Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
Yes, as was Thorne. The announcers mentioned that Tate was under the weather.
Illinois 85, Michigan 69 POSTGAME
Yes, as was Thorne. The announcers mentioned that Tate was under the weather.
The ball movement across the board was better than I've ever seen it under JG -- it has yet to be determined if that was because Michigan is the worst defense we may play this year, or because of what I will affectionately dub the 'TJL effect', but the effect was seen across the board, dimes everywhere!
21 assists tonight, 5th time above 20 dimes in a game under Groce.
BirdDog9048
The Chief Lives
- Chicago, IL
Not really sure some people don't understand what it's like to come back from broken leg. Maybe a game or two earlier but he wasn't completely ready to just come in and play
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
So good to see the team play 40 minutes. That was a must win game and so is Saturday, imo. Now we get the chance to see if they can bring two games in a row. That hasn't happened yet this year. This would be the time to start.
Illini_1979
- Oregon
Agree. He used his timeouts very well tonight. And set up some good plays to run coming out of the timeouts.
I thought TJL looked impressive overall, but a little shaky at times. The half-court offense still looks better with Tracy initiating, IMO. That said, Te'Jon can make plays that no one else on the roster is capable of. I hope he keeps Tate's minutes.
Kipper looked like a bonafide Big Ten contributor. I still think Thorne can give us positive minutes depending on the match-up. Going forward, I think it's pretty clear:
PG - Abrams/Lucas
G - JCL/Abrams
G - Hill/Nichols
F - Black/Finke/Nichols
C - Morgan/Thorne/Finke
9-man rotation. Good balance of scoring, rebounding, and defense. Still think 10 conference wins is pushing it, but I'm more optimistic now than I was two hours ago.
Kipper looked like a bonafide Big Ten contributor. I still think Thorne can give us positive minutes depending on the match-up. Going forward, I think it's pretty clear:
PG - Abrams/Lucas
G - JCL/Abrams
G - Hill/Nichols
F - Black/Finke/Nichols
C - Morgan/Thorne/Finke
9-man rotation. Good balance of scoring, rebounding, and defense. Still think 10 conference wins is pushing it, but I'm more optimistic now than I was two hours ago.
He doesn't guard anyONE. In the second half he switched on to 3 different guys on DHOs and fighting through screens in the pipe. Seth Davis talked about how it was one of the best defensive possessions we had because the ball never got below the free throw line. That was all kipset for about 12-15 seconds.
BirdDog9048
The Chief Lives
- Chicago, IL
I think there's a good chance that Abrams starts the remainder of the season, but minutes are split 50/50 between he and TJL.
Lucas is the perfect spark to bring in and sitting for the first couple minutes will allow him to observe and adjust to the game's tempo/feel.
Illinithad
- Northeast Missouri
Great win. Players seemed to feed off of each other. Mav set the tone early. Great game plan by Groce. Kipper and TJL obviously provided not only a spark but a huge lift. JCL started lighting it up. It reminded me of a couple of years ago when Michigan came in and lit it up on us. One of the best team shooting performances I can remember for the Illini in a B10 game in a long time. Great game!
Now we have a score to settle with Maryland!!!
Now we have a score to settle with Maryland!!!
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
I was one of those arguing earlier in the year that Tracy had done the work and become a much better shooter. Wondering if that was correct. He hasn't shot it well from the outside in how long now? Puzzling and concerning
He had a broken foot that happened in February. That is more than enough time to be properly healed. I don't think he was not playing because he wasn't able to due to injury recovery, it was because Groce was too stubborn to not play Tate.
BigSandysFinest
- Chicago
Protect our home court in B1G play and this team will see March. Tall task.
I like that we don't have another extended break between games. I think that will help.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
The post-game show on BTN mentioned that the Walton technical was the turning point. It was tied at 34 at the time, we opened it up to 46-34 and never looked back.
Injuries may be catching him with him?
Maybe. Could just be a mid season slump.
Sure, and conference play generally reduces those shooting %s as well.
He can guard the ball, but he made a couple of mistakes off it that led to Michigan opportunities.
He's got defensive potential for sure, but right now you're gonna have to live with some inconsistency. Freshmen are ever thus.
Kipper plays with a edge and is quick to the ball. I thought the defensive energy was better than I have seen in some time.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
He only put up 3 shots tonight per the ESPN box score. But look at it this way--we didn't need offense from TA tonight and he contributed in other ways.
BTW, Finke shot 100% tonight and the team was 64% from 3 point range.