Illinois-Nebraska Predictions
MY PREDICTION
Nebraska 63 Illinois 62
Last night I was comparing the Illini to Rajon Rondo. Rando, the Boston Celtics starting point guard, is a god awful shooter. Illinois is a god awful shooting team. The difference? Rando knows this and attacks the basket with regularity and is able to get a good chunk of his points near the rim. Illinois still settles with many outside shots, and they continue to miss them, over and over again. There is no reason for this team to take 21 three point shots. This team should not be allowed to take more than ten threes a game. The guards need to drive to the basket and Leonard needs to get himself in position to receive entry passes. While Illinois shot 3 for 21 from long range, they shot an incredible 22 of 35 from inside the arch, a percentage of 62.8%. Tracy Abrams had a great night with a career high 22 points, but for a guy who struggles with his outside shot, he led the team with six three pointers attempted. He was one for six beyond the arch, but eight of ten inside it. Rajon Rondo accepts the fact that he can't shoot, while Illinois continues to put up brick after brick.
Nebraska is bad, but Illinois is demoralized. Its a road game, and Illinois has had major issues on the road. While Nebraska has struggled itself losing four in a row, Illinois continues to play to their weaknesses. They need this win badly to make up for one of those home losses, but their slipping defense coupled with their inconsisent offense makes it hard for me to pick in their favor, regardless of who they match up against.
What do you guys think? Do the Illini pick up a win against an inferior team or does the season reach a new low? Let me know with your thoughts and preditions below. Prediction standings will be updated sometime next week. Got a busy set of days coming up. Have a good one and talk to you after Saturday.
I-L-L...
I dont think they cant shoot 3s, its how they do it. They shoot flat, no arc when they miss. Shooting the ball is in the wrists. I notice they try to guide the ball with their arms. Should be one fluid motion. Its all fundamentals of how to shoot. Plus shooting flat equals crazy bounces of the ball, whereas the arc usually bounces the ball up not out so you can rebound it near the rim. Even the annoucers of the game have noticed this about their shooting. Sometimes the coachs cant teach everything so as a player get some film of the best shooters in history and learn their techniques. If you imitate the best shooters ever how can you lose? Illini 72 Neb 64
One thing we know for sure and that's it won't be a run-a-way in favor of the Illini. If we can figure out how to make entry passes and Leonard doesn't pout when he doesn't get the ball, reduce turnovers, and quit acting like we are John Shurna from the 3 point line, and have just a smidgen of tenacity, then we might have a chance. I'll give the Illini the benefit of the doubt and say they will develop a little pride and get a "W". Illini 65 Cornshuckers 62.
Season isn't over quite yet but it is close. Gotta win at least 4 of the next 5 to feel comfortable. 3 out of 5 means we probably need to win at least 2 or 3 games in BTT to feel comfortable come selection sunday. I said it started with the Purdue game-that didn't work out well. Hopefully it starts Saturday at Nebraska. Illinois: 66 Nebraska: 59
This game is going to go one of two ways: Either Illinois is to feel sorry for themselves and just implode in a blowout loss, or Illinois is going to come out playing like a team possessed and stomp the lights out on Nebraska. Either way, this game will not be a close one. Since it makes sense that Illinois will go silently into the dark night, it probably won't happen. My guess is Illinois puts on a show (Or Weber walks out with several minutes to play, shakes hands with Nebraska's coach and players and walks off to not be seen again for several years).
Illinois: 76
Nebraska: 58
Nebraska matches up with us really well. I don't anticipate us pulling it together enough to get a win. We just don't have a good, sustainable formula in place right now to rely on to win games.
ILLINI 54
Cornholers 59
(The only predictable thing about this team is the point margin.)
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