Illinois Fighting Illini

[Clemson_tennis]

I wrote a team review on Michigan a while back. I thought that their top 2 would carry them more than it has this year. It's a large dropoff after Jung though

[IlliniSky]

The Illini won the last road trip of the regular season by defeating Michigan State 5-2 on Sunday. They dropped the doubles point but came back to win 5 of the 6 singles matches to take the win. They finish the regular season at home next weekend at home with No. 24 Minnesota on Friday and No. 73 Wisconsin on Sunday.

Illinois vs. Michigan State

Doubles: Order of Finish
2. Aaron Pfister/Austin Brooks (MSU) def. Stephen Hoh/KU Singh (ILL) 8-5
3. Brian Alden/Dennis Nevolo (ILL) def. Mat Nelson/Jason Norville (MSU) 8-5
1. Drew Lied/John Stratton (MSU) def. #75 Johnny Hamui/Abe Souza (ILL) 9-7
Michigan State leads 1-0.

Singles: Order of Finish
1. #11 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) def. Denis Bogatov (MSU) 6-0, 6-4 (Tied 1-1)
6. #72 Abe Souza (ILL) def. Drew Lied (MSU) 6-3, 6-3 (Illinois leads 2-1)
4. #119 Johnny Hamui (ILL) def. Ronnie Hulewicz (MSU) 6-1, 6-4 (Illinois leads 3-1)
3. KU Singh (ILL) def. Aaron Pfister (MSU) 6-7 (2-7), 6-1, 6-2 (Illinois wins 4-1)
5. John Stratton (MSU) def. Stephen Hoh (ILL) 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5) (Illinois wins 4-2)
2. Roy Kalmanovich (ILL) def. Austin Brooks (MSU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 (Illinois wins 5-2)

Illinois 14-8, 6-2 B1G

[ClarkC]

If Singh gradually gets healthy by the time the NCAA tourney starts, then Illinois will be an upset threat to a lot of teams and should make the final 16. At #17 with Pepperdine not participating, they are already on track to host a regional.

[IlliniSky]

Originally Posted by ClarkC

If Singh gradually gets healthy by the time the NCAA tourney starts, then Illinois will be an upset threat to a lot of teams and should make the final 16. At #17 with Pepperdine not participating, they are already on track to host a regional.

Hes played three three-set matches since he has returned and he is even playing doubles now. It seems to be a big if with him, but if he can get more match play, he will defnitely be a plus. I was ready to write him off for the year but he's starting to come back.

As far as Illinois making the final 16, that's still a big question. They've struggled against Iowa and Northwestern and lost to the loosiers this year. You never know how they will show up from day to day. I was a bit worried after they dropped the doubles today against the Spartans but they rebounded nicely. At full strength, they can definitely be a top 16 team or better, but their lack mental strength it seems at times.

They've got a tough match with Minnesota on Friday so we'll see how well they do.

[Will Wilson]

Originally Posted by IlliniSky

Hes played three three-set matches since he has returned and he is even playing doubles now. It seems to be a big if with him, but if he can get more match play, he will defnitely be a plus. I was ready to write him off for the year but he's starting to come back.

As far as Illinois making the final 16, that's still a big question. They've struggled against Iowa and Northwestern and lost to the loosiers this year. You never know how they will show up from day to day. I was a bit worried after they dropped the doubles today against the Spartans but they rebounded nicely. At full strength, they can definitely be a top 16 team or better, but their lack mental strength it seems at times.

They've got a tough match with Minnesota on Friday so we'll see how well they do.

Minnesota lost its 1st or 2nd best player (Sebastian Gallego) to injury which was a bitter pill to swallow during a tough, close loss to Indiana. Don't know if he will be back in time but if not, Illinois should have the upper hand at home.

[Clemson_tennis]

Meanwhile Indiana got routed by Louisville. The top 3 got slammed. 23 was a little to high for Indiana anyway

[IlliniSky]

Originally Posted by Clemson_tennis

Meanwhile Indiana got routed by Louisville. The top 3 got slammed. 23 was a little to high for Indiana anyway

The loosiers still have B1G No. 2 locked up. There's no way they are going to lose to the Nitts. Of course I'll be rooting for that to happen but it probably won't. I have my doubts about the Minnesota match anyway. The Illini could easily lose that one.

