Illinois at Michigan State
Moderators: Bill_Abner, ScoopBrady
Illinois at Michigan State
This game could very well decide who wins the Big Ten conference this season. I'm a big Michigan State fan, however I have my doubts about this game, even at The Breslin Center. Michigan State has had problems with quality teams this year. Illinois is certainly worthy of their #1 ranking. I'm hoping State can keep this game close.
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ScoopBrady
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As an Illini fan, this game doesn't worry me all that much. I'm sure MSU can win, but I think Illinois knows what it's getting in to and will be ready for the challenge. If both teams bring their "A" game, Illinois should win.
The game I'm more concerned about is the return game at Iowa later in February. Iowa has been up and down for sure, but on a good night, the Hawkeyes are an excellent team. If the Illini don't come ready for that one, Iowa could easily beat them.
The game I'm more concerned about is the return game at Iowa later in February. Iowa has been up and down for sure, but on a good night, the Hawkeyes are an excellent team. If the Illini don't come ready for that one, Iowa could easily beat them.
not too worried about Iowa anymore, looks like Pierce is going to be out for that game.RiverRat wrote:As an Illini fan, this game doesn't worry me all that much. I'm sure MSU can win, but I think Illinois knows what it's getting in to and will be ready for the challenge. If both teams bring their "A" game, Illinois should win.
The game I'm more concerned about is the return game at Iowa later in February. Iowa has been up and down for sure, but on a good night, the Hawkeyes are an excellent team. If the Illini don't come ready for that one, Iowa could easily beat them.
That was a hell of a convincing win by Illinois. It sure looks like they are going to run the table in the Big Ten season now.
Dee Brown was a menace on the break, and especially on defense. Every time it looked like MSU was going to seize momentum of the game during the first half, Brown would force a turnover and get a runout. And during the second half the Illini just shot the lights out, with the damage being spearheaded by Luther Head and Deron Williams.
The Spartans went through the same type of problems in this game as they had all season long. As good a shoooter and gifted scorer he is, Chris Hill doesn't look for his shot enough. Maurice Ager looks for his shot too much. Shannon Brown can't hit an open jump shot to save his life. Kelvin Torbert doesn't get enough playing time to even become a factor. Alan Anderson had his problems defending Roger Powell and the rest of the Illini frontline. Paul Davis played very well throughout the first half, but didn't do much in the second half due to the Illini making good defensive adjustments on him... along with his own teammates doing a good job of phasing him out of the offense for a while.
The Spartans aren't going to do any better this season than they had the last couple of seasons until they shore most of these things up within the next few games.
Kruza
Dee Brown was a menace on the break, and especially on defense. Every time it looked like MSU was going to seize momentum of the game during the first half, Brown would force a turnover and get a runout. And during the second half the Illini just shot the lights out, with the damage being spearheaded by Luther Head and Deron Williams.
The Spartans went through the same type of problems in this game as they had all season long. As good a shoooter and gifted scorer he is, Chris Hill doesn't look for his shot enough. Maurice Ager looks for his shot too much. Shannon Brown can't hit an open jump shot to save his life. Kelvin Torbert doesn't get enough playing time to even become a factor. Alan Anderson had his problems defending Roger Powell and the rest of the Illini frontline. Paul Davis played very well throughout the first half, but didn't do much in the second half due to the Illini making good defensive adjustments on him... along with his own teammates doing a good job of phasing him out of the offense for a while.
The Spartans aren't going to do any better this season than they had the last couple of seasons until they shore most of these things up within the next few games.
Kruza
Last edited by Kruza on Wed Feb 02, 2005 3:34 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Tough to beat a team that shoots 13 of 24 from behind the arc. Yesterday was really the first good chance I could really sit down and see this team. They are even better than I thought. Completely unselfish, and extremely intelligent. They have their two toughest road games in the Big Ten out of the way. I don't see them losing either.
It was interesting last night to hear that if Illinois gets a #1 seed, they may not have to travel over 200 miles at all throughout the entire tournament!
It was interesting last night to hear that if Illinois gets a #1 seed, they may not have to travel over 200 miles at all throughout the entire tournament!
yeah if they get the Midwest #1 seed. they'll go to Indianapolis, Chicago, and St LouisAcemanPR wrote:Tough to beat a team that shoots 13 of 24 from behind the arc. Yesterday was really the first good chance I could really sit down and see this team. They are even better than I thought. Completely unselfish, and extremely intelligent. They have their two toughest road games in the Big Ten out of the way. I don't see them losing either.
It was interesting last night to hear that if Illinois gets a #1 seed, they may not have to travel over 200 miles at all throughout the entire tournament!