Agreed!
In the 5 tourney games (conf and ncaa):
ISU: 38-93 (41%) - 47% if you leave off the 1-14 in the KSU game
Opponents: 30-111 (27%) - 24.5% if you go back 9 games
Illinois matchup
- Thread starter PizzaTheHutt
- Start date
In the 5 tourney games (conf and ncaa):
ISU: 38-93 (41%) - 47% if you leave off the 1-14 in the KSU game
Opponents: 30-111 (27%) - 24.5% if you go back 9 games
This is what I'm a little concerned about; Underwood could have those guys playing decent defense for one game. Similar to Wazzu, their length/athleticism alone will give us some problems.
I know Illinois fans have gone through stretches, particularly last year, where fans were very down on Coleman Hawkins. Can you explain why?
Also, the Dain Dainja saga is interesting. I think cyclone fans will see him and assume hes been the same dynamic force down low hes been all year. Two games he played 4 minutes total a month or so ago, and his minutes were going to a freshman. What is he doing differently, or perhaps not doing, that had lead to his turnaround.
It felt like WSU hit like 13 threes and I was shocked when they were 4/20 later in the game with one meaningless one late.
They were hitting and I think just got wore down to affect open looks.
Cyclonepride
Thought Police
The way I see it playing out is that Illinois will have their runs. They're too good offensively to not do that at some point. However, I think we will have our defensive runs where they really struggle to score, and even though they seem to value the ball well, I think we could turn them over a lot during those defensive runs when they get impatient and try to force things. Offensively, we just need to be patient and make their defense work, and something will open up.
If we hold them under 70, I think there's about a 90% chance of a Cyclone win.
If we hold them under 70, I think there's about a 90% chance of a Cyclone win.
Coleman was a very inconsistent player up until this season where he’s found his footing for the most part. I personally think he’s going to be a great NBA player as he can guard 1-5 and can really stretch the floor. When it comes to Dain, Underwood couldn’t really play him in B10 play, as the big men in conference play were matchup nightmares defensively. However, these past 2 games these mid major schools had no matchup for Dain’s size/ability, and coach BU used it to perfection. That’s what would worry me as a ISU fan. We don’t start a guy that’s shorter than 6”6, and I believe you have two smaller guards.
Their challenge would be having to sustain that for 40 minutes while keeping up their offensive strength. They could possibly do it but that's a long time to be out of their comfort zone. Perhaps they can hold it up long enough to sustain a lead or something.
Being a fan of this team on the defensive end has been frustrating. When they want to play defense, I believe they can beat anyone in the country. But sustaining that defensive intensity for 40 straight minutes has been a challenge for this team. However, a s16 game should give them all the reason in the world to at least give defensive effort for 40 minutes.
Similar thoughts. Ball movement on offense has been much better in the post season and we need to continue reducing those scoring droughts. I think it will be tough sledding if we're going multiple minutes without scoring, puts a lot of pressure on the defense.
Cyclonepride
Thought Police
I think being somewhat deliberate on offense may also contribute to Illinois becoming impatient. Don't get me wrong, we still need to push to score on turnovers and when that's available, but on ordinary possessions where their defense is set, no harm in taking our time.
I should have been more specific; the bolded part is what concerns me specifically. Illinois goes on a little run and ratchets up their D, similar to first half against Wazzu, we may struggle getting into our offense. That said, we've been able to manufacture points and get open looks this post season. Hoping the ball movement on offense continues.
Just continue what our guys have done all season and play our game. Do that and I like our chances.
I think he seems to get out ahead of himself to a point where he's a bit clumsy but does seem to be able to play all over the court which makes it difficult.
They are on the smaller side, but I would say your teams abilities as playmakers for others and offensive rebounders are the main areas of concern. We double everything, and I mean everything... especially in or near the paint. And it's not a token double like most teams, it's a hyper aggressive all or nothing double meant to take the ball away at all costs.
There aren't really scenarios where anyone is asked to guard one on one, especially down low, and TJ Otz doesn't deviate from that approach regardless of the circumstances. Their rotations and recovery get so many tips and interceptions, and that's what really makes our defense elite. You could hit 5 threes in a row and we will still double the ball and try to turn you over like you haven't made a 3 all year. Sometimes our fans lose their mind over it, but it usually works out in the end.
I've seen this a bit from Illini fans on line. Tamin Lipsey is 6'1" and Keshon Gilbert is 6'4" - but neither play as "smaller guards". They are both VERY physical
The guard length can cause problems on our offensive end, specifically preventing Lipsey and Gilbert from either getting to their spots, or getting shots / passes off from those spots. But on the other end, I have no concerns. They are both very strong and don't shy away from contact.
I'm very curious to see how we defend the Domask "booty ball" thing, and whether it works at all. My understanding is that Domask, as more of a 6'6" SF than a PG, "posts up" the opposing PG at the 3-pt line, and then backs them down toward the block while the other players run motion and then he either scores or passes out of it to a spot up shooter (Shannon) who can shoot or drive. I don't think he's going to be successful backing down Lipsey, regardless of a 5" height advantage. Tamin will hold his ground and either keep him up high, draw a foul if he's leaning too hard, or swipe the ball. Some of the analysis talked about the double coming when he backs down - but I don't think that's necessarily a given. Tamin won't let him get or turn middle, and if he goes toward the baseline the hard double will come, but I think they'll let him go 1:1 while he's out by the 3-pt line.
that will be a fascinating part of the game to watch
Incredible on a team that's really only or 7 deep. They had the walk on in there shooting game on the line free throws lol
I haven't counted or anything but it seems like ISU has made their traps/doubles more sporadic and unpredictable lately.
Sometimes it takes a while but they seem to get better at covering up the perimeter as the game goes on.
They also I think had some bench players out there down low which may have been a benefit in having the legs to get rebounds/loose balls.
That game was the surefire example to never trust a lead. 11 points with 2:00 left doesn't take much to go down, regardless of the calls.
It's a timing thing. Any guard coming off of a screen and catching a pass for a good look from three is good at any point in the shot clock imo.
It's forcing things when it's not there in that 'eyes got big' kind of way that seems to be a problem imo.
I think it's more walking the ball up the court after makes or misses, running the offense, and then putting on at least token full court pressure - that will slow the game down enough that hopefully Illinois doesn't get in their flow with runouts, etc. Shannon likes to attack, even 1 on 3, before the defense is set and mitigating that, making him get shots late in the shot clock, will be huge
The game will probably be in the 70s, but if its in the 60s, we have a great chance of winning. If its in the 80s we have very little chance of winning.
