Wood thought we were a little stale being off 6 days, although he obviously liked it for Ayo. Still, 10 TOs isn't that bad and they had 3 more, so we won that battle.
Illinois 71, Nebraska 59 POSTGAME
Stop with some of the hyperbole about, Jones. I don't think he's the greatest defensive player either, but he is NOT lost 100% of the time on defense. And he hasn't checked out as one poster said. Ridiculous statement. Last night when Nebraska was closing the gap he was the only player at one point clapping and encouraging the team on.
It's obvious Underwood hasn't had the confidence to put him in the last 2 games. At this point in the season i don't know if he will. I hope he gives him another shot but if he doesn't i can understand that.
It's obvious Underwood hasn't had the confidence to put him in the last 2 games. At this point in the season i don't know if he will. I hope he gives him another shot but if he doesn't i can understand that.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
I was about to say, everytime I spot him on the bench, Jones is engaged and seems excited. Now, that's impossible to keep up all the time, but I don't think he's checked out. I think he's doing a great job supporting the team while not getting playing time. That's got to be tough for a guy that was the top guy in high school. He might transfer out looking for more playing time, but I can't and won't say he hasn't been pulling for this team the entire time.
Think my dad said it best when watching the game in the first half "We look like the Globetrotters toying with a middle school team. If they keep this $hit up, we are going to lose."
Some things to clean up, but clearly BU got in their !!! at halftime about shooting so many 3's and getting to the rim. Nebraska was gassed in the last 8 minutes or so. Refs seemingly lost control a bit. If a player is being a big enough !!!!!!! that you have to continually talk to the coach about him, just T his !!! up.
Some things to clean up, but clearly BU got in their !!! at halftime about shooting so many 3's and getting to the rim. Nebraska was gassed in the last 8 minutes or so. Refs seemingly lost control a bit. If a player is being a big enough !!!!!!! that you have to continually talk to the coach about him, just T his !!! up.
I went to the game and enjoyed the new Assembly Hall setup. Game was ugly and nerve wracking. Ayo and AG saved the day again and Trent's 3's helped as a few breaks went Illini's way. I think some plays to dump into Kofi and immediately pass out would help all. Move the D and let Kofi reassert inside position for rebound or reentry pass. I guess that will be coming. I really hope Giorgi and Kofi get mojo back because their size will be tested from here on out. Nicholls and Griffin will be overpowered aginst some teams at the 4. Shooting was horrid at all 3 levels. Keep winning and learning, hopefully growth and consistency trends upward. Our conditioning is solid but all top teams will have that going for them.
Punesguy
- Ft. Collins, CO
While I wish that we looked a bit sharper on offense, a win is a win! Ayo and AG looked really solid but I am really concerned with Giorgi. This was the perfect game for him to gain confidence and he actually regressed. It was like he was shooting blindfolded. And defensively, he really struggled at times. The reality is that he is playing himself out of minutes. He seems like an incredible kid but he is quickly turning into the team cheerleader which is unfortunate.
I’d like to see us step on NW’s throat on Thursday quickly so that the starters can get some rest. I think we are set up really well to grab a top 4 spot ... Go Illini!
I’d like to see us step on NW’s throat on Thursday quickly so that the starters can get some rest. I think we are set up really well to grab a top 4 spot ... Go Illini!
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It’s not as simple as just dumping it in to Kofi. Since we don’t shoot the three ball very well teams sag off of us and pack the middle. Kofi is double and triple teamed. Unfortunately he’s not that great at passing out of the double and triple team yet
That is exactly why they need to work on entry passes and kicking out to free both shooters and post players. It will not get any easier from here on out. It is amazing to me how we fail to feed post and it isn't just been this season. Feed the big dog is time tested basketball fundamentals and the good teams do it...with a few exceptions. But a team with post presence and a few solid three shooters need to have it in repertoire. Didn't say anything about it being easy.
Just to play devil's advocate a bit, Nebraska was without one of their starters, and without a 3 from behind half court we win this by less than 10. And our shooting was pretty awful again, which seems to be pretty consistent.
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The problem with feed the big dog is he’s not Garza. He’s a freshman who has only played basketball for 5 yrs. hands aren’t that great, doesn’t pass great is ok. What he is is athletic. Our guards don’t shoot the 3 solidly as you say. We have the worst or 2nd to the worst 3 pt % in the Big Ten. Kofi doesn’t have a lot of Post moves. Can’t make shots past 5 ft out. He’ll improve but probably not by the end of this season. Our guards do need to improve how they enter the ball but if you listen to Bardo or other analysts is a lost art with these new kids. It’s a Guard oriented game. So again teams pack it in and we can’t shoot them out of it. Hopefully we will get hot again one of these days. I’m old, I’m like you I believe in feed the Big but the way things are with the beloved won’t work the way you want it to unless some things radically change.