[jaggy]

Indiana have over performed in many big 10 games, Id say Ill Annoy will beat them at the big 10 tournament although I cant see anyone but an ohio state being a threat at the ncaas.

[IlliniSky]

Originally Posted by jaggy

Indiana have over performed in many big 10 games, Id say Ill Annoy will beat them at the big 10 tournament although I cant see anyone but an ohio state being a threat at the ncaas.

That brain fart they had against the loosiers is just sickening. If there's one team I did not want them to lose to, it was them. Dancer really used up all of his savings with that one. He has A LOT to make up for it. The Buckeyes have no rivals in the Big Ten at the moment. They'll probably wipe out the loosiers 7-0 and then the same to whoever they meet in the B1G final. I don't see them beating Virginia, USC or Tennessee though.

[jhick]

Originally Posted by Clemson_tennis

Meanwhile Indiana got routed by Louisville. The top 3 got slammed. 23 was a little to high for Indiana anyway

I believe Indiana was missing their #1 Jeremy Langer for that match. Some of the lower singles matches went to three sets. They probably wouldn't have beaten Louisville, but the match would have been closer if Indiana was at full strength.

[jaggy]

Yea everyone moved up a spot and the Swedish freshman had some weird meltdown at #3. Bad day at the office really, I think Indiana are over achieving but would expect them to compete much more closely with Louisville.

[IlliniSky]

The April 19 rankings are out and Illinois slips yet another notch to No. 18. They will not even host the NCAA Regionals at this rate. Minnesota/Wisconsin are must wins and they need a runner-up finish in the B1G Tourney. The Dancer Era continues to wash away any resemblance of the Tiley Years.

[vandre]

on a side note, i was at the atkins center on sat. morning and the women's team rolled in around noon and they were all p!$$ed off after getting the team bagel from michigan. any thoughts on their season?

[IlliniSky]

Originally Posted by vandre

on a side note, i was at the atkins center on sat. morning and the women's team rolled in around noon and they were all p!$$ed off after getting the team bagel from michigan. any thoughts on their season?

I really don't pay all that much attention to women's tennis, but the Illinois women's team are unranked and 9-10 overall, 5-3 B1G. Not sure why they'd be so ****ed. Michigan women are ranked No. 10 in the country while they have no ranking.

[ClarkC]

Originally Posted by IlliniSky

B1G

Why does B1G stand for the Big 10? Just curious (and I find it somewhat irritating to read).

[IlliniSky]

Originally Posted by ClarkC

Why does B1G stand for the Big 10? Just curious (and I find it somewhat irritating to read).

Oh, I'm so sorry. Big Ten then.

B1G

[Lefty Spin]

In regards to the women's team, they were ranked top 30 at the beginning of the year and have some good young players. Last week they lost a hard fought 5-2 match at Northwestern and expected to show better against Michigan. In my opinion, when you are dependent on freshmen and sophomores you can really have some ups and downs. I know Michelle was expecting a better year for the team but I expect they will have a better year next year. I still hold out hope that they can finish top four at the conference tournament and squeeze into the NCAAs. Unfortunately, I didn't make it down there last weekend but I hope to make it to the womens match at Wisconsin this weekend.

[Will Wilson]

They play in just a few minutes to decide 3rd place in the Big Ten. Gallego is back from injury and in the lineup for The Golden Gophers so this should be a very close match. Most likely, whoever wins the doubles point wins the day.

Go Gophs!

[IlliniSky]

Hard to watch anymore...

[Will Wilson]

Originally Posted by IlliniSky

Looks like Dancer's stacking is blowing up in his face. Man he is getting bad. He has no idea what to do anymore.

The Golden Gophers took out Illinois in a close one - the doubles point was key. And Tobias Wernet upsetting Nevolo at 1.

I was wondering about the Illinois lineup with their ranked players way down the lineup. Has Souza played 6 before?

Now we want a re-match with Indiana at the Big Tens now that Gallego is back in the lineup.

Go Gophs!