league title

[Rickster]

I know I'm getting a little ahead of myself here, but it's fun to project out.

With MI beating NE and Purdue now losing its 3rd in a row, assuming we can take care of U Dub Thursday, we could have a 4 way tie at the top heading into the weekend at 9-1. I think we have 4 tough games left and 5 very winnable ones. We have to play the other first place teams once each (and 2 on the road) and a road game at UCLA. If we can go 2-2 in those 4 tough games and take care of business the other 5 that would put us at 15-3 in the league.

Enough to win?

[12xu]

I know I'm getting a little ahead of myself here, but it's fun to project out.

With MI beating NE and Purdue now losing its 3rd in a row, assuming we can take care of U Dub Thursday, we could have a 4 way tie at the top heading into the weekend at 9-1. I think we have 4 tough games left and 5 very winnable ones. We have to play the other first place teams once each (and 2 on the road) and a road game at UCLA. If we can go 2-2 in those 4 tough games and take care of business the other 5 that would put us at 15-3 in the league.

Enough to win?

If they can finish at 17-3 I believe they would get at least a share of the league title. 16-4 might even do it. They still have road games at Nebraska, MSU, USC, UCLA, and Maryland. Home games with Washington, NW, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Oregon.

[ChiefSTL]

Good discussion. Looking at the other top teams, here's the teams on their remaining schedules that I would consider losable games.

Michigan: @Mich St, @Ohio St, @Purdue, @Illinois, @Iowa, Mich St

Nebraska: Illinois, Purdue, @Iowa, @UCLA

Michigan St: Mich, Illinois, @Purdue, @Indiana, Mich

Illinois: @Nebraska, @Mich St, Indiana, @UCLA, Mich

I think Nebraska has by far the easiest remaining schedule. I'd say our game against them on Sunday could be the make or break game. If we lose that one, I'd say it puts Nebraska squarely in the drivers seat for at least a share of the league title. If we can win that one and go no worse than 2-2 in those remaining 4 tough games, I would think that gets us at least a share of the league. I think you guys are right that 17-3 is probably at least where you have to be.

We need Mich St and Mich to split their games to get them each another loss. Then hopefully Purdue can snap out of it and give each of those other 3 teams another loss.

[Rickster]

I know I'm getting a little ahead of myself here, but it's fun to project out.

With MI beating NE and Purdue now losing its 3rd in a row, assuming we can take care of U Dub Thursday, we could have a 4 way tie at the top heading into the weekend at 9-1. I think we have 4 tough games left and 5 very winnable ones. We have to play the other first place teams once each (and 2 on the road) and a road game at UCLA. If we can go 2-2 in those 4 tough games and take care of business the other 5 that would put us at 15-3 in the league.

Enough to win?

If they can finish at 17-3 I believe they would get at least a share of the league title. 16-4 might even do it. They still have road games at Nebraska, MSU, USC, UCLA, and Maryland. Home games with Washington, NW, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Oregon.

I totally brain-farted and forgot the league schedule is now 20 games instead of 18, but I agree that 3 losses will put you in first in the end.

you think USC and Maryland are tough games? Neither of those teams is above 500 in league and Maryland only has 1 win.

It seems to me the B10 has become top heavy and the bottom half of the league is really not very good. I doubt there'll be more than 7 teams in the Dance.

I need to look at who has beaten MU and MSU and see what their weakness(es) are. As I've said before, until I see the Illini go into a funk and have bad shooting or get out-rebounded, everyone else has to figure out how to keep us below 80 or figure out how to outscore us.

Assuming we don't screw the pooch tonight, Sunday is going to be YYUUUUUGE.

[ChiefSTL]

I know I'm getting a little ahead of myself here, but it's fun to project out.

With MI beating NE and Purdue now losing its 3rd in a row, assuming we can take care of U Dub Thursday, we could have a 4 way tie at the top heading into the weekend at 9-1. I think we have 4 tough games left and 5 very winnable ones. We have to play the other first place teams once each (and 2 on the road) and a road game at UCLA. If we can go 2-2 in those 4 tough games and take care of business the other 5 that would put us at 15-3 in the league.

Enough to win?

If they can finish at 17-3 I believe they would get at least a share of the league title. 16-4 might even do it. They still have road games at Nebraska, MSU, USC, UCLA, and Maryland. Home games with Washington, NW, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Oregon.

I totally brain-farted and forgot the league schedule is now 20 games instead of 18, but I agree that 3 losses will put you in first in the end.

you think USC and Maryland are tough games? Neither of those teams is above 500 in league and Maryland only has 1 win.

It seems to me the B10 has become top heavy and the bottom half of the league is really not very good. I doubt there'll be more than 7 teams in the Dance.

