My potential play of the year. . . thoughts?

[Nickelback]

Looking at taking Illinois Chicago +9.5 for the 1st half over Oklahoma. Here is my reasoning:

1. Both teams utilize half court offenses. They both take their time on the offensive side and look for the best shot as opposed to the first open look. 9.5 points should be huge in this type of a game.

2. I believe this line is an overreaction to the win against Kansas (who is having major problems as shown by their problems against Holy Cross). Line should easily be under 15 points (or under 8 for the first half)S. Illinois Chicago is a solid team that many have not even heard of this year.

3. Illinois Chicago has the size, but not the strength to play with Oklahoma up front. This strength advantage should be more of a factor for the 2nd half when fatigue may set in as opposed to the 1st half.

4. So far this tournament, a lot of the top seeds have come out as if they have something to lose while the lower seeds come out swinging. Sure OK has seen this happen to other teams and one may think they will go ahead and prevent this from happening. But it's easier said than done.

5. There is just something about this Illinois Chicago team. They play well as dogs ATS. If they do not cover the first half number, I do not believe they have a chance to cover the game spread because of fatigue that will set in when playing this Ok team. Also, if Illinois gets in foul trouble, they may be a less physical in the 2nd half as opposed to the first half. I just see this team putting up a tough fight in the first half and giving the Sooners something to worry about going into the half.

Would appreciate thoughts regarding this play. . . especially from those who know either of these teams well.

 

[wigs]

ou's d has gotten them where they are now..quick and tenacious on the half court end,i really think zebras again will play an important role. from what i saw it looked like a lot of so-called cinderella teams were getting some calls tonight, which helped them hang around and either pull off upsets or keep it close. ncaa loves the close cinderella game which leads me to believe illinois-chi might be the right side and you may be onto something--only watched OU, havent seen any of ill/chi, but we have seen that anything can happen in the tourney if you make some shots. if refs call it tight against OU i think they could get in some foul trouble and may have trouble covering. by no means am i a huge ncaa capper, watched OU at least 15 times probably this yr, just some basic observations---

 

[Nickelback]

Thanks wigs. . .

Yes, OK is amazing on the defensive end. . . holding Kansas to 19% FG in the first half was an amazing feat to say the least. Where I think Kansas and Illinois Chicago differs is the fact that Illinois Chicago will be patient where as Kansas takes the first shot they have. Usually they are very good with this philosophy, but not against Oklahoma and I can only hope that Illinois has figured this out!

 

[yak merchant]

Sounds scary to me. They were up on Texas 50-30 with 11:00 minutes left in the first half in the b12 tourny. And from what I've seen ILL-chi lives and dies by the 3. And by my numbers Oklahoma is one of the top 10 in the country defending it. Might be the right way to go, but Game of the Year is really scary. Good luck.

 

[Nickelback]

Yak,

Thanks for the info. Also, Illinois Chicago is in the top 10 in the country at shooting the 3 point shot. . . so it may come down to how well they shoot from downtown.

 

[Hoops]

Illinois-Chicago hasn't faced a defense like this all season. Much tougher getting off those 3pt shots when you have a bunch of 6'6 long, athletic guys who can defend hounding you. They are very weak in the frontcourt...have virtually no size except Solverson, but he isn't very good. Okie should own the boards. Ill-Chicago also a poor defensive team..I think they allow 46% FG defense. Who knows, but from the numbers and matchups, I don't see it as 'play of the year' material. Good luck today.

 

[Stewy]

OU

OU

I think you have a good point, but OU can light up the scoreboard in transition, it's not like they just play hard D and then walk the ball up court.

 

[rrc]

Side note....

Side note....

3 point ace on UIC, Kardos gave OKLA a little bulletin board material by saying they were going to "show them how to play a little city ball". Kind of ironic, he's from the upper middle class north suburbs of Chicago. Good luck.

 

[Karac]

I am not saying it wont be a solid play, i just dont see it as Play of the Year stuff. There are better plays out there today.

 

[chump]

wow, congrats!

wow, congrats!

you got a very good break there!

great call

 

[Okie]

You got a winna

You got a winna

Good Call Nickel on your game of the year! Not a better play out there today!


Okie Bob

 

[TJBELL]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

nice call Nickelback!!!!!! a win is a win. hope you played it BIG!!!!!!!!!!! $$$$$$$$

 

[Bandit HVG]

congratulations, keep doing it!


The Bandit

 

[Nickelback]

Thanks for the props guys. . . luck is part of the game right?!?! I'll take it

Adding an afternoon game. . . really like SDSU taking 11.5 over Illinois. Something that most do not realize about Illinois is they are prone to getting a lot of foul calls against them come tournament time. Their coach has never been able to get his team to adjust from the physical play of the Big 10 to the NCAA tournament where teams actually play with speed instead of throwing a body on someone in the paint. SDSU is a very talented team and always steps up their game when decided underdogs. Even took a win out of Hawaii. I think they give Illinois all they want and more!

 

[jmizeus]

GOOD CALL KID! i was on the road today and almost all week,jumped on that play helped me ut of a bad day!--thx! MIZE

PLAY MADE ALOT OF SENSE