Illini at the Barn tonite.

Anybody ever made the road trip to the Barn to see the Illini?


Guess who's on the call on FS1:

Corey provous. This is the first time I ever seen what he looks like. And he looks seasoned and balding, not young and timid. I last remember him as a young understudy of Pat Hughes on 'GN radio 20 or so years ago.

So a whole generation has passed, and now I finally know what Provous looks like.

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I live five minutes away. Not there this year, though, because I have court tomorrow.

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I think Kofi could be a 1st-team All-American.

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You know me like that.

Am I crazy or does the offense run better without Curbelo?

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just a couple years too late, eh JORR?

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

He really hasn't progressed very much.

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Don't take it personally.

There isnt really much more room for growth with him. He is who he is. He has not really helped his draft prospects either. Maybe a 2nd rounder

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Right, but four years ago he looked like he was only scratching the surface. He was probably better as a freshman than he was the last two years.

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Don't take it personally.

With Purdue and Michigan blowing the season the Illini are now the clear favorites to win the Big Ten.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I hope you're right but I get the feeling the Illini just haven't taken their turn in blowing the season yet.

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Don't take it personally.

I think the only thing that can derail the season is if Curbelo starts playing again.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

It is wide open right now. I would still guess Purdue or Michigan win it.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Michigan is in big trouble. The team has major chemistry issues and a lot of infighting. Those are very difficult to get over.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

He's clearly better this year than he's ever been. He might lead the country in scoring.

He moves better in the post, setting a target deep in the post and holding his spot. He has better touch around the rim, even with guys still hanging all over him most of the time. He's improved his little spin shot in the lane.

He's shooting FTs better this year and he's playing better defense.

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You know me like that.

He's been good this year but a lot of it has come dominating guys that just can't physically stack up with him. The better teams have guys that can guard him. Every game isn't going to be like last night.

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Don't take it personally.

He's 2nd in the country in points and 3rd in rebounds.

He's playing better defense and getting clean blocks.

Stats aside - the eye test you can see in the post he keeps the ball higher. He's playing to his size better and not letting guys get to him as quickly so he's getting better shots off. Passing a little better as well (which was a low bar to clear).

He looks like a better player on the floor.

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You know me like that.

I agree. He seems to be finishing at the basket better.

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Don't take it personally.

It helps that they are draining threes from every direction so they can't crash down on him quite as fast.

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You know me like that.

He developed that sweet little hook shot and has some nice footwork.

He's also been banging against some big bodies for three years now, so he's tested.

As long as Underwood makes the needed adjustments

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I always thought Da'monte would develop a jump shot at some point

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Kofi was ridiculous again.

16/15….wait…that was just the 2nd half.

He fouled their entire frontcourt out with 5 minutes still left and the announcers were still talking about what a great job they were doing on him.

23 & 18 in 28 minutes on a bad shooting night for everyone else.

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You know me like that.

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You know me like that.

I'm happy that Dr. Ken is able to enjoy these recent moments of Illini basketball success before the inevitable disappointment of the NCAA tournament sends him into a tailspin.

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Me too!

#nohashtag

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You know me like that.

he does get his hopes up really quickly

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

When did they decline?

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You know me like that.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Life’s a journey, gang.

The hopes never go away.

It’s a good thing. Maybe the best of things.

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You know me like that.

Not a fan of retiring Dosunmu’s jersey.

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The committee could never be so cruel as to put Illinois in the same bracket with Loyola again, could they?

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.