Watched highlights from IL-RU game last year and...

[RUSCFORMERLYRULOU]

Conclusions:
1. That forward from abroad really killed us and he’s still on the team.
2. Baker made some unbelievable shots. Is this the game we really miss him?
3. Harper and McConnell and Mathis played really well. They will need to do so again.

I won’t be surprised at any outcome tomorrow - from a close game to a blowout on other side.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

That was then, this is now.

The quant on Bart says he is #6 on the effective list on Illinois roster

 

[nealbo1]

We might lose but I’d genuinely be surprised if we get blown out. This team wants it and they get after it, even if they start slow (see State, Penn). Let’s gooooooo!!!!

 

[Rutgers25]

I could see a 10pt + loss. This is a tough league on the road and they have a lot of talented players. Hopefully, the fans keep a level head about this one. Long season that will still have some valleys.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Watching the 1st 35 or so B1G games nothing should surprise anyone. Anyone can win on any given night AND most teams can blow another team out on any given night.

 

[RUChoppin]

Kofi Cockburn changes their team entirely. Having a 7-0/290 guy at center who can play 26.3 min without getting into foul trouble is huge - and his 15.0 pts, 9.1 rbs, and 1.4 blks are very strong numbers.

With Behanishvili pulling Harper/Yeboah's attention, it's going to be up to Johnson to stand strong in the middle - though I'd imagine we'll get some help down at times from the guards. Even though Behanishvili is 6th in scoring for the team and has dropped off a bit this year with more focus on getting Cockburn touches, he's still a threat to go off (scoring 15+ in 14 of his 49 games).

We played well against PSU's Stevens/Watkins combination down low, and Illinois is bring another combo that has even more size. Will definitely be a test of our defense.

 

[RUBigFrank]

If I recall correctly - Eugene was out or got hurt in this game last year.

This is a tough one for us - Giorgi torched us last year and with Cockburn its two big men that will be tough for us to handle.

They play like we do - I believe they shoot better than us. Statistically its dead even (they are better from three). Myles makes the difference here - if neutralized by the two bigs we lose.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Having a 7-0/290 guy at center who can play 26.3 min without getting into foul trouble is huge -

Maybe we can have something to say about that!

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

We played 2 bigs back then. Tomorrow Giorgi has to guard a Harper or Yeboah.

 

[RUHouston]

I think this'll be a great test for The Monster in the Middle. I wouldn't underestimate his presence matching Cockburn; while Miles gives away 2 inches in height his ability and huge wingspan may even things out. It would be a big mistake for the Illini to minimize him but would benefit us.

This game will be interesting on the matchup side.

I don't see either team blowing anyone out but I think, ultimately, our defense dictates the winner - either way.

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

We played 2 bigs back then. Tomorrow Giorgi has to guard a Harper or Yeboah.

Good point. We tend to focus on our defensive matchups, but Harper is a matchup nightmare for most opponents. He can bully smaller 3s and use his quickness against 4s.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Good point. We tend to focus on our defensive matchups, but Harper is a matchup nightmare for most opponents. He can bully smaller 3s and use his quickness against 4s.

Which could either zap energy or put someone on the bench

 

[RUChoppin]

If I remember, the game last year had a VERY loose whistle, and Behanishvili benefited greatly from that. There was a lot of contact all over the floor, grabbing under the basket, moving screens, etc. Penetration was met with a lot of contact, and we couldn't finish our shots and weren't rewarded with a whistle for drawing contact.

In a more tightly called game, Behanishvili would have played half the minutes he did, and wouldn't have gone off for 35 in a game where he shot way above his season averages from the field and from the line.

Geo had a rough game with 2 assists and 5 turnovers, and Harper went 0-7 from the 3P line. Omoruyi only got 6 shots off in 34 minutes, and had just one trip to the line (where he missed both).

And with all of that, it was still tied and went to OT.

 

[Scangg]

Maybe we can have something to say about that!

Myles vs Kofi battle could easily be decided by who gets who into foul trouble

We played 2 bigs back then. Tomorrow Giorgi has to guard a Harper or Yeboah.

Same as above. I think it's a tough match up on both ends but I can see Harper taking it at Giorgi early and drawing a couple fouls. It will be interesting to see how tight this game is called.

Another point I saw is that Illinois is trying to keep people out of the paint more and forcing teams to shoot over them. Will Rutgers settle for outside shots? If so h do we have a good game from 3? Or do we continue with the bully ball inside?

 

[RUtrumpet92]

If Harper is 0-7 from 3 pt range tomorrow, we lose. He shouldn't attempt nearly that many unless he is on fire. Attack the rim.

Belly is right. We don't think enough about how we create matchup problems for others. I feel good about our chances tomorrow.

 

[goru7]

I could see a 10pt + loss. This is a tough league on the road and they have a lot of talented players. Hopefully, the fans keep a level head about this one. Long season that will still have some valleys.

