Big Ten Showdown Tonight

[preppyak]

Illinois at Indiana

A somehow largely unmentioned Indiana team (I've heard nothing since they lost to Indian State), takes to task another one of the front-runners in the Big 10

Here's the preview from Yahoo Sports that I kind of agree with:

With DJ White out, probably for the season, Indiana starts a three guard lineup that will give the Illini problems matching up defensively. With Strickland, Monroe, and sophomore AJ Ratliff starting at the guards, that slips Robert Vaden into your traditional four spot. Vaden at the four is a match up nightmare for the Illini, especially to start out the game. Vaden will have the speed and quickness advantage over James Augustine . The smart move for the Hoosiers would be to exploit this match up early and often in the hopes of finding James Augustine picking up some quick fouls and finding him watching the majority of the game on the bench. The more Indiana looks to the Vaden / Augustine match up, the more likely it is Bruce Weber will counter with Illinois going small itself by sliding in either Chester Frazier or Jamar Smith as the third guard and slipping Brian Randle to the power forward to match Vaden's athleticism

It should be an excellent game to watch, but I have Illinois picking up a rare and needed road win against one of the top teams in the conference.

The eventual deciding factors I have are these two stats from Illinois:
Defensive Efficiency: 85.8 (6th in the nation)
Effective Field Goal Percentage (Defense): 42.8% (10th in the nation)

Illinois 75
Indiana 71

Dee Brown has 28 while Augustine has a modest 12 points but about 10 rebounds.

PS: Caleb probably loves me now that I finally picked Illinois to win a game

[LeftWideOpen]

I like Illinois, and by a sizable margin. They can score inside and outside and contrary to that article, I think Augustine has a big game. The Illini lost a lot, but I think the impact of Dee Brown has been understated in the media. He's one of the best players in the game and he'll lead Illinois again tonight. 74-59.

[preppyak]

74-59.
wow, bold prediction. I think the fact it is an away game will affect the score, that's why I have it close, and I also secretly want it to be a down to the wire game so it's more fun to watch.

[Drew Beringer]

Illinois, it'll be a close game just because it is at IU, but I see Illinois taking it. Wisconsin has a tough game against OSU tomorrow.

[LeftWideOpen]

wow, bold prediction. I think the fact it is an away game will affect the score, that's why I have it close, and I also secretly want it to be a down to the wire game so it's more fun to watch.

Yeah, I know it's going out on a limb ...but I really haven't been impressed with Indiana (except the Kentucky game ..and well, the Wildcats demise is well documented). I just have a feeling it's going to be a flop for the Hoosiers tonight.

If Indiana plays their best though, then this game will certainly be much closer. Tonight will go a long way to earn the Illini some credibility, since the schedule hasnt been too daunting so far.

[Spicoli hey bud]

I'm taking Indiana

[somethingyellow]

haha i love the last option

[weezer182]

i want indiana to win but i wont watch the game

[preppyak]

haha i love the last option
I personally want a chair to be thrown, but he'll probably just bitch at Xeno and the refs instead.

[bigmike]

I don't think that new 3 guard lineup will give illinois problems. it just means that illinois will out illinois indiana.

illinois 72-61

but, i will be flipping to watch bobby knight.

[mcfly21]

indiana, since they're at home

it'll be close 72-69 i'd say

[asianxcore]

Illinois, it'll be a close game just because it is at IU, but I see Illinois taking it. Wisconsin has a tough game against OSU tomorrow.
I'm pumped

[mcfly21]

Wisconsin has a tough game against OSU tomorrow.


hell yes they do

GO BUCKS

[asianxcore]

hell yes they do

GO BUCKS
Go Badgers.

[mcfly21]

Go Badgers.

i'm just pumped for another great game (MSUvs.OSU)

[bigmike]

i'm just pumped for another great game (MSUvs.OSU)

that was a good one.

[mcfly21]

it was

[bigmike]

it was

i kept waiting for paul davis to foul out or somehow blow the game.

[mcfly21]

he really should have went into the draft after his soph year (i think that was his really good year) 'cause his draft stock has dropped since

[bigmike]

he really should have went into the draft after his soph year (i think that was his really good year) 'cause his draft stock has dropped since

and he'll make it. because he's 6'11" and can shoot a 15 footer.

but i wouldn't draft him if you paid me to. i cannot stand him. He's so fucking soft.

[mcfly21]

he'll go 2nd round probably

[bigmike]

he'll go 2nd round probably

yeah. probably.

[Drew Beringer]

IU wins 62-60, Brown only scores 5 pts.

[Spicoli hey bud]

I'm taking Indiana
winner

[NameTaken69]

IU wins 62-60, Brown only scores 5 pts.
big win, Marco Killingsworth played big again, brown's wasnt hitting anything but he had to have had at least 10 assists

[Drew Beringer]

big win, Marco Killingsworth played big again, brown's wasnt hitting anything but he had to have had at least 10 assists

Killingsworth will be Big Ten Player Of The Year. Hands down.

[bigmike]

Killingsworth will be Big Ten Player Of The Year. Hands down.

as of now, yes. maybe someone makes a run at it, but i doubt it. Killingsworth is the only good choice, i think.

[LeftWideOpen]

well i was way off on this one, haha.

oh well, my eagles won :)

[Ratherbedead22]

i voted illinois cause its hilarious. we all knew that illinois would have trouble once they hit the big ten. yes they beat michigan state, but i doubt they will again.