[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 Sultan]

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.