Mich/Illinois Predictions

Submitted by goblue85 on

Michigan basketball is back in action today at 1pm ESPN at home against Illinois.  The team had a much needed break and hopefully Morgan is healed up for the stretch to end the big ten campaign.   Hardaway Jr will break out of his slump today.   Also I feel GR3 will make a splash since its at home.   A win today would be another top 50 rpi win for us.  

 

Michigan 73

Illinois 67

MGoBoard

Tater

February 24th, 2013 at 9:08 AM ^

This would be a nice time for a young team to show that the rough stretch is over, and that it contributed to their education as basketball players.  Illinois played as well as they were capable of playing against MIchigan in Champaign and still lost.  I am hoping for a solid win, and an indication that this team's true peak is going to happen in NCAA Tournament.

Michigan 79, Illinois 68.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

LSAClassOf2000

February 24th, 2013 at 9:09 AM ^

Here are some in-conference averages side-by-side:

 

Offensive Stats
 
 Ilinois Michigan
Points/Game 65.5 72.2
Avg Score Margin 0.4 7.9
Assists/Game 9.6 13.3
Total Rebounds/Gm 32.4 34.2
Effective FG % 46.60% 54.13%
Off Rebound % 33.00% 31.10%
Turnovers 11.1 9.2
Defensive Stats
 
 Ilinois Michigan
Opp Points/Game 65.1 64.3
Opp Effective FG % 55.56% 49.45%
Off Rebounds/Gm 11.6 10.2
Def Rebounds/Gm 20.8 24.0
Blocks/Game 3.1 2.8
Steals/Game 6.6 6.0

I would say that the chances of us pulling this one are pretty good, especially if we can keep turnovers to a minimum (Illinois has the best turnover margin in the conference) and get some spirited defense. It will be interesting to see if Michigan has been tinkering with interior defense this week. In any case, if we can keep the ball under control and get some nice transitions, 75-65-ish Michigan. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130561

RoxyMtnHiM

February 24th, 2013 at 9:13 AM ^

No prediction here, just hoping we look like a good basketball team for the first time in what's getting to be a while.

Joined: 04/21/2009

MGoPoints: 1892

Ler

February 24th, 2013 at 9:20 AM ^

I've watched every televised Michigan basketball game for the last 20 or so years and it's very rare that I have absolutely no idea what to expect going into a game. That being said, I have absolutely no idea how this game is going to play out. I could see us winning by 20 or losing by 15. Most likely the final will be somewhere between those extremes. I'll go with Michigan 75 - Illinois 67 just to get a prediction in, but I'm not very comfortable at all.

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 56

MGlobules

February 24th, 2013 at 10:50 AM ^

around the question of whether they'd lost their mojo. But concentrating on D and playing physical will bring them into the flow of play and build confidence. I think they'll play well after halftime. As for the score--you're right--very tough one to predict. I'll bet that with a lot of somewhat tentative banging by Michigan both teams may end up well under their season averages: 68-61?

Joined: 11/17/2008

MGoPoints: 47516

madmaxweb

February 24th, 2013 at 10:02 AM ^

The guy told it was gonna be a complete blow out. Told me that Penn State was comparable to some very low Div 1 teams and asked if I really thought they would come that close to losing. If you saw the conversation you would understand.

Joined: 02/21/2012

MGoPoints: 1865

Michigan Arrogance

February 24th, 2013 at 9:52 AM ^

I'm gonna start this by saying that M has not lost to a team ranked below ~20 (wisco, on the road). I'm not saying that b/c it's evidence that this team is really good (it is, but that's tangent to my point).

I'm saying that b/c EVERY TEAM IN THE NATION HAS, and maybe we're due for a lower ranked team to jump up and bite us in the ass with ridic shooting or something.

Prediction: M 70 Ill 73, and people react to this loss as if it's armageddon, b/c you know, ELITE teams with GREAT coaches don't ever lose to lower ranked tourney teams. UNACCEPTABLE!

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 35465

Michigan Arrogance

February 24th, 2013 at 10:09 AM ^

I never understood the "ranking at the time" thing. Wisc is pretty obvs a top 20 team. So a miracle road loss to them is our worst loss.

I think as time goes on, anyone who lost to Miami and teams like that who start slow but are clearly very good, should get more credit for those losses. Teams that lose to Minnnesota should perhaps take a hit.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 35465

jvarg1

February 24th, 2013 at 11:15 AM ^

Michigan has had a target on their backs all season. With all the media hype, even with these 4 loses they still get more attention than any other team in the country. I don't see any team letting down against the wolves. It is a great measuring tool for any squad regardless of their own record. Expect a great game from ill today,
However it will not be enough as Belien has the boys ready on the d side of ball.
MI wins big

Joined: 03/12/2011

MGoPoints: 385

Promote RichRod

February 24th, 2013 at 12:18 PM ^

Is there anywhere to watch recorded copies of the game online after the fact?  My DVR literally just went out and I have to entertain some guests so no going to the bar...

Also, because DirecTV sucks, I don't think ESPN3 is an option.  Any ideas?

Joined: 11/11/2008

MGoPoints: 772