Illinois game thread

[muskieman]

When: 9:45 Friday
Where: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

TV: CBS (Local Ch 12) Paramount+ announcers Kevin Harlan Dan Bonner Stan Van Gundy Lauren Shehadi



Arizona Republic Jeremy Cluff writes: "History tells us that a First Four team could get hot and make a run in the NCAA Tournament. We think that Xavier could be that team in 2025." Pick Xavier 67, Illinois 63

[Kevin Reilly]

I happened to hear the Illinois Coach Brad Underwood on a sports radio show yesterday. He said they recruit overseas a lot and two of their three best players are from Croatia and a 7 footer from Lithuania. I happened to see Illinois play when they played Maryland and Maryland killed them twice. Duke beat them by 43 a couple weeks ago. They are very beatable too. They score a lot but are average on defense. We need to keep Conwell and Freemantle on the floor. If we play defense Like we did in the second half vs Texas we will win. Xavier wins by 4.

[Anti-Homer]

I haven’t watched Illinois much at all, but know they have a tall, high-usage, lottery pick-point guard, who scores well at the rim and mid-range, but below average from 3. He is also, supposedly not very strong with the ball. They have a talented big in the post, so X will probably have to help Free when he catches it low in the paint. They also have talented wings.

They don’t shoot well from 3 but still chuck up a lot of them. I’d let them shoot as many as they like, bc they are near elite in the paint and mid-range. They are another uber-talented team, but as Kevin posted, are schizophrenic with their lack of consistency. They are one of the best offensive rebounding teams and X one of the best defensive rebounding teams.

X has to punish them for crashing the boards and score on runouts. They are only average on D, statistically speaking, so X has to aggressively attack them in the lanes as well. Both Conwell and Free had subpar games, so I expect them to show up tonight. Another game where Traore would certainly help. Playing with house money.

[Kevin Reilly]

Anti- homer I had no idea Jakucionis was considered a lottery pick. . Shows you what I don't know. LOL. I think he is only 18 years old . If he goes to the NBA he might sit for years. He needs to gain some strength. Duke killed them (43 points ) and I didn't really notice him that much .Not sure if your breaking out the White Miami Vice suit but we will need it against Kentucky for sure

[Kevin Reilly]

I'm hoping for a big game from McKnight and Maddox. If they defend the three point line so well ( Which I didn't notice ) than we should ball fake and hit those 10 -12 foot mid range shots which McKnight is very good at. I know I am under selling Illinios But the games I saw ( parts of three... Maryland twice and Duke) they didn't look good at anything . Small sample size vs good teams but Illinios looked very overmatched . I really believe we move on. Go X

[Kevin Reilly]

I'm hoping for a big game from McKnight and Maddox. If they defend the three point line so well ( Which I didn't notice ) than we should ball fake and hit those 10 -12 foot mid range shots which McKnight is very good at. I know I am under selling Illinios But the games I saw ( parts of three... Maryland twice and Duke) they didn't look good at anything . Small sample size vs good teams but Illinios looked very overmatched . I really believe we move on. Go X

[Kevin Reilly]

Poor defense again. Need to tighten up the defense.

[Kevin Reilly]

We need to drive it. Foster is standing around. Swain is missing point blank shots. The ball is not moving enough on offense. They only have two fouls.

[Kevin Reilly]

Missing too many shots. Swain still doesn't understand the concept of bending your knees while playing defense. His man is blowing by him again. Freemantle needs to be more alert on defense. His man is 3 for 3 on three pointers.

[Kevin Reilly]

Horrible last two plays. When we stand there trying to wind down the clock we NEVER get a good shot and Hunter with lazy unalert defense on their last three. We are missing way to many easy shots.