OFFICIAL ILLINOIS/RUTGERS GAME PREDICTION

[HeavenUniv.]

Rutgers 78
Illinois Industrial University. 69

 

[Rokodesh]

Rutgers 71
Illinois 68

 

[gregkoko]

I'm hoping against hope that I'm wrong. I'll be there. I expect the crowd to be fired the f up, but...
I think we're in for a let down game.

Illinois 77
Rutgers 68

 

[LeapinLou]

In my opinion, Illinois from top to bottom, has the best roster in the Big 10. They are so good on both ends with Kofi and Curbelo both in the lineup with the usual suspects. That said, they have shown that they can lay an egg with the best of them. I was shocked when they exited the NCAA Tournament so early last year. That killed my bracket. But I digress. My main point is that we beat MSU and OSU even though they played their A game. I don't see that happening if Illinois brings the A game.

I'm stating the obvious but if Kofi or Cliff get into foul trouble, it will have a huge impact on the game. We will need Cliff at the end so liberal use of Reiber and maybe even Agee and Nathan may be required.

 

[richthedentist]

Rutgers 69
Illinois- 64
We hold them from 3 and Kofi gets his points but we WIN!!

 

[Degaz-RU]

I've predicted an L in all three of the recent top 25 wins, so I'll continue that run here.

IL - 74
RU - 69

We're going to have a LOT of trouble defending Kofi (duh), and Underwood would be crazy to not play Hawkins on Ron again, as he absolutely stifled Ron in Champaign.

Our only chance is if Caleb can silence Plummer a bit, and hope that Frazier doesn't go off from 3.

 

[dfr1966]

RU 83-80 in OT

 

[RutgersNo1]

RU 66-80 IL
What’s our all-time record when black out?

 

[Scangg]

I've predicted an L in all three of the recent top 25 wins, so I'll continue that run here.

IL - 74
RU - 69

We're going to have a LOT of trouble defending Kofi (duh), and Underwood would be crazy to not play Hawkins on Ron again, as he absolutely stifled Ron in Champaign.

Our only chance is if Caleb can silence Plummer a bit, and hope that Frazier doesn't go off from 3.

The hope is....

Hawkins has been playing single digit minutes lately. Questionable. Prob somewhere in between early minutes and what he has been getting since he was so so effective against Ron

Caleb shuts down Plummer. Likely.

Frazier has struggled lately. Illinois fans questioning possible injury saying he has been throwing up air balls. Good chance his struggles continue.

 

[RU89]

I'm hoping against hope that I'm wrong. I'll be there. I expect the crowd to be fired the f up, but...
I think we're in for a let down game.

Illinois 77
Rutgers 68

I’m thinking the opposite. Our let downs always come when our heads swell because we think we’re better then we are and play down to a lesser opponent and get upset. A few things are different in this scenario. One, we still have so much to play for and the team knows it……ie: there is still a sense of urgency. Two, we have developed 2 additional offensive pieces that we didn’t have when these inexplicable losses happened in the past, Cliff and Paul. That has changed the total offensive dynamic and takes the pressure off Ron and Geo to be responsible for the full offensive load. Three, when something clicks and takes a team to a new level which i think has happened with us, it’s fun to stay there and there’s an internal motivation to make it happen. I think for the first time we’ve actually turned that corner and our team is desperate to stay there. Four, Geo and Ron really want this to continue. Not that they didn’t want winning to continue in the past but with the team shifting to a higher level, they know their time is coming to an end and they are upping their games in response and know they have the additional offensive pieces in place to make it happen. And finally, even the old iteration of our team always seemed to step up towards the end of the past couple seasons and finish strong to secure an NCAA birth. That type of strong finish is again required and our players believe in themselves more so than ever. Instead of a let down, i see our best game of the year happening in front of a hungry crowd the likes of which we haven’t seen since March 89??
RU 77
Illini 68

 

[Morrischiano2]

Pike has his team playing the best basketball of the year. The team is also loose and having fun. I imagine that he'll turn the screws and have them bear down yesterday and today.

This team is primed. They know that this is the biggest game of the year relatively. They will be ready. I just hope that the refs will allow RU to play defense.

Rutgers 70
Illi 67

 

[zebnatto]

RU 75
Illini 70

 

[Westcoast]

Ugh, the Illini are getting this one. Too many mistakes from our guys late. 72-67.

