Illini Game Preview
Tonight vs. Fichigan
TBD. Propose destinations in the comments section.
It looks like karma has come around to bite the Loosiers in the ass. Sunday's 76-45 Illini victory was especially satisfying to rub in the faces of a few of my favorite Indiana fans. Below are 2 text message conversation that took place throughout the game.
Texting Mean Gene
Illini up 16-2
Me: Let's go IU. Gene, IU is looking sharp this year. I've never seen a YMCA team look so much like a Big10 powerhouse.
Gene: Congrats on beating a JV team.
Illini up 26-7 with 10 minutes left in the 1st half.
Me: Uh, Gene, there's 30 minutes left of basketball. Are you conceding defeat?
Gene: No response.
Illini up 58-29. Dominique Keller buries his 3rd three of the game and turns to smile at the Loosier bench.
Gene: Number 23 is an a$$hole!
Gene actually sent the last text message to Spitz because he didn't want to hear me razz him. I was watching the game from Spitz's couch and I laughed.
Texting Big Tony
Illini up 21-2
Me: Who. Who. Who. Whoosiers!
Tony: Yep, I got no response. This is embarrassing!
Me: Gene had a similar answer. It's not even fun to goof on you guys. Oh wait...you lost to Lipscomb!!!! HA!
Tony: Win or lose. The fact remains...Bruce Weber is a whiny b----...sorry, that is all I got...Your team is clearly better...I mean I had to look up Lipscomb on the Internet. In case you are wondering, it's in Iowa.
Fichigan
A crazy schedule quirk brings the Fichigan Wolverines to Assembly Hall only 1 week removed from our loss in Ann Arbor (is a whore). The first meeting was a terrific game with Fichigan going unconscious from 3-point land in the first half and pulling away by tightening up their defense in the 2nd half.
Manny Harris has impressed me so far as the best player in the Big10. He is averaging 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. We put Chester Frazier on him last time, but Harris was able to post up the shorter defender and get to the front of the rim with ease. Our match-up will probably change this time around, but the help defense will be a huge factor in this game. Because Michigan was so spread out on offense, we did not have any shot blockers in the lane to help with penetration. This could be a good opportunity for Illinois to go zone during parts of the game, but I can only remember seeing Head Coach Bruce Weber use a zone one time in his career at Illinois.
We scored at will against Michigan use slip screens and pick-and-pops last time. This strategy should be effective again because Fichigan's defense is not disciplined enough for the Illini. A slip screen is like a pick and roll except the pick is faked and rolls early - think James Augustine. A pick-and-pop is like a pick and roll except instead of the roll the pick steps back for a shot - think Brian Cook. Mike Davis is skilled enough to do either, and I think he will blow up on the home court to avenge our only Big10 loss.
Illinois - 65
Fichigan - 60
Sincerely,
Bubba Chisholm
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3 comments:
Was Kyle Wilson a walk on? If so he was my fav!
Wilford, Wilson was not a walk-on. He was a scholarship player from the class of Dee Brown, Deron William, James Augustine, and Aaron Spears (great class). After leaving Illinois he went on to play for the Witchita Shockers.
Michigan will lose tonight for a few reasons:
Quick home and home turnaround games usually favor the losing team from the first meeting.
Davis was sick in the first game so he should have more of an impact this time around.
Those Fichigan Muckers are improved but not THAT great.
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