ivwilsoniv
- Aurora, IL
November 20 post, I asked if a reasonable expectation of Giorgi this year would be 14 pts & 6 reb per game, and y'all laughed (I assume you did).
Through 6 Big Ten games, Giorgi's averages are: 13.3 pts & 5.5 reb per game.
Illinois 95, Minnesota 68 POSTGAME
November 20 post, I asked if a reasonable expectation of Giorgi this year would be 14 pts & 6 reb per game, and y'all laughed (I assume you did).
Through 6 Big Ten games, Giorgi's averages are: 13.3 pts & 5.5 reb per game.
blackdog
- Champaign
I think it's making a big difference having more players available. The whole team just seemed to have a lot more energy in the 2nd half and there weren't any major lulls. Even Tev, Griffin, and Kane getting a couple minutes here and there means fresher legs for the other guys.
Talking about Ayo he seems to have figured out how to get to the rim and FINISH and high level competition. Early in the season he was getting getting to the rim but was getting blocked a lot trying those long scoop layups. Now hes using his body to protect the ball and use finish off the glass at different angles. It's making him more efficient and more confidence and it seems that is opening up a lot more lanes for other players to attack as well.
Talking about Ayo he seems to have figured out how to get to the rim and FINISH and high level competition. Early in the season he was getting getting to the rim but was getting blocked a lot trying those long scoop layups. Now hes using his body to protect the ball and use finish off the glass at different angles. It's making him more efficient and more confidence and it seems that is opening up a lot more lanes for other players to attack as well.
Loved the energy by Tevian at beginning of game. His three pointer (confident, no hesitation) and bodying up on defense (no backing down) were awesome. Ayo was incredible early, and then rest of game. I thought those things helped set the tone.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Robert is soooooooo negative in his article.
He wasn't negative at all, that's so ridiculous.
You want a negative takeaway from that game?
It will be a miracle if Ayo is on this team next year, and we are completely lying to ourselves to be projecting otherwise as we hope for a path out of the gutter.
Illinir1
- Camdenton, MO
Great team win last night.
As challenging as the season has been, we're already ahead of our B1G record at this time last year. Flashback to 2018: On Jan. 11th the Illini blew a 20 pt. lead to Iowa at home and went on to lose 104-97 in OT, making our B1G record 0-5. On January 15th the Illini gave away a game at Nebraska, losing 63-64. The team then lost successive games at Wisconsin (Jan. 19th 50-75) and at home against MSU (Jan. 22nd 74-87). It wasn't until Jan. 24th last year that the Illini beat IU at home, 73-71, to become 1-8 in the B1G (ultimately finishing 4-14).
As stated previously, our team now needs a B1G road win to continue the progress. They had one B1G road win last year, at Rutgers 75-62 on Feb. 25th. Hoping they get it done sooner than that this year (Sunday would be a good time to do it).
As challenging as the season has been, we're already ahead of our B1G record at this time last year. Flashback to 2018: On Jan. 11th the Illini blew a 20 pt. lead to Iowa at home and went on to lose 104-97 in OT, making our B1G record 0-5. On January 15th the Illini gave away a game at Nebraska, losing 63-64. The team then lost successive games at Wisconsin (Jan. 19th 50-75) and at home against MSU (Jan. 22nd 74-87). It wasn't until Jan. 24th last year that the Illini beat IU at home, 73-71, to become 1-8 in the B1G (ultimately finishing 4-14).
As stated previously, our team now needs a B1G road win to continue the progress. They had one B1G road win last year, at Rutgers 75-62 on Feb. 25th. Hoping they get it done sooner than that this year (Sunday would be a good time to do it).
sacraig
- The desert
Also on the bright side, you basically can win any Halloween costume contest you want by dressing up as a pirate.
What was most impressive to me was that the whole team contributed...and early. This team is loaded with latent talent that is getting the opportunity to grow and contribute....maybe one of the blessings of so many losses. They are extremely young but not without important skills. Now, if more can become big time defensive contributors, the sky is the limit. But that does take time.
Don't think a miracle is necessary. Just some smart deductions. He has some talents but what he needs to do to stick in the league needs to be developed as strength, shooting, and defense are all in developmental stage. He needs to continue to grow and prove beyond a doubt that he will work to gain the level of play that will stick in the NBA....at least another season in C-U.
sacraig
- The desert
I am going to have to disagree with you on at least part of this.
Robert was pretty negative in his article. He was very positive... effusively positive about this one game, but repeatedly pointed out that it means nothing, and that just isn't true. Perhaps this season is lost. Personally, I'd say if we can salvage an NIT bid with a run at the end of the season, it's at least a positive in that it let's our young guys get that many more games under their belt before a hopefully-successful 2019/2020 campaign next season. It's also (potentially) a huge confidence booster for this team and might just be what they need to finally get that second-half-collapse monkey off their backs. If this represents a turning point, this may not be a lost season after all on our way to a (hopefully) successful rebuild.