I need to look at who has beaten MU and MSU and see what their weakness(es) are. As I've said before, until I see the Illini go into a funk and have bad shooting or get out-rebounded, everyone else has to figure out how to keep us below 80 or figure out how to outscore us.

Assuming we don't screw the pooch tonight, Sunday is going to be YYUUUUUGE.

I think Maryland is bad, but I think USC is a formidable team, especially making the west coast trip there.

You really only think 7 teams get in? I see us at 10 as it stands right now. I think Iowa, Indiana and Ohio State would be in right now with the other top 7. We'll see how it finishes up.

[12xu]

I know I'm getting a little ahead of myself here, but it's fun to project out.

With MI beating NE and Purdue now losing its 3rd in a row, assuming we can take care of U Dub Thursday, we could have a 4 way tie at the top heading into the weekend at 9-1. I think we have 4 tough games left and 5 very winnable ones. We have to play the other first place teams once each (and 2 on the road) and a road game at UCLA. If we can go 2-2 in those 4 tough games and take care of business the other 5 that would put us at 15-3 in the league.

Enough to win?

If they can finish at 17-3 I believe they would get at least a share of the league title. 16-4 might even do it. They still have road games at Nebraska, MSU, USC, UCLA, and Maryland. Home games with Washington, NW, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Oregon.

I totally brain-farted and forgot the league schedule is now 20 games instead of 18, but I agree that 3 losses will put you in first in the end.

you think USC and Maryland are tough games? Neither of those teams is above 500 in league and Maryland only has 1 win.

It seems to me the B10 has become top heavy and the bottom half of the league is really not very good. I doubt there'll be more than 7 teams in the Dance.

I need to look at who has beaten MU and MSU and see what their weakness(es) are. As I've said before, until I see the Illini go into a funk and have bad shooting or get out-rebounded, everyone else has to figure out how to keep us below 80 or figure out how to outscore us.

Assuming we don't screw the pooch tonight, Sunday is going to be YYUUUUUGE.

No I do not consider the Maryland road game will be tough, even though all Big Ten road games can be contentious. USC at LA will not be a cake walk. Sunday will be a real test for certain.

As I see it right now, Illinois, Michigan, MSU, Nebraska, Purdue, UCLA, and Wisconsin are shoo-ins for the Dance. Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio State could get in if they finish strong, even USC has a chance - their overall record is 15-6.

Illinois can win the league title if they win all their home games, and beat Nebraska, Maryland, USC, and at least one of UCLA or MSU on the road. Not gonna be easy..

[Rickster]

I know I'm getting a little ahead of myself here, but it's fun to project out.

With MI beating NE and Purdue now losing its 3rd in a row, assuming we can take care of U Dub Thursday, we could have a 4 way tie at the top heading into the weekend at 9-1. I think we have 4 tough games left and 5 very winnable ones. We have to play the other first place teams once each (and 2 on the road) and a road game at UCLA. If we can go 2-2 in those 4 tough games and take care of business the other 5 that would put us at 15-3 in the league.

Enough to win?

If they can finish at 17-3 I believe they would get at least a share of the league title. 16-4 might even do it. They still have road games at Nebraska, MSU, USC, UCLA, and Maryland. Home games with Washington, NW, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Oregon.

I totally brain-farted and forgot the league schedule is now 20 games instead of 18, but I agree that 3 losses will put you in first in the end.

you think USC and Maryland are tough games? Neither of those teams is above 500 in league and Maryland only has 1 win.

It seems to me the B10 has become top heavy and the bottom half of the league is really not very good. I doubt there'll be more than 7 teams in the Dance.

I need to look at who has beaten MU and MSU and see what their weakness(es) are. As I've said before, until I see the Illini go into a funk and have bad shooting or get out-rebounded, everyone else has to figure out how to keep us below 80 or figure out how to outscore us.

Assuming we don't screw the pooch tonight, Sunday is going to be YYUUUUUGE.

No I do not consider the Maryland road game will be tough, even though all Big Ten road games can be contentious. USC at LA will not be a cake walk. Sunday will be a real test for certain.

As I see it right now, Illinois, Michigan, MSU, Nebraska, Purdue, UCLA, and Wisconsin are shoo-ins for the Dance. Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio State could get in if they finish strong, even USC has a chance - their overall record is 15-6.

Illinois can win the league title if they win all their home games, and beat Nebraska, Maryland, USC, and at least one of UCLA or MSU on the road. Not gonna be easy..

agree it won't be easy, and to start you gotta win home games, even if you're a bit "off" ...at least we took care of Wash. I really thought we should've shot 30 FTs last night. Stoya struggled, but it seemed to me he had the ability to get to the rim almost any time he wanted.

