Illinois-Purdue Prediction and Prediction Standings
Rough times for Illini Basketball.
Illinois has lost six of their last seven games and inconsistency is a big issue. The only thing that seems consistent is Brandon Paul being around 20 points and Brandon Paul turning the ball over. It was nice to see Tyler Griffey put up 18 yesterday, but this team needs the other surprise to regain his out of the closet form. Joseph Bertrand needs to become a factor on offense again with his penetration and short jumpers. When he's rollin', this is a much better team. The also need Meyers Leonard to stay on the floor. "NBA talent" is nice, but it doesn't do you any good sitting on the bench. The regulars need to be more regular.
Looking at the prediction standings after 18 games, things are still close and up for grabs. Should be an exciting finish as we still have a number of games to go. Let's see how things stack up.
NAMEPREDICTIONWINSLOSSESRSDT*buckhunter2Michigan 75-67135133Bwp 5PMichigan 78-68135135pennilessMichigan 79-75125132bubba2hypeMichigan 73-65117123ReilliniMichigan 75-62117129geriatricilliniMichigan 63-57117132Paul KleeMichigan 66-61117132JoeK82Michigan 69-61117133riverIllinois 64-61117138Tom YoungMichigan 72-64117150walkerIllinois 59-55117164mbelcherMichigan 77-71116114aaeismacgychelMichigan 58-52115119CARPETMichigan 64-57107130dealmaker21Michigan 77-62107184Wincer_85Illinois 68-6499169Eric 22Michigan 74-6799170illiniearlMichigan 75-6399249smills89DNP96158illiniloveMichigan 82-7293120uofiisuDNP88127mvilliniMichigan 77-6788139illiniphil85Michigan 74-698587dave1956DNP8392rtrottIllinois 67-60710193illinifan1280DNP76136gordonbacon15DNP76156Foo_GIllinois 74-7276258drcc4DNP75107jruss62Michigan 77-627396WLSILLINIMichigan 79-6966101oskeewowwowDNP6378JamesBMichigan 78-716136illinizeemanDNP6159adamnolenIllinois 68-6758101kelkaidruDNP5242UIUIlliniDNP5250indymic1956DNP4392tstephensDNP4265retby50DNP4138sunnyd503DNP4153illini7074DNP3462wilson577DNP3473ILLINI04DNP3237smccawDNP3247illiniartDNP3248uswtmb47Michigan 78-653013happygilmoreDNP2336LanphierDNP2390Illini_Fan_78Michigan 74-622118illinois52DNP2120PhiloJoeDNP2121ICB36DNP2124illini82DNP2130bumpin99DNP2140pblilliniDNP2155oandbDNP21133ax474DNP208berniesDNP2015cjcohenDNP2016Illinifan11_42DNP2022afanDNP2035demitrimaniscalacoDNP1351butkus50DNP1115foreverilliniDNP1126Ed Bond DNP1129bookworm24DNP1136B-ILLINIDNP103JeremyHDNP105CecilColemanDNP105toohot4totsDNP107jimbo2009DNP108DaisyJDNP1011GWDNP1013ILL HoosierDNP1014rumbob35DNP10141 illinifanDNP1017SmittoDNP1022jrhymerDNP0224judahtomDNP017illiniwood12DNP0111yatesDNP0113nikeguy1618DNP0116mdejde1955DNP0116cevansDNP0118IlliniExileDNP0122toddalan1975DNP0128WhoSaysDNP000
* - Real Score Difference Total
MY PREDICTION
ILLINOIS 69 PURDUE 67
The main factor in this game should be anger; anger with what happened to end 2011. Illinois made Purdue look like national title contender back in late December, and the Boilers are far from that. This is a must win. It's a game that could determine how this team finishes this season. I like to think that this team realized the importance of this game and they will be up to the task on Wednesday. That's why I give them the edge. Sloppiness will keep it close, but I'm hoping the Illini will show that will to win.