 

[The RUT]

This one scares me, probably more so than the Purdue game (which might be a good thing for us lol).

I think this team has caught up, and they no longer feel like they need to catch up. We'll see what happens.

There's just so much build up here, I'm going to bet against their ability to shut the RAC down early, and I'm going to bet on the RAC magic.

Rutgers 61
Illinois 54

Dog fight at the RAC.

 

[RU Husky]

Illinois by a late touchdown

 

[Jtung230]

No way we win 4 in a row against top 25. Zero chance we win this one.

 

[Danprusa_4]

I’m thinking the opposite. Our let downs always come when our heads swell because we think we’re better then we are and play down to a lesser opponent and get upset. A few things are different in this scenario. One, we still have so much to play for and the team knows it……ie: there is still a sense of urgency. Two, we have developed 2 additional offensive pieces that we didn’t have when these inexplicable losses happened in the past, Cliff and Paul. That has changed the total offensive dynamic and takes the pressure off Ron and Geo to be responsible for the full offensive load. Three, when something clicks and takes a team to a new level which i think has happened with us, it’s fun to stay there and there’s an internal motivation to make it happen. I think for the first time we’ve actually turned that corner and our team is desperate to stay there. Four, Geo and Ron really want this to continue. Not that they didn’t want winning to continue in the past but with the team shifting to a higher level, they know their time is coming to an end and they are upping their games in response and know they have the additional offensive pieces in place to make it happen. And finally, even the old iteration of our team always seemed to step up towards the end of the past couple seasons and finish strong to secure an NCAA birth. That type of strong finish is again required and our players believe in themselves more so than ever. Instead of a let down, i see our best game of the year happening in front of a hungry crowd the likes of which we haven’t seen since March 89??
RU 77
Illini 68

Nailed it on the head.

 

[GimmeSomeMore]

Illinois 38 26 - 64
Rutgers 37 33 - 70

In front of 8,000+ crazies

Geo (34 mins) leads the way 19-4-4
Ron (32 mins) 14-5
Caleb (30 mins) 7-8 (and another 4 steals)
Paul (38 mins) 11-5-7
Cliff (30 mins) 12-5 (3 blocks) - two primary jobs ... limit fouls (don't reach/stay still on screens) + RUN RUN RUN

Minutes / points for rest:

Jalen - 10 / 0
Mag - 6 / 2
Rieber - 10 /2
Hyatt - 8 / 3

I do not think we see Palmquist, Jaden or RGA

 

[Danprusa_4]

Illni- 72
Rutgers-65

man I’m hoping I’m wrong but with our loud voices at the RAC hopefully that will become the X factor late in the game

 

[Morrischiano2]

Nailed it on the head.

I've coached football teams but not basketball teams but that being said, sometimes you can feel when a team swells up in its chest and has that energy and confidence. It is usually the result of having lots of seniors playing at a high level.

This team does seem to have that "chest swell" right now. They win tomorrow.

 

[gregkoko]

I’m thinking the opposite. Our let downs always come when our heads swell because we think we’re better then we are and play down to a lesser opponent and get upset. A few things are different in this scenario. One, we still have so much to play for and the team knows it……ie: there is still a sense of urgency. Two, we have developed 2 additional offensive pieces that we didn’t have when these inexplicable losses happened in the past, Cliff and Paul. That has changed the total offensive dynamic and takes the pressure off Ron and Geo to be responsible for the full offensive load. Three, when something clicks and takes a team to a new level which i think has happened with us, it’s fun to stay there and there’s an internal motivation to make it happen. I think for the first time we’ve actually turned that corner and our team is desperate to stay there. Four, Geo and Ron really want this to continue. Not that they didn’t want winning to continue in the past but with the team shifting to a higher level, they know their time is coming to an end and they are upping their games in response and know they have the additional offensive pieces in place to make it happen. And finally, even the old iteration of our team always seemed to step up towards the end of the past couple seasons and finish strong to secure an NCAA birth. That type of strong finish is again required and our players believe in themselves more so than ever. Instead of a let down, i see our best game of the year happening in front of a hungry crowd the likes of which we haven’t seen since March 89??
RU 77
Illini 68

I hope you're right!

 

[Scangg]

No way we win 4 in a row against top 25. Zero chance we win this one.

Solid reverse jinx. Need to offset all these predicted victories

 

[RU89]

I hope you're right!

