Game Thread: Northwestern vs. No. 17 Illinois

[mshelton33]

Northwestern (12-7, 3-5 Big Ten) is on the road at No. 17 Illinois (13-6, 5-4 Big Ten) today. The game will tip off at 2:07 pm and will air on BTN. The home team has won the last six games of the rivalry, and NU hasn't won at the State Farm Center since 2012.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I am sure Vassarline is all lubed up for this one

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

I got a bad feeling. Hope I am wrong!

 

[NJCat]

How is Barney's nose?

 

[NU Houston]

How is Barney's nose?

He has some tape across it but otherwise looks fine.

 

[SmellyCat]

Both defenses playing well so far. 5-3 at the under-16 is a 47-28 pace!

 

[Davidgolds5]

We are struggling to rebound. Lucky to be down two.

 

[GatoLouco]

Not that they capitalized heavily on it, but we have been putrid keeping them off the offensive glass

 

[FeralFelidae]

Nice jump hook from Fitzmorris. I wish Nicholson could do that.

 

[SmellyCat]

Hard to even get a shot off right now.

 

[NU Houston]

Nick and Brooks aren't getting doubled on defense. They need to be more aggressive and capitalize on it.

 

[jensberg]

Nick and Brooks aren't getting doubled on defense. They need to be more aggressive and capitalize on it.

Right now we can't shoot and we can't rebound not a good situation. Plus they seem like they're taller than us at every position and any shot we shoot as a high chance of getting blocked

 

[Hungry Jack]

We love putting ourselves in holes

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Matt can start the game anytime now

 

[jensberg]

Matt can start the game anytime now

Yeah he's having a really tough time he hasn't done anything of value yet

 

[Davidgolds5]

Getting out rebounded 21-8. That is a sign of one team playing harder than the other.

 

[SmellyCat]

Shooting 15% right now, including 1 for-12 on two-pointers. Wow.

 

[Arlcatsfan]

If the Cats don't get their act together this game is gonna be over bt the under 4 minute timeout.

 

[MC_Cat]

We look weak to be honest. They look like they want it way more than we do. Not winning a single one on one match-up so far.

 

[2388bb]

Matt can start the game anytime now

He has not improved at all.

 

[NU Houston]

Brooks looks terrible today. Of course, everyone else does too.

 

[GatoLouco]

From the first possession it was clear who was the aggressor. Half can’t come soon enough. We are dangerously close to being out of this game

 

[Davidgolds5]

Brooks looks injured. Maybe let him sit the rest of the day.

 

[FeralFelidae]

Getting out rebounded 21-8. That is a sign of one team playing harder than the other.

It's a sign of one team making many more shots than the other team. The team that misses gives the opponent more defensive rebounds.

 

[jensberg]

From the first possession it was clear who was the aggressor. Half can’t come soon enough. We are dangerously close to being out of this game

This game is definitely over already. I don't think we could play any worse. 11 points and 16 minutes are you kidding

 

[NU Houston]

Switching over to the NFC championship game soon.

 

[SmellyCat]

I don't even think changing my shirt at halftime would make a difference today.

 

[FeralFelidae]

I'm just glad we were able to take these guys at our house. I'm ready for the brutal schedule to lighten up a bit...

 

[Jonny2TheP]

Another total no show on a Sunday afternoon. Not even close to matching the energy of the Illini and playing/shooting with no confidence. Honestly, a totally pathetic performance in every aspect.

 

[jensberg]

Another total no show on a Sunday afternoon. Not even close to matching the energy of the Illini and playing/shooting with no confidence. Honestly, a totally pathetic performance in every aspect.

Though it doesn't explain why all the other players are having such a horrible day but Barney is definitely hurting and maybe shouldn't be playing. He's of no value out there so far.

 

[2388bb]

Another total no show on a Sunday afternoon. Not even close to matching the energy of the Illini and playing/shooting with no confidence. Honestly, a totally pathetic performance in every aspect.

Lucky to make NIT.

 

[NU Houston]

Outrebounded 26-11. The illiini have eight offensive boards. Terrible.

 

[Arlcatsfan]

This is where losing the games on the road against Iowa, Penn State and Michigan really hurt so when you do have a crappy performance like today it doesn't hurt so much. Somewhere we have to win a couple of road games

 

[NU Houston]

Shooting first FTs with less than two minutes left in the half. Not good.

 

[AdamOnFirst]

Brooks needs to sit the last 10-12 minutes. He’s not right.

 

[Hungry Jack]

WTF kind of effort is this?

 

[MC_Cat]

Brooks looks injured. Maybe let him sit the rest of the day.

Honestly I thought he had as much of a chance of a concussion as he did a broken nose from that face plant the other night.

 

[wildcatpn]

Illinois is better than us but it’s inexcusable to come out and be out worked so badly. No energy and not prepared. Disappointing.

 

[Arlcatsfan]

If we don't make a run in the 1st 5 minutes of the 2nd half Barnhizer should sit for the rest of the game. All you are doing is risking more injuries to him. Nothing to prove playing him. Play KJ, Mullins Ceravino and call it a day.

 

[FeralFelidae]

Lucky to make NIT.

We'll probably play in the College Basketball Crown, since the top two remaining Big Ten teams are contractually obligated to play in that tournament instead of the NIT. With our several Qual 1 wins, I remain confident that we'll be playing in one of these tournaments, although we still have a chance to make the NCAAs. Regarding today, we still have the split with the Illini, which is the same as we did last season.