Wow....we're huge underdogs

[MuggsyB]

Illini favored by 8.5.  We should have a huge chip on our shoulders.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Expected it to be more.

Why is this surprising to you?

[MuggsyB]

Expected it to be more.

Why is this surprising to you?

I thought it would be closer to 4 or 5 . 

[The Lens]

I'm picturing Shaka trying to explain to O Max how being a 8.5 dog is such a slap in the face.   

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I thought it would be closer to 4 or 5 .

Not a chance. Even at home I expected to be double digit underdogs.

Fully expect the line to approach double digits as well as the day goes on.

[1SE]

I also think losing by 8.5 points seems very unlikely.

[The Sultan]

If we keep this a single digit loss, I will be impressed.

[tower912]

Take Illinois.  Give the points.

[cheebs09]

Based on the title, I thought the spread was 20. I think 8.5 is a pretty optimistic view of MU.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Illini favored by 8.5.  We should have a huge chip on our shoulders.

I've been telling you for awhile Muggsy. I'm honestly surprised it's not more

[PGsHeroes32]

I thought it would be closer to 4 or 5 .

You don't bet much do you

[Uncle Rico]

Illini favored by 8.5.  We should have a huge chip on our shoulders.

KenPom has Illinois by 9

[BallBoy]

I am expecting the Big Ten game beat down we have had over the start of the last several seasons.  See Iowa, Michigan and Indiana so if it is 10 or less we did good.

[TallTitan34]

Take Illinois.  Give the points.

I'd like to bet Illinois but I can't living in Illinois.  Bastards.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Seems about right or maybe even generous to me.

[wadesworld]

The subject is accurate.  Road team as an 8.5 point favorite between two high major programs is a huge spread.

[avid1010]

Not much money on this game...but both public and sharp money trending slightly towards IU with a hard stop at -8.5 for IU on sharp money.  I should probably throw some $$$ on IU to help ease the pain of a bad loss, but a MU loss of 8 or less would really sting. 

[The Sultan]

Not much money on this game...but both public and sharp money trending slightly towards IU with a hard stop at -8.5 for IU on sharp money.  I should probably throw some $$$ on IU to help ease the pain of a bad loss, but a MU loss of 8 or less would really sting. 

Nitpick:  IU = Indiana.  UI or U of I = Illinois.

[avid1010]

The subject is accurate.  Road team as an 8.5 point favorite between two high major programs is a huge spread.

Eh...Bucky is -5.5 at home against Providence.  Ken Pom has Porvidence as the 78th best team and UW as the 40th....

MU at 95 and UI at 4...

[wadesworld]

Eh...Bucky is -5.5 at home against Providence.  Ken Pom has Porvidence as the 78th best team and UW as the 40th....

MU at 95 and UI at 4...

Yeah, that kind of makes my point.  Bucky is ranked 38 spots higher than Providence and is at home, and they are only 5.5 point favorites.  Marquette is at home and is 8.5 point underdogs.  It's a very large spread for a home high major.

[MuggsyB]

It's an enormous spread for a home power conf team.  Especially with Illinois" injuries.  I mean seriously does this mean UCLA will be favored by 25 in Milwaukee?  Axe the nonsense and defeatist attitude.  Our team has been disrespected and should have something to prove.  We're not playing worldbeaters, the opportunity is there.  Now obviously if we win it would be an upset with our brand new roster and youth, but I refuse to believe we should be heavy underdogs tonight.  We're due to hit some shots and again we have absolutely nothing to lose.  Punch them early and often and let's see how this pans out later.

[MuggsyB]

Eh...Bucky is -5.5 at home against Providence.  Ken Pom has Porvidence as the 78th best team and UW as the 40th....

MU at 95 and UI at 4...

Kenpom means nothing after two games.  You seriously think Illinois is the 4th best team in America?  Without two starters?  Think again.

[The Sultan]

It's an enormous spread for a home power conf team.  Especially with Illinois" injuries.  I mean seriously does this mean UCLA will be favored by 25 in Milwaukee?  Axe the nonsense and defeatist attitude.  Our team has been disrespected and should have something to prove.  We're not playing worldbeaters, the opportunity is there.  Now obviously if we win it would be an upset with our brand new roster and youth, but I refuse to believe we should be heavy underdogs tonight.  We're due to hit some shots and again we have absolutely nothing to lose.  Punch them early and often and let's see how this pans out later.

I mean, it's a message board.  If people think we are going to lose big, there is no translation to what happens on court.

The "disrespected" stuff is kind of a tired motivational tool.  Just play hard, limit mistakes and try not to do too much.  This is an awesome opportunity - top 10 opponent at home on national television.

[avid1010]

Yeah, that kind of makes my point.  Bucky is ranked 38 spots higher than Providence and is at home, and they are only 5.5 point favorites.  Marquette is at home and is 8.5 point underdogs.  It's a very large spread for a home high major.

i get it...that's probably a UW -2 line on the road.  i thought MU would be -10.5. 

[avid1010]

Kenpom means nothing after two games.  You seriously think Illinois is the 4th best team in America?  Without two starters?  Think again.

Yeah...I think the #'s Ken Pom uses to get his lines are the best there is after two games.