gflore34

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.

Of course Jacob Grandison is out for the remainder of the season, just never horsefeathering ends with the Illini and injuries, etc. Guess a somewhat silver lining is Hawkins is starting to emerge and RJ Melendez is available - really like what I've seen of him. They, along with Goode, figure to get more playing time. Feel bad for Grandison, from what I understand, shoulder injuries can be quite complicated, can remain bothersome even after a successful surgery.

Wait the Bears are going to start beating the Packers at some point? wait, the Cubs will win the world series at some point? This and, I'm being optimistic, what the horsefeathers else do we have as Cubs and Bears fans?

His deal actually creates cap space for them. I get how that works, but damn doesn't seem right to me. To hell with it, he sucks in the playoffs hopefully that continues. He watched both Brady and Stafford move on and win Super Bowls. But he sticks around in GB. Hope it blows up in his COVID-denying face. horsefeathers GB, I'm glad that pissant lying sack of feces re-upped, I want him to be the QB when the Bears start beating the Packers.

Illini got a pretty rough draw in the BTT, first game vs. Indiana or Michigan should be very tough, if they can win this game, I really want them to get a shot at Rutgers again. Although I do not believe Rutgers is going to get by Iowa.

Don't get it either, they're everyone' darling, all you hear Johnny Davis, Johnny Davis, while his emergence and Wisconsin outperforming their preseason expectations is a great story. I believe Underwood may have a stronger case for BT coach of the year, they're 1 or 2 in number of games missed due to injury, COVID, etc. and still managed to tie for the Big Ten regular season championship. Where would Wisconsin be if Johnny Davis missed 4 games, Davidson missed most of the season like Kofi and Curbelo did for Illinois? I watched Wisconsin - Nebraska and was thinking if what happened to Davis could have been prevented, officials called a foul near half court but, did not appear to blow the play dead. Had they continued to blow the whistles, attempting to stop the ball, would Davis have kept going to the hoop? Or, is it unreasonable to expect that of officials? I believe he'll be OK, took a nasty hit off the base of the hoop, I was thinking a concussion along with the lower back. Apparently, he was moving and running in the tunnel, sounds like they kept him out of the remainder of the game as a precaution.

With that accuracy, he had 0TDs and 3INTs. Underlines the horsefeathers receivers that the Bears rolled out. This and, I remember reading Fields throws to open receivers were amongst the lowest, if not the lowest, in the NFL. That had to be a side effect of the fraud known as the Nagy offense.

Regarding Kofi's draft status I believe you're spot on, if he were to come back and add a mid range with the occasional 3 game to his resume his draft standing will improve. Guess, from what I read and seen, Hawkins is the one with the most first round potential, hope he sticks around because he may be a breakout superstar in the making. Kofi+Hawkins+Curbelo throw in a sharp shooting Goode, a smooth athletic Melendez, maybe one of Epps, Rodgers or Harris make an impact you have the makings of another BT title contender.

I think that’s AD Whitman’s area, and I am absolutely sure he’s doing everything he can to advocate for his program. Check out this thread: Kofi has only fouled out 3 times in his career. Brian Dorsey was the official for all three of those games. He called 9 of the 15 fouls Kofi incurred in those games and 11 of the 19 fouls Kofi’s incurred in the 5 games he’s officiated Kofi overall. An interesting read, some were legit fouls by Kofi, some were not, what boils my blood is the lack of consistency. Inconsistent officiating played a significant role in the outcomes of both the Purdue and OSU games. Kofi gets concussed by Edey - no call, Kofi repeatedly gets held by Key and Liddell - no calls, on that supposed Sports Center top 10 block of Kofi by Liddell, Liddell hit Kofi on the head - no call. If I'm Whitman I definitely lobbying the Big Ten that Dorsey gets no where near any of the Illini games.

Think we saw glimpses of what they could have been all season vs. Michigan, they didn't go through one of those 10-minute lulls. Believe a relatively healthy Curbelo and confident Hawkins had a lot to do it, going forward assuming Curbelo' OK. I don't think those no offense periods will be quite as common. I also believe the officiating will be more straight up in the tournament, for whatever reason Big Ten officials allow other teams to do anything while defending Kofi. From the OSU game alone I saw several images of Key holding/hanging on Kofi's arm during a rebound, Liddell had him in bear hug on another rebound attempt. All of that, no calls yet, they managed to foul Kofi out of the game, for the second time this season by that same bald headed Big Ten crew. It's no wonder Underwood was T'ed up. Does Underwood have official avenues available as far as crew assignments, filing complaints, etc.?

I think that's a good bet, and SSR's point is way valid, but dogging Wisconsin for SOS is silly. They are 13th in the nation in SOS, 6th highest in the Big 10. (Illinois is 6th and 1st, respectively.) I think the valid point when you look at Wisconsin is they don't have a matchup for a dominant big. Kofi had his way and so did Eddy, just they did a tremendous job against Eddy's supporting cast at Purdue. Plus Johnny went off. To sell them short is a bit unfair. The BIG schedule will have steeled them against teams that don't have a dominant big. No one likes him but if Davison is hitting his 3's they have 4 to 5 guys who can score double digits. I'll hear arguments that they aren't deep or they can't handle a big that can take over, but other than that, there's only a handful of teams that will have the best player on the floor against them. Johnny Davis is really really good. Also the poster earlier who called him a dick because he taunted the Indiana fans is the softest sports fan ever. If I'm not mistaken don't metrics advanced and otherwise suggest they're not as good as their record? Does this type of team usually fair well in the tournament? An honest question, not trying to antagonistic, plus I'm too lazy to do the research.