Illinois 64, Austin Peay 57 POSTGAME

[skyIdub]

Frazier is at least on even footing with Te'Jon, but Te'Jon is a sophomore. I think Frazier is grasping this offense quicker and will click sooner than Te'Jon if he is given the wheel now. I think Te'Jon is better suited off the bench.

Finke is noticeably slow in this offense, but we have to work with it. Black can't seem to play with an even keel intensity. Alstork is getting more dependable, but still makes head scratching plays for a senior.

I would have made wholesale lineup changes for this game. After another pathetic start, in our own building, I don't see how you can't make wholesale changes.

As for Smith, we have to give him lots of time. It's easy to forget he just started full time basketball a year ago or so. Now he's up against high level D1 talent and learning a whole new system. He is Illinois' Mr. Basketball, and he will start to click. The whole team will, and it will be scary for other teams. We've seen glimpses. Imagine a start to finish game like the second half vs. Maryland.

I watched Black smiling and laughing on the bench when we were down in the first half. I don't know how BU sends messages to these kids, but all the starters except Damonte should sit next game and come off the bench. Maybe Finke gets a pass. The rest deserve to sit. That's just me.

Frazier
Damonte
AJ
Kipper
Ebo/Finke

 

[Dan]

Underwood: These games happen a lot. You can lose very easily in college basketball. They took the fight to us.

Underwood: Glad we made FTs. Great for Te'Jon and Trent. Got on offensive glass enough to finish game.

Underwood: Tough night when you turn it over 25 times and only 9 assists.

Underwood: We got to figure out how to make an entry so we can just get into the offense

Underwood: Told players locker room was a morgue before the game. I'm not used to that. I'm used to them bouncing off walls and ripping doors off. Have to bring passion.

Underwood: You get so few opportunities as blessed as our players are to wear that jersey and go out and play. We got to have passion.

Underwood: Jordan and Black can bring that passion. That's part of leadership.

Underwood: I was proud of Mark Smith tonight. I thought he bounced back.

Brought him off bench just so he can catch his breath and see the game. He brought a spark tonight, as did Da'Monte. Only two guys on wing who could catch ball in 2H to start offense.

Underwood: We burped a lot of layups. Took them timid.

Underwood: Matt Figger told me Aaron Jordan wouldn't score. They succeeded at it. That's us not being able to execute. That's on me.

Underwood: That was like an old slugfest in the sandbox (with Figger). We knew each other's playcalls. Sometimes you get ugly when you know each other's moves.

https://twitter.com/JWerner247

 

[Future Walk-On]

I think Damonte is going to be good. He looks very comfortable on the court (minus that inbounds pass)...and keeping in mind he missed an entire season.

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

Te'jon got pissed when he was taken out of the game towards the end. Obviously BU was trying to put someone in that he had more faith could make free throws. Te'jon does not seem to have a very high BB IQ and I am not sure what he does well except guard the point. He can't shoot, he makes way to many turnovers, and it is obvious that at the end of the games teams are going to foul him because they don't think he can hit free throws. I would not be surprised if Trent is going to be starting real soon.

Te'jon had too many turnovers, but he had some nice drives to the hoop and plays good D. He's not consistent and neither is Frazier, so I think we'll continue to Te'jon start and BU will stay with the whomever is hot within each game. I thought Te'jon had the better game against PA. And FYI, Lucas (68.2%) is actually shooting FTs better than Frazier (63.6%) -- though he's only made 1 more than Frazier in same amount of attempts.

 

[Deleted member 29907]

The number of soft passes to the pinch post or to someone who clearly had a defender's arm already in the way really was frustrating. What were they seeing? Not sure why we don't back cut more against an aggressive D like that - seems like a pass fake and back door cut would have loosened the overplay.

Anyone familiar with this O know why - seems to me that something like that doesn't need to be 'installed already' for them to do that, rather just white-boarded during a timeout.

 

[ChazzReinhold]

The number of soft passes to the pinch post or to someone who clearly had a defender's arm already in the way really was frustrating. What were they seeing? Not sure why we don't back cut more against an aggressive D like that - seems like a pass fake and back door cut would have loosened the overplay.

Anyone familiar with this O know why - seems to me that something like that doesn't need to be 'installed already' for them to do that, rather just white-boarded during a timeout.

Underwood said in the press conference that in practice they do back cut with the overplay. He thought they played tight last night.

 

[DB11Headband]

I think Damonte is going to be good. He looks very comfortable on the court (minus that inbounds pass)...and keeping in mind he missed an entire season.

I'll second this. He just seems to have a very high basketball IQ for a freshman. Always seems to be in the right place at the right time. If he's half as naturally gifted as his father, we may have a real player on our hands.