Me too lol But in all seriousness, I think I am right. When teams turn a corner in their development (and I mean really turn a corner) incredible things can happen. I've been a fan since 1985 and can point to only 2 times in that 37 years where you really saw a genuine metamorphosis that took the team to an entirely other level.

In both cases it happened kind of inexplicably and that was the 1989 team that turned a corner in the latter part of the season then stayed hot through the A-10 Tournament (Guessing this is where BAC got the moniker "BAC To the RAC"??) and then all the way to the NCAA's.................. and this season starting in the second half of the Northwestern game to where we sit now. Granted, that's a small sample size so far this year and a lot has to play out to look back at this and say that was a true turning point that led us to greater things, but to me it has that feel. It will be fascinating to see how this plays out. As hard as it is to conceptualize a 4th straight top 20 win, I think it happens and is another step that's part of this potentially phenomenal turnaround. If younger posters are writing about this season 37 years from now, then we know it happened. RU 77 - Illini 68.

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

Last game, Rutgers 51, @ Illinois 86, no Geo.
Jaden 10, Ralph 4, Palm 3
Geo has scored 108pt last 7, FG 42.2%, 3pt 39.6%
15.4pts(18.0pts in 6, 0pt, 0-7 @NW)
Ron and Paul aren't shooting 3-20, 2-5, 9pts in this game either
Ron FG 34.7%, 3pt 34.8, 15.0 pts last 4, Paul FG 66.7%, 3pt 66.7% 18.0 pts last 4
Plummer went for 24(avg 15.4, 53 last 4)
Grandison went for 15(avg 10.1, 29 last 4)

Illinois 70
Rutgers 77

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Will look through my house for a dice.

1-Rutgers fires on all cylinders and wins by 17. Illinois has had a few of these games and we know RU is capable

2-Game goes back and forth with no team getting a lead greater than 9. Cockburn scores 24 but he takes 16 shots. RU wins by 3

3-tied at 69-69 Geo misses with 3 seconds, but Cliff gets an offensive rebound is fouled. He misses the 1st and makes the 2nd

4-close game. RU down 1 with the ball scores with 12 seconds left. Illinois breaks our hearts as Curbelo takes it to the hoop and finishes and they win by 1

5- bad RU start has us down 13 in The 1st half. We fight back and finally tie it with 5 minutes left. We are spent and Illinois goes on a 14-2 run to win going away

6- We get our doors blown off and lose by 20. Game isn’t that close

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

RU 90
Illinois 89

 

[anon1753890747]

Illinois 38 26 - 64
Rutgers 37 33 - 70

In front of 8,000+ crazies

Geo (34 mins) leads the way 19-4-4
Ron (32 mins) 14-5
Caleb (30 mins) 7-8 (and another 4 steals)
Paul (38 mins) 11-5-7
Cliff (30 mins) 12-5 (3 blocks) - two primary jobs ... limit fouls (don't reach/stay still on screens) + RUN RUN RUN

Minutes / points for rest:

Jalen - 10 / 0
Mag - 6 / 2
Rieber - 10 /2
Hyatt - 8 / 3

I do not think we see Palmquist, Jaden or RGA

77-64
Paul scores 18 I agree with everything else

 

[Scangg]

Kofi used to struggle against Myles’ size and he couldn’t move him. Cliff’s lack of weight will hurt him but hopefully he can stay out of foul trouble. I have a feeling we might need Agee more than Reiber just for sheer strength. They will be launching 3s but I think we squeak one out.

Rutgers 71
Illinois 69

If Cliff gets in foul trouble this game could get ugly. Agee and Dean stand no chance guarding Kofi.

I'm having flashbacks of Dean getting completely dominated by Edy. Not his fault but he doesn't have the strength.

Agee looks like he is like 6'6 I swear he gets shorter every time I see him on the court.

Nathan is the only backup with any shot against Kofi. He can at least stand his ground with his size, but will be a liability on offense. If Cliff gets in foul trouble and Kofi is abusing Dean maybe we see a minute or two of Nathan.

Otherwise we need to zone/double if Cliff isn't in the game bc Kofi will score at ease against Reider or Agee

 

[NJDOVES]

Can’t help thinking this team is nothing but a tease! When I think their doing good they lay an egg. When I think they stink they tease me with a win or two or three or four? IDK?
Anyway… I’ll be there!

RU 73
Enemy 71

Please tease me *****!

