Illinois vs. Merry Land

Illinois vs. Merry Land

Tonight @ 6:30 p.m. on ESPN/ESPN3

Illini fans, for the last year, our emotions have been toyed with.  We have been led on by a beautiful woman promising to meet us out for a night of drinks and dancing, but we were stood up…left waiting at the bar with a whiskey in hand. 

Last year’s basketball team started with sky high expectations, but fell flat during an up and down season that saw us lose the UIC at the United Center and barely make the NCAA tournament.  A few months later, our football team started 6-0. and we were talking Rose Bowl.  Instead, we ended up losing 6 straight and the Zooker was given his walking papers. 

What’s in store for this year’s Illini hoops team?  I have no idea.  We’re still at the bar (whiskey in hand), and we’re waiting on a blind date.  She could be drop dead sexy with long legs and an ass you could bounce quarters off of or she could show up with glasses, braces, and a slight resemblance to Mary Katherine Gallagher.

I’m hoping to put the quarters to good use, you?

Questions

After seeing a few pre-season games and the Cancun Classic (which was played at the same resort where IGP editor Matt Spitz took his honeymoon), I don’t know what to expect from these Illini.  Here are the most important questions as I see it.

How have Brandon Paul and DJ Richardson improved?

So far, DJ’s shooting has been sniper like, but neither has showed the aggression for which I was hoping.  Paul showed a few flashes against ISU…but it was ISU.  Red-shirt Sophomore Joseph Bertrand, playing solid minutes, could start stealing time from Paul.

How dominant will Meyers Leonard be against Big10 competition?

He’ll be good…as long as he can stay in the game.  Please don’t take after Robert Archibald or Mike Tisdale.

Will any of the freshman make a difference?

I like what I’ve seen so far.  Nnanna Egwu and Tracy Abrams have seen the most minutes, but my favorite player has been Mychel Henry.  He’s got great size and gets to the hoop.

Who is going to rebound for us?

Super important stat #1.

How many turnovers will we average?

Super important stat #2.

Illinois vs. Maryland

The Big10 has won the last two ACC-Big10 Challenges, but we still trail in the series 10-2.  Last year the Illini looked tremendous in a 79-67 shellacking of North Carolina.  Then we hobbled into the tournament, while UNC won the ACC and ended the year ranked #7.

The Merry-land Terrapins are playing shorthanded without 7-1 Alex Len and senior playmaker Pe’Shon Howard (broken foot).  With losses to Alabama and Iona already, the Terps are up against the ropes and are in desperate need of a W.  They have only seven scholarship players active, with Terrell Stoglin being huge bright spot (20.2 ppg). 

Illinois should plan to wear out the Terps and put their front court in foul trouble by feeding Leonard early and often.  I expect illinois to dictate the pace of the game as Maryland is without a natural point guard and any depth.  Leonard should come up aces and Sam “Butterball” Maniscalco (or Sammy 'Ice' as Pete Gillen called him in Cancun) needs to continue his consistant shooting and scoring.

Illinois – 65

Merry Land – 58

Sincerely,

Nelly