Game Thread: Northwestern vs. No. 17 Illinois

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

I got home and turned the game on at 5-5 about 6 minutes in.
We didn't score for awhile after that.

We went small and that was a bit of a disaster.

Ciaravino and Berry are competing.

 

[SmellyCat]

I haven't given up on the NCAAs, but I'm excited that Martinelli could lead the conference in scoring this year. Could be a matchup between the top two scorers this week when NU plays Ace Bailey and Rutgers.

 

[jensberg]

I haven't given up on the NCAAs, but I'm excited that Martinelli could lead the conference in scoring this year. Could be a matchup between the top two scorers this week when NU plays Ace Bailey and Rutgers.

Teams are going to get better and better at stopping Martinelli I don't think he has a chance of winning the scoring title

 

[Davidgolds5]

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 gam

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.

A loss today doesn’t mean much. We have seen the team bounce back from some awful performances. Winning three home games in a row upcoming gets the team back to 6-6. Not unthinkable that could happen.

 

[jensberg]

A loss today doesn’t mean much. We have seen the team bounce back from some awful performances. Winning three home games in a row upcoming gets the team back to 6-6. Not unthinkable that could happen.

Nicholson getting abused by a freshman 3-in shorter than him.

 

[prez77]

Nicholson getting abused by a freshman 3-in shorter than him.

Playoffs? Don’t talk about - playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs?

 

[jensberg]

Playoffs? Don’t talk about - playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs?

Even though it's having no significant effect on how badly we're getting beaten but the reffing is usual is horrible. Several of our guys get hammered and no call.

 

[SmellyCat]

Not liking Leach's "defense" on KJ's three-pointer.

 

[Skunkpilot]

Down 21 Collin’s trying with the refs. Cmon ccc.

 

[Davidgolds5]

Teams are going to get better and better at stopping Martinelli I don't think he has a chance of winning the scoring title

A one half overreaction.

 

[Arlcatsfan]

Hunger hits a THREE !

 

[SmellyCat]

Teams are going to get better and better at stopping Martinelli I don't think he has a chance of winning the scoring title

I agree with the first part of your statement, but not the second. He certainly will have a chance. Teams are getting better at stopping Bailey and Harper (well, his injury is part of it) and other guys. Garcia had 31 yesterday but he's not particularly good on the road. Someone could end up leading the league with 19 ppg. Why not Marty?

 

[Arlcatsfan]

Martinelli has 17 pts so far. So he is getting his scoring near his average

 

[FeralFelidae]

Illinois got really sloppy and complacent and now it's an 8-point game. It's a really long shot, but now you have to foul them and put them on the line.

 

[Arlcatsfan]

The guys we have on the floor now have not given up.

 

[FeralFelidae]

Illinois got really sloppy and complacent and now it's an 8-point game. It's a really long shot, but now you have to foul them and put them on the line.

Illinois missed both free throws and then NU couldn't grab the rebound. Ugh...

 

[Arlcatsfan]

How many traveling calls are the refs gonna miss by the other team against us. That Michigag non- call was really egregious.

 

[Davidgolds5]

They just assume that any time that a team is likely going to foul on a press at end of game, that it has to be a call every time.

 

[barney31]

"Even though it's having no significant effect on how badly we're getting beaten, the reffing is usual is horrible. Several of our guys get hammered and no call." I thought Illini fans were the ones that complain about the refs???

"Down 21 Collin’s trying with the refs. Cmon ccc."

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

"Even though it's having no significant effect on how badly we're getting beaten, the reffing is usual is horrible. Several of our guys get hammered and no call." I thought Illini fans were the ones that complain about the refs???

"Down 21 Collin’s trying with the refs. Cmon ccc."

Surprised it took this long for an Undie to appear in this thread, calling Vasoline!

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

By now, it should be really obvious that Windham is the closest thing we have to a point guard and the quickest player on the roster. Got called for back to back fouls but the 2nd was purely great defense and a dumb ref. He's talented and unimpressed by any opponent.

Ciaravino should be playing whenever Barnhizer or Martinelli is sitting and the 5 minutes to start each half.

Not really sure why Collins apparently gave up so early today - it felt to me that we could make a push and get back in the game.

 

[UpsetAlert]

By now, it should be really obvious that Windham is the closest thing we have to a point guard and the quickest player on the roster. Got called for back to back fouls but the 2nd was purely great defense and a dumb ref. He's talented and unimpressed by any opponent.

Ciaravino should be playing whenever Barnhizer or Martinelli is sitting and the 5 minutes to start each half.

Not really sure why Collins apparently gave up so early today - it felt to me that we could make a push and get back in the game.

Um. He played players who were performing? Today’s loss was not on Collins. Thought he did pretty well actually.

 

[Vassar69]

Surprised it took this long for an Undie to appear in this thread, calling Vasoline!

It was a boring game. I’m mad we played poorly down the stretch. Home win, but probably a detriment to our NET bc of the final score. After losing two straight, including an embarrassing loss at home to Maryland, Underwood wasn’t going to drop this one. The Cats are probably better than their record, but ILL is a really tough matchup for their roster especially if Barnhizer isn’t playing well

 

[Davidgolds5]

Um. He played players who were performing? Today’s loss was not on Collins. Thought he did pretty well actually.

uncompetitive loss but silver linings…..?

Schedule flips now, guessing we had most difficult first nine game schedule difficulty and prob now the easiest.

Barnhizer and Martinelli got some rest

Other guys got some game time, might fitzmorris be a viable offensive option (in Low doses)

End spread should not affect metric rankings much.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

Today’s loss was not on Collins. Thought he did pretty well actually.

And you watched the game?

 

[Hungry Jack]

Shit sandwich

 

[TejasCat]

uncompetitive loss but silver linings…..?

Schedule flips now, guessing we had most difficult first nine game schedule difficulty and prob now the easiest.

Barnhizer and Martinelli got some rest

Other guys got some game time, might fitzmorris be a viable offensive option (in Low doses)

End spread should not affect metric rankings much.

Looks like we climbed a few spots in kenpom, 46 now

 

[UpsetAlert]

And you watched the game?

Apparently more closely than you!

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

Apparently more closely than you!

Yeah, as if thats really a thing.

 

[Davidgolds5]

Looks like we climbed a few spots in kenpom, 46 now

shocking we scored 53 points in the second half. Almost glad we didn’t score 53 points in first half and 21 in the second, we would all be fixated on how we can’t close a game, chokers etc…… almost better to not be in it from the onset.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

shocking we scored 53 points in the second half. Almost glad we didn’t score 53 points in first half and 21 in the second, we would all be fixated on how we can’t close a game, chokers etc…… almost better to not be in it from the onset.

If you had NU +8.5, you are pretty upset that we couldn't rebound a missed free throw.

 

[Davidgolds5]

If you had NU +8.5, you are pretty upset that we couldn't rebound a missed free throw.

I did have them +8, was not pleased! One KJ to Angelo alley oop away from the cover, plus refs missed a travel at the end. We got robbed! Lol.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

I did have them +8, was not pleased! One KJ to Angelo alley oop away from the cover, plus refs missed a travel at the end. We got robbed! Lol.

I feel your pain.

I didn't bet the game, but would have bet on NU for sure, given the fact Illinois was down their center and he played well vs us in Evanston.
You almost stole one.

And from that perspective, the uncalled travel and the ill-advised Windham to Ciaravino half-court lob attempt were particularly unfortunate.