 

[Future Walk-On]

I'll second this. He just seems to have a very high basketball IQ for a freshman. Always seems to be in the right place at the right time. If he's half as naturally gifted as his father, we may have a real player on our hands.

Yes high IQ for sure.

 

[Elgin7680]

Good rebuttal. I'm watching from the same angle as you, evidently. Lucas and Frazier both have a lot of things to clean up, but there's obviously a lot to like too.

The only reason Te'jon has a better percentage shooting is because he almost never shoots unless it is a layup. Wouldn't you rather have a point guard that can penetrate and shoot the 3 like the point guard on Maryland?

 

[Jack Ingram Ball Screen]

Frazier is at least on even footing with Te'Jon, but Te'Jon is a sophomore. I think Frazier is grasping this offense quicker and will click sooner than Te'Jon if he is given the wheel now. I think Te'Jon is better suited off the bench.

Finke is noticeably slow in this offense, but we have to work with it. Black can't seem to play with an even keel intensity. Alstork is getting more dependable, but still makes head scratching plays for a senior.

I would have made wholesale lineup changes for this game. After another pathetic start, in our own building, I don't see how you can't make wholesale changes.

As for Smith, we have to give him lots of time. It's easy to forget he just started full time basketball a year ago or so. Now he's up against high level D1 talent and learning a whole new system. He is Illinois' Mr. Basketball, and he will start to click. The whole team will, and it will be scary for other teams. We've seen glimpses. Imagine a start to finish game like the second half vs. Maryland.

I watched Black smiling and laughing on the bench when we were down in the first half. I don't know how BU sends messages to these kids, but all the starters except Damonte should sit next game and come off the bench. Maybe Finke gets a pass. The rest deserve to sit. That's just me.

Frazier
Damonte
AJ
Kipper
Ebo/Finke

Why does Finke get a pass? He has been the worst defender on the team and can't create on his own. I agree with the lineup but I sub Black for Finke. I am and always will be a fan of "pace" over size.

 

[skyIdub]

Why does Finke get a pass? He has been the worst defender on the team and can't create on his own. I agree with the lineup but I sub Black for Finke. I am and always will be a fan of "pace" over size.

I only said maybe. I'm fine with it either way. His effort is there, his feet just won't let him do what we really need. So if Finke is out, give Ebo the first 4 minutes. I'm sitting Black because of his lack of emotional control, but mostly seeing him laughing and smiling on the bench after Te'Jon got reamed by Walker and we are losing at home to Austin Peay. You don't get a pass for that BS. You can't laugh and smile on the bench, then go out and repeatedly bull your shoulder into defenders and call it "playing with toughness". That's playing dumb and lack of emotional control.

Honestly, none of the 4 of Black, Finke, Te'Jon, and Alstork have earned the first 4 minutes Sat. Frazier, AJ, Damonte, Kipper, and Ebo have come off the bench when asked and provided a spark. Reward them. Smith did it as well last night, i'm not overlooking that.

 

[CoalCity]

I agree...wish would could have played better. However, we got a win. Florida didn't get a win against Loyola Chicago. Notre Dame didn't get a win against Ball State. Mr. Blue Blood Kentucky didn't get a win against unranked Washington.

Happy to survive a potential 4 game losing streak and come out better when we lace them up again.

That would be Kansas losing to Washington...

 

[Ga65]

The only reason Te'jon has a better percentage shooting is because he almost never shoots unless it is a layup. Wouldn't you rather have a point guard that can penetrate and shoot the 3 like the point guard on Maryland?

I would like the shooting without the 7 turnovers. Is that guy on our bench?
Just so glad to see the improvement over Abrams and Tate not ready to see them put down in spite of some bad decisions.

 

[Joel Goodson]

The only reason Te'jon has a better percentage shooting is because he almost never shoots unless it is a layup. Wouldn't you rather have a point guard that can penetrate and shoot the 3 like the point guard on Maryland?

Yes, I'd love to have Cowan or even Cowan-lite for that matter. Who wouldn't?

My point is the difference between Lucas and Frazier is not as clear cut as you believe. That's it.

 

[SescIllini]

Bruce Weber At the Game

Bruce said this after the game. "Despite it being a high scoring affair, I thought this is how the game should be played."

 

[Peoria Illini]

Two quick observations...but glad we won an ugly game.

No idea why it seemed like Finke kept getting subbed in for defense during the end of the game....I'd rather see Ebo.

Mark Smith turns his head to focus on his man, then the ball, more than anyone else I've ever seen. Most defenders look somewhere in the middle and rely on their peripheral vision to keep track of both....he doesn't see one or the other half the time. Maybe in high school he could athlete his way past this....but now people will take advantage of it.

