Let all the jabs come flying now, before the game. Otherwise, you all will just sit back and wait until the game is over. And if they Illini lose, you'll say overrated, can't win the big one, etc. Let 'em fly, so you have to eat your words tomorrow. Illini have passed every test so far.
Even if Illinois loses tonight, which they won't, but if they did, ARE YOU GOING TO TELL ME NORTH CAROLINA WITH 2 LOSSES SHOULD BE RANKED AHEAD OF THEM??????
UNC got obliterated at Wake Forest, a team Illinois made look like a HS team. I can see the polls already if MSU scums one out...
UNC got obliterated at Wake Forest, a team Illinois made look like a HS team. I can see the polls already if MSU scums one out...
The bottom line with Illinois is that NOBODY has a better starting 5 in the country...period.
The "secret" to beating Illinois would be to get into their bench, particularly to get the guards -- Brown, Williams and Head -- into foul trouble. Illinois is not very deep at the 1,2,3 spots. They really only bring in one guy at those spots -- McBride -- and he is a freshman who can shoot the ball some, but his full court game isn't spectacular.
Now, these guys tend not to get into foul trouble because they play very fundamental, smart team defense. Plus, they can afford maybe 1 of these guys on the bench some because all 3 can run the team and bring the ball down the court effectively. It's like having 3 points guards which is a HUGE PLUS.
The thing with Illinois is, while they may not have a guy that is destined to be an NBA superstar, the entire lineup is capable of getting a look at the next level and by the end of the year each starter could have a Big 10 Player of the Week honor under his belt. Illinois has already set a record with 4 players receiving that honor. Amazingly, the lone starter who hasn't it Deron Williams, who most figured to be the best player on the team and a National Player of the Year candidate. He has 5 weeks to get the honor.
And people who say Illinois doesn't have an inside presence are wrong. Augustine and Powell are seriously underrated because the guards get all the attention. And Illinois does have more depth upfront with Smith and Ingram doing a sufficient job off the bench.
But you jsut can't expect to beat Illinois' starting 5 man-for-man. And this includes North Carolina. Where Carolina has the edge is depth.
What this all means is refs will play a huge role in whether Illinois loses a game all year. If they call it tight on the guards, Illinois could run into trouble, but if they stay out of foul trouble Illinois can run the table all the way through the tournament.
Anyone ever handicap the refs?
The "secret" to beating Illinois would be to get into their bench, particularly to get the guards -- Brown, Williams and Head -- into foul trouble. Illinois is not very deep at the 1,2,3 spots. They really only bring in one guy at those spots -- McBride -- and he is a freshman who can shoot the ball some, but his full court game isn't spectacular.
Now, these guys tend not to get into foul trouble because they play very fundamental, smart team defense. Plus, they can afford maybe 1 of these guys on the bench some because all 3 can run the team and bring the ball down the court effectively. It's like having 3 points guards which is a HUGE PLUS.
The thing with Illinois is, while they may not have a guy that is destined to be an NBA superstar, the entire lineup is capable of getting a look at the next level and by the end of the year each starter could have a Big 10 Player of the Week honor under his belt. Illinois has already set a record with 4 players receiving that honor. Amazingly, the lone starter who hasn't it Deron Williams, who most figured to be the best player on the team and a National Player of the Year candidate. He has 5 weeks to get the honor.
And people who say Illinois doesn't have an inside presence are wrong. Augustine and Powell are seriously underrated because the guards get all the attention. And Illinois does have more depth upfront with Smith and Ingram doing a sufficient job off the bench.
But you jsut can't expect to beat Illinois' starting 5 man-for-man. And this includes North Carolina. Where Carolina has the edge is depth.
What this all means is refs will play a huge role in whether Illinois loses a game all year. If they call it tight on the guards, Illinois could run into trouble, but if they stay out of foul trouble Illinois can run the table all the way through the tournament.
Anyone ever handicap the refs?
Illinois is a very good team, particularly all three starting guards. That being said however, their level of talent inside is mediocre at best. They may very well win tonight and run the table and go undefeated, but sports is about match-ups and depending on which team they match-up against in tournament play will determine their ultimate fate. If they end up matched against a team that has sound inside play, both scoring and rebounding, outside shooting, and aggressive defense, they will have their hands full like any other team. They are having a terrific year and deserve acknowledgment for their accomplishment too date. The question is will they be good enough to become national champion. In my opinion, it is doubtful as they need the balance both inside and outside to become the champion. They lack the former, particularly in size. Not a hater by any means. In fact, I enjoy watching them play. Just stating the way I see it.
