Gonzaga 84, Illinois 78 POSTGAME
Giorgi
GIORGI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GIORGI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And he hit his FTs at a really important time.
Led the team in rebounds with 10. 2/6 from 3 is not terrible. Obviously he missed a few shots at the end that he'll want back.
AJ did have had a tough stretch there at the end, but IMO we aren't even in that position to tie the game if it wasn't for his play in the first half and his rebounding overall. Not sure where the hell the rebounding came from but I can't complain considering the state of our front court depth
We moved that needle.
He wasn't double teamed! He had a big switched on to him for a major mismatch advantage.
Don't overlook Georgi. In the long run he will be a big factor.
Jones.
What happened?
What happened?
I thought Griffin earned some future minutes with his play, especially in the second half and at the end of the game.
That said, Play Griffin and Jones instead of Kipper and AJ. Just be done with the Groce era and play for the future. Idc if they’re ready or not...
That said, Play Griffin and Jones instead of Kipper and AJ. Just be done with the Groce era and play for the future. Idc if they’re ready or not...
Said it in the game thread and I know its a futile exercise but imagine if we had Leron this year!
illiniCA
- DC Area
We are gitting crushed at the 4 position because kipper is underperforming and aj is trying to step in.
haasi
- New York
I assume freshman, game too fast for him, not yet familiar enough with our scheme or skilled enough. has great physical tools. i'm hopeful we'll see strides and see him break into the rotation this season
Early on here, Griffin is looking like a very savvy pickup. Made a good cut to the basket and also hit some 3's, one of which was a really quick fire off of a screen. He wasn't even set.
Definitely does not look like the game is too fast for him.
sacraig
- The desert
Did you miss the part where Giorgi put down 17 tonight, primarily in the paint?
I don't think you understand what high percentage means. A layup is certainly a higher percentage shot than a three-pointer, all else being equal, and the fact that we are even arguing that is kind of ridiculous. If one player hits 40% of their threes and another hits 80% of their layups, which is higher percentage? Please tell me.
They were showing double or pushing double with a switch in some instances, either way, he was the hot hand as usual and you ride the hot hand or use him as a decoy generally. If used as a decoy, my thought, Giorgi being high post position would have had a fairly easy inside bucket. Either way great game!
AJ led the Illini with 10 rebounds to go with his 8 pts, 3 assists, and a block.
Also, lay off the Jordan haterade. He had a solid game tonight... was not able to clutch it at the end, but he was a huge part of why we stayed around in the 1st half.
AJ guarded a player most of the night much bigger than him and got 10 rebounds for us with some offense...are you crazy, no freshman would have done that, and I dare say the 2 of them wouldn't have been able to do that together!
Be prepared for a long season when it comes to the other team being in the bonus early and often. Our youth + our pressure defense = all sorts of fouls
AJ played some tough D, had 8 pts, 10 boards, 3 assists, 1 block, and 0 TOs. I believe that I would take that line every night from him.