Would a loss benefit Illinois?

[CharlieMaxwell]

There hasn’t been an undefeated team in college hoops since the NCAA tournament was expanded to 64 teams. Considering the long drought, some folks think that a loss would be beneficial to the Fighting Illini, enhancing their chances of winning the national title.

Read the rest of Arne Lang's latest column by going to the RX home page at www.therx.com

Charlie

 

[Illini]

I can tell you one thing. Nobody here in Illini country wants us to lose a game. I think they've been able to learn valuable lessons without losing, like they did last night. That game was very humbling, although they still found a way to win. Learning to win those close games is more important than any lesson a loss could teach.

 

[Kornholio]

I thought so after the IOwa game...they looked like they were scared to lose. But after handling situations with their backs to the wall ( at Wisky, and at Mich), they have proven that they can rise to the occasion, and win in a number of different ways.

They have learned all the lessons they need to, in several close games. No they don't need to lose. But they need to hit shots to win it all!

 

[oldmanTED]

Illinois has passed every test so far and was clearly in sharp form when playing Wisconsin and Michigan State on the road, the games that were considered those that an upset most likely would occur. It is understandable that there would be a partial mental letdown following those games and we have seen that in the past two games and most likely may see a bit more until tournament time. In my opinion, the Illini whether they lose a game or not will still be the highest #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. With that being said, although no team likes to lose and would like to go undefeated, I believe going undefeated needs to be secondary in the minds of the players as well as the fans and the National Championship should become the focus. A loss would take the pressure off the Illini and the players would feel the taste of defeat and would more likely re-focus on the championship run. If their focus remains on being undefeated, by seasons end they may find themselves worn down a bit mentally and not be as crisp as necessary to achieve the ultimate goal.

 

[Illini]

OMT- hi, how's it going? I agree with your thinking, and a loss would not really mean much, ultimately. It might take some pressure off, if they are feeling it. However, in this particular case, I don't think they are really thinking about it. Weber keeps talking about just enjoying playing college basketball. I mean, you can't exactly not play to win, and I don't think they will lose, at least until the Big Ten tourney. A national title is the ultimate goal, but an undefeated national title would be remembered by all, not just Illini fans, 5 years from now. I think it's something that the kids have just got to put out of their mind, and enjoy the ride, like Weber has said. But as a fan, we really can taste it and want it to happen. How many people could spit out the team that won the national title without much thought in say...1997 or 1998? Yet, 1976 was Indiana's year, and nobody will forget them. It is not a big deal, but on the other hand, it would be more special.

 

[UWinSports]

I hope they do lose in the big dance. If the Rams cant win then I want all Stlouis area teams to suck.

 

[Brock Landers]

I hope they do lose in the big dance. If the Rams cant win then I want all Stlouis area teams to suck.

since when is Illinois a St Louis area team? LOL

This is a Chicago team if there ever was one! St Louis my ass

 

[Kornholio]

since when is Illinois a St Louis area team? LOL

This is a Chicago team if there ever was one! St Louis my ass

I think he meant EAST ST Louis:lolBIG:

 

[D2bets]

I hate to be picky (or maybe I don't really) but what's with all the errors in the article. Calling Illinois IU??? Don't tell that to the Hoosiers. Chicago's Fleet Center? Yeah, nothing says Chicago more than the Fleet Center? And it hasn't been the Rosemont Horizon for many many years, though I still think it has a better ring than Allstate Arena.

And Illinois doesn't need a loss. The close calls, and 2nd half comebacks though are a good thing. They proved to themselves that they can turn it up a notch late when they need to. The Wisc win was the best example of this.

Illinois has
... the quickest and most exciting player -- Dee Brown
... the most underrated player -- Luther Head
... the best passer in the country -- Deron Williams

And you just don't see these guys getting worn down. Browns, Williams and Head played virtually the entire Michicagn game and yet played their best ball in the last 8-10 minutes. Did the same thing at Wisconsin.

The most underrated aspect of this team is the defense. They have the ability to really turn up the heat when they want to. Sometimes they do go through periods of the game where they relax a bit, but when they focus their defense is second to none.

Illinois is going to run the table regular season, B10 tourney and NCAA toruney. Then they'll have probably their worst season in 10 years next year when they lose almost the entire lineup.

And yeah, Chicago is the U of I's 2nd home. St. Louis would be a distant third, but please do cheer them on in late March/April.

 

[sportsbet]

St. Louis is a Mizzou town...Tony you should know that .

sb

 

[Illini]

I hope they do lose in the big dance. If the Rams cant win then I want all Stlouis area teams to suck.

This is coming from a guy with a Cardinals avatar. Interesting.

 

[viking611]

I'll bet my salary Illini get beat.

 

[Brock Landers]

I'll bet my salary Illini get beat.

when and by who?

 

[D2bets]

If UIUC is a St. Louis team then it's also an Indianapolis and Des Moines team. Heck, even Detroit isn't that much farther away. You can't claim a team that isn't even in your state.

 

[D2bets]

Odds on ILL winning tourney is still like 4-1 as it is for any top team pretty much any year. No team is ever "expected" to win it all. That's the nature of the dance. So it's easy to say that a team isn't going to win it all. Harder thing is to name the one team that you think will win instead. I'll take Illinois to win over any single other team in the country and I'd bet large on it.

 

[Illini]

I'll bet my salary Illini get beat.

Yeah, well I'll lay -500 that Iowa gets beat tonight. Not real tough to bet a moneyline favorite, since that's what you're essentially trying to bet.

 

[Jarbo]

Ask Bob Knight if a loss would be good.

 

[TheGeneral+]

A loss puts doubt in the minds. I say a loss would not be good, although the analogy is logical somewhat and I have agreed in the past on certain similar issues.

 

[Kornholio]

Let's face it...Illinois has a huge target on their backs right now (as everybody around here is saying). That means that they get everyones best shot. That is the best NCAA tourney preparation you could have IMO. Illinois knows they have to be up for every game, and they have been. They have dealt with the attention/pressure of being undefeated #1 for a long time now...to the point that they enjoy it and feed off it. I think a loss now would hurt the flow they have had for so long. We will see.

 

[TommyMullins]

D2bets, Arne K Lang Knows Illinois Is Not Iu; He Was Just Struck With A Sudden Bout Of Dyslexia.