I also don't think it's a given that Ayo stays or goes. There is a lot of season left, and a lot left to be written. Pretending it would be a miracle if he stays is silly. Pretending he has no chance in the draft is also silly. Let's just try to enjoy what will hopefully be a smoother ride from here on out.
Random thoughts -
First off, speechless at how they just put the foot down on a team that wasn't mentally ready for us. Not sure what combination of us playing well and them playing poorly led to that, but you couldn't ask for a more thorough beatdown. Heartening to see them try to put together a complete game and have such success. Just wow.
We hit a lot of shots around the rim that were 50-50, and hit most of them. Shooting was terrific in every aspect --tough shots falling, 50% from 3, and 87% from the FT line.
We rebounded very well against a big team, +13
Looking at the box score, we had roughly the same number of turnovers, but I have to believe we got the better run-outs. The T/Os we got seemed to lead to points.
We did manage to out-foul them, but I think we were smarter about it.
Our defense was noticeably better. I think they had a poor shooting night, but I could see us hustling more, picking up rotations, and forcing them to take tougher shots.
The energy was so much better. Don't know what that was all about, but man did they seem like a team that was having fun winning.
Ayo looking good. Really good.
As good as that game was, it was one game, and I'm not going to adjust my expectations upwards. I think we'll still be a young team on the road in a brutal conference, but I saw some signs of life that I hadn't previously, and I think we'll build on that. I'm just happy for these guys right now. Kofi committing and a great effort at home feel like a drink after walking through the desert. Hope this gives them the confidence to survive the conference schedule and believe they can compete with any of these teams on a given night.
First off, speechless at how they just put the foot down on a team that wasn't mentally ready for us. Not sure what combination of us playing well and them playing poorly led to that, but you couldn't ask for a more thorough beatdown. Heartening to see them try to put together a complete game and have such success. Just wow.
We hit a lot of shots around the rim that were 50-50, and hit most of them. Shooting was terrific in every aspect --tough shots falling, 50% from 3, and 87% from the FT line.
We rebounded very well against a big team, +13
Looking at the box score, we had roughly the same number of turnovers, but I have to believe we got the better run-outs. The T/Os we got seemed to lead to points.
We did manage to out-foul them, but I think we were smarter about it.
Our defense was noticeably better. I think they had a poor shooting night, but I could see us hustling more, picking up rotations, and forcing them to take tougher shots.
The energy was so much better. Don't know what that was all about, but man did they seem like a team that was having fun winning.
Ayo looking good. Really good.
As good as that game was, it was one game, and I'm not going to adjust my expectations upwards. I think we'll still be a young team on the road in a brutal conference, but I saw some signs of life that I hadn't previously, and I think we'll build on that. I'm just happy for these guys right now. Kofi committing and a great effort at home feel like a drink after walking through the desert. Hope this gives them the confidence to survive the conference schedule and believe they can compete with any of these teams on a given night.
haasi
- New York
Ayo will almost 100% be gone if he’s a first rounder. I don’t think he’s a first rounder right now, but if continues to play this way the rest of the season and shows out against top competition, he could be.
So you were wrong? /s
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
He's at #21 on ESPN's top 100 draft prospects.
Fans having divergent interests from their best players is one of the many gross things about college sports, but here we are.
Ayo was good to begin the year, slumped, and now is better than (then?) ever. If I was betting right now, I'd say he's gone.
+1
GMs are going to be looking at a lot of things regarding Ayo, and he's got the talent to be in the conversation. He's taking care of business --not getting too up or down, and just focusing on his game. I would expect him to declare, get feedback, and make a very business-like decision on whether he likes his chances of guaranteed money vs potentially moving up. He's been impressive lately, for sure.
KrushCow31
Former Krush Cow
- Chicago, IL
6th highest SoS, 2nd worst luck according to KenPom. I don't think any team in our remaining B1G schedule should take us lightly.
Interesting comments from their scouting report:
"Scouts will be watching his perimeter shooting, as he reworked his jumper over the summer. He's still not the most polished decision-maker."
He's doing quite well this season from the arc. With better ballhandling and playmaking, I'd like his chances of getting a high draft position.
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal
Deleted member 29907
D
Guest
Can't believe we gave up THT for that guy.
mattcoldagelli
- The Transfer Portal
Huh? End of first round is ideal - land with a good team, minimize the pressure to immediately contribute, etc. Financially, not as great, but from a basketball standpoint it’s an outstanding outcome.
Deleted member 29907
D
Guest
On a side note - nice to see that the refs let them play last night - the flow of the game was so much more enjoyable to watch (of course Minny's mileage may vary)