Tonight, 6pm on ESPN
Last week, during the depths of the Illini 6 game losing streak, it was Illini Game Preview Editor in Chief Matt Spitz's birthday. A few friends decided to decorate his cube.
My favorite part is the caption in picture 3, "Matt - don't expect me to mollycoddle you just because it's your birthday.
While Spitzer has been vocal about replacing Illini Head Coach Bruce Weber at the end of this year, he is still very much rooting for the Illini to finish the season strong and squeeze their way into the NCAA tournament.
Didn't think that was possible? Well a few of the ESPN talking heads do. On a Monday's ESPNU College Basketball Podcast, Andy Katz said that if Illinois can beat Michigan and Wisconsin, they stand a chance of claiming a spot in the field of 68. Doug Gottlieb surprisingly agreed.
Let's focus on Michigan, first.
Michigan
With even the faintest glimmer of NCAA tournament hope, I believe that the Illini will come ready to play. Against Iowa on Sunday, we stayed true to our strategy and it paid off. The Illini stuck with big man Meyers Leonard, and he poured in 22 points while pulling down 14 rebounds. An active offense also opened things up for Brandon Paul and DJ Richardson.
The same game plan must play out tonight for the Illini to turn back Fichigan. Pound the ball inside to open up the rest of the floor for DJ and BP3. We coughed the ball up 17 times vs. Iowa and are averaging 14 turnovers per game this year. Protecting the rock will be crucial to claim victory.
Fichigan - 62
Illinois - 64
Sincerely,
Tournament Life Support
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