(18) Indiana @ Illinois - Pregame thread - 2/25 at 2100 EST on ESPN

[MartintheMopMan]

Wow, 9 pm on the east coast? Great for me, terrible for most fans (and players). Even in Central time where the game is being played, 8 pm on a weekday is a late start.

 

Anyway, let's handle our business here. Since we last met our intrepid teams, Illinois has improved their defense by about 50 spots up to 119 while Indiana retook their place as an offensive juggernaut. It will be strength on weakness and should be one heck of a game for Indiana fans.

 

Prediction League:

 

https://btownbanners.com/topic/9283-prediction-league-game-29-week-16-iu-vs-illinois-022516/#entry246796

 

First game against Illinois numbers:

Pregame:

[attachment=3475:post-4434-0-79856600-1453126987.png]

 

Box score:

[attachment=3476:4.PNG]

 

This game's numbers:

 

[attachment=3477:1.PNG]

 

[attachment=3478:2.PNG]

 

As a reminder, this thread will close 1 hour before tip-off.

[GnarlyNormEllenberger]

Really hope our guys are hyped up and prepared for this one. Illinois isn't good, but they're good enough to beat us should we come unprepared or play uninspired.

 

We're within reach of a Big Ten Title. That's goal #1 for every season at IU. I hope the guys understand the importance of these last three games. Play them well and there's a good chance this roster will be immortalized by adding a "2016" on the Big Ten championship banner.

[Bryan Medema]

I forsake my native land in favor of my adopted home, but, more importantly, anyone have any suggestions for this week's "CreanGoneClassic" painting?

[Brass Cannon]

A win here will be huge and if Iowa chokes against the Badgers will almost assure us a share of the title.

[Parakeet Jones]

Something about the possibility of not having RoJo makes me nervous.  I still feel we will win, but I'm feeling a closer game than any of us would like.  I hope we come out an set the tone early so we don't give these guys hope.  They seem like a team that might roll over if we get a bit of a lead, unlike Purdue.  

[Hovadipo]

I forsake my native land in favor of my adopted home, but, more importantly, anyone have any suggestions for this week's "CreanGoneClassic" painting?

Without being insanely racist against Native Americans, I got nothing.

I hate this game btw. Awful, awful feeling about it.

[ALASKA HOOSIER]

[ALASKA HOOSIER]

In case you guys didn't know it. The Illinois freaks tomorrow are going to be brutal to Max B. His family are huge Illinois people and there is even a Bielfieldt building named after his (dad?). I think his sister is currently going to Illinois. They hate that he is playing for anyone but the orange and blue. He is gonna catch some crap from the students

[colonel06]

A win here will be huge and if Iowa chokes against the Badgers will almost assure us a share of the title.

Badgers coming in strong as well and would not surprise me that Wisky gets another W!

[colonel06]

In case you guys didn't know it. The Illinois freaks tomorrow are going to be brutal to Max B. His family are huge Illinois people and there is even a Bielfieldt building named after his (dad?). I think his sister is currently going to Illinois. They hate that he is playing for anyone but the orange and blue. He is gonna catch some crap from the students

If there is anyone that can ignore it it's Mad Max!

[TheWatShot]

I imagine Illinois will have another monstrous crowd for this game. They view us as their main rival and always pack the house. Last year they had the biggest crowd in their program's history when we went there. 

[ALASKA HOOSIER]

i just looked at MSU's last few games. Man, they can win them all and take the Conference if we slip up

[WayneFleekHoosier]

i just looked at MSU's last few games. Man, they can win them all and take the Conference if we slip up

wont be surprised if MSU finishes 13-5. Hopefully they slip up somewhere

[Miller'sTheMan]

I don't know where else to put this but, how is UK ranked ahead of us?

[JaybobHoosier]

Growing up in Illinois, let's just say I hate the Illwhini. Hope we kick the crap on them.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

I hate this game btw. Awful, awful feeling about it.[/quote]


That's me almost every game!

[HoosierAloha]

Ill got hot against Wiscy in the first half.  I really hope we come out with an emphasis on play tight defense and playing inside-out.  They don't have anyone who can defend TB or someone they can throw it inside to get a bucket.  We need to contain Hill and Nunn. 

[AKHoosier]

This won't be a blowout, not after last game.

 

Thursday would be a big win for an otherwise miserable failure of a season for them, especially after getting demolished last time we played them.  They'll be out for revenge.

 

Raucous crowd usually = referees that play to the crowd in the closing minutes, so yeah I'm worried about this game.

[Scooter D]

Can't take this game lightly...need to focus and get it done.

 

Can't stand Illinois, if it weren't for Purdue, they would receive the focus of my hatred.

[LIHoosier]

I forsake my native land in favor of my adopted home, but, more importantly, anyone have any suggestions for this week's "CreanGoneClassic" painting?

Have Crean as a bull goring Groce as a matador waving that awful orange blazer.