Illinois 84, Minnesota 71 POSTGAME
Active hands on D (steals)...helped push tempo. With Damonte....I see a lot more of that in future!
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Interesting on the focus of player leadership in press conference. I would imagine player leadership is generally not accentuated when you have a very vocal coach like JG. Sounds like JG stepping back and letting players lead (halftime) paid dividends.
If we're not permitted to use absent members as a reason for not winning, then nor it seems should we be denied from celebrating regardless of how depleted the other team. Take your W's where you find them because your L's will always be able to seek you out.
:whoo:
We blitzed them right out of the gate in the second half so unless minny was running sprints at half...
Now as the half went on I'm sure fatigue set in especially once king fouled out but most of that was due to our increased defensive pressure. It's not like we just sat back and waited until minny got tired.
So I went to YouTube to play Whitman's halftime speech again and after it was over, one of the recommended-by-YouTube videos was Henry V's St Crispin Day speech.
Cosmic coincidence? I think not, oh we happy band of Illini.
BTW, if may have been just a coincidence or whatever, but Whitman did not call the Assembly Hall the "State Farm Center." He didn't call it the Assembly Hall either, but he knew his audience well enough to not rub salt in a wound.
https://youtu.be/A-yZNMWFqvM
Cosmic coincidence? I think not, oh we happy band of Illini.
BTW, if may have been just a coincidence or whatever, but Whitman did not call the Assembly Hall the "State Farm Center." He didn't call it the Assembly Hall either, but he knew his audience well enough to not rub salt in a wound.
https://youtu.be/A-yZNMWFqvM
Yah ..that has never been his style. Always seems to recruit and find leaders within that he can groom and then give them free reign. Problem with this group I can see from aaaaafar is that there is no one who is vocal yet. I think Finke has shown a few flashes and will become a strong locker room presence as he matures. To be honest, this team could use a few more locker room outbursts and pissed off players. Got to be killing Offutt in there as a staffer as he quietly led by example but was never afraid to speak his mind when it was time. IMHO Leaders are not born or even made...they merely emerge...
Agree...I think you can gauge a little by passion that you see from some players. I think JCL is going to emerge as a leader in addition to MF.
Even djw has show vocal leadership when on the floor. Malcolm just isn't a vocal leader. These freshmen are going to be great leaders I think.
but for one half to end a horrible season, our team played with pride and passion. What an incredibly fun experience.-L-L
That is great to hear...on TV it was a bit hard for me to get over the first half even though we played well in the second, so nice to know the spirit came alive in the building...that is meaningful.
To Khalid Lewis, thank you. We know your choice of where to play your college basketball, and where to get your education is a precious, important one to you. I am glad we had you on this squad for a year. One does not need to be an expert to see that you worked really hard. Thank you, and all the best going forward.
To Coach Groce: I know I'm a being a grumpy old man, but let this be the last senior night where you forget to take a timeout and pull the senior(s) from the game so that they can get some love from the crowd. I know it doesn't pop up on your stat sheet, but the little things matter.
To Coach Groce: I know I'm a being a grumpy old man, but let this be the last senior night where you forget to take a timeout and pull the senior(s) from the game so that they can get some love from the crowd. I know it doesn't pop up on your stat sheet, but the little things matter.
IllinoisFan733
- Chicago
Illinois ends up shooting 57.1% f(28-49) from the field. Another +50% to add to Coach Groce's resume!!!
BirdDog9048
The Chief Lives
- Chicago, IL
In his defense, there was only one senior (Khalid), and the game ended with the ball in his hands.
BirdDog9048
The Chief Lives
- Chicago, IL
Not really sure where to post this, so I'll post it here since this is where the Senior Night video is, but why hasn't anyone ever mentioned that Ken Griffey Sr. is Khalid Lewis' grandfather?
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
I thought the broadcasters said "step-grandfather." I can't find any info indicating how either of his parents are related to Griffey or his wife.
BirdDog9048
The Chief Lives
- Chicago, IL
He said grandfather, but the only other reference I can find is on Khalid's bio on LaSalle's website, which says grandfather-in-law...
This article mentions it as well - says he is married to Khalid's grandma:
http://www.ameripublications.com/ke...s-cap-backwards-at-hall-of-fame-presser/70106
No kidding. That is pretty cool, so I'm not sure why none of our all-knowing posters hadn't dug this up yet!
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How many is that? 5? And in that same span, the rest of the BIG has like 15+ or something, right?
I was trying to tell me wife about that sometime this year.
The tv analysts last night also said step grandfather. Mentioned multiple times.
This is well said. I'm sure Groce & staff are patiently waiting for that one to emerge for Illinois. At this point, I'm fairly confident (yet disappointed) to say that Malcolm Hill isn't going to do it. Kendrick looks unlikely. Abrams, assuming he doesn't re-injure, will most definitely be a solid leader while he's on the court. Gotta have that next man up, though.