 

[RUfromSoCal?]

 

[Danprusa_4]

Last game, Rutgers 51, @ Illinois 86, no Geo.
Geo has scored 108pt last 7, FG 42.2%, 3pt 39.6%
15.4pts(18.0pts in 6, 0pt, 0-7 @NW)
Ron and Paul aren't shooting 3-20 in this game either
Ron FG 34.7%, 3pt 34.8, 15.0 pts last 4, Paul FG 66.7%, 3pt 66.7% 18.0 pts last 4
Plummer went for 24(avg 15.4, 53 last 4)
Grandison went for 15(avg 10.1, 29 last 4)

Illinois 70
Rutgers

Will look through my house for a dice.

1-Rutgers fires on all cylinders and wins by 17. Illinois has had a few of these games and we know RU is capable

2-Game goes back and forth with no team getting a lead greater than 9. Cockburn scores 24 but he takes 16 shots. RU wins by 3

3-tied at 69-69 Geo misses with 3 seconds, but Cliff gets an offensive rebound is fouled. He misses the 1st and makes the 2nd

4-close game. RU down 1 with the ball scores with 12 seconds left. Illinois breaks our hearts as Curbelo takes it to the hoop and finishes and they win by 1

5- bad RU start has us down 13 in The 1st half. We fight back and finally tie it with 5 minutes left. We are spent and Illinois goes on a 14-2 run to win going away

6- We get our doors blown off and lose by 20. Game isn’t that close

Wow just quoted every game we’ve played and ended it with PSU.

 

[BillyC80]

I’m getting no vibe either way, so I’ll assume that means it won’t be a nail-biter and we win easily. RU wins 74-63.

 

[rob kight]

if we can pick up the pace, Kofi will play less minutes as he will need more breaks. I like the success recently of our swarming defense and mixing in some zone. Also if Paul can pull Kofi out to top of key, Paul can find Cliff for stuffs. I would like to see us carry a comfortable lead to avoid the tums, but i think we pull out a tight one. When we beat Illinois, we will have beaten the 5 teams ahead of us in the conference and lost to 4 of the 5 bottom teams. No one else can claim that record. ETR= Enjoying the ride.

 

[superfan01]

Wait. Why is @HeavenUniv. starting this thread and not @bac2therac
We are cursed now.
un fing believable

 

[fluoxetine]

Illinois 67, Rutgers 65

43% chance of Rutgers victory

 

[Scangg]

Any close game has to favor Rutgers

If it's down to the wire, in a blackout, against #12 Illinois to win 4 straight against top 16 with B1G championship and NCAA tournament implications... the RAC is going to be absolutely rockingggg at all time levels.

 

[RUbytheshore]

Rutgers 70 - Illinois 65

 

[Colbert17!]

Sitkowski goes deep late and we lose.
Our resident GS haters blame Schiano for us not getting in the tourney.

 

[bac2therac]

RUTGERS 74 Illinois 71

 

[rudad02]

I’m thinking the opposite. Our let downs always come when our heads swell because we think we’re better then we are and play down to a lesser opponent and get upset. A few things are different in this scenario. One, we still have so much to play for and the team knows it……ie: there is still a sense of urgency. Two, we have developed 2 additional offensive pieces that we didn’t have when these inexplicable losses happened in the past, Cliff and Paul. That has changed the total offensive dynamic and takes the pressure off Ron and Geo to be responsible for the full offensive load. Three, when something clicks and takes a team to a new level which i think has happened with us, it’s fun to stay there and there’s an internal motivation to make it happen. I think for the first time we’ve actually turned that corner and our team is desperate to stay there. Four, Geo and Ron really want this to continue. Not that they didn’t want winning to continue in the past but with the team shifting to a higher level, they know their time is coming to an end and they are upping their games in response and know they have the additional offensive pieces in place to make it happen. And finally, even the old iteration of our team always seemed to step up towards the end of the past couple seasons and finish strong to secure an NCAA birth. That type of strong finish is again required and our players believe in themselves more so than ever. Instead of a let down, i see our best game of the year happening in front of a hungry crowd the likes of which we haven’t seen since March 89??
RU 77
Illini 68

RU89, agree with you. A key will be if Geo can keep his head on straight. He certainly has lately. When he tries to get too fancy or cute or holds the ball too long to work for a shot he throws the whole rhythm of the team off. Lets hope he keeps up the good work.