I think I finally lost it when Austin comes into the game, the ball crosses half court and is passed to him at the top of the key & he immediately jacks up a 3. Misses badly btw.
Nebraska 78, Illinois 67 POSTGAME
To Groce's credit, he did yank him out of the lineup on the next timeout and he never came back in. But everytime AA gets in the game, something bad happens. It's unfortunate but there's a reason he didn't even get into the Purdue game.
Yet there AA was again in the Nebraska game. I and a few others got ridiculed in the game thread for saying that Miles was winning the in-game adjustments. Those posters said because of our lack of post presence, we are strictly a one dimensional team and that if our chuck a three strategy isn't working, we are destined to lose.
Nebraska does not have an overwhelming post presence, yet found ways to get easier baskets in our arena than we did.
I did not want to get into an extended argument with those posters in the game thread because I was at the game, but does anyone really feel Groce won the in-game adjustments in the Nebraska game, or that the game planning and in-game coaching was equal? Even with our injuries, does Nebraksa have far superior talent to win by double digits in the SFC? Then what was the reason for the outcome?
AA made his two previous 3ps (previous games)...and JT got his 3p in the game. Obviously JG didn't leave AA in for long and it wasn't a factor. Unfortunately the other guys took some I'll advised 3ps and missed some open 3ps.
The difference between playing a purdue and playing other smaller teams is that I think we are getting "outquicked" on the boards. That was a strength of RR and KN to a lesser extent...if they are close to the loose/missed shot they will generally get hands on it before other players. Seemed like Nebraska was quickly grabbing loose balls...which I don't see as a strength of our limited front line....MH, MF and MM. Our block outs of Purdue was effective and they are not as quick/scrappy to boards.
on inside shooting,...in 2d half we did a couple of pick and rolls with MM that were working. Surprised we didn't do that more.
Ryllini
- Lombard
Injuries aside, we have the talent to compete every game we step out on floor. I'm a Groce defender and think he has done really well with he has to work with, but I will say this:
We are a weak defending team, we are getting better there, but weak. We show flashes on that side of the ball that sometimes, but can't sustain that effort level for 40, because you exude most of your energy on that side of the ball. My observation, JFG needs to reel these guys in on offense. When you have a weak defensive team, you need to spend less time playing defense. Far too many times we are a screen, one maybe two passes and the shot is going up. Fact, we don't turn the ball over much, so why aren't we making other teams work on defense? The staff should really hammer home a 4-5 pass minimum on offense. We get really good looks offensively with our current style, but the more the ball swings around, you'd be surprised how much better those looks will get when lanes to the hole are opened up by a scrambling defense and when the other team tires. We do a terrific job getting out on the break and I say this team makes very smart decisions when they get out on the run, we should be taking advantage of our strength which is offensive decision making. I could be wrong on my thoughts, but what I saw yesterday with the amount of 3's hoisted so quickly it just stuck out to me.
We are a weak defending team, we are getting better there, but weak. We show flashes on that side of the ball that sometimes, but can't sustain that effort level for 40, because you exude most of your energy on that side of the ball. My observation, JFG needs to reel these guys in on offense. When you have a weak defensive team, you need to spend less time playing defense. Far too many times we are a screen, one maybe two passes and the shot is going up. Fact, we don't turn the ball over much, so why aren't we making other teams work on defense? The staff should really hammer home a 4-5 pass minimum on offense. We get really good looks offensively with our current style, but the more the ball swings around, you'd be surprised how much better those looks will get when lanes to the hole are opened up by a scrambling defense and when the other team tires. We do a terrific job getting out on the break and I say this team makes very smart decisions when they get out on the run, we should be taking advantage of our strength which is offensive decision making. I could be wrong on my thoughts, but what I saw yesterday with the amount of 3's hoisted so quickly it just stuck out to me.
I bet Tim was so happy to see us passing on guys like Morrow and Watson.
I don't mind him shooting, but he just got into the game and on the first pass to him, he chucks it?!?!? At least get warm and into the flow of the game.
HoopCity
- Huntsville, AL
In my over 50 years of watching hoops I have never seen this. Would someone please explain. THANKS
http://imgur.com/p3vQ0iA
http://imgur.com/p3vQ0iA
The head coach of Nebraska making fun of Illinois after easily beating us in Champaign using two Illinois kids that we didn't bother recruiting is just awful. Really speaks volumes as to where we are at as a program.
Looks like a pic with a bunch of injuries at the end of the bench. In 50yrs you have not seen that many?
LOL. He's just referring to having nobody in to rebound on FTs, man. SO defensive :hand:
And HoopCity isn't wrong, at least stick some guards in there to initiate a press, it's 8 to go and you're down double digits. The injury excuse should be banned, it's just embarrassing what people are leaping to excuse with it
I see. I know coaches who never put anyone on the line in favor of having guys back to set the D. Can't imagine 50 years of seeing basketbll and not seeing that. Happens about once a week here in Indiana HS ball for lots of reasons and situations....besides the fact that our local HS shot right at 90% FTs with the starting 5 for a few seasons...coach never worried about there being a rb with that group.
I remember that clearly, too.
I stuck around after the game and actually saw a fan with an Illinois jacket on take a picture with Miles. That said it all, to me.
Huh? A HS team shot 90% from FT for multiple seasons in a row? If true, that would be remarkable.
danielb927
Orange Krush Class of 2013
- Rochester, MN
Was this the first shot of two? I've seen the shooting team's guys not enter the lane until after the first shot if the coach wants to tell them all something.
We did that more than once yesterday on the back end
that makes a ton of sense. Thanks
HoopCity
- Huntsville, AL
NO, second shot, believe he missed both
Yep, he did miss both
I thought Illinois would win this one. They have to play at a very high level, and they did not. There are no easy ones with the injuries. That is the reality of the situation. This team is building for the future, and hopefully things will be better next year. I try not to get too upset after a loss like this one or get too overly optimistic when we defeat a team like Purdue. I am looking for improvement from the younger players, and they are getting valuable minutes that they would not have gotten otherwise. I am like some of the other posters. I have been a fan for over 50 years.