ILLINOIS vs UMW

[Carpet]

Thursday night at Allstate arena

This UMW team is a scrappy bunch of ball players, they run, they pressure and they can hit the 3

This Illinois squad has never played at All State arena, yesterday and today was the first time to get used to the rims and the lighting. You can bet the crowd will be a sea of orange.

UM's full court pressure has caught many a teams off guard, BC and Bama the most recent, UMW plays a 1-2-1-1 press on defense, very up tempo, forcing alot of turnovers.

Illinois will be prepared, Coach Weber is preparing the Illini for UMW's (chaotic Style). The Illini practiced with the starting five against 6 and 7 players in practice.

Illinois will break the pressure defense with ease, Augustine SHOULD have another big day with a Double Double as a probability. Easy lay ups, a fast run and gun style of play will suit Illinois just fine.

The Illinois defense is also smothering, shutting down teams, UMW has never faced a defensive squad like Illinois and it will show.

UMW played Wisconsin earlier this year, The Badgers pounded UMW back to the mid majors 66-37. Illinois has beaten Wisky 3 times this year.

I see this game as a total mismatch, The number one team in the land is coming to play..

The Carpet is pounding the Floor on Illinois -10.5, this is my strongest Illinois bet in a long time

Good Luck to all

Carpet

Semper Fi

[Carpet]

there has been some talk of UMW pulling out of a full court pressure defense if it is not working (and it won't)

I dont see that happening this UMW team has played this style of ball all year all game they will stick to what got them to the dance

Carpet

[Taxman]

Good luck Carpet!

I will be your kiss of death, since I'm ice cold, I do like Illinois!

And I like Washington and Okie State.

I think everyone believes Washington is overrated and Louisville was short changed.

Okie State's team s/b be the same team from last years Final 4, if I recall. I'm expecting Arizona to spit the bit!

Don't forget to fade!

[woodee12]

Thanks for the insight Carpet. Also believe that Illini should roll tonight.

And my other plays are Washington and Okie State. Washington is being under-valued here. they are better than most think including myself. Public likes Louisville and Potino. Arizona is over-rated too. Okie State has the TEAM to get it done.

One more thing on the Illinois game is the Brice Pearl story (UWM coach). Used to be at Iowa under Dr.Tom Davis and casued some trouble with an Illinois recruiting scandel, I think. All of these players were too young to remember but the Illini fans do have a hatred for this guy and Weber will do his best to pound them into the ground if they have the chance just to make a statement that he is now here at Illinois and that it has not been forgotten.

More of a media thing, but alos something to factor in on Illinois side.

[woodee12]

Wow, I am a bad typer after reading my last post. (should be Bruce Pearl, not Brice)


Anyway, Got Illinois -10 on the buy. Lets cash it.

When Carpet speaks on the Illini, we should all listen!

[wildsamoan]

Ask Carpet . . .to most Illinois fans, the Bruce Pearl recruiting scandal is ancient history. It's the media that wants to make a big deal aobut it.

A couple of notes:

1. Weber is a graduate of UWM. He has no desire to "stick it to" his alma matter because of something Pearl did 15 years ago. Weber and Pearl are on good terms.

2. I initially loved the over thinking of the easy baskets and up tempo. As the week has gone on, I do believe UWM will indeed concentrate more on half court defense as opposed to their press. But then, I can't help but think . . .the times Illinois has been vulnerable this year are when they turn the ball over. In other words . . .I'm clueless.

3. From the Wisconsin game, you understand that UWM does not match up well against the Illini. I really think they will struggle to score. I believe Illinois will route the Panthers.

[Taxman]

Congrat$$$$$$$$ Carpet!

[Carpet]

Illinois rolls thru the full court press of UMW with ease

The defense of Illinois held UMW to just 7 of 31 from 3 point land, now thats defense

The Illini hit 50% from the floor holding UMW to 37% while turning the ball over just 9 times

As predicted umw has never faced a defensive squad like Illinois and it showed.

The 3 guards of Illinois was just to much for UMW

I hope you all jumped on the Carpet for this game as it was my largest and strongest play on Illinois is a long time.

Good Luck to all

Carpet

Semper Fi

[Carpet]

Thanks Tax Man

Your streak is now born again my friend...lol

Carpet

[hart attack]

i also thank carpet for this one as i wasnt leaning that hard towards them until i saw the endorsement. however, this one was in doubt with 2 minutes to go and the illini better get better at knocking down FTs down the stretch. a cover is a cover, but this one was no laugher...

[Carpet]

Hart Attack

Thank you for the kind words, a win is a win at all levels, glad ya jumped aboard.

I didn't say it would be easy..

Good Luck to all

Carpet

Semper Fi