Big 10 Tourney - Round 2 - Illinois - what do we have to do?

[amazinblue]

I think that Illinois will present a much tougher challenge than Iowa. The good news is that Michigan seemed in a groove earlier today - Sims played a great game...

What do we have to do against the Illini? My gut says more of the same - solid D - strong perimeter shooting - a good game from Sims - a good contribution from LLP.

The game's going to be tough. Illinois has a lot of experience and Weber's accustomed to tournament action and the stage.

We can win - it won't be easy, but if we do - ohh, how sweet it would be!

Go Blue...

[GoDeepHammer]

Harris and Simms have to have another big game, plus we will need one of the other guys to have a good game as well. The Defense will have to be strong again.

[bigboyBlue]

Win or lose, we must play well and look good. We've already split with them during the season, but a blowout would just not be very helpful.

[bighousemike84]

Chester Frazier is out with a hand injury and Peedi is absolutely on fire! M is going to win! I dont have any doubt

[TNTWolverine]

I would love to think we will play the same but the Illini play much better defense than the Hawkeyes. Also, Sims will not have that kind of game unless he gets that big guy in foul trouble. This one seems like it will probably come down to the last minutes, in my mind.

[bighousemike84]

Cyrus Tate is a bigger man than Sims and it didnt matter what Tate did cause Sims couldnt be stopped. The announcers had a stat on Sims that I thought was telling. In the 4 games leading up to this one Sims was 40-60 from the field! Thats against teams like Wisconsin, Minnesota and Purdue! Then he goes and scores 27 points on 16-18 from the field today! Tissdale is a strong athlete and big man that will most definitely be a tougher competition for Sims but Peedi has hit a sweet spot down the stretch and I think that continues tomorrow

[deltguy2]

As long as we are hitting the shots from outside, we have a shot....

[nc wolverine]

first off congrats to blue for the impressive win.

My take on playing Ill.
1st. smart shots, hoisting up 3's all night is not a good thing (unless we are hitting better than 50%)
on the other side. No open looks from 3 land. tight perimeter defense.

2. control transition. If we want to run, we run, we cant let the tempo be dictated by Ill.

3. spread the floor. let harris and sims go 1 on 1 against the defense. Ill has a good team but not 1 superstar.

4. as always win the rebound battle. If we lose the rebounding edge, we lose the game.

[bigboyBlue]

Who has the BTN? Whats the score? Howz it looking?

[nc wolverine]

20-18 um......

[nc wolverine]

24-23 3 min left in first half

[chriswebber]

25-24 ill up at 1/2

[rickyleach]

Michigan will win this game by 10 points , i just got the feeling ..

[hail2mich]

They ended the 1st half cold. Hopefully they can get it going again the the 2nd.

[bigboyBlue]

Both UM-Ill games came down to the wire this year, I expect the same. dammit I hate nailbiters when UM plays!

[hail2mich]

Second half isn't going so good.

[chriswebber]

Wheels have fallen off the bus. 34-52 ill. 7 minutes left. It could get ugly.

[rickyleach]

could get ,or isssss.

[deltguy2]

What in the hell happened in the 2nd half??

self-destruction

[chriswebber]

Manny Harris & Sims, you can't count on 2 players to carry your team. NIT?

[Bighouse]

Michigan will win this game by 10 points , i just got the feeling ..
Ricky man....u let me down with this comment:D

[Bighouse]

Holy Crap....it ain't over yet

[hail2mich]

Really need the D to step up.

[chriswebber]

Game is over. Michigan is playing prayer 3. No inside game.

[bigboyBlue]

Too bad, cold shooting first half followed by a tired looking second half. Well, sunday it is, we're gonna need help. Luckily, Minny lost and PSU is down 16 with 15 mins to go in the second.