for Wisconsin? Hugh? They, along with the Illini, are most likely to have early exits in my opinion. I'm really down on the Illini after that horsefeathers show on Friday, would not shock me one bit if they get their asses kicked. With Frazier and Plummer going 3-16 from 3 while Frazier inexplicably throws the ball away on several occasions.

Well, way off regarding Indiana - Iowa although, as I thought, Iowa did not give away multiple possessions such as the Illini did, still irks me. Not to take anything from the Hoosiers but, Illinois and Michigan beat themselves. Purdue - Iowa should be fun, think its possible we'll see a high scoring game. Guess we'll see what 13 seed the Illini draw, who it is doesn't matter, I'm certain the Illini will make it a difficult game. Really don't have much faith they'll get out the first round.

Don't know about this, you cut Cohen because he's physically unable to perform and claim a guy, who by all accounts, is made of glass? Guess, its more of low risk high reward with him? Because, if can't stay healthy, he probably won't survive the preseason and he'll be gone away?

Without a doubt your Hoosiers should be in unfortunately, I believe they're going to be obliterated by Iowa. They won't have the luxury of facing another inconsistent mistake prone team like they did in Michigan and Illinois, those piss yellow squawkeyes are playing really well.

They’re just not consistent enough to string together four wins against good teams. Unfortunately, I don’t see them getting to the second weekend. As fantastic as Underwood has been in turning this program around, he’s eventually going to have to go on a tournament run. He’s 0-5 in getting to the second weekend of the tournament for his career. If he doesn’t alter that trajectory, discontent is going to start creeping in. I agree, who knows what they might have been without all the injuries, suspensions, etc., I venture to say we'd see a better, more consistent team. While nice, the BTT doesn't mean squat, it's all about making money, nevertheless, I would have liked to see them get an opportunity to put 40 minutes together vs. ,probably, Iowa. Maybe we'll finally see a full 40 minutes in the tournament, could happen, but, I'm not holding my breath. I believe your spot on regarding Underwood he's significantly upgraded the talent over what Weber and Groce brought in, now its time to start producing in the Big Dance.

This horsefeathering Illini team peaks and valleys either they'll make the Final Four or lose in the First Round.

If Jones doesn't turn his ankle yesterday, the Illini are playing Michigan today, on one hand, I'm glad. Because Indiana is a better match up for the Illini on the other, I'm worried, the Illini have not put together 40 minutes of good basketball in some time. Indiana has to be flying high, the Illini have to come out, put Indiana down early and not let up.

Don't know what happened today, looked very good for about 3/4 of the game, Indiana played good D but, quite a bit of the loss is on Michigan. Really did want the Illini playing an improving Michigan team thought they'd be a tougher match up than Indiana. Although I believe the Hoosiers are going to be a big challenge for the Illini tomorrow. They imploded like they have all year in the 2nd half. It's an ongoing trend. Once they start imploding they cant stop. Just ask North Carolina, UCF, Seton Hall, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio State. There was like a 10 minute stretch in that collapse where they had more turnovers than shot attempts (all missed). And many of those turnovers were like dribbling off their foot, slipping and falling, passing to a cutting player that doesn't cut, etc. I mean for sure give Indiana credit, their season was on the brink and they responded but I do tend to feel like once the ball started rolling Michigan basically collapsed. I do think Devante Jones twisted his ankle right before the collapse and that played into it. He was regularly getting in the paint before that but couldn't do anything and had a couple of bad turnovers because he couldn't plant his foot correct. All I'm saying is that Phil Martelli coached Michigan team had literally 0 problems in the 2nd half of games. JH is back and whoops, 36-9 collapse. (this is the part I expect sneaky to torch me over lol) I wondered why he stopped taking to the basket, I did not see him turning his ankle, certainly explains why he abruptly stopped.

Don't know what happened today, looked very good for about 3/4 of the game, Indiana played good D but, quite a bit of the loss is on Michigan. Really did want the Illini playing an improving Michigan team thought they'd be a tougher match up than Indiana. Although I believe the Hoosiers are going to be a big challenge for the Illini tomorrow.

Don't know why Stephen Bardo, of all people, is going out if his way to be a Juwan Howard apologist. Howard's actions were, are wrong, it wasn't a judgement call, what he did was flat out wrong, end of story. He, in my opinion, deserved at least a remainder of the season suspension, enough already, just STF Bardo.

Where did you see Grandison is out for the season? I just saw an article today where he wasn't in practice today because he was being fitted for a brace like Trent wears. At the Illini scout board, they were talking grade 3 shoulder sprain and surgery, me being a Cub fan, I assumed the worst. However, as you said, and I just read, Underwood said he's improving and being fitted for a brace.

Ugh. Just cannot catch a break. Looking forward to next year… Frazier, Williams and Plummer are the only guys out of eligibility. Grandison and Hutcherson both have their COVID year left. I’d assume Grandison will be back if he wants to be. Hutcherson has played a grand total of 4 games in the last three seasons, and I’d assume his basketball career is over. I hope he proves me wrong. Kofi actually has two years of eligibility left - his senior year and COVID year. The consensus opinion is that he’s gone after this year. But given the lack of draft buzz for him, I’d never say never. I doubt anyone relevant transfers, but there could always be a surprise. Miller last year and Griffin the year before were both guys that the coaching staff wanted back. They’re bringing in Dainja, a big man transfer from Baylor who was highly recruited out of high school and three freshman for a nice top-25-ish recruiting class. A late transfer in is never out of the question in this day and age - see Plummer. Assuming Kofi isn’t back, you probably have Curbelo starting at point, with Pods backing him up, Goode at the 2, Melendez and Grandison splitting time at the 3, Hawkins as a stretch 4 or small-ball 5, and Dainja and Payne splitting time at the 5. Verdonk provides front court depth and the freshmen are your backcourt backups. That’s an inexperienced, really athletic team that will get up and down the court quickly. They’ll likely play much more like Underwood’s S.F. Austin teams. They’ll probably be very fun to watch but not very good unless Hawkins, Melendez and Curbelo all make quantum leaps in their play. (Which could totally happen.) If Kofi comes back, the calculation would completely change, and they’d be a pre-season top 10. Given the lack of draft buzz, instability of overseas leagues and the NIL, I believe its makes some sense for Kofi to return. If can extend his game a little his draft status will significantly approve. A team with an improving Hawkins, Melendez, Curbelo plus Kofi would be right there with Michigan as BT favorites.