First-half thread for NU vs. Illinois

[lou v]

Lots of Orange here tonight, maybe more than half, though I just saw a tweeted picture and there's a HUGE line to get in outside of Allstate right now.

It's gonna be a pretty good crowd tonight -- Welsh-Ryan would be packed.

Here's a link to my primer on the game: Ready or not, B1G play opens tonight for NU

Here's my view tonight. I'm right next to the stanchion:

 

[Kat burglar]

Scottie is not starting

 

[benoitdenizetl]

Anyone know why?

 

[Kat burglar]

Falzon starting

 

[NJCat]

Anyone know why?

1) Cause wrassler told CCC to start Ash?
2) Cause he rolled his ankle against Tech and it is still hampering him?

 

[Jonny2TheP]

Brad Underwood’s face constantly looks like he’s about one second away from getting a rectal exam.

 

[lou v]

All kinds of interesting wrinkles tonight for NU. Ash and Falzon started -- though Lindsey came in for Ash at the first timeout. They also had Lindsey bring the ball up vs. pressure.

Five fouls already on NU at the 15:52 mark. This team has proven to be foul-prone. Illinois has two.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Collins pulled Ash to soon! Ash,Law,and Pardon,and Mac are three best players!

 

[Jonny2TheP]

Collins pulled Ash to soon! Ash,Law,and Pardon,and Mac are three best players!

I think you meant the best six players.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Ash is in! We will rock

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Ash caused the turnover

 

[Gladeskat]

Yes, he did.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Love Law

 

[scru]

Just a struggle to make baskets for the Cats. An unusually cold winter?

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

We will beat Illinois! Glad to see Ash start! He just needs a little time to get comfortable leading this team! His defense is exemplary and we need it starting BT play

 

[julescat]

My god, NU sucks so far this season.

 

[Gladeskat]

Really bad basketball. One stupid play after another!

 

[Gladeskat]

One GD STUPID play after another!

 

[scru]

Get ready for a lopsided loss. The book is out on this Cats team... play aggressive D, press tight, and Cats fold. Can't beat guys 1v1.

 

[Windy City Cat Fan]

Well, trash-talking Illini fans for one year was fun, thought it would have lasted longer

 

[CommodoresAndCats]

I just don't understand refs. Illinois has had two hands on out ball handlers all night and law gets called for that???

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

We are not passing the ball! Scottie just dribbles,like Mac! Got to move the ball! Get Ash in there to distribute the ball with Mac

 

[Jonny2TheP]

This is horrendous basketball. We have no clue how to beat pressure.

 

[Windy City Cat Fan]

Law 4-4 shooting; rest of the team 1-13. Good way to lose

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

One GD STUPID play after another!

Yank Scottie! He is too dam slow! He can’t bring the ball up! We need a two guard lineup! Get Ash back in there ASAP or we are screwed!

 

[scru]

This is horrendous basketball. We have no clue how to beat pressure.

Yup

 

[scru]

Wow, Pardon, WAKE THE **** UP!!!

 

[DaCat]

Can't believe how bad the refs are.

 

[TejasCat]

Good thing we are playing Illinois, might be down 20 right now to any upper tier big ten team

 

[Jonny2TheP]

Yup

Got to feed it inside to Pardon and play an inside/outside game.

 

[scru]

And the shooting woes just continue...

Turns out, this team is just as frustrating to listen to as they are to watch. Aggravating!!

 

[HawkCat]

We are basically unwatchable.

 

[Gladeskat]

No passing! Guys wide open under the basket! Throw up a contested shot! Miss again! Illini ball.

Wonderful basketball!

 

[scru]

Ok, maybe I'm too negative, but Cats don't look good. Can we have a night where 2 or 3 guys are actually hitting shots? The cold shooting is just miserable to watch.

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

No passing! Guys wide open under the basket! Throw up a contested shot! Miss again! Illini ball.

Wonderful basketball!

U r right Glades! No passing whatsoever!

 

[HawkCat]

Ok, maybe I'm too negative, but Cats don't look good. Can we have a night where 2 or 3 guys are actually hitting shots? The cold shooting is just miserable to watch.

I am no Xs and Os guy, but I can’t figure out what our offensive strategy is other than a whole lot of dribbling and eventual driving for a contested shot.

 

[scru]

So, what does Underwood and staff have as leverage on these refs? Or does Mac Irvin Fire own them too?

 

[its_the_sauce]

Can't believe how bad the refs are.

Actually I think 2 of the 3 are doing OK

 

[benoitdenizetl]

Longest, most unwatchable half ever. Too bad because of the refs would let them play a bit, could get some fun hoops. Crowd ready to get into it.

 

[scru]

Have you ever seen refs work so hard to try to NOT call an obvious shove?