GaloisGroupe

I was too, but that was wishful thinking

Great, that is probably an infraction...

That one burns more for sure. I spent the last 15 minutes of the second half just hoping the time would melt off... unfortunately, it felt like the team was playing the same way.

The worst loss is Michigan. Not just because it was at home, but because they crushed us. All the other losses were winnable.

I can't shake this feeling that we will beat Purdue again. I know it defies all logic, but... 🙂 I would also be thrilled with 5-4. Honestly, 4-5 should get it done (tournament). I just do not like the idea of "backing" into the tourney.

A little - we played PSU twice, but only play Iowa once

Definitely good for the team (especially for RP). I meant for my viewing 😉.

Agreed. I am quite sure that later season rankings are associated with preseason rankings, even after controlling for in season record. That being said, I am ok with us not being ranked yet. We need to beat a good team and then not follow-up with a bad loss. Luckily, if we beat UI on Saturday, we will not have an opportunity to screw it up on the road against Northwestern (before the poll) and MAYBE that will be good enough to get us into the poll.

One week is a long time between games.

We do not need a real upset to finish the year with a solid regular season record of 22-7. If we take care of business, i.e., win home games and road game against MD caliber or worse, we will go 6-3 (I have 7-2 below, because I cannot bring myself to put an L next to the Purdue game 😉). Sat, Feb 5 vs 18 Illinois: W (home) Tue, Feb 8 @ Northwestern: W (non-elite) Sat, Feb 12 @ 13 Michigan State: L (elite road) Tue, Feb 15 vs 11 Wisconsin: W (home) Sat, Feb 19 @ 16 Ohio State: L (elite road) Thu, Feb 24 vs Maryland: W (home and non-elite) Sun, Feb 27 @ Minnesota: W (non-elite) Wed, Mar 2 vs Rutgers: W (home) Sat, Mar 5 @ 4 Purdue: W (Purdue, I cannot pick against us) NOTE: We have 2 losses that violate this home and less than MD on the road right now (Michigan and PSU), so probably will wind up with an extra loss.

I would not consider UI a big rival, but I would not put them with Rutgers or PSU either. I think my Big Ten Rivalry ranking is: PU OSU Wisc MSU UMCP UM UI Iowa Minn RU Northwestern PSU NU

I like that he gets paid more if they beat us twice than if the players do well in class. A unique clause in the "incentive compensation" section of the first-year Illini basketball coach's finalized contract, signed earlier this month and released Tuesday, calls for a $15,000 bump for any win over rivals Indiana or Missouri (up to $45,000 in any one season). — Also among the up to $900,000 in incentives Underwood is eligible for: per-semester bonuses if the team GPA reaches 2.5 ($6,250), 2.75 ($12,500) or 3.0 ($25,000).

I kind of get the feeling that Durr is in the doghouse.

that was a brutal final couple of minutes

Nunge has been better in the games I have seen EDIT: looked it up and his stats are WAY better

9 game season

No turnovers in the normal offense... it is tough turnover when you steal the ball and get called for traveling because you cannot really land.

!!!

This was foreshadowing.. the officiating went crazy after that.

I like that match-up. I think our defense would drive them nuts. Nunge has had some moments though. 5-5 gets it done. 4-6 maybe? But I would not bet on it.

Not that it matters, but I say it too 🤪. In the sequence right before he came up limping on the rebound, Rob was a defensive savant... I cannot wait to get him back.

First few seconds - I think he is talking about Rob

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-fasciitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354846

I am hoping 5-6. I always feel like a lot of 7s get upset by some hot 10s to start the tournament.

I hope not...