Tennessee Leads The Series Against Illinois 3-1 Going Into The Game Saturday

#7
#7
cardvolfan said:
It will be interesting, no doubt. I kind of figured it would be an Okpara vs. Ivisic, but I could be wrong.
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I figure the same, probably it's Okpara vs. Ivisic. Igor may get some of the assignment depending on if/how lineups change throughout the game.

Ivisic will be a big test for our frontcourt, a 7'1" 230 lb center averaging 15.3 PPG and 9 RPG.
Hoping we can limit his touches and make his life difficult without getting in foul trouble.

I think this game is winnable if we protect the paint, and force them to make tough shots. They're pretty good at driving to the rim so got to defend 1-on-1.
Doesn't help when Ivisic can also make 3's, which would away our rim protection if he slides to the perimeter.
 
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#8
#8
tev.sm said:
I figure the same, probably it's Okpara vs. Ivisic. Igor may get some of the assignment depending on if/how lineups change throughout the game.

Ivisic will be a big test for our frontcourt, a 7'1" 230 lb center averaging 15.3 PPG and 9 RPG.
Hoping we can limit his touches and make his life difficult without getting in foul trouble.

I think this game is winnable if we protect the paint, and force them to make tough shots. They're pretty good at driving to the rim so got to defend 1-on-1.
Doesn't help when Ivisic can also make 3's, which would away our rim protection if he slides to the perimeter.
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Yes, that’s all good stuff. Lots of mixing and matching I suppose, depending on specific situations and timing. Should be a fun matchup.
 
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#10
#10
This is going to be an interesting game. If any of our bigs get above two fouls in the first half, it could really hurt. Illinois is a long team. We won’t be able to drop Mashack down to cover low and not pay for it. It’ll be very difficult to defend them with a seven deep roster without fouling some guys out. Felix needs a good and disciplined game and Cade needs to pick his battles. I’m also interested to see how Lanier does guarded by a tall athletic guard. His release is quick, but not exceptionally high. Taking it to the lane will be hard with their center camping out. They’re a well-coached big athletic team. I’m always confident in our scouting and game-planning, but they’ll present some challenges that we’ll have to take on squarely. Win or lose, we’ll learn more about who we are.
 
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#11
#11
Stoerner Fumbles said:
This is going to be an interesting game. If any of our bigs get above two fouls in the first half, it could really hurt. Illinois is a long team. We won’t be able to drop Mashack down to cover low and not pay for it. It’ll be very difficult to defend them with a seven deep roster without fouling some guys out. Felix needs a good and disciplined game and Cade needs to pick his battles. I’m also interested to see how Lanier does guarded by a tall athletic guard. His release is quick, but not exceptionally high. Taking it to the lane will be hard with their center camping out. They’re a well-coached big athletic team. I’m always confident in our scouting and game-planning, but they’ll present some challenges that we’ll have to take on squarely. Win or lose, we’ll learn more about who we are.
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Any updates on status of Dubar?
 
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#13
#13
Volfan1000 said:
The only Illinois win occured at Champaign in 1989 when DeVoe coached against Lou Henson.

I think Tennessee played Illinois on the back end of a back to back road trip where Tennessee dropped both games.
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Actually it was 1988 _ I was at that game -- was considering going Saturday but tix are kind of high and I dont care to drive in freezing rain ( 90 miles away)- A loss would make me even madder because those nerds would storm the court for sure
 
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#16
#16
As experienced as our team is, I'm concerned most about playing in Illinois' stadium. They have all their students courtside and right behind the player's benches. It's going to be a ruckus environment and will be a good test to respond under pressure.

Also, I'm slightly concerned with the overall size of Illinois. Ivisic is 7'1, and they have multiple guys between 6'6 and 6'9. The only other guy shorter than that that plays significantly is their 6'2 PG, Boswell. The size advantage along with the adrenaline pump from playing at home will make rebounding and inside scoring extra difficult.

What I do feel confident in is our defensive gameplan. I'm excited to see how Barnes schemes to stop Illinois offense. The key will be to limit Illinois from getting off 3 pointers as they have a few guys who shoot at a high clip. I think Zeigler and Mashack will cause fits for their two main ball handlers, Boswell and Jakucionis (KJ). Illinois fan's are really excited about their freshman Lithuanian star, Kasparas Jakucionis, but I think Barnes will be able to identify some tendencies with him and limit his effectiveness. He tends to dribble high, and attempts alot of step-back threes. I'm hopeful Mashack will be on him and won't let him breathe. Won't be surprised if we pickpocket him a few times. Boswell is a reliable ball handler, but I don't think he will be able to operate anywhere near as smoothly with Zeigler on him. So if we hone in on defense, I think we can frustrate IL enough to outscore them.
 
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#19
#19
Volfan1000 said:
The only Illinois win occured at Champaign in 1989 when DeVoe coached against Lou Henson.

I think Tennessee played Illinois on the back end of a back to back road trip where Tennessee dropped both games.
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The '88-'89 Illini team made the Final 4. One of my all time favorite non-Vols teams. Iirc, the starters were: Kendall Gill, Kenny Battle, Stephon Bardo, Nick Anderson and Marcus Liberty.

Edit: I cheated, Lowell Hamilton started, Liberty was the 6th man
 
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#21
#21
The Dog said:
The '88-'89 Illini team made the Final 4. One of my all time favorite non-Vols teams. Iirc, the starters were: Kendall Gill, Kenny Battle, Stephon Bardo, Nick Anderson and Marcus Liberty.

Edit: I cheated, Lowell Hamilton started, Liberty was the 6th man
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Kendall Gill was cool AF
 
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#23
#23
The Dog said:
The '88-'89 Illini team made the Final 4. One of my all time favorite non-Vols teams. Iirc, the starters were: Kendall Gill, Kenny Battle, Stephon Bardo, Nick Anderson and Marcus Liberty.

Edit: I cheated, Lowell Hamilton started, Liberty was the 6th man
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Remember back in the day when every top 25 team seemed to have at least 2 pros?
 
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