Illinois 77, Ohio 75 Postgame

#26      

Fighter of the Nightman

Fighter of the Nightman
Chicago, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
Too close for comfort is an understatement, but now that we have secured the win and are officially 3-0 ... I hope this serves as a positive learning experience. Hopefully we come into the Baylor game totally fired up and ready to compete and be tough as nails. We were never going to beat everyone by 60 points.

With that said, we need to address some stuff in a hurry. I am optimistic that we will. Let's have some great practices and go earn a top 5 ranking on Wednesday!!
 
#29      

DB11Headband

D
Chicago Burbs
DB11Headband
The fact a mid major team ran the same set every time down the floor and we were unable to stop them is a concerning fact. We all knew exactly what Ohio was running down the stretch and Brad failed to adjust-not trying to be a negative Nancy but hard for me to ignore. Win’s a win, insert “if we play like this against Baylor we’ll lose by 20” here.
 
#31      

CubsIlliniFan

C
CubsIlliniFan
bootsy said:
Somebody in the game thread mentioned this as a wake up call. I look at more like a good test of how it will be once we get to the tournament. Things won't be easy and go our way like the first two games. We will face a hot scorer or team and how will we handle that. This was a good test of how we handled it. Won't be the last time we have a game like this for sure.
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I agree, the players learned that games will be like this. Adversity helps a somewhat young team still trying to learn to play together. This was a good tune upfor Baylor. Ohio will be dancing at a 11 or 12 seed and will put a scare on some team or even knock off a 5 or 6 seed.
 
#34      

Jon

J
Jon
This was the perfect game for us. We got tested and the freshman got to see crunchtime. Ayo and the seniors say "been there done that, let's leave with the W"
 
#37      

BTM33

B
BTM33
W...thats all that matters.

Things to work on though. Need to tighten up defensively, I think that will come with time and repetitions playing together. Hope Curbelo can heal up.

Speaking of Curbelo, did anyone see Underwood after Curbelo came in, and about 30 seconds later immediatly turned the ball over? Underwood was SCREAMING at him. I think Curbelo is gonna be real real good, and as he starts tightening things up and learns to play in the system, he's gonna be fun to watch.

Interior defense was poor too, we have to be able to stop guys getting to and scoring from the block.

3rd game in 3 days, I'll take a close win, rest up, fine tune some stuff and lets go again.

At least we didn't end up like Virginia...
 
#38      

LouRocks

L
LouRocks
altenberger22 said:
DaMonte -- Kofi --- Adam --- Ayo --- Trent --- all played really well down the stretch. I guess that's why they've started each game.
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That they did. I just dont like when team isolate a 6'8" plus guy in DMW especailly with Kofi not on the floor. I really hope BBV heals up so we can at least see what he can do. Also hope to see more of JG as well.
When teams dont do that I'm not as frustrated watching them take advantage of thier size at the 4.

I love DNWs stroke and I do want him on the floor. Starting to like him shooting it more than TF. I actually would love Ayo, DMW and Miller starting at ty he 1, 2 , 3. with someone at the 4 and Kofi vs bigger teams. Doubt that happens though.
 
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#40      

TheBattleAward

T
TheBattleAward
The leaders lead, seniors were seniors, good to see
I'm sure coach loves this
Now we have to make better defense adjustments
DaMonte is coming through huge this year
 
#41      

jrmarcus

J
jrmarcus
BTM33 said:
W...thats all that matters.

Things to work on though. Need to tighten up defensively, I think that will come with time and repetitions playing together. Hope Curbelo can heal up.

Speaking of Curbelo, did anyone see Underwood after Curbelo came in, and about 30 seconds later immediatly turned the ball over? Underwood was SCREAMING at him. I think Curbelo is gonna be real real good, and as he starts tightening things up and learns to play in the system, he's gonna be fun to watch.

Interior defense was poor too, we have to be able to stop guys getting to and scoring from the block.

3rd game in 3 days, I'll take a close win, rest up, fine tune some stuff and lets go again.

At least we didn't end up like Virginia...
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Other team recruiters will probably show that to recruits.
 
#44      

illinibballfan

I
illinibballfan
Lucky to win. I would've liked to see some coaching adjustments though. As we obviously couldn't consistently stopping them. Damonte needed to be on Preston and someone taller and longer on the big guy that killed us (Grandison?). Damonte's D is better suited to guard a guard or wing, not a tall stretch 4.
 
#45      

OldYeller

O
OldYeller
Agreed with a lot of things said here, just want to add:

Our pick and roll defense was sooooo bad. Good lord, Kofi was putrid at protecting the paint today. Our rotations were constantly late. Practices are gonna be ugly up until Baylor.

Ayo got pretty exposed most of the game on Preston. Not sure why Trent, who is apparently our best defender according to the head coach, was out guarding a nobody on the wings all game.

We definitely need to be a little concerned against bigger opponents. DaMonte got abused on the low block, that was not pretty. Especially with the "help" Kofi was offering....

DaMonte on offense and the boards....I take back all the bad things I've said about him over the years. Huge player for us this year.

Grandison a non-factor, we'll need more from him. Feel like he would have matched up better with man-bun guy.

Glad Curbelo was up and ready after that ugly ankle turn but he's too much of a liability right now. Needs more time to tighten it up but I guess that's to be expected.

Miller was still dope. Awesome to see him pump fake and go. His athleticism at the rim will be big in grabbing fouls and he's a terrific FT shooter besides those two misses today. Which we need to work on those FT's too...

Glad we won but if we had lost, was fine with it considering what happened to Virginia haha
 
#46      

Illinilakes

I
Illinilakes
BTM33 said:
W...thats all that matters.

Things to work on though. Need to tighten up defensively, I think that will come with time and repetitions playing together. Hope Curbelo can heal up.

Speaking of Curbelo, did anyone see Underwood after Curbelo came in, and about 30 seconds later immediatly turned the ball over? Underwood was SCREAMING at him. I think Curbelo is gonna be real real good, and as he starts tightening things up and learns to play in the system, he's gonna be fun to watch.

Interior defense was poor too, we have to be able to stop guys getting to and scoring from the block.

3rd game in 3 days, I'll take a close win, rest up, fine tune some stuff and lets go again.

At least we didn't end up like Virginia...
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Very disturbing that Underwood made no adjustments on defense. They had two guys all day scoring. How about a full court press to get the ball out of Preston's hands? Or a zone defense instead? Instead of Georgi out there how about Hawkins or Grandison guarding the tall white kid? Its these lack of adjustments by Underwood that are concerning. Great ball movement towards the end of the game by illinois to get shots. On to Baylor.
 
#47      

JSpence

J
Evansville, IN
JSpence
The Illini were in a one-possession game against a team that didn't miss a shot in the last five minutes. They found a way to win without looking their best against an inspired opponent.

Tough game, great little blitz to start the year.
 
#49      

FeelYourPaign

FeelYourPaign
So Cal
FeelYourPaign
A lot of good teaching moments in this one for BU. I'll bet that he is thrilled with a scary W.

Didn't see as much passing today and the FT shooting was horrendous.
What did we play today, basically 7 guys?