Very doubtful. We went toe to toe last year and the freshman, Caleb, Ron, Montez and Myles had their coming out party. If Ron’s shot goes down at the end of regulation , the game never gets to overtime and we overcome Giorgi ‘s 35 points. This year they are seasoned sophomores plus our team and offensive efficiency is so much better especially our 2 point shooting . Not to mention our elite lock down defense that travels on the road. Illinois is the top rebounding team in the country and we are 17th so we have to get on the glass. I know Caleb struggled shooting against Penn State and turned it over, but watching the replay, he had 8 rebounds including 4 -5 on the defensive end among the trees, which was crucial. He and the rest of the guards and Ron and Akwasi had to team rebound. By the way, Caleb had 25 points there last year, so I would think he likes the sight lines.

 

[rufeelinit]

If I remember, the game last year had a VERY loose whistle, and Behanishvili benefited greatly from that. There was a lot of contact all over the floor, grabbing under the basket, moving screens, etc. Penetration was met with a lot of contact, and we couldn't finish our shots and weren't rewarded with a whistle for drawing contact.

In a more tightly called game, Behanishvili would have played half the minutes he did, and wouldn't have gone off for 35 in a game where he shot way above his season averages from the field and from the line.

Geo had a rough game with 2 assists and 5 turnovers, and Harper went 0-7 from the 3P line. Omoruyi only got 6 shots off in 34 minutes, and had just one trip to the line (where he missed both).

And with all of that, it was still tied and went to OT.

I can't see a tight whistle working to our advantage with this being a road game. Yes they play a very aggressive game but I could see Myles picking about two quick ones if called tightly. I am actually looking forward to see how he accounts for himself against Cockburn. Not assuming he cannot match his productivity.

 

[RUChoppin]

I can't see a tight whistle working to our advantage with this being a road game. Yes they play a very aggressive game but I could see Myles picking about two quick ones if called tightly. I am actually looking forward to see how he accounts for himself against Cockburn. Not assuming he cannot match his productivity.

Not saying a tighter whistle would work to our advantage this year, but the loose one definitely worked to our disadvantage last year.

 

[fbc1866]

Our defense should keep us in the game, but the offense production will give us the win.

 

[Rutgers25]

Very doubtful. We went toe to toe last year and the freshman, Caleb, Ron, Montez and Myles had their coming out party. If Ron’s shot goes down at the end of regulation , the game never gets to overtime and we overcome Giorgi ‘s 35 points. This year they are seasoned sophomores plus our team and offensive efficiency is so much better especially our 2 point shooting . Not to mention our elite lock down defense that travels on the road. Illinois is the top rebounding team in the country and we are 17th so we have to get on the glass. I know Caleb struggled shooting against Penn State and turned it over, but watching the replay, he had 8 rebounds including 4 -5 on the defensive end among the trees, which was crucial. He and the rest of the guards and Ron and Akwasi had to team rebound. By the way, Caleb had 25 points there last year, so I would think he likes the sight lines.

Hope you’re right, but variance from game to game can be very high. The Vegas line will appropriately make Illinois a few point favorite. All I’m saying is that people shouldn’t lose their minds if we lose by 11.

 

[shields]

That was a great game last year.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Painful loss last year

Revenge time

 

[goru7]

Hope you’re right, but variance from game to game can be very high. The Vegas line will appropriately make Illinois a few point favorite. All I’m saying is that people shouldn’t lose their minds if we lose by 11.

The home record in the Big 10 so far is 25-3 and we have one of the road wins. Any intelligent person should not lose their mind with those stats flying against us, but I guess you are saying there are a lot of non intelligent twitter types on these boards that say the first stupid thing that pops in their head.

 

[RUChoppin]

The home record in the Big 10 so far is 25-3 and we have one of the road wins.

There are now 4 road conference wins: MSU (@NW), Rutgers (@Nebraska), Wisconsin (@OSU), and Illinois (@Wisconsin),

 

[goru7]

There are now 4 road conference wins: MSU (@NW), Rutgers (@Nebraska), Wisconsin (@OSU), and Illinois (@Wisconsin),

Yes I forgot. Ironically both Rutgers and Illinois have 2 of the 4 road wins. In good company with Michigan State and Wisconsin.

 

[lakejj]

I have RU inked in as a BIG dub (W) [banana]

 

[AshCatchEm]

I'd be surprised if we dominated

 

[Yeah Baby]

Conclusions:
1. That forward from abroad really killed us and he’s still on the team.
2. Baker made some unbelievable shots. Is this the game we really miss him?
3. Harper and McConnell and Mathis played really well. They will need to do so again.

I won’t be surprised at any outcome tomorrow - from a close game to a blowout on other side.

Offense was great. Defense not so much.