So true...
Hail Alma Mater, Ever so true...
So true...
How about that move and dunk by black in the 1st half. I haven't seen a move like that all year from Illinois.
Couldn't have put it better. There is no way Groce is oblivious to the chatter and the press surrounding his job status. There isn't a single member of this board who wants that ball club to succeed more than he does.Because he's actually a good guy and knows hes probably done after this season.
These are emotional times for the coach and the players. They see what they are capable of today and at the same time the season has slipped away. I am sure it is draining. There is no question that coach has worked his tail off over the last five years. Just unfortunate that it hasn't worked out. Some terrible luck, unfortunate recruiting misses and some poor decision making.
Because he's actually a good guy and knows hes probably done after this season. He cares for the guys and wants them to succeed... unfortunately there are some deficiencies at the head of the snake that he NEVER addressed with a competent assistant coach. Its sad beacause Groce is one of those coaches you can legitimately build a brand around if he just had the help. Oh well.... on to the next one
Only caught the last 4 minutes of the game (great timing). Saw the box score and noticed Black only played 8 minutes. Any reason why?
Only caught the last 4 minutes of the game (great timing). Saw the box score and noticed Black only played 8 minutes. Any reason why?
Like I mentioned before I was one of Groce's last defenders. Why does he limit the minutes of Kipper while continuing to play Tate and Abrams (sometimes at the same time). Tracy is a shadow of what he was earlier in the season, I believe his legs have left him along with his confidence. Tate is Tate.
So regardless of how many wins the Illini get the rest of the season, Groce is gone. He has failed to fully utilize guys like Kipper and DJ, two players who can provide mismatches in favor of players who pose no threat to defend or score.
Black next season better look to develop into a Roger Powell type. He is not big enough to compete with most bigs inside. Finke I hope he can develop a bit more back to the bucket and inside scoring. But I like the outside threat he has. Kipper and TJL just look to have more tools in the bag than many of the current players. Not even counting motor, heart, and drive.
He had 4 Fouls in 8 minutes
Same reason as Black he had 4 fouls in a short time. It wasn't as if Groce was not playing him. Both guys have got to learn not to play with their hands. Their footwork is where they are lacking.
Like I mentioned before I was one of Groce's last defenders. Why does he limit the minutes of Kipper while continuing to play Tate and Abrams (sometimes at the same time). Tracy is a shadow of what he was earlier in the season, I believe his legs have left him along with his confidence. Tate is Tate.
So regardless of how many wins the Illini get the rest of the season, Groce is gone. He has failed to fully utilize guys like Kipper and DJ, two players who can provide mismatches in favor of players who pose no threat to defend or score.
Black next season better look to develop into a Roger Powell type. He is not big enough to compete with most bigs inside. Finke I hope he can develop a bit more back to the bucket and inside scoring. But I like the outside threat he has. Kipper and TJL just look to have more tools in the bag than many of the current players. Not even counting motor, heart, and drive.
You do realize Kipper plays 3 or 4 and has nowhere near the handles that Abrams or Tate have? Abrams is a 1 or 2 and Tate is a 1. Abrams and Tate are usually subbing for Lucas or JCL. Kipper has worse handles than JCL and that is saying something.
I wasn't talking about putting Kipper at PG, but a combination of Hill with Kipper, where Hill slides to the SG. Kipper's handles looked pretty good in driving to the basket. The combo of Tate and Abrams just doesn't work, poor offense and defense. It was pretty obvious in yesterday's game.
But are his x's and o's bad or does he not have the right players to execute it properly? I personally see a completely different set of players coming in next year than what has been recruited so far. And add Lucas and Kipper to that list of different players.
The fact that Iowa plays on "Mediacom Court" makes me hate them that much more.
Next years roster is going to be much better for his system or for any other system. Point guard will actually be a strength instead of a weakness. Yesterday is a loss if we have to play Tate and Abrams at the point the whole game. Lucas was probably worth 10-15 points. Frazier and Lucas will change the whole team in my opinion and Tillmon will be a real good big
If it's players not fitting the system then that is his fault. He has been here for 4 years. With that being said, I somewhat agree with you that the players coming in are different and seem to fit his system better.
Yes, plus an experienced coach coaches to the team / players he has and doesn't try to force fit the team to an O. This team (except maybe for TJL and KN) lacks the ability to get by anyone on their own - so the O should have been a TON of screens and back screens and cutting off the ball. That, plus he did not recognize that TJL had to be thrown in the fire early as our only PG. I continue to scratch my head on why that took so long, and, gee, looks like he plays really good D. So remind me again what the hold up was?
Against Iowa Lucas was +14, Abrams -1, and Tate -10 so I agree that yesterday is a loss without Lucas. I think this staff's biggest weakness has been managing the minutes and the substitutions especially at the PG position. I don't see this staff ever getting the most out a roster because of that.
TJL was recovering from an injury.