I'll just keep copying the statement I've been posting most of this season:
Illinois is the best team in college basketball bar none. IF and only IF they lose a game this year IMO it would be tonight. I didn't see them losing to Wisconsin at Wisky but I think Izzo can find a way tonight. No way am I putting money on this game tonight.
sb
Illinois is the best team in college basketball bar none. IF and only IF they lose a game this year IMO it would be tonight. I didn't see them losing to Wisconsin at Wisky but I think Izzo can find a way tonight. No way am I putting money on this game tonight.
sb
Augustine and Powell are "mediocre at best"??? You gotta be kidding. This is where Illinois is vastly underrated. Both of these guys could star on other teams. I think you'll see Augustine next year be a Big 10 Player of the Year candidate. He is one of the best centers in the Big 10.
Powell: 25.2mins, 56.4%FG, 5.0Rebs, 13.0pts
Augustine: 24.8mins, 63.9%FG, 7.7Rebs, 1.5blks, 10.2pts
Powell is actually avergaing the most points per minute on the team, all while shooting over 56%. If Powell was 2-3 inches taller he'd be a sure-fire NBA mid-first rounder.
Augustine is 4th in rebounding in the Big 10 despite playing only 24.8 mpg. He leads the entire league in FG% while avg double digits. He's also 6th in blocks.
Powell and Augustine are VERY TALENTED -- possible NBA material. Possible.
And while they are not super talented, they bring two able big bodies off the bench with Nick Smith (7"1') and Jack Ingram (6"11').
Illinois is not weak on the inside.
I said it another post, Illinois' main weakness would be depth at the guard and small forward position. They only really bring in 1 sub in that area -- a freshman Rich McBride, who is just adequate.
I will put Illinois' STARTING FIVE up against any I've seen in the last 10 years.
Powell: 25.2mins, 56.4%FG, 5.0Rebs, 13.0pts
Augustine: 24.8mins, 63.9%FG, 7.7Rebs, 1.5blks, 10.2pts
Powell is actually avergaing the most points per minute on the team, all while shooting over 56%. If Powell was 2-3 inches taller he'd be a sure-fire NBA mid-first rounder.
Augustine is 4th in rebounding in the Big 10 despite playing only 24.8 mpg. He leads the entire league in FG% while avg double digits. He's also 6th in blocks.
Powell and Augustine are VERY TALENTED -- possible NBA material. Possible.
And while they are not super talented, they bring two able big bodies off the bench with Nick Smith (7"1') and Jack Ingram (6"11').
Illinois is not weak on the inside.
I said it another post, Illinois' main weakness would be depth at the guard and small forward position. They only really bring in 1 sub in that area -- a freshman Rich McBride, who is just adequate.
I will put Illinois' STARTING FIVE up against any I've seen in the last 10 years.
D2bets said:
No, you're absolutely right. I think the people that have only seen them play a couple of times this year point to the Iowa game, where Powell and Augustine both had their worst game, and couldn't put the ball in the hole to save their lives. But people like us, who have been watching these two for 3 and 4 years know what kind of players they really are. We could use a Sheldon Williams or an Andrew Bogut, but we can also win without a dominant center as well. Say what you want, but you don't say they can't play, cause they can.
I think that the illinois big men will be their downfall in the tournament. When facing a very good inside game, they will struggle.
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>J. Augustine, F</TD><TD align=right>37</TD><TD align=middle>1-6</TD><TD align=middle>7-8</TD><TD align=right>14</TD><TD align=right>0</TD><TD align=right>0</TD><TD align=right>9 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>R. Powell, F</TD><TD align=right>34</TD><TD align=middle>2-15</TD><TD align=middle>5-6</TD><TD align=right>7</TD><TD align=right>0</TD><TD align=right>2</TD><TD align=right>9</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
That is their line against Iowa. Iowa doesn't have great big men but certainly made it a tough go round for these 2 inside in the game earlier this year.
They are not terrible big men inside but definitely will be something to watch against teams with a real powerful inside presence. Big 10 is more guard oriented and doesn't really have any standout centers in the league but come tourney time, there will be some teams with strong inside game.
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>J. Augustine, F</TD><TD align=right>37</TD><TD align=middle>1-6</TD><TD align=middle>7-8</TD><TD align=right>14</TD><TD align=right>0</TD><TD align=right>0</TD><TD align=right>9 </TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left>R. Powell, F</TD><TD align=right>34</TD><TD align=middle>2-15</TD><TD align=middle>5-6</TD><TD align=right>7</TD><TD align=right>0</TD><TD align=right>2</TD><TD align=right>9</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
That is their line against Iowa. Iowa doesn't have great big men but certainly made it a tough go round for these 2 inside in the game earlier this year.
They are not terrible big men inside but definitely will be something to watch against teams with a real powerful inside presence. Big 10 is more guard oriented and doesn't really have any standout centers in the league but come tourney time, there will be some teams with strong inside game.
