Illinois 75, Georgia Tech 62 POSTGAME

[drumanimal]

Solid win tonight!!I had to watch the game a couple hours late. Was at the hospital with my wife for false labor tonight. All good, taped the game!! I really enjoyed Bardo calling the game. Thinking we got 2 more years of Bertrand? Man, he's a stud!

[Leonardite]

Originally Posted by troydove

Instead of Ibby --- EGWU Both are a weber let down

I see a ban looming. Settle down man.

[BP3]

Originally Posted by TheChiefRises

Someone needs to tell me if JoeB made SportsCenter top 10. He deserves it, just not sure he'll get it.

He was number 9.

[liquidwisdom]

Originally Posted by troydove

Instead of Ibby --- EGWU Both are a weber let down's

We need Henry and DL to preform, they need time on the floor, and yes Egwu has weak hands/ TA is not a guard/ and DJ can't guard his mom. SO, we need Myke, DL, Sam and Tyler to man up and take over

You need to catchup on your DVR! Here's a spoiler...we don't play in the 2012 NCAA or NIT tourneys, Weber gets fired, Leonard goes pro, we hire the coach from Ohio, and start the new season 8-0 with a Maui championship, win a pair of games with our final possession, and add another B1G/ACC team win (with a zone defense)!

There, now you can enjoy the current season with the rest of us!

[BP3]

Originally Posted by BP3

He was number 9.

Oops sorry #3

[Shenanigans]

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

So no Tyler Griffey? And less Ibby, because during those 30 seconds of bench clearing time he has "week" [sic] hands?

Have you seen Illinois play this year? Or glanced at a box score?:laugh::laugh:

Exactly. If we did not have Tyler Griffey, we might have two losses. Tyler doesn't show up huge in the box score or highlight reel, but he's an extension of the coaching staff on the court.

[Illini B-Ball Fan]

Great win - Go Illini!

[Geno33]

Originally Posted by 07Illini

Using Griffey when he could? TG was second in minutes played tonight (30). He was 5-7 from the field and 3-4 from the 3-point line.

Unfortunately, he was asked to play the 5 a couple times and couldn't handle the bigger player. But, we shouldn't act like TG is some type of liability. He has been the X factor this year.

Nice Post !! TG was gaurding a guy ( # 5 ) that was listed at 7' and is a post player.

[schlagboy]

That should be a new #JoeTales......If someone is in the lane, no problem, just jump OVER him.

[Illinidreamin]

Originally Posted by liquidwisdom

You need to catchup on your DVR! Here's a spoiler...we don't play in the 2012 NCAA or NIT tourneys, Weber gets fired, Leonard goes pro, we hire the coach from Ohio, and start the new season 8-0 with a Maui championship, win a pair of games with our final possession, and add another B1G/ACC team win (with a zone defense)!

There, now you can enjoy the current season with the rest of us!

:laugh::laugh::laugh: Nice

[hermie1985]

Team plays hard all the time. JoeB's performance reminded me of when Kenny Battle took over the Missouri game in St. Louis. We need to make free throws.

[ChampaignLou]

Originally Posted by RecLeagueHero

Oh and BTW, the refs sucked AGAIN tonight. I've never seen a team that gets less calls on their home floor than Illinois.

Of all the so-called bad calls, the ones that I think you are referencing are the blocking calls called on our players. In my opinion, all these calls were right and this team tries too much to take charges, especially Paul.

I have a certain pet peeve about taking charges, as I think this is a cheap way of playing defense and only puts the control in the hands of the referee and takes away from offensive play.

I can't fault the players all the time because I think this is actively coached throughout the NCAA. But, hey, that's just my take.

[Loyalillini10]

Originally Posted by troydove

Instead of Ibby --- EGWU Both are a weber let down's

We need Henry and DL to preform, they need time on the floor, and yes Egwu has weak hands/ TA is not a guard/ and DJ can't guard his mom. SO, we need Myke, DL, Sam and Tyler to man up and take over

Again...what? You do realize that DJ is probably our best defender, right? This is a big reason why it was so bad that he got two early fouls. He has been a very strong defender since he got here; it is something that is and has always been talked about. We almost always put DJ on the opposing team's highest scoring guard. Where do you get this?

Also, please proofread your posts before submitting them; your grammar is atrocious.

