I'm a huge Illini fan & have to say that even without Fraizer I still like Illinois to win a tough one.I am not a "homer" at all as I have faded them 3 times this year(@ Michigan,vs Iowa & vs MSU) & won all three but I have won with them as well & know their BTT history is the best in the conference & they have always made the semifinals of this tourney including a 21-8 record which is tops in the conference.....
Illinois by 5-6....just my .02 cents!
Illinois by 5-6....just my .02 cents!
yah im looking more into this game. Illinois plays such good D, both PPG and FG%. Michigan has played in INdy last night which i think will be an advantage because it wasnt a tough game and they have played on this court. Illinois has more depth but maybe Michigan will have 2 of the top 3 players on the court
FWIW
INDIANAPOLIS - Illinois coach Bruce Weber has called senior guard Chester Frazier "our glue guy."
Now, it appears the Illini will have to find a new way to keep things together. Frazier is doubtful for Friday's Big Ten quarterfinal game against Michigan with a severely bruised hand suffered in Wednesday's practice in Champaign.
Frazier has played through many ailments, but an injury to the right hand of a right-handed shooter is more problematic. With the NCAA tournament a week away, there would seem to be little reason to risk playing Frazier.
The injury means more playing time for senior Calvin Brock (4.8 ppg),the most likely replacement in the starting lineup, and sophomores Jeff Jordan and Alex Legion.
Frazier, a member of the Big Ten's all-defense team, usually draws the opponent's best offensive player.
INDIANAPOLIS - Illinois coach Bruce Weber has called senior guard Chester Frazier "our glue guy."
Now, it appears the Illini will have to find a new way to keep things together. Frazier is doubtful for Friday's Big Ten quarterfinal game against Michigan with a severely bruised hand suffered in Wednesday's practice in Champaign.
Frazier has played through many ailments, but an injury to the right hand of a right-handed shooter is more problematic. With the NCAA tournament a week away, there would seem to be little reason to risk playing Frazier.
The injury means more playing time for senior Calvin Brock (4.8 ppg),the most likely replacement in the starting lineup, and sophomores Jeff Jordan and Alex Legion.
Frazier, a member of the Big Ten's all-defense team, usually draws the opponent's best offensive player.
Illinois is a hard team to bet on because you never know what they are going to do. They have a very dicey back court that can go ice cold at times. Losing Frazier though could be huge because he has been hot from the outside lately (well hot for him) and always locks down the top scorer on the opposing team. They will play Jeff Jordan and probably Alex Legion in Frazier's absence. Jordan is solid but Legion can either come out and score 15 points or go 0-10 shooting with 5 turnovers. Option 2 has a lot better chance of happening than option 1.
They are better than Michigan but haven't been able to finish off teams lately and their free throw shooting has fallen off in comparison to earlier in the season. My only play on this game would be Michigan in the 2nd half if the Illini have a decent lead.
*DISCLOSURE* I'm also a huge Illini fan
They are better than Michigan but haven't been able to finish off teams lately and their free throw shooting has fallen off in comparison to earlier in the season. My only play on this game would be Michigan in the 2nd half if the Illini have a decent lead.
*DISCLOSURE* I'm also a huge Illini fan