I'm assuming Finke was put in there because he was one of the few hitting the boards last night, and he was better at weak side help and stopping the drive up the lane.

Smith's lack of ability to play good defense is hurting his offensive game as well. The problem with a lot of HS coaches is that they don't coach defense well, especially to their star players.

 

[rtbritt]

I'm assuming Finke was put in there because he was one of the few hitting the boards last night, and he was better at weak side help and stopping the drive up the lane.

Smith's lack of ability to play good defense is hurting his offensive game as well. The problem with a lot of HS coaches is that they don't coach defense well, especially to their star players.

Agree. Those star players typically aren't "bad" defenders in HS, though. They are usually bigger, faster, stronger and can out-athletic others and do some really good things on defense.

However, this causes bad habits and they don't learn how to play D when it is an even playing field. They don't learn good position for help defense and things like that.

The good news is, those things can be taught!

 

[Calvin]

I think Damonte is going to be good. He looks very comfortable on the court (minus that inbounds pass)...and keeping in mind he missed an entire season.

I think some of our best players started out by knowing how to play within themselves.

One thing I'm liking is how Smith can blow past the basket for a reverse lay-up. Seems deadly when he pulls the defense in on the strong side but uses the baseline to get around and put up a shot or pass. Reminds me of Luther Head, who was also very good at that.

As bad as that game was, I'm glad they finished.

 

[KBLEE]

Underwood: We burped a lot of layups.

Our coach certainly has a way with words.

 

[Deleted member 4960]

Why does Finke get a pass? He has been the worst defender on the team and can't create on his own. I agree with the lineup but I sub Black for Finke. I am and always will be a fan of "pace" over size.

Oh yeah Finke was a big detriment to our win last night. 17?&9 isn't good enough? He was the only one who was getting easy looks by going to the right place or getting offensive put backs. Without him we lose last night. His defense may not be great but it's adequate especially compared to our other options

 

[Jack Ingram Ball Screen]

Oh yeah Finke was a big detriment to our win last night. 17?&9 isn't good enough? He was the only one who was getting easy looks by going to the right place or getting offensive put backs. Without him we lose last night. His defense may not be great but it's adequate especially compared to our other options

If you just look at the stats it seems like he had a great game. He gets exposed on defense and he doesn't create his own shot. Don't get me wrong, he is the best we have. He had 4 turnovers in the first 8-9 minutes. He has played good against bad teams and when we needed him the most (Wake, Northwestern, and Maryland) he hasn't shown up. I am not putting all of the blame on him, but I think this board gives him the benefit of the doubt too much. I expect more out of him and Black. They are the two leaders of this team and should be held to a higher standard.

 

[mhuml32]

KenPom's season stats for adjusted O (170th in the country) highlight how bad the offense has been:

 

[Peoria Illini]

If you just look at the stats it seems like he had a great game. He gets exposed on defense and he doesn't create his own shot. Don't get me wrong, he is the best we have. He had 4 turnovers in the first 8-9 minutes. He has played good against bad teams and when we needed him the most (Wake, Northwestern, and Maryland) he hasn't shown up. I am not putting all of the blame on him, but I think this board gives him the benefit of the doubt too much. I expect more out of him and Black. They are the two leaders of this team and should be held to a higher standard.

His on ball defense isn't great, but I think he does well with his help side defense. I don't think he gets low enough on his on ball defense when he's pulled from the basket. He also struggles a bit with the physicality in the post, although you would think by now he'd improve more.

I think he does alright with creating his own shot, especially with his drives to the basket, usually from the baseline. He usually finishes stronger than Black does, IMO.

 

[IlliniReb]

I think Damonte is going to be good. He looks very comfortable on the court (minus that inbounds pass)...and keeping in mind he missed an entire season.

I don't think this can be overstated and a lot of us forget he hasn't played competitive ball since his junior year in high school AND, by the way, he's recovering (probably not yet 100%) from knee surgery.

Given that - his play the last few games has been nothing short of remarkable. Can't wait to see him at 100% with another year of experience. He's going to be exceptional

 

[JFGsCoffeeMug]

If you just look at the stats it seems like he had a great game. He gets exposed on defense and he doesn't create his own shot. Don't get me wrong, he is the best we have. He had 4 turnovers in the first 8-9 minutes. He has played good against bad teams and when we needed him the most (Wake, Northwestern, and Maryland) he hasn't shown up. I am not putting all of the blame on him, but I think this board gives him the benefit of the doubt too much. I expect more out of him and Black. They are the two leaders of this team and should be held to a higher standard.

IMO Finke is playing hard and doing his best. I don't know what else we can demand from him. He will continue to improve this season, but the greatest growth potential for this team is elsewhere.