Scouting UConn-Illinois

[UCan3]

Jay-Will said he thinks Illinois is the team most likely to beat us of all the teams left...He didn't say they would, just they have the best chance of the remaining teams. I might have to agree with him...what say you?

Either way, we are Dooomed

i'm just happy to play a team that appears to be up to the challenge and maybe beat us? who knows but it's gonna be an exciting game and I'm all about it. Plus side: this way no one can say we had this easy road yada yada yada

 

[Umami Zen]

Clingan and Castle getting through half with 1 foul is critical, Diarra could help out on Shannon (as Kenny Smith says) he gets up in you despite his smaller size, and even Stewart could help out he can pick up fouls. You won’t stop Shannon but slow him down and get him tired and frustrated.

Counterpoint. Shannon has to play D. If he gets in foul trouble and has to sit. He can't score.

 

[mauconnfan]

My Illinois perspective: if UConn keeps Illinois from getting into transition, Shannon is eminently guardable in the half court, and Castle is certainly capable of slowing him.

Where Shannon is absolutely unguardable is in transition, and the best way for UConn to prevent that is to score the basketball.

Honestly would’ve preferred Iowa State for sure. Should be a very fun match up and watching the coaching match up will be very interesting.

 

[Scoe]

As a fanbase we need to bring it make this a home game, and make officials give us the 50/50 calls.

 

[Stinger92860]

Stewie has a big game tomorrow. He is going to play more because of their size. Tomorrow we see UConn’s present and future combine and we level up…..as we ride into the final four.

Who sits? Unless we have foul trouble, I expect Stevie to play his normal amount of minutes. If he makes a positive impact, thats gravy for us.

 

[Stinger92860]

Goodman is probably tired of UConn steamrolling opponents, so he likes to go against the grain.

He hates us, always has.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Clingan and Castle getting through half with 1 foul is critical, Diarra could help out on Shannon (as Kenny Smith says) he gets up in you despite his smaller size, and even Stewart could help out he can pick up fouls. You won’t stop Shannon but slow him down and get him tired and frustrated.

I have watched about 5 Illinois games the last month or so and I don’t remember Shannon really posting up much at all. That’s why Diarra can be a big factor on him when needed. Also, Diarra is strong in his own right for his size. The big thing to stop is transition as others have said, Shannon is one of the best players i’ve seen in a while in transition.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I have watched about 5 Illinois games the last month or so and I don’t remember Shannon really posting up much at all. That’s why Diarra can be a big factor on him when needed. Also, Diarra is strong in his own right for his size. The big thing to stop is transition as others have said, Shannon is one of the best players i’ve seen in a while in transition.

I have a strong suspicon Diarra is going to have a number of steals this game.

 

[huskyharry]

Very tough matchup. Hard for DC to play drop coverage when Hawkins shoots 41% and Guerrero 45% from three. DC will have to avoid fouls and make the chip shots. Team will have to avoid live ball turnovers and rotate back hard on missed shots. Fight the hubris, so we are doomed, clearly DOOMED!

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Very tough matchup. Hard for DC to play drop coverage when Hawkins shoots 41% and Guerrero 45% from three. DC will have to avoid fouls and make the chip shots. Team will have to avoid live ball turnovers and rotate back hard on missed shots. Fight the hubris, so we are doomed, clearly DOOMED!

Neither of those percentages are correct

 

[uconn_jack]

i'm just happy to play a team that appears to be up to the challenge and maybe beat us? who knows but it's gonna be an exciting game and I'm all about it. Plus side: this way no one can say we had this easy road yada yada yada

If we end up beating them by double digits though and win it all (and I'm not saying we will do either), people will still absolutely say we had an easy road. Even if we have to beat Purdue to win it.

They still inexplicably drone on about how we were lucky in 2014 when we had to go through a 2 (Villanova), a 3 (Iowa St), a 4 (MSU), and a 1 (Florida) to get to the final.

 

[FearThePups]

I love the Field of 68 content, but Goodman continues to be Goodman. You can tell he's so eager for us to lose, and gives commentary as if he's trying to will it to happen. Raving about Illinois as a matchup problem, poo-pooing the unique defensive prowess of Castle to slow down Shannen. "If Illinois brings their A game and UConn doesn't bring their A game, UConn goes home." He's so desperate for it to happen.

40 minutes of hell, pedal to the metal, don’t relent. Keeping the good mojo flowing.

 

[NHalan]

Idk if anyone has mentioned this, but Illinois’ fast pace of play gives us an advantage. Our three losses were our three slowest pace of play games in terms of # possessions. The more possessions the better for us.

 

[MDeL04]

Don't take this the wrong way cause he might be my favorite member of this team, but this game is a tough match up for AK. I think we are gonna see SJ get some time at the 4 and also Jaylin Stewart spelling AK at times to bring more physicality. With that said, I don't think they have an answer for Clingan or T-New. Really excited to how they defend Shannon, Hawkins, and Domask.