Winthrop 84, Illinois 80 OT POSTGAME

[stevied]

Is it really possible to single one person out? It was a full collapse. Especially on the defensive end. Really really incredible stuff.

I hated to single him out, but he also had seven turnovers too.

 

[Give it to Greene]

Overeacting much? It's one game. If this continues I may agree with you, but don't act like the season is lost.

I didn't see that poster post the words 'the season is lost'.... Did that get edited before I saw it ?

 

[Second and Chalmers]

So we are going to miss the tournament? :tsk:
I still think we have a chance.

We definitely have a chance.

It's not real complicated. This is a deep, talented, versatile team. We're either going to exploit that and make winning plays against good teams or we're not.

 

[13vezinag]

What is wrong with you guys. Its 1 LOSS. Winthrop is a NCAA tournament team. I think Groce is a great coach. If whitman can give him a vote of confidence so can I. It just means he believes in him and i do to. Im looking forward to the rest of the season. Now the team can set back and get ready for are first BIG test of the season playing west virginia.

 

[GortTheRobot]

If we had Leonard, Frank Williams, and Brain Cook on this team...we could go places.

On our home court, we should be able to beat Winthrop with Leonard Cohen, Andy Williams, and Sam Cook.

 

[JIllini]

They'll get murdered in the Big Ten just like they did under Groce's first 4 seasons. No reason to expect this to change.

Didn't realize you're psychic and can see the future.

 

[GoIllini40]

Sick of hearing this. We lost our opener last year. Just because the SFC was under renovation doesn't mean it doesn't count

They lost to North Florida and Chattanooga last year. That was another excuse. "Oh we're playing at Springfield". Every year is a new excuse for John Groce.

 

[ritster]

Unacceptable. Try not to suck Illini

 

[FinalFour88]

No...Fire Groce is easier. They have been waiting five games for this. Let them have their moment.

I've never been in the Fire Groce camp, but can you blame people for saying that?

 

[USAFILLINI]

Man, Tate bottled that kid up for about 8 minutes, and we went up 10 points. Then he banks in a few desperation shots in the last 2 mins and the rest is history. That Johnson kid had more heart than our entire team.

He put up 38 , not sure you want to use the "bottled up" to describe that.

 

[Second and Chalmers]

We are 4 years into this era, and we are losing to Winthrop at home.

5 years, but who's counting?

 

[StateFarmCenter]

So what does Tilmon do if we fire Groce after this season?

Probably leaves. That's fine. This team should be better than next year's team even with Tilmon.

 

[Hands Malone]

As it stands now, this team us going no where unless this coaching staff changes what they are doing and I don't see that happening very soon. I for one will not spend one dollar on tickets for a game watching this coach. I don't care if it's missed free throws, stagnant offenses, poor substitution timing, you name it. It's not worth my time.

 

[IlliniInTexas]

Yeah, this loss was pretty bad. No denying that. But the team has the opportunity to go out now and pick up 2 very good wins in NY this week (and easily offset this loss). Lose both of those and well...

 

[foby]

Winthrop only lost by 14 to FSU WITHOUT Johnson. They are a really good team. We should have won for sure, but Winthrop is no cupcake.

 

[Deleted member 11241]

Wow!! Didn't realize 1 loss immediately excludes a team from making the tourney

 

[FeelYourPaign]

I know it is not a popular opinion, but Coach Groce is not a big time head coach. He seems like a great guy and adequate recruiter. But he can't seem to teach defensive fundamentals, coach in game situations or figure out substitution patterns. I will duck and take the push back, but we have watched the same stuff for several years now and I, for one, don't see any improvement in his approach.

Now, if he were willing to make a change to his staff and bring in a more effective game coach as his right hand assistant, perhaps he could keep his job. Right now, it ain't working. It was obvious from the first game, when I posted "Meh...again" that this team suffers from the same flaws as the last three.

I don't like the conversation DURING the game, but after the game I think this is a totally appropriate topic.

Its still early and a team can still surprise. LB has played one game. TeJon has played none.

But for what little its worth, I agree with you.
Hope Whitman is already doing work

 

[IlliniMed]

blah blah blah. Shut up.. my god people. Its one game. If the team does not respond with as much talent as it has then yes, he has to go. Before that, just stop and go hug someone you love.

 

[hin10]

Absolutely nauseating. This is a senior-led team? We had 22 turnovers tonight, what is WV going to do to us....

We could have 40 turnovers against their press.

 

[schnaurt]

Groce and his staff have never been able to get his players to finish games. When they go up, they play scared and always let a lesser foe back in the game. 5 years and still do not see the desire to rip a throat out when the other team is down.

 

[Kingo24]

Hill had a rough game, especially given the mismatch he had on the offensive end. Even so, they were up 10 with a little over 2 to go. Some teams just find ways to lose.

 

[IlliniDent]

Wow awful game to lose but this thread is even more painful

 

[helppitch]

I wanted to at least get to December before the "Fire Groce" chorus returned. Shall we talk about missed free throws and a total no-show by the bigs at all?

Maverick Morgan didn't show up. Think we would have been better off, going, & staying small.
Our best player, Malcolm, was really bad in the 2nd half, he couldn't buy a basket. That happens sometimes in basketball.
Tate played hard but was careless with the ball at the end of the game & OT.

 

[Ken]

I feel terrible for our Seniors. It looks like Malcolm and Co. will never get to taste a tourney. I just don't think we have it in us right now.

You shouldnt feel bad for them Groce left them out there and put the game in their hands . They have failed to seize the moment .

MH senior
TA 6th senior
Thorne 6th year senior
JT senior
MM senior

everyone but Thorne played over 30 minutes tonight .

 

[GallopingGhost]

Overreaction time right?? Fire Groce right? No we lost to a tournament team in a close game. Yeah it was a choke but we can learn.