[12xu]

Big step toward that league title today with the win at Nebraska! 11 wins in a row, and 4 in a row without Boswell. Wagler started slow, but was money in the second half. He finished with 28 points including 10 of 12 FT and 4 treys. He also had 5 assists and 5 rebounds. The Ivisic twins combined for 19 pts on 8 of 10 shooting, and 15 rebounds. The Illini defense dominated inside, holding Nebraska to 18 pts.in the paint. Even though they allowed the Bugeaters to make 15 treys, they did slow them down in the second half. Sandfort only scored 14 pts, not 32 like at Champaign back in December.

[Rickster]

poor shooting in the first half and no ability to defend the 3-line ....was totally overcome by good defense in the 2nd half and a huge rebounding and FT advantage. If the refs were calling fouls at the rim, Wagler and Stoya would've shot 30 combined FTs themselves, and if Humrich could actually hit a shot, we would've pulled away that game and won by 20.

fun to watch

[12xu]

Izzo had the plan to limit Wagler - hack the krap out of him!! So many times Wagler drove the lane and got fouled, but no call. Fears late in the game, every time he drove towards the basket - foul called. Less than 2 min left, Carr hacked Wagler on a drive down the lane and no call. Carr played over 37 min and was not called for 1 foul. Surprised that the zebras called the obvious foul on Jake Davis. So clutch for him to tie the game with those free throws. In OT, ridiculous foul called on T. Ivisic to give Fears 2 foul shots and got Ivisic out of the game.

Knew it would be tough to beat the Spartans at home after they lost to Michigan and at Minnesota back to back. Michigan State did outrebound the Illini, and they played a fine game. Wagler had a rough shooting night for sure. Strong games for Mirkovic and Stojakovic.

[Barney Fife Lives]

MI St certainly benefitted from the refs in the last 10 minutes with all the non-calls on IL players driving to the net while Spartans got calls on virtually every touch

[ChiefSTL]

That's a game where you can see why we need Boswell so bad. We didn't have anybody that could keep Fears in front of them. Bos' physicality would've helped too. The bright side is I thought we played really bad, and we lost on the road in OT. Gotta be able to win games if outside shots aren't falling. The Michigan game looms even larger now for the B10 title. Can't have any bad losses from hear on out if we wanna stay at least a 2 seed.

[Rickster]

That's a game where you can see why we need Boswell so bad. We didn't have anybody that could keep Fears in front of them. Bos' physicality would've helped too. The bright side is I thought we played really bad, and we lost on the road in OT. Gotta be able to win games if outside shots aren't falling. The Michigan game looms even larger now for the B10 title. Can't have any bad losses from hear on out if we wanna stay at least a 2 seed.

yeah, no question that our best on-ball defender would've helped against a team whose entire half-court offense is built around 1 good ball handler penetrating the lane. But I thought Stoya did a heck of a job on Fears for about 65% of their possessions. I would've like to see more of him going under ball screens. At 6-7 going over screens can't be easy and you see Fears turn the corner more and more as the game went on. I would love to see us have more than 2 defensive sets and game plans. The 2-3 zone didn't work either.

Offensively, I'm actually encouraged. Bad shooting happens even to teams who are good shooters. In a game where our best player and everyone else not named Humrichous shot way below their season avg, and as a team we shot 10% below our season avg, we still managed to put up over 70 on the road against one of the best defensive teams in the league. We got good shots, and had players do things that we haven't had to do before to create offense. I saw efficiency in spite of the full-contact against Wagler game plan. I especially liked the spread out and work some high-low with Mirk and Stoya. Those 2 are effective at scoring in the paint and we got them the ball in the paint.

Ivisic twins are gonna need to be tougher for us to make a run in March. in a game with 86 total missed shots, those 2 played a combined 56 mins and only got 10 total rebounds out of 86 missed shots.

Wish we could've worked to get Humrichous more shots in the 2nd half. (I can't believe I just typed that). I heard on the Inquirer podcast that outside of Lincoln, Humrichous is 13 for his last 30 trey attempts in league play. He's finally starting to stroke the ball and we should get him more involved. I would start him over Davis tomorrow night.

[12xu]

That's a game where you can see why we need Boswell so bad. We didn't have anybody that could keep Fears in front of them. Bos' physicality would've helped too. The bright side is I thought we played really bad, and we lost on the road in OT. Gotta be able to win games if outside shots aren't falling. The Michigan game looms even larger now for the B10 title. Can't have any bad losses from hear on out if we wanna stay at least a 2 seed.

Yes the absence of Boswell was a huge factor in this game. So now he is practicing, and may be available on those road games at LA. Certainly he will be ready for the game at home vs Michigan. That game could possibly decide the title.

[Rickster]

what a week...every top 5 team lost except Mich. Maybe Purdue can beat them at home next week and we can be tied for 1st again when they come to C-U on the 27th