Illinois Preview and Game Thread -- 3-21-2021

[eg1]

Cross-posted from the “so proud” thread:

Tech fan here — great win for you guys, especially against the big school just down the road that won’t give you a sniff in non-conference play. Looks good on them.

I think we gave you a better game than the Illini, even without our best player. Hope you go to the Final Four — I love Krutwig’s “old man” game!

[LU 86]

I won a round of golf from my brother at Pebble. I think he knows I've been so busy I'll never get out there. lol This was the best Loyola game I have seen. From game plan to execution it was a basketball clinic on fundamentals and team play. JCT, time to sleep well tonight buddy. To everyone else, we have waited a long to see this type of game from a Rambler squad. AWESOME

[swellafelon]

Loyola 3rd favorite according to Vegas to win it all, behind only Gonzaga and Baylor.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndicatio ... t.amp.html

[illininer]

Congrats from an Illinois fan. I know there are a lot of "crazies" in our fan base, but most decent Illini fans knew this would be a difficult game. A lot of us really hoped you would end up on the other side of the bracket, but dang, shit happens. Definitely didn't want you in the 8/9 game. Being from Southern Illinois and pretty much in the heart of MVC country, I know how good the league is even when it is supposedly "down". The team that wins the league can compete with anyone because you know they are disciplined, fundamental, physical, and especially good defensively.

Don't know what else to say, but your game plan was beautiful, offensively and defensively. Players executed it to perfection and at no point did I feel like we had much for you after the first 5 minutes. Exploited all of our weaknesses again and again, offensively and defensively. Was a little disappointed that we didn't make it an emphasis to get the ball into Kofi right from the tip, but some of that was your defense and some of that was our guard play. Was shocked that we really made zero adjustments throughout the game to combat your O and D.

I admired the effort that every guy that came onto the court for ya'll played with...it was refreshing. I thought we only had 3 maybe 4 players that matched that intensity and the 3 were underclassmen. Definitely didn't play a full 40 and that's been an issue throughout the year and happened again at the worst time of the year. Ain't going to win a game in the tournament like that especially against a team like Loyola.

Sorry for the essay, but congrats again on the W and hopefully I can hitch a ride on the bandwagon for the rest of the tournament.

[swellafelon]

Thanks Illininer!

I read your message board and to me there were very few if any "crazies", especially compared to Wichita State's message board Shockernet.

[goramblers2011]

I really did like the Illini team this year. Some fun and legit "next level" players. Ayo and Kofi destroyed some Big Ten squads. And Illinois has a much better fanbase than DePaul overall. Really wish we could have beat them in the Elite 8.

But, man it feels good to be king of the state.

[JerseyCityRambler]

Cat woman has been no match for Lucas!

No reason for a cheap shot at a great, All-American player. Let's keep it positive.

How about this for our second half shot chart?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/129cqCH ... sp=sharing

What an incredible game plan and execution.

Appreciate your moral compass guiding our message board.

We'll have a lot to discuss the next time we rendezvous in Camden (or at a XC meet)!

[RamblerPup63]

Woooooooohhhoooooo!

Just got back from Indy and boy am I proud of our team. Before the game started you could cut the tension of the air with a knife. Like many of you, I was waiting for the wheels to fall off and I finally let myself breath normally with about 3.5 minutes left. Illinois just looked like they ran out of gas. Our defense gave them such a run for their money.

After the crappy covid year, this weekend has given me SO MUCH JOY.

[goramblers2011]

We beat Illinois. And it was one of the best squads they have ever had. How sweeeet it is!

This is OUR state. We are better than any Big Ten team.

[bgilmore06]

We'll have a lot to discuss the next time we rendezvous in Camden (or at a XC meet)!

Steve! Good to hear from you, my friend. I hope you are doing well. What a day to be a Rambler! Savor everything this is. AMDG.