What do you guys think? Will it be the House of Paign or the House of Shame? Let me know with your thoughts and predictions below. Also, what do you guys think the Illini need to do to finish the season strong? Before answering, realize that Weber is here for the rest of the season. Firing Weber isn't something that will be thought about until the season ends, so firing Weber isn't a plausible answer to this question (sorry...).
Talk to you guys after Wednesday...
I-L-L...
They need to find some HEART, Tommy..I go way back and there have been so many Illini with that trait...from Dave Downey, where I start from, to Chester Frazier.. someone has always had it...sometimes more than one guy on a team did...Nick Weatherspoon, Eddie Johnson, Derek Harper, Doug Altenberger, Bruce Douglas, Kenny Norman, Kenny Battle, Nick Anderson, Kendall Gill, Matt Heldman, Dee & Deron, Chester Frazier and many, many more that I don't have space to list..they sometimes weren't the best players on the floor, but they all had it, win or lose. It has been a part of Illini basketball from the beginning. You could always count on heart to be there. for the past couple or three seasons (since Chet graduated), I ain't seen it. They seem to go into a shell when things get tough. KEEP FIGHTIN', damn it! We are the FIGHTING Illini ya know. I don't think these guys have it in them. Hey fellas, take a look at history and start showing up...6 games left to prove me wrong...should I give up now or will you guys change my mind? Coaching or not, heart is YOUR respponsibility not the coach...
Boilermakers 72
Illini 70
Ok, make me look bad, I dare you guys, you can do it, fellas!!!
If this team isn't looking for revenge after being EMBARASSED in West Lafayette on New Year's Eve, then we are strictly in a run-out-the-clock situation. I hope that's not the case with this team.
I think our best chance is if Bruce blows his top early on and picks up a couple of T's, spending the rest of the game in the locker room. Also, while I'm dreaming, it would be nice to see a fairly officiated game. Those extreme unlikelihoods are what I'm basing my prediction on.
I-L-L .... I-N-I-(T) 84
Purdon't 71
We have to get some wins quick! I don't care how or against who, we just need some W's. The schedule isn't easy but is manageable. We play Purdue at home (who is nowhere near as good as they've been in previous years), at Nebraska (not easy but should be a W), at Ohio State (yikes!), followed by Iowa and Michigan at home, and end the season at Wisky. Win the home games, beat nebraska: 20 wins, .500 in big ten. Combin that with 1 win in BTT, you're almost guranteed a spot in NCAA tourny (i know we want more than just an ncaa tourny bid, but it sure beats playing in NIT.) It isn't going to be easy but it is definitely doable. It all starts Wednesday.
Purdue: 54
Illinois: 59
Welcome to Must Win Wednesday. Winner of this game will be on the right side of the bubble. Loser of this game will be need to make arun in the BTT to get in. Let's look at where the teams are at:
Purdue: 16-9 (6-6)
RPI: 54, SOS: 31
vKenpom t25: 0-5
vKenpom t50: 4-6
vKenpom t100: 7-7
Bad losses: N-Butler (149), A-Penn St. (123)
Remaining schedule: Need 4 wins
A-Illinois (44)
H-MSU (4)
H-Nebraska (152)
A-Michigan (23)
H-Penn St. (123)
A-Indiana (11)
Illinois: 16-9 (5-7)
RPI: 47, SOS: 15
vKenpom t25: 2-4
vKenpom t50: 4-7
vKenpom t100: 7-8
Bad losses: A-Penn St. (123)
Remaining schedule: Need 4 wins
H-Purdue (34)
A-Nebraska (152)
A-Ohio St. (1)
H-Iowa (108)
H-Michigan (23)
A-Wisconsin (5)
Each team needs 4 wins to all but be assured a spot in the tourney. Neither team has much of any likelihood of getting to 4 wins without this game. It's elimination night in Champaign, and here's hoping the good guys pull this one out. My prediction:
Illinois: 68
Purdue: 63
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