IL game looming large....
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HawkeyeWalker
Well-Known Member
Enormous game for a lot of reasons, maybe the biggest one is keeping confidence up. A win takes quite a lot of pressure off. It doesn't make Iowa a lock, but it would mean they would probably only be one win away from being a lock....probably.
mopkins
King Kong
After Illinois lost to Michigan State today, they are probably a 1st four OUT team right now. So while its probably not a must win game for either team, its as close to that as you can get. Whoever wins is going to be in decent shape, whoever loses is going to be in trouble.
Its easily the most important game of the season for both teams up to this point.
Its easily the most important game of the season for both teams up to this point.
mopkins
King Kong
The 2 seeds are still pretty damn scary. It would be nice if Iowa lined up with Gonzaga or Villanova, but with Iowa's tourney luck they will go up against Kentucky or Duke
SpecialKHawk
Well-Known Member
I think we need to win 3 of 4 to be a lock with the one loss being on the road against IU.
Getting to 11-7 means no more than 12 losses which includes a loss in the B1G tourney. 10-8 would mean 13 losses so that screams play-in game at best.
Getting to 11-7 means no more than 12 losses which includes a loss in the B1G tourney. 10-8 would mean 13 losses so that screams play-in game at best.
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
Definitely a big game. I feel pretty good about winning 2 of the final 3 regardless, but beating Illinois would (should?) help out the RPI, and set up for a "3 out of 4" finish and going into the BTT in pretty good shape. Also one more Top 50-100 win for the resume.
This game worries me, though. It seems that no game against Illinois is ever easy.
This game worries me, though. It seems that no game against Illinois is ever easy.
SteveGarvey
Well-Known Member
10-8 would be a 10 seed at worst. The bracketology history this year would seem to indicate that.
STILLBUSTER
Well-Known Member
Me too. Not so much Illannoy beating Iowa but Iowa following it's Jekyll / Hyde trend, finding themselves back in control of their dance card and leaving a giant piles of crap on Mediacom court, then Happy Valley.
They just dished out 2 beatdowns; shot 50.8% / 47.1% and 50% / 50%, respectively; Jok confidently going crazy; White and Uthoff playing up to potential; role players and bench playing competent ball and contributing; smart Mikey dishing rather than just driving ....
... none of that bodes well for a home game against a solid team and a roadie against a hungry bottom feeder.
Need everyone calling them out as mentally frail and cowering in the face of challenging opportunities to get them to keep their focus!!
(I'm serious!!
)
1977Hawkeye
Well-Known Member
Me too. Not so much Illannoy beating Iowa but Iowa following it's Jekyll / Hyde trend, finding themselves back in control of their dance card and leaving a giant piles of crap on Mediacom court, then Happy Valley.
They just dished out 2 beatdowns; shot 50.8% / 47.1% and 50% / 50%, respectively; Jok confidently going crazy; White and Uthoff playing up to potential; role players and bench playing competent ball and contributing; smart Mikey dishing rather than just driving ....
... none of that bodes well for a home game against a solid team and a roadie against a hungry bottom feeder.
Need everyone calling them out as mentally frail and cowering in the face of challenging opportunities to get them to keep their focus!!
(I'm serious!!
I agree! This team can't afford to listen too much to what everyone is telling them (how great they are, or how bad they are). Just show up and take care of business.
This sets up almost exactly like Michigan-MD-Minny-NW.
Iowa is totally Jekyll & Hyde. When they're on, they're really good. When they're not... ouch.
WindsorHawk
Well-Known Member
Play smart. Move the ball on offense. Don't settle...quick outside shots by guys not named Jok/Uthoff. Take advantage of our size advantage. Play inspired defense. Win game.
HuckFinn
Well-Known Member
This will not be popular, but I just have to express an opinion. I have said before, and will say again, we need a new gene pool for BT basketball officials. They have allowed the game to become similar to hockey. I watched the Illinois/MSU game and it was a fist fight. Nobody scored points that amounted to anything and the game was not about skill, but survival. I am very concerned that Illinois will come into Carver/Hawkeye and simply unleash a physical attack on the Hawks. And, we do not handle that kind of game very well. If the refs don't call the game like it was intended to be, we will struggle.
I will plead guilty to blaming officials; I will plead guilty to not keeping up with the reality of today's basketball style. But, as they say, my view is what it is.
I will plead guilty to blaming officials; I will plead guilty to not keeping up with the reality of today's basketball style. But, as they say, my view is what it is.
ArvadaHawk
Well-Known Member
I believe this team started their mission against RU. They're 2-0 on "Mission '15" and we owe Illanoy for last season's home loss.
Hopefully, the Michigan State game took a lot out of Illinois emotionally. Its a pretty quick turn around.
WindsorHawk
Well-Known Member
We were able to hold everyone's minutes down for the 2nd consecutive game. This should not be discounted this time of year. Every player getting an extra 8 to 10 minutes of rest in back to back games is huge IMO.
Now look at the key players for Illinois Sunday night.
Nunn - 38
Egwu - 36
Rice - 36
Hill - 32
White and Uthoff played 31 and Clemmons was the next highest with 25. And the level of duress was substantially less for Iowa. Illinois was fouling and fighting until the last 30 seconds.
Edit - the game before @ WI the above 4 players played 36, 37, 36 and 30. Against Rutgers White played 28, Uthoff 25 and Olaseni 22. Everyone else played less than 20.
eveningnewsteam
Well-Known Member
I hope thats the case. Groce doesnt have the clout an Izzo or Ryan do. Iowa will be in the bonus in 5 minutes
glidinghawk
Well-Known Member
I'm worried about this game, for some reason. Maybe it's because of the overconfidence expressed in this thread, very similar to what I was reading before the Minnesota game at Carver. And also remember the momentum Iowa had going into that game.
Please tell me I'm worried for no good reason, but Windsor Hawk worries when I do.
Please tell me I'm worried for no good reason, but Windsor Hawk worries when I do.
WindsorHawk
Well-Known Member
I didn't until the Minnesota game. At least you're helping me with my fasting for Lent.
WindsorHawk
Well-Known Member
Minnesota did have Wallace and Eliason's 5 fouls inside. Illinois only has that string bean Egwu...doesn't even lead the team in rebounding.