Im not saying Tev’s checked out on his teammates, in the locker room he was patting Demonte on the leg for his heroics. He was very engaged with the team, just couldn’t make eye contact or react to anything Underwood was saying about the team. He’s obviously upset with his lack of playing time and I’m not saying I blame him. I’m simply stating there’s more going on behind the scenes that any of us will ever know. I just happened to focus on Tev and his reactions and his body language spoke volumes.
And if we make 10 of the 20 layups we missed we win by 30. Fact is it's a 12 point conference win.....on to the next one.
I understand that thought process... and you may be right. I do know that during the Nebraska game I saw Tevian stand up and clapping to pump the team up when no one else was! He's an awesome teammate from my point of view and he looked engaged and locked into what coach Underwood was saying when they had him(coach) mic'd up when they were showing the locker room at half time a couple games back.... I don't understand why he doesn't play Alan more or give Tevian minutes... it's stupid! These guys are our future! This team would be far better if they both had played more this year like they would've on any other team! It's ridiculous! It's a waste of talent period! That's on the coach! I know he's better than Tyler... and at this point Tyler's logged more minutes... ridiculous... On another note I think Hawkins comes in next year and takes minutes from Giorgi if this type of play continues... Hopefully Giorgi will find his game soon on both sides of the floor...
Agreed 100% it's ridiculous... the guy deserves better! He's suited to play and nothing had been said about him doing anything other than getting better and playing hard in practice, but still no tick... ? I am starting to think it's personal... I certainly hope not! This makes no sense!
Only
Only because Brad took Alan out of the game for some reason... he is a shot maker and they would've had to guard all 5 players on the floor instead of lagging off DaMonte and doubling Kofi every time...
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Tev's D has improved a lot this year and in the few minutes he has been in. I don't see this as a major issue. I would say the bigger issue is his rushing his play and probably too quick to try to hit the three and make a quick impact.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Maybe something crazy...like rest? Clearly BU has lost his mind! Play AG a full 40!!
Gotta love the internet coaches.
Deleted member 29907
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I had just the opposite feeling on his engagement over the last 5 or 6 games. He tends to be a bit more subdued anyway, but the view I did get of him - I was actually pleasantly surprised he was engaged.
I think part of the forums apparent animosity towards Jones is the fear of not having a spot for Miller. For years now we dreamt of having a player as athletic as Jones. Now, with Griffin taking off, and some guys that will be ready next year, fans are ready to give up on Jones. Winning spoils you, just a bit surprising it happened so quick. Having grown up in central Illinois, most of the teams I cheered for have been bad much more than good - Cubs, Bears, Bulls (post-Jordan), Blackhawks, Illinois football and basketball. For me, remembering that Illinois has been bad for awhile, I respect every player that signs on to the team. I wish Jones was eased into the lineup. The Illini will need depth come tournament time. I really hope he's not Creaned. That should be beneath the program...probably hasn't been, but should be.
I makes perfect sense. He is behind GB, DW, AG, aand Kipper on the depth chart. If anyone should get in more it is Kip not Tev. HE may have been ready for B10 play if he had not been suspended each of the last two seasons vs opponents that we could get a lead and and give him a chance to learn. These games mean too much to put him in if he isnt sure what to do. Plus his shooting stats are pretty dismal. Tev is 3 for 16 from 3 and 4 for 24 from the field. He certainly needs more experience and the fact he didnt get it each of the last two seasons is kind of on him. If we get a good lead in some of these games maybe we will see him play otherwise i doubt it. The main reason he played at Rutgers was Ayo was out. He is likely a good kid and trying hard but if anyone needs more tick it is AG and Kip before Tev imo. I'd like to see Ayo and AG get the most minutes of anyone given the impact the have on the floor. AG could handle 30 i think.
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As long as we win i am fine with it. I think the effort was there and those short shots will start to fall for GB, AG and others. I liked how AG took it to the rim last night even if he did miss some lay ups
The conversation on Tevian sounds just like the DJ Williams conversation three years ago. Don’t believe coach wouldn’t play him if he thought it gave us a better chance of winning. Seems like Tev got all the raves based on his stars and athletic ability. In the meantime the lower ranked Alan came in, worked his butt off and was greatly underestimated for his athletic ability but is an emerging star. The guys that are successful at this level have natural ability, work ethics and a basketball IQ. Have to go with the coach on this one.
Exactly. I never understood why people loved DJ and feel same way about Tev. Yes they are athletic but they have to show something on the court. Despite what one poster said about people having animosity for Tev, I don’t think that is true and certainly isn’t from my perspective. I was happy for him that he got some tick against Rutgers and rooting for him. He didn’t play terrible, but coming down the stretch of conference play he didn’t show me anything that leaves me clamoring for more over those who are playing when wins are so important. Maybe at this point with GB’s troubles I’d prefer Tev getting some minutes over him at the 4, but GB isn’t playing the 4 now.