Illini/Heels

[JBCovers]

As an Illini fan, take this lean with a grain of salt. BUT...I've watched this team quite a bit this year, and I feel like I know how they play.

First, this is a young team. Yeah, McCamey, Tisdale, and Davis are seniors, but really they don't play like it. Tisdale is usually gone by the end of games, Davis goes missing, and McCamey....let's just say I'm not a fan of his 'leadership' abilities. Things always seem to grind to a halt offensively down the stretch, and whether you can attribute that to Weber or the on-court talent, it's there.

That being said, Illinois, with their influx of fresh/soph players, really do seem to hit the ground running. 1st halfs are golden with this team, and I don't see a reason that trend wouldn't continue. The Heels are coming off a tough win, which might be better for UI than UNC having 3 straight losses. The way I see this game playing out is a typical Illini game, Illinois starts out hot, gets out to a lead, and slowly gets whittled away from the 'clogged toilet' offense down the stretch. Whether they win or not, I don't know, but they should, they are a better team this year.

3 units Illinois -3 1H
2 units UNC +6.5

 

[IE]

good post, thanks.

 

[Clem D]

good post, thanks.

Agree this was a good post, I have illinois 7 or 8 better but thast is too tight to play.

 

[rrc]

Totally agree on your McCamey thoughts...he's actually lacked leadership since hs.

Always been a "me" guy.

gl

 

[Destructor D]

I took UNC +7 for the game... agree on Illini playing better in the 1st half and then fading in the 2nd half as they have done this a bunch.

 

[ppabart]

I wish I could add something here but I fear there's not much I can. Being a longtime Tarheel follower, this team just has me stumped. With so many new faces, there just doesnt seem like there is any type of cohesion going on with this year's team. I do like Larry Drew II and how he seems to be more aggressive with the ball this year. And I'm a big John Henson fan. He's long and will be a great player. But I think this year's team is a long tern project, as evidenced by their 2 losses already and a close shave with the College of Chaleston a few days ago.

So tread lightly with this Tarheel team. I think it might be a little worse before it gets better. I am hopeful that they'll be ready for ACC play come January.

Best of luck with what you play.

 

[JBCovers]

Been thinking more about this game, and the more I am liking my initial lean.

One additional thing: home crowd. The players might not think much about it, but the fans are sure thinking about the 2005 title game. The crowd is going to be a big factor early. However, much like Weber, Illinois fans can get very nervous when things are not going their way. Assembly Hall can get mighty quiet down the stretch during a tight game. (must be Cubs fans like me, waiting for the other shoe to drop,right? :142smilie) So I wouldn't expect the crowd to be much of a factor during the closing minutes. I like Illinois early for the first half, and UNC late to cover or win.

 

[ppabart]

the fans are sure thinking about the 2005 title game

I have to disagree on this point. Kids weren't in school then, so I would deem it a non-factor.

 

[JBCovers]

The players might not think much about it, but the fans are sure thinking about the 2005 title game.

....which is what I said, the players won't care, but Weber and the fans will. :shrug:

 

[JBCovers]

I have to disagree on this point. Kids weren't in school then, so I would deem it a non-factor.

I get what you were saying now. When I wrote fans, I meant older fans, who make up 85% of the crowd. Assembly Hall has a VERY small student section.

 

[ppabart]

yeah sorry I wasnt clear. just 2 totally different teams now.

hopefully its a good game

 

[JBCovers]

Well, one win, one loss, but got the bigger play (1H -3) right. Got lucky and unlucky, prob should've gone 1-1 the other way. Illinois did their cruddy O best to give the spread away late, going from 16 up to 9 with 3 min to go, but UNC couldn't make a free throw to save their life. It's very weird for me to be rooting for my team to give up points to keep it to a close win, but UNC couldn't even do that. I feel like I capped it the right way, just didn't work out. I'll take the profit, and leave the real capping to the experts here. Thanks all.

:toast: