[Cracked Sidewalks] Illinois Preview

[brewcity77]

It gets real for this Marquette team in a hurry as Illinois comes to town. They have a National Player of the Year contender in Kofi Cockburn, a wealth of guards and wings that can score inside and out, and a staff that has embraced analytics in building one of the best two-way teams in the country. Here's Cracked Sidewalks' look at the Fighting Illini:

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2021/10/illinois-preview-2021-22.html

[fjm]

Seems like a W for the good guys!

[IrwinFletcher]

It gets real for this Marquette team in a hurry as Illinois comes to town. They have a National Player of the Year contender in Kofi Cockburn, a wealth of guards and wings that can score inside and out, and a staff that has embraced analytics in building one of the best two-way teams in the country. Here's Cracked Sidewalks' look at the Fighting Illini:

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2021/10/illinois-preview-2021-22.html

A bit of an error in this write up.  Illinois didn't lose to Illinois-Chicago (UIC), they lost to Loyola.

[tower912]

You posted that as I was reading the article.  I noticed that glitch, too.   I am guessing one of his ankle biters distracted him.

[brewcity77]

Fixed! Definitely a slight difference between those two programs. At least I didn't say Chicago State 

[Dr. Blackheart]

Kur on Kofi may be a pretty good defensive matchup for us in the paint and Morsell knows them from the B1G.

After that, our new guys may be exposed on cuts. LUC beat them by wearing them down with a vet team, but MU is very inexperienced. 24% chance of winning but this will be a great learning game I expect for later in the year.

[Herman Cain]

Perfect time in the schedule for this game. Our young guys get exposed to a quality team early in the season. Can learn and build off the experience.

[Uncle Rico]

It gets real for this Marquette team in a hurry as Illinois comes to town. They have a National Player of the Year contender in Kofi Cockburn, a wealth of guards and wings that can score inside and out, and a staff that has embraced analytics in building one of the best two-way teams in the country. Here's Cracked Sidewalks' look at the Fighting Illini:

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2021/10/illinois-preview-2021-22.html

Felt like there was a lot of doom and gloom in the aftermath of the Illini season ending.  Was surprised when I looked at the roster.  They’re a legit national title contender

[bilsu]

Felt like there was a lot of doom and gloom in the aftermath of the Illini season ending.  Was surprised when I looked at the roster.  They’re a legit national title contender

Kofi was not expected to return.

[Uncle Rico]

Kofi was not expected to return.

Thought there was more attrition above that outside Ayo.  Know the staff got raided.

[mileskishnish72]

Perfect time in the schedule for this game. Our young guys get exposed to a quality team early in the season. Can learn and build off the experience.

It's funny, Herm, you have got to be a huge optimist, and good for you. I was thinking, Holy God, this is no time for a collection of newbies to be playing number 5, and it might put them into a funk for who knows how long.  I was concerned that they might get their ass kicked so badly that it would set them back. Your approach makes me think again. In the long run, what happens out of this game
probably depends on how Shaka shapes what happens and motivates them ongoing.

[TallTitan34]

Some chatter about Kofi being suspended a few games...

https://twitter.com/brandon_wildman/status/1453152388932587524?s=20

[Galway Eagle]

Some chatter about Kofi being suspended a few games...

https://twitter.com/brandon_wildman/status/1453152388932587524?s=20

Three games is all we need!

[Dawson Rental]

Three games is all we need!

Only if NCAA doesn't count their exhibition games, then we're fifth.

[MUfan12]

Three games is all we need!

And three games it is.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Too bad.  I would like to play them at full Cockburn.

Anyway, punishing someone for a rule that the NCAA ended up rescinding anyway is the most NCAA thing ever.

[brewcity77]

Cockburn is essentially being punished for thinking he was going to go pro, then deciding to choose college basketball. He's being punished by the NCAA for choosing college basketball.

That said, huge benefit for Marquette. If they can take advantage and get the win, that would be a huge feather in the cap come March if they're anywhere near the bubble.

[Galway Eagle]

Cockburn is essentially being punished for thinking he was going to go pro, then deciding to choose college basketball. He's being punished by the NCAA for choosing college basketball.

That said, huge benefit for Marquette. If they can take advantage and get the win, that would be a huge feather in the cap come March if they're anywhere near the bubble.

My thoughts exactly, if nothing else it'll drum up some excitement for Shaka and a mostly new team early.

[Nukem2]

Too bad.  I would like to play them at full Cockburn.

Anyway, punishing someone for a rule that the NCAA ended up rescinding anyway is the most NCAA thing ever.

Can SAs sell gear issued by member schools (as opposed to some licensed gear with their names on)..?

[Herman Cain]

Who is Cockburns back up ?

[MuggsyB]

Cockburn is essentially being punished for thinking he was going to go pro, then deciding to choose college basketball. He's being punished by the NCAA for choosing college basketball.

That said, huge benefit for Marquette. If they can take advantage and get the win, that would be a huge feather in the cap come March if they're anywhere near the bubble.

Huge break for MU.  Gotta take advantage Brew.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Cockburn is essentially being punished for thinking he was going to go pro, then deciding to choose college basketball. He's being punished by the NCAA for choosing college basketball.

Meanwhile, $Bill Self remains untouched (5 summers to judge?) and is now giving away free NIL cars to players.

[Billy Hoyle]

Can SAs sell gear issued by member schools (as opposed to some licensed gear with their names on)..?

Too bad.  I would like to play them at full Cockburn.

Anyway, punishing someone for a rule that the NCAA ended up rescinding anyway is the most NCAA thing ever.

not as long as they have eligibility remaining and NIL doesn't change that. I found it amusing that the Ohio State guys who were suspended for trading gear and awards for tattoos were trying to get exonerated when the rule remains the same, they cannot sell or trade school issues gear until the expiration of their eligibility.

[Uncle Rico]

Free Kofi

[tower912]

And I was looking forward to MU having the Kur for Cockburn. 

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

not as long as they have eligibility remaining and NIL doesn't change that. I found it amusing that the Ohio State guys who were suspended for trading gear and awards for tattoos were trying to get exonerated when the rule remains the same, they cannot sell or trade school issues gear until the expiration of their eligibility.

I don't think so.  Illinois' own press release said that he sold them before July 1 when they would have been legal.  Which is just ridiculous - enforcing a rule that they thought so little of that it is no longer a rule.

https://twitter.com/MarkPearsonTV/status/1455270801750564869

[MuggsyB]

And I was looking forward to MU having the Kur for Cockburn.

Now you should forward to Marquette attacking inside relentlessly and efficiently.  Great opportunity for a W, we must take advantage of the situation.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Illinois will still be a huge favorite to win

[MuggsyB]

Illinois will still be a huge favorite to win

I disagree. 5 point spread at best.  We can do this!

[Uncle Rico]

Illinois will still be a huge favorite to win

Veteran guards help

[MuggsyB]

Veteran guards help

We need to attack, attack, attack.  It's a winnable game and I could care less about our youth or the prognosticators.   Hopefully our crowd brings it on a Mon night.

[MU82]

And I was looking forward to MU having the Kur for Cockburn.

Very nice.

I have to admit that when I saw the news, my initial reaction was, “Good. Glad he can’t play against us.”

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

And I was looking forward to MU having the Kur for Cockburn.

[PointWarrior]

Doesn’t matter - Shaka’s team can only score 53 points, 59 at best. 

I disagree. 5 point spread at best.  We can do this!

[Galway Eagle]

Doesn’t matter - Shaka’s team can only score 53 points, 59 at best.

So as long as we hold them to 52 points, 58 at worst. Then we're fine. Good thing there's a recent blue print on how a midwestern Jesuit can do that to Illinois, back when they had an even better team too.

[rocky_warrior]

And I was looking forward to MU having the Kur for Cockburn.

Still, MU will likely will feel a lot of Payne.

[Fred Garvin]

Illinois center suspended first 3 games,their third game is Marquette!!

[Marquette4life]

Illinois center suspended first 3 games,their third game is Marquette!!

yes, the "center".... smh only preseason defensive player of the year and possible all american Kofi Cockburn lol

[Uncle Rico]

Illinois center suspended first 3 games,their third game is Marquette!!

When did that happen?

[Fred Garvin]

Espn article on November 1st.He sold memorabilia before NIL was approved

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Espn article on November 1st.He sold memorabilia before NIL was approved

He's being sarcastic because it was mentioned way up the thread.

[rocky_warrior]

He's being sarcastic because it was mentioned way up the thread.

Yup, TT had the scoop on Oct 27

Some chatter about Kofi being suspended a few games...

https://twitter.com/brandon_wildman/status/1453152388932587524?s=20

[Fred Garvin]

I apologize

[tower912]

Nothing to apologize for.  Scoop.