Iowa - Illinois (thoughts, and eventual game thread)

[RUonBrain]

Thoughts on this game?

Illinois has definitely been playing better, but so had Iowa.

Maybe it depends on whether or not Bohannan can get hot from 3.

I think Iowa won their only matchup this season, but my pick is Illinois wins.

 

[blockm2]

Illinois playing better recently. Iowa's offense is the best unit on either side, but Iowa's defense is the worst I've ever seen in the Big Ten, or at least since perhaps the 1980s when nobody really played defense.

Should be a very high scoring game when you factor in that both teams want to play fast. Their single meeting this year was 104-97 in OT, and tied 90-90 in regulation.

Lots of possessions and lots of baskets on both ends.

 

[kcg88]

How did we lose twice to this team?

 

[RUJMM78]

Iowa leads 17-8 with 11 minutes remaining first half.

 

[RocktheRac]

I'm watching bad basketball

 

[AreYouNUTS]

How did we lose twice to this team?

...and not by small margins. Just weird.

 

[APKnight]

Illini are very scrappy. I think it’s a pretty good game.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

The Illini are REALLY good at hitting shots which look like they have ZERO chance of going in off the hands. Just the opposite of us LOL!

 

[kcg88]

80% and 60% from 3... Crazy.

 

[mikemarc1]

Nothing about the game, but what’s with that weird design on the court under baskets?

Strange court.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Nothing about the game, but what’s with that weird design on the court under baskets?

Strange court.

Ha, definitely from the B1G, matches the logo, but yeah really strange!

 

[mikemarc1]

Nothing about the game, but what’s with that weird design on the court under baskets?

Strange court.

Ha, definitely from the B1G, matches the logo, but yeah really strange!

Surprised New York isn’t everywhere on the baseline.

 

[DennisHajekRC84]

A first year coach getting the T early on in half 2. Sending a message....LIKE! win or lose..he says they will compete and not be abused...

 

[kcg88]

I really hope it's a different ref crew tonight

 

[MadRU]

Our game will start late for sure, this game is taking a long time.

 

[mikemarc1]

I really hope it's a different ref crew tonight

Each game usually has its own crew.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Our game will start late for sure, this game is taking a long time.

It didn't start until 5:40 I'm pretty sure.

 

[RUsince52]

Only picked it up early second half, but both teams are making shots and a good number aren't easy. Good spacing for Illinois and they get to the basket.

 

[bac2therac]

offense counts

 

[AreYouNUTS]

offense counts

Neither team has exactly stepped it up on D in the 2nd half.

 

[RUJMM78]

92-87 Iowa with 30 seconds remaining.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

1) this is now an INSANELY long last 6 minutes; pretty sure 20+ minutes to play now

2) did they just say "30 minutes" following this game? What happened to 20 minutes between games? ugh....

 

[bac2therac]

Iowa wins 96-87

 

[Mr Magoo]

So Illinois’ season ends in February. When has a B1G team ended its season this early? Hopefully, we don’t join them.