Illinois 75, BYU 73 POSTGAME
EfremWinters84
- S. Carolina
Kipper played 60 seconds max, I believe. I saw him once on each end of the court. I don't think he touched the ball.
He'll probably add some value in 1-2 games down the road, but I don't see him (as a Freshman) getting much P.T.
He'll probably add some value in 1-2 games down the road, but I don't see him (as a Freshman) getting much P.T.
WestIllini
- University of Iowa
Don't know why people are being so negative about this win. That's a good BYU team. Yes we were up 16 at one point but Leron picking up his 2nd "foul" changed the momentum. He stays out of foul trouble and we probably win by double digits.
I was there. Not many more were. We were fine, whatever.
did Jordan play?
BYU would make the NCAA tournament if they were in the B1G IMO. We played great in areas we needed improvment on. Besides our free throws and a couple bad offensive possessions I really enjoyed watching this one. Good team effort, hard fought, and a WIN.
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I agree with you Houston, I think for the rest of the season Tracey is the heart and soul of the Illini. His play will more important than I think anyone thought it would be when the season started.
I went to the games tonight, got there at halftime during the NU-UD game. First of all, that was a fun one to watch! NU had a 23 point lead at the half and almost pissed it all away. Dayton was fantastic in the second half, they musta really sucked in the first to get down 40-17. Fun game to watch, though. Also, Dayton fans dominated the United Center. They were out in force, loud, and unfortunately they mostly left after the Dayton game, leaving a pretty dead arena.
Illinois was a joy to watch for the first half of the first half. They were clicking on offense, getting everyone involved, and playing tough D. Unfortunately a big part of that was, IMO, Leron Black...and once he got his second and third fouls (which were suspect at best), the team started to look less amazing. Glad they toughed it out.
BYU's Haws is the dweebiest-looking D1 basketball player out there, but he had some great plays. Emery is lightning-quick. Every play he made I had to begrudgingly respect. Mika looked overmatched against Mav and Thorne when we had the ball...it was so nice to see us have a legit post weapon. Of course, Mika looked pretty great scoring on us.
I can't believe Malcolm missed that free throw at the end.
Kipper looked AWESOME...in the pre-game layup line. He and DJ and Leron were throwing down some real nice dunks. He looked over-eager in his minute of play, but he seemed to be trying really hard to get in position to rebound. I am looking forward to seeing him once he's a little more comfortable.
Illinois was a joy to watch for the first half of the first half. They were clicking on offense, getting everyone involved, and playing tough D. Unfortunately a big part of that was, IMO, Leron Black...and once he got his second and third fouls (which were suspect at best), the team started to look less amazing. Glad they toughed it out.
BYU's Haws is the dweebiest-looking D1 basketball player out there, but he had some great plays. Emery is lightning-quick. Every play he made I had to begrudgingly respect. Mika looked overmatched against Mav and Thorne when we had the ball...it was so nice to see us have a legit post weapon. Of course, Mika looked pretty great scoring on us.
I can't believe Malcolm missed that free throw at the end.
Kipper looked AWESOME...in the pre-game layup line. He and DJ and Leron were throwing down some real nice dunks. He looked over-eager in his minute of play, but he seemed to be trying really hard to get in position to rebound. I am looking forward to seeing him once he's a little more comfortable.
It's not legit to say that Groce got outmatched in the second half unless you can give accounts of how he was outmatched. I would like to hear your analysis.
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This was really the first game I have watched closely this year. We do some very nice things at times but for a veteran team, we have far too many periods where we seem to fall apart. If BYU played out of their minds, then I would not be concerned but this was a young team that played okay basketball that we should have been able to beat handily if not for the mistakes our veterans continue to make and should not.
It was especially concerning to me that our Big Ten bigs were absolutely schooled by a Freshman and Sophomore all night. That group absolutely must learn how to play a little bit of competent defense. Mav and Fenke are brutal defenders and Black and Thorne have physical limitations that hold them back.
