Bubble Watch!

[Big Phil]

Illinois [16-10 (5-8), RPI: 55, SOS: 22] Unless you live in a cave, you've seen by now the goings-on at Illinois, which can basically be summed up with the following phrase: train wreck. Wednesday night's home loss to Purdue was the once-promising Illini's seventh loss in their last eight games. They are 2-7 in their last nine. The only wins in that span? Ohio State and Michigan State. Were it not for those strange outliers, this offensively bereft team wouldn't even be on the bubble. As it is, they're fading fast. Given the situation, a loss at Nebraska on Saturday is far from out of the question. (Would you bet on Illinois right now? Exactly.) Bruce Weber needs to right this ship as soon as possible, because whether or not he's around in the future -- and those prospects are looking very dim -- he won't want his last season at the school to end with yet more unfulfilled promise.

OUCH!  That 55 rpi isnt looking real solid right now


http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bubblewatch   

[Drama]

Our key wins look good though and compared to the other bubble teams in the B1G we can look better with at least an 8-10 record.  I think at least 1 team 8-10 gets in at this point obviously conference tourneys are going to change that a little.   If we go 19-12 overall we have a slim chance but that is saying a lot to beat Neb. Iowa, and Mich.  They can obviously do it though they beat Gonzaga, Maryland, OSU, and MSU not to shabby.  Compare that to a Henson team that always played no one in the non conference.  Maybe we win the B1G tourney who knows?

Our losses are heavy and home losses are what will keep us out I think.   

We need to have some positive things happen soon though or it becomes to easy to leave us out. 

[Firehawk]

there is no bubble watch anymore for this team....it burst with the last loss

[Big Phil]

Our key wins look good though and compared to the other bubble teams in the B1G we can look better with at least an 8-10 record.  I think at least 1 team 8-10 gets in at this point obviously conference tourneys are going to change that a little.   If we go 19-12 overall we have a slim chance but that is saying a lot to beat Neb. Iowa, and Mich.  They can obviously do it though they beat Gonzaga, Maryland, OSU, and MSU not to shabby.  Compare that to a Henson team that always played no one in the non conference.  Maybe we win the B1G tourney who knows?

Our losses are heavy and home losses are what will keep us out I think.   

We need to have some positive things happen soon though or it becomes to easy to leave us out.

I think 8-10 with a BTT game win minimum gets us in the 12-13 game (playin)...we'd be a good draw for that round

[Big Phil]

to get 8, we need to win at Nebraska. Home to Iowa. Home to Michigan.  Then beat Iowa or Nerds or Minny or PSU in the 1st round BTT.  Possible if we get our heads out of our ass


and guys dont forget since there are now 12 teams only 1-4 dont play on day one, not 1-5  (In B10 tourney)

[illiniman94]

Illinois [16-10 (5-8), RPI: 55, SOS: 22] Unless you live in a cave, you've seen by now the goings-on at Illinois, which can basically be summed up with the following phrase: train wreck. Wednesday night's home loss to Purdue was the once-promising Illini's seventh loss in their last eight games. They are 2-7 in their last nine. The only wins in that span? Ohio State and Michigan State. Were it not for those strange outliers, this offensively bereft team wouldn't even be on the bubble. As it is, they're fading fast. Given the situation, a loss at Nebraska on Saturday is far from out of the question. (Would you bet on Illinois right now? Exactly.) Bruce Weber needs to right this ship as soon as possible, because whether or not he's around in the future -- and those prospects are looking very dim -- he won't want his last season at the school to end with yet more unfulfilled promise.

OUCH!  That 55 rpi isnt looking real solid right now


http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bubblewatch

when we finish with WISCI, Meatchicken, and OSU it will go up, especially if we can pull a road upset at Wisci or OSU (when this team plays nothing is out of the question)....a road win at Brasky will help as well.

[Original Joe]

I just don't see the leadership that is required to make a dance run ... but I WISH I WAS WRONG!

The 2nd half of the Purdue game would be the required blueprint ... but that requires SUSTAINED focus.

Paul would have to mature 5 years in 24 hours ... why should he?  He's good enough to play in Europe already

Leonard is gonna be paid millions of dollars to watch NBA games from the front row.  What's his motivation to care?

*** And lastly, these kids don't seem to care about their coach ... it's all about them ... leave BW out to dry 

[bwbp3]

I just don't see the leadership that is required to make a dance run ... but I WISH I WAS WRONG!

The 2nd half of the Purdue game would be the required blueprint ... but that requires SUSTAINED focus.

Paul would have to mature 5 years in 24 hours ... why should he?  He's good enough to play in Europe already

Leonard is gonna be paid millions of dollars to watch NBA games from the front row.  What's his motivation to care?

*** And lastly, these kids don't seem to care about their coach ... it's all about them ... leave BW out to dry 

Joe, I know we disagree on a lot of college basketball topics, but this hit the nail on the head.  I agree completely with every word said.

[me4871]

The only way we get in other than winning the B1G, is winning 4 of 5 which means at OSU or at Wisky.  9-9 gets us there, but 8-10 does not due to our recent tourney results.  Who would have thought this in Dec?

[Big Phil]

The only way we get in other than winning the B1G, is winning 4 of 5 which means at OSU or at Wisky.  9-9 gets us there, but 8-10 does not due to our recent tourney results.  Who would have thought this in Dec?

recent tourney results have nothing to do with it me, with 9 wins we are a lock, 8-10 we'd be on a major bubble, probably need a BTT win (at least a game)  7-11 we'd need to get to BTT title game at least.