Illinois ML in 2005 finale

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pt1gard

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Just have hard time believing ILLNI only losing one game all year (and easily could be undefeated, and then theyd still be DOG here?) that they should not be favored ... smart, mentally balanced, good passers, great shooters, enough height and toughness on court and bench to meet any combo NC will mount ...

Marvin subpar lately, Jawad woke up, May best player in nation (yes I know they have other players ;))... but cant help thinking Big Ten has some edge the way their final 3 teams fared in tourney compared to ACCs ...

No coaching advantage either for ROY being there for third time, didnt seem to help Pitino ...

Weber seems like good guy; like his team and Deron to possibly monkey wrench Ray Felton's blinding speed; I'd double down on May a lot and make him diagonal pass out for treys and try picking that poison...


Illini ML

gl, gregg
 
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pt1gard

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Here's a Herbstreet and Corso--if I've ever seen one.


JEFF BENTON COMP PICK RUN....10-3 LAST 13

Yep, that's right, 10-3 with my last 13 and 21-11-1 since March 1 after hitting Detroit Sunday.

Tonight I'm telling you to play the over in the Championship Game between North Carolina and Illinois. This is going to be a fast-paced, up-and-down, high-scoring affair.Oh, it's also going to be a great game as well.

Illinois can play either way.Up tempo or slow it down.North Carolina goes one speed, full throttle, all engines ahead.

The total is a smart play here.It's posted at 155 which means Vegas sees a game in the high 70's and low 80's.

Illinois has favored Unders of late, staying low 8 of its last 9. Yes, the Illini went over in that OT game with Arizona, but for the most part, it's been unders.

The question I have here is this:Is head coach Webber smart enough to understand he needs to get some easy baskets in transistion if he is going to win this game?If he decides to make this a halfcourt, drag-it-out affair, he has to realize he doesn't have as good a chance to win this game.I look for up-tempo from Illinois to get its running game going.

Now the whole world knows that the Tar Heels want to run every second of every game.With that being said, I really believe the Illini are going to suprise people by going up-tempo in this game tonight.

In what I think will be one of the most entertaining championship games in recent years, the Over stands out to me as the way to go.Ride it, enjoy the game, and have a great Monday.

On a 1* to 5* basis, make if a 3* on the Over



BRIAN MYERS

Complimentary Selection

Alright guys, here we go off this 6-2 run with comp picks:

Let's play the UNDER tonight in the National Championship. This game has to be slowed for two reasons, No. 1 - Illinois cannot afford to let the Heels get runnin' and gunnin' with that explosive offense that finished tops in the nation. And, No. 2, the Heels cannot afford to try runnin' and gunnin' without precise passing and solid high-percentage shots against a sharp defense like Illinois'. Bottom line is more passes by UNC, to match the offensive style Illinois brings to the court. The Fighting Illni are a true fundamentally sound, pass the ball to get the better shot type of team, and that is smart basketball. Both teams need to employ that, and you will that conservative style prevail for the UNDER tonight.
 
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Box and one

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PT gd agree with you..here is my take...

Illinois +2.5 over North Carolina *****
So much has been talked about it already.It's talent vs teamwork,etc,etc.I'm am going with Illi.Perimeter shooting is better.Love having 3 gds,Williams,Brown and Head that can put the ball on the floor, shoot the eyes out of a basket,and play defense. It's like having 3 pt gds out there all game.Powell is a tough power fd and Augustine on most teams would avg 17 pts a game.Illi plays great defense and its help side defense is outstanding.They share the ball better then anyone in the country.There mentally tough and can play a half court game or full court.
NC with its talent is worthy of its No 2 ranking.May is a force inside.Around him are explosive players in McCants,Felton, and both Williams.They all could be NBA players like everyone is saying.
NC's offense with there interior attack is Illi's biggest concern.But NC's defense is where there achilles heel will be there demise tonite.McCants can be beaten off the dribble.Felton is prone to foul trouble.They have left people open in the perimeter after dribble penetration in this touney already.
Tonite they pay a price for it.May will get his.NC will try to fast break with its transition game.
But the key to this game tonite is which team adapts the best.
Illi plays smarter.And the way they pass the ball is 2nd to none in the country.Forget the 3's,etc.They will dictate the game tonite.Forget the +2.5.They win this outright.They shoot better,play better defense,adapt better,have 3 pt gds,and there demeanor is stronger.
NC has the inside attack to cause Illi big time problems.That is Illi's one weakness.[see Zona game] But Illi is no Wisky and NC had big time problems stopping them.
Illi wins this by 6-10 pts.Can't be any bolder then that.. Good luck Pt Gd
 
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pt1gard

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Thanx Box, great write up--I agree with all your pts as usual ... Sean May has best hands and butt in biz, he is gonna get his. The rest of NC needs to be contained on perimte. Boxing when doubling May will prove hugely important in this one ...

hope all is well with your new job ;)

take care
gregg
 
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