It really does make a difference having Abrams on the defensive end, Black brings enough energy to sometimes make a difference on the defensive end as well but he just doesn't have the size and Thorne just isn't quite athletic enough. Mav and Fenke both show enough athleticism on the offensive end and that needs to show up on defense as well. I don't know if it is lack of coaching on that end of the floor they just don't get it but it certainly has been a pattern with Groce's teams.
We are certainly playing much better now than we were at the beginning of the season but a veteran team should be even better in my opinion.
It was especially concerning to me that our Big Ten bigs were absolutely schooled by a Freshman and Sophomore all night. That group absolutely must learn how to play a little bit of competent defense. Mav and Fenke are brutal defenders and Black and Thorne have physical limitations that hold them back.
It really does make a difference having Abrams on the defensive end, Black brings enough energy to sometimes make a difference on the defensive end as well but he just doesn't have the size and Thorne just isn't quite athletic enough. Mav and Fenke both show enough athleticism on the offensive end and that needs to show up on defense as well. I don't know if it is lack of coaching on that end of the floor they just don't get it but it certainly has been a pattern with Groce's teams.
We are certainly playing much better now than we were at the beginning of the season but a veteran team should be even better in my opinion.
I just thought the team was unable to do much against zone. nothing major. but i thought the team played well together, kept their heads and just kept looking for ways to score and ways to stop them, though they seemed a bit out of gas compared to the first half. i thnk JCL and Morgan are coming around.
Deleted member 4960
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I think our bigs played pretty well, that mika avg 21 and 8.5 per game. Refs were calling ticky tac fouls on us and he made some tough shots. We out rebounded them, Mav had 10. I think this team and our bigs played better than most people are giving them credit for. We won and pomeroy and vegas had us as a 1pt favorite. I think they did what needed to be done. Yes there room for lots of improvement.
Offensively - Yes they played well
Rebounding - Better
Defensively - Still Brutal
How many times did Mav allow Mika to turn and face the basket unencumbered within 5-10 feet of the basket? That should not happen.
bredhartmann
- Centralia, IL
Yup holding a team averaging 86 a game to 73 is brutal defense...:hand:
Come on now you know the Groce haters are going to continue to just throw shade no matter what. Same old song and dance with them. They just less talkative with a win but still send a chirp or two out after one.
Good win, need to work bigtime on how to move the ball inside when against a zone, though. Beat MO next!
Deleted member 29907
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Nice win last night. Would not have been as close without a few prayer 3s by Rose. Mika played well, but, for the most part we made him work for it and he made some tough shots. (I thought the refs protected him a bit in the 2nd half).
Having LB out hurt us against that zone - the FT line and elbows were wide open against that zone. Love the way JCL answers opposing team's 3s with his own.
MF was absolutely key in the win tonight - kudos to him stepping up after a few tough games.
Having LB out hurt us against that zone - the FT line and elbows were wide open against that zone. Love the way JCL answers opposing team's 3s with his own.
MF was absolutely key in the win tonight - kudos to him stepping up after a few tough games.
Good win! Always better to win than lose.
I imagine next years team leader will be leron. Both vocally and by example with his effort.
I said he could be one of the best pgs in conference assuming he come back normal from injury and a bunch of other folks said he was about 9th best
I pointed out senior leadership and defense.
LOL
Beat mizzou and there can be a big dance in our future.
Illinithad
- Northeast Missouri
JCL also had some nice 3's to answer a couple of their 3-pointers. He seemed to shoot the ball with confidence. Tate's one shot, a contested baseline jumper at the end of the shot clock, turned out to be a big basket as well. They played a good game and beat a tough team.
I thought BYUs zone defense made it more difficult to get the ball inside. Black's absence didn't help. I haven't seen Nichols play. Hopefully, he can fill that role when Black is out. I love Abrams' toughness going to the hoop. Last night was a great example of how having more people to contribute is essential. Finke's presence was definitely needed last night.