Did Kipper play?
yes
Did Kipper play?
+1,000,000,000
He's was a strong leader out there tonight.
Thought this was a total team win. First half was best basketball from this team since maybe last years Providence game. They really got after every ball, rebounded strong, even Mav was locking up the ball. And so much passing on offense. Total team win - Finke Mav and Thorne all made huge plays. JCL shot 40% from three and made two huge shots. Most of Hills game was hero ball-head scratcher stuff but he made some key buckets, the steal, the O-board and the FTs were all pivotal, plus solid defense. Tracy had a so-so first half but obviously came back out strong. Tate shut everyone up including the announcers, a for at least one minute with a huge basket, very tough shot. 18 assists and we needed every one of them. Groce got outmatched in the second half as usual but it didnt matter because our kids came to win.
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.
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.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.
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.
Yup holding a team averaging 86 a game to 73 is brutal defense...:hand:
I think TA is the leader of the team. I for one am glad that he shows up when he needs to show up. With all the seniors graduating, I'm trying to think of who will be the verbal leader of the team..Black? Tejon?
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.
Why did we quit trying to get the ball underneath on offense? It was killing them in the first half. I know our big guys picked up a few fouls, but on offense that shouldn't of mattered. It seems we didn't execute well in that area during the 2nd half.