I'd like to start off by asking the forum a question. When we lost the 10 point lead in the 1st half, were tied at half, were down by 15 with 8+ minutes to play, did you think we would lose by 8 or 28? Anyone who said 8 needs to back away from the koolaid!
In looking at the box score there's a bunch of good and bad to look at:
Kipper 16 minutes, 1/6 shooting, 5 fouls & 2 points - wow, I don't know what is going on but I think he should be coming off of the bench until he figures it out.
Georgi 8/10, 7 boards, 5 turnovers (ouch) & 18 points - it was mentioned before but he is going to be really fun to watch over the next few years.
Ayo 7/12, 4/6 from 3, 0 fouls & 20 points - it feels like he is starting to get more comfortable on offense and hopefully the D will follow soon!
TF 4/13, 2/8 from 3, 6 assists, 3 turnovers and 11 points - definitely an off night for him but it is encouraging that the team stayed within 10 at IU.
AJ 1/6, 0/4 from 3, 4 boards and 2 points - really off offensively and gets beat badly off the dribble when guarding athletic players.
Feliz 15 minutes, 3 points, missed another front end of a 1&1 and 2 turnovers - can't create his own shot and needs to shoot 1000 free throws a day!
Griffin 7 minutes, 0/4 from 3, 4 rebounds, 1 steal & 3 turnovers - BU please give Griffin Kipper's minutes so he can get into some sort of flow.
Kane 0 minutes - what in God's name is going on with this??? Is he hurt??? Is he in the dog house??? BU, please put him on the court!!!
Other Observations:
Langford is really good on both ends of the floor. I hope he is one and done because we have no one who can guard him.
Our offense is atrocious! I don't know if I have ever seen such a combination of turnovers and shot clock violations.
Our defense was good at times but to give up 35 free throws and our offense only get 12 free throws is tough to overcome.
We actually matched them in rebounds 29 - 29.
They had 5 blocks and we had 0.
We had 15 assists and they had 9.
We went 8/28 from 3 and they went 2/12 (thank goodness).
All that being said, wins are how a program is ultimately measured but as a fan, I do feel a bit more encouraged after this game as compared to a week ago. Hopefully they continue to work on the things within their control and keep hustling. Go Illini!