Illinois 94, USC 64 POSTGAME

[Foggy Notion]

A by-the-numbers look at Illinois’ near-perfect first half against USC


http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-...79--ncaab.html

From Yahoo!

[MPFlyinIllini]

Originally Posted by zoggle101

Langford appears to be the ninth man and should get a couple minutes each half. Looked good and active in the rs freshmans little time. Groce inserted him in both halves iirc. I still think we are counting Shaw off too early. Just think if we didn't have Griffey who probably had the best overall game last night. Kid can shoot it and pass it. That layup showed some of his athleticism too. Just to clarify, I'm not comparing TG to MS or vice versa.

Langford tallied 3 minutes. Shaw, Ibby MLT each with 2 minutes, Berardini with 1. Just one shot attempt total from that group.

[WesterveltVictoryCigar]

Originally Posted by DaytonIllini

You can watch kids and tell if they can play. If they have talent they should show it in one on one plays here and there.

Texas is really a bad team also (right now). Having watched that game wire to wire I think Chaminade wins a minimum of 4 out of 10 times they play Texas. Probably 6 out of 10. Without a PG, Texas is a joke. When Myck comes back, they will be a different team but still not a great team (certainly better than Chaminade though).

Agree on Texas, very young team that isn't good right now and bad without Kabongo. We'll have to disagree on USC for the time being.

[TCTORNADO]

Originally Posted by Foggy Notion

A by-the-numbers look at Illinois’ near-perfect first half against USC


http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-...79--ncaab.html

From Yahoo!

Best half I've ever seen UI play.

[ajg1865]

I am thrilled to see Illinois frequently using the pick-and-roll as a focal point of their offense. It seems Groce has placed a premium on ball handling in practice because these Illini seem to be able to attack the rim off a p-n-r where last year they were more hesitant to drive.

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by drillini

I wonder if even with a big lead he is sticking with about 8 guys so they have more of a chance to get used to his system, and learn to play with each other within his system. I could understand that concept. Also by not going deeper there certainly is a statement sent to the remaining players, step up in practice. If not there will be freshman coming in next year that will make it difficult to get playing time, so those players may need to make a decision for their own future.

Yes, the advantage of going deeper is that you can rest guys more and have more flexibility in case of injury or foul trouble. The disadvantage of playing a lot of guys is that it is harder to develop cohesiveness. I see Langford getting minutes mainly as an investment in the future. During tight, critical B1G games I would bet that we go with 7-8 guys. Groce is now building cohesiveness for the rotation he intends to use this year.

[trevdv]

Can we all agree that those two back-to-back games against Hawaii and USC were the most exciting, fun road games we've seen in a WHILE?

[2005ILLINIWHITESOX]

Originally Posted by trevdv

Can we all agree that those two back-to-back games against Hawaii and USC were the most exciting, fun road games we've seen in a WHILE?

+1

[TCTORNADO]

My only problem with last night is your up 21 pts w/ 5 minutes to go and you leave your starters in, plus you've got to play the next night a team that already was a sleep by that time.
Big chance for injuries plus it would have been a chance to give the 10th thru 13th guys some playing time and rest your starters for the next night.
Not trying to start a fight, it just seemed odd.

[illinisc]

Originally Posted by TCTORNADO

My only problem with last night is your up 21 pts w/ 5 minutes to go and you leave your starters in, plus you've got to play the next night a team that already was a sleep by that time.
Big chance for injuries plus it would have been a chance to give the 10th thru 13th guys some playing time and rest your starters for the next night.
Not trying to start a fight, it just seemed odd.

I thought it was pretty odd to. The only reason I could think of was the Groce wanted his starters to play out of their funk in the 2nd half and go into the next game with a little momentum.

[Illwinsagain]

Originally Posted by illinisc

I thought it was pretty odd to. The only reason I could think of was the Groce wanted his starters to play out of their funk in the 2nd half and go into the next game with a little momentum.

I think Groce wanted to make sure that the game did not get interesting. I couldn't have been the only one doing the math when it got down to an 18 point lead. I was at the Hall when BJ Armstrong brought back Iowa from down 21 with 12 left (details may be off, it was a long time ago).

[IlliniRunIn07]

Originally Posted by Illwinsagain

I think Groce wanted to make sure that the game did not get interesting. I couldn't have been the only one doing the math when it got down to an 18 point lead. I was at the Hall when BJ Armstrong brought back Iowa from down 21 with 12 left (details may be off, it was a long time ago).

Also these kids are still learning the system. I know Groce is preaching "practice matters" as he should, but in-game minutes are infinitely more valuable.

[Groundhogday]

Originally Posted by IlliniRunIn07

Also these kids are still learning the system. I know Groce is preaching "practice matters" as he should, but in-game minutes are infinitely more valuable.

I think this is the main reason because we have seen essentially the same substitution pattern for multiple early season blowouts. He wants the rotation guys to gain experience playing together.

[bleedsorangenblue]

Kind of scoured the national media and there was not a lot of buzz about the Illini last night. Maybe people were sleeping ?

Did find this on ESPN....... At the watercooler conversation w/ Eamonn Brennon and Myron Medcalf:

EB: (snip) ..... "Speaking of horrible, I'm not sure if you stayed up for the late one, but Illinois scored 57 points -- 57! -- in the first half against USC. Last season, despite the Trojans being really bad, USC's opponents frequently struggled to break the 65-point barrier. Illinois came out and just destroyed them.


And no, the Trojans did not play well; they are not that bad, and Illiinois is not that good. But it was hard to watch and not be impressed with the Illini. Brandon Paul is passing up bad shots! The ball is moving all over the floor! Guys are playing hard! What sorcery is this?!


MM: I watched it live. And I think John Groce's impact already has affected the program. If they can get Paul to play that balanced basketball (IF), the Illini might be better than expected. Perhaps USC is that bad, though. We'll see in the coming weeks. But I'm definitely intrigued by Illinois."

Link: http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/8655803/at-watercooler-preview-tuesday-college-basketball-action

[drillini]

Originally Posted by bleedsorangenblue

Kind of scoured the national media and there was not a lot of buzz about the Illini last night. Maybe people were sleeping ?

Did find this on ESPN....... At the watercooler conversation w/ Eamonn Brennon and Myron Medcalf:



Link: http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/8655803/at-watercooler-preview-tuesday-college-basketball-action

I actually like those quotes, pretty right on in my opinion. I am definitely intrigued by this Illini team too and it is exciting to see how they progress under Groce.

[jmwillini]

Just watching the game. First chance this year, and I've seen more good screens in 6 minutes than in the past 2-3 seasons. And I'm not a Weber hater. Is Groce using a cattle prod if they don't screen correctly?

[gandalf]

Fwiw, USC beat Texas today. Texas scored 53 including OT. just to put our 57 point first half in perspective.

[Illinell]

Originally Posted by gandalf

Fwiw, USC beat Texas today. Texas scored 53 including OT. just to put our 57 point first half in perspective.

Agreed. This could add some legitimacy to our win yesterday. Not saying it wasn't a bit of an anomaly, but does show that USC is not a complete throw away win.