[Chiefforever]

Originally Posted by BP3

Oops sorry #3

And we'll deserved. His play was NBA caliber right there. I hope scouts are looking at him, he might not be the best player, but easily the most athletic. This guy has springs for feet and he has the body of a pro.

[Chiefforever]

Originally Posted by hermie1985

Team plays hard all the time. JoeB's performance reminded me of when Kenny Battle took over the Missouri game in St. Louis. We need to make free throws.

And also when joe took over the Missouri game last year. Anyone remember that?

[Loyalillini10]

Originally Posted by Chiefforever

And also when joe took over the Missouri game last year. Anyone remember that?

Oh yeah, I remember. That was his breakout game. That was the game when other teams said, "uh oh, we are going to have to start scouting that kid." I loved it.

[chiefini]

Originally Posted by Chiefforever

And also when joe took over the Missouri game last year. Anyone remember that?

I have friends who were high school coaches in Joe's conference who haven't been able to understand why Illinois has not tapped into Joe's potential. They've been totally frustrated and disappointed that he hasn't been given the chance to succeed because he is one of the best athletes they've ever seen. Thanks, Coach Groce, for realizing what a gem we've got, and for giving Joe the opportunity to shine.

[Redfoxdogs]

Originally Posted by classof2016

#JOETALES. We have a different hero every night, I love it.

This. Last year too much focus on standout performances (BP) with subsequent collapse. JG seems to be instilling a better TEAM approach. Felt that last year the team fell apart with a few feeling too much responsibility for the losses, and pushing too hard as a result.

Seeing glimmers of more professional mindset .... we will do well if the kids buy in to the "learning" approach, as they seem to be. Did not see panic and forcing shots at the end of the game.

Happy for the win and happy to see our kids smiling!

[WingDinger]

Originally Posted by WizardBill

we find it unacceptable that the high profile seats are being given to people who do not show up to games, who leave early, and who do not appear to care much about the basketball team.

LOL - the high profile seats are Given to people? Not quite.

The Johnny come lately group is simply out of luck. Whining on a message board doesn't help get you better seats . It's a combination of KASH and seniority.

Where were the students, tonight and all season? Student floor seats were full. In the rest of the student sections there were a lot of empty dull grey seats watching the game.

[Dan]

Illinois wrecks Georgia Tech 75-62



Bertrand ripped off his own 10-0 run during a critical span of less than two minutes to help Illinois pull ahead of Georgia Tech and whip the crowd into a frenzy en route to Wednesday night's 75-62 victory. The No. 22 Illini now have won four straight Big Ten-ACC Challenge games.

"This summer (Groce) had us shooting a lot of 3s," said Bertrand, who scored 15 points and hit 3 of 4 3-pointers. "Everybody had to make 11,000 or more. That really helped with my shooting. It really helped my confidence."

The Illini have plenty to feel confident about after an undefeated start.

Bertrand's hot streak sparked a 21-4 Illini run to end the game.

Shannon Ryan

[Hugh Jorgen]

Originally Posted by OrchardDowns

Abrams is becoming a HUGE concern!!!

No doubt about it...I watched the game, but haven't had a chance to analyze the stats as of yet, but just from watching the game, it seemed like Abrams was solely responsible for like 8 turnovers in the 1st half alone.

I couldn't believe the recklessness with the dribble and passing that he displayed during the 1st half.

[kingmal]

Joe B is the best pro prospect on this team. BP3 will be a late first early second, but Joe is a first rounder after next year.

Bertrand reminds me of a more efficient DeMar DeRozan. Brandon reminds me of Rodney Stuckey

[mattcoldagelli]

Originally Posted by kingmal

Joe is a first rounder after next year.

Let's chill out just a little bit.

[mytwocents]

It might be because we are winning but I enjoy the post-game interviews. Coach Henson was very good post-game and so is Coach Groce. From his comments he joys his players personally but he tries to separate the business of winning and getting better with personal feelings. I don’t think he will have a dog house just perform and play – nothing personal. That is all you can ask for as a player.

[cjcastan]

Well to crib from Tony Kornheiser, after hiring John Groce. Welcome to the land of unbridled optimism.

We may lose some games this year we should win if we die by the 3. We'll definitely win some games we shouldn't due to hot shooting.

As long as we always have a chance to win or feel like we can win that a big step up in this first year.