Anyone else getting tired of seeing Trent try and double clutch and contort his body every time he goes up for a layup? Just go straight up and lay it in (and also stop avoiding contact when defense is in the lane). Obviously Frazier hurt his ankle, but in general, this was his worst game in a long time. Ayo forced way too many shots tonight and didn't let the game come to him. YET, even with our two best players with off nights, we still almost beat a solid Wisconsin team on the road. Can't help but be impressed with our team, the effort, and the future of the program.
Iverson is who I had always hoped Kipper would be..
There were a couple of other defensive breakdowns as well. The one that comes to mind is when they let Davison take the 16 foot jumper near the foul line late in the game.Giorgi goofed on the box out, but he deserves a ton of credit for how improved his defense is. He’s defended Happ really well this year and isn’t nearly as foul prone anymore. He can be one of the better bigs in college ball as an upperclassman.
And how to NOT leave the man with the ball while on defense. Happened several times last night and they drained the jumper each time.Antigua needs to work on Giorgi's box out skills.
There may be some recency bias in this thought - 5 points per game and can't shoot a 3? Kippers averaging 6+ and is at least a threat from 3. I don't think anyone's happy with Kipper's output this year - but I am having a hard time throwing Kip under this bus...Iverson is who I had always hoped Kipper would be..
Underclassmen MPG (200 minutes per game - 5 positions x 40 minutes)Maryland and tOSU both play 7. Illinois , PSU and Rutgers all play 6
Giorgi said he is not playing any better until everyone on the IL board spells his name correctly.I would say refs didn’t help, but your right we just didn’t make enough plays. Bad shot selection, missed layups, bad turnovers, especially those 2 in a row towards the end. Georgi not blocking out for that rebound. Ayo missed a lot of shots and took some questionable ones. He really needs to work on that 3 ball shot. It looks like an awkward set shot.
Kipper may have bottomed out last night.
Giorgi’s progress as a freshman is pretty special. I don’t recall another freshman at Illinois picking things up as quickly. Especially,considering the complex system. He’s one smart kid.Giorgi said he is not playing any better until everyone on the IL board spells his name correctly.
I'm just gonna say it. Giorgi is the best big man we've had since Augustine. And yes, that includes Meyers. Giorgi is such a diamond in the rough. Can't wait to see him in 2 years. Look out Big Ten!Giorgi said he is not playing any better until everyone on the IL board spells his name correctly.
We recruited Griffin as a shooter and that is the weakest part of his game right now and that is the beauty of it.
Shooters don't forget how to shoot so that will come back with more minutes but he is light years a better rebounder and defender than I expected this year. He stands to make the biggest improvement next year. Like Georgi, another player this staff saw something in before anybody else did.
I'm just gonna say it. Giorgi is the best big man we've had since Augustine. And yes, that includes Meyers. Giorgi is such a diamond in the rough. Can't wait to see him in 2 years. Look out Big Ten!
I'll take it that you disagree with me. For the record, I'm not saying Giorgi is more athletic and has the NBA upside Meyers had. But as a college player, Giorgi is showing better scoring ability than Meyers had in college already. Defensively, we'll see how Giorgi develops.I'll take it even further....Giorgi will bet the next 1,000/1,000 player in Illini history. His feet and his smarts are too good not to figure out rebounding. He's going to get stronger. He will play in the NBA. He will be on Dancing With The Stars. Somebody will write a book/movie about his life.
What are the board's thoughts on Giorgi getting blocked by Iverson on what should have been an easy 2 near the end of the game? Was Giorgi too relaxed on that shot attempt? Should he have gone in for the dunk? Was it just a demonstration of Iverson's superior athletic ability? I'm not used to seeing a guard swat a center.
I'm not blaming Giorgi or that particular play for the loss. Overall, I was happy with our performance on the road. We'll keep getting better.
Yesterday we saw 4 FR and a SO on the floor. BTT prep. Ourbestonly shot to the Dance
Can we throw in the NW game where we were 0-13 from 3??