GopherSports: Gopher Basketball Blog: A Peek at Illinois

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BleedGopher

BleedGopher

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Outlook:

Could this be the year Illinois finally grabs a Big Ten championship title? On paper, the Illini have everything going for them.

The Illini have a loaded backcourt. Seniors Brandon Paul, D.J. Richardson and junior Joe Bertrand have led the way so far this season. The experience has led the Illini to just one loss in the non-conference season so far.

In the frontcourt, gone is Myers Leonard to the NBA draft, but the Illini have reloaded there. Seniors Sam McLaurin and Tyler Griffey have stepped up in Myers absence, and Nnanna Egwu is showing lots of promise in just his sophomore season.

Last season, Illinois had all of the pieces there as well, but stumbled down the stretch losing 12 out of their last 14 games. Head Coach Bruce Weber was fired, and Ohio Head Coach John Groce was brought into lead the team.

So far, the Illini have played consistent basketball this season. The only weakness this team appears to have is depth. They primarily have a seven-man rotation and in a grueling Big Ten season, one has to wonder if that will hold up come late February into March.

If early season success has anything to do with it, Illinois should be there at the end. The pieces are there for at least an NCAA tournament trip, if they can hold together will determine if they can grab a Big Ten championship.

http://www.gophersports.com/blog/20...is.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Go Gophers!!
 

Hawaii and Gardner-Webb listed as "notable" nonconference wins?
 

They've played consistent basketball??
 

Gophers need to get them in foul trouble early in the game. Hollins must hit 5+ 3 pointers for sure. Go Gophers!!!
 

froggopher said:
Gophers need to get them in foul trouble early in the game. Hollins must hit 5+ 3 pointers for sure. Go Gophers!!!
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Both of them combined? Or Just one? If the former, I agree with you. If the latter, I think you may be mistaken.

I'm in the "Illini are inconsistent and overrated" camp. I think all we have to do is play a solid game to win. The Illini are not better than Michigan State.
 



[QUOTE

I'm in the "Illini are inconsistent and overrated" camp. I think all we have to do is play a solid game to win. The Illini are not better than Michigan State.[/QUOTE]

I'm in the Assembly Hall (Illinois version) has been a house of horrors for the Gophers for 25 years camp and any kind of a victory there is a reason for rejoicing and getting out of Dodge as fast as you can. Remember last year? Two free throws to ice the game and neither made and lost in overtime. The worst thing about it is that it does not seem to matter how good, or bad, Illinois is. It is a horrible place for us. No gimme's on the road, especially this year.
 

Don't see a depth issue at all for Illinois. They're just not a great team. They're OK. If they can get to 9-9, should be in the tourney w/their SOS.
 

B1G title for Illinois is out of the question, you can't lose to Purdue and still think you're capable. I'm not very impressed with Illinois. If the Gophers make Illinois play their game they should be able to hold a lead the entire way.
 



BleedGopher said:
In the frontcourt, gone is Myers Leonard to the NBA draft
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EE will be relieved. Leonard absolutely owned him last year (granted it was I believe his first B1G game?).

Also, not trying to nitpick but Illinois has been anything but consistent. They're a team that can blow out OSU, beat the Zags @ Gonzaga, ply Missouri tough or lose to Purdue.

There is no such thing as an easy B1G road game. The older you get the more you realize it doesn't matter how good our team is or how bad the other guys are, they're simply aren't any easy road games in the B1G.
 

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