Illinois 77, Ohio 75 Postgame

#54      
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.

Yea, we might struggle with size because Kofi and Georgi and not gonna be able to keep up with speed, laterally. We might see a few stretch 4's that give up some headaches. I agree, I would have like to have seen Hawkins, although he might have gottan pushed down around there as well being 210 lbs. But Damonte can only do so much when he's giving up 5 or 6 inches on a guy.
 
#55      
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.
We clearly don’t have a longer player that Brad trusts to play PF in crunch time right now.
 
#57      
Juxtaposed with Mark Smith running on a treadmill...I say let them show it, any kid who thinks they not going to be yelled at playing sports should play for Miznoz. Not that I disagree with you...just think it would be a worthless ploy.
I hope those guys who might be concerned with intensity from the Head Coach saw the Kofi interview during the game. Basically said "I like to be pushed, I like to get better". That is what any recruit and incoming freshman needs to hear.
 
#58      
Juxtaposed with Mark Smith running on a treadmill...I say let them show it, any kid who thinks they not going to be yelled at playing sports should play for Miznoz. Not that I disagree with you...just think it would be a worthless ploy.

Yea, I think you can find plenty of tape of high level coaches screaming red faced at one of their players. As some have said before, winning cures alot of that. Its alot easier to show tape of hard nosed coaching to a recruit when the team went 24-7 with a tourney bid then 15-16 without one.
 
#60      
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

good analysis. I could see a world where Trent comes off the bench as the backup guard, with Ayo/Ace/DMW. Curbelo minutes drop. To get here, you’d need Grandison, Hawkins to pick up big minutes at the four, OR for Hamlin to back up the 5 so Giorgi takes the four.

might at least be an option for teams with two big guys to keep Damonte out of that spot.
 
#61      
We need another coach just for teaching how to shoot free throws. They are going to cost us a game or two.
 
#62      

blackdog

Champaign
Preston is a pretty unique player for a college guard. He changes pace so well, has a great handle, and can make off balance shots which combined with his length makes him really hard to guard. Ayo was in his pocket the majority of the game but he was so good at creating even with a defender on his hip. Not going to see many more players like that this year.

I do agree though that there has to be improvement in the pnr defense. Other teams are going to pick up on trying to put Kofi in space like Ohio did.
 
#63      
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.
You are on to something. I kept wondering why Brad didn't counter that and also why he didn't all a time out when Ohio was going on their run in the second half.
 
#66      
Watched Kentucky yesterday, they had about 5 of the stretch 4's on the floor at any give time.
Yea, we don't have the 6'7 or 6'8 swiss army knife type of player. You hope Hawkins turns into that, but he won't be this year. Kofi and Georgi will take care of the other teans plodding, 7 footer...but when you get a high level NBA style small forward, I'm not sure that Underwood has many other options then DaMonte.

I need to see more from Grandison. He just does not look there yet, and at 6'6 he could be that guy, at least defensively. But he looks stiff and unsure of himself right now. He's got to be able to contribute if we go far in this thing.
 
#68      
3 games in three days. I'm exhausted. I know the guys are too but I'm in my 60's and they are world class athletes. Jason Preston played the game of his career. He's got nothing to be ashamed of.
 
#69      

ginabackes00

CrazedUIFan
It is always good to learn with a win. I have no doubt there will be a lot of film watching on how we defended Preston. You have to give credit to Preston though. He did a terrific job reading the defense. We can take a lot more away from this game than the first two.
 
#70      
good analysis. I could see a world where Trent comes off the bench as the backup guard, with Ayo/Ace/DMW. Curbelo minutes drop. To get here, you’d need Grandison, Hawkins to pick up big minutes at the four, OR for Hamlin to back up the 5 so Giorgi takes the four.

might at least be an option for teams with two big guys to keep Damonte out of that spot.
I still have not given up on BBV. He was on the bench today and if he is skilled then he certainly s a big physically strong type of guy that could help in that area. It has to be so frustrating for the young man and I still have hope for him to help out eventually. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
 
#71      
We need another coach just for teaching how to shoot free throws. They are going to cost us a game or two.
So many were short, I tend to think conditioning caught up with them a little bit today. None of them are bad shooters, I'm not worried long term
 
#72      
That is where Underwood needs to change. Georgi simply cannot guard on the perimeter nor is very good guarding the post. I know Williams is a good defender but should not be guarding a 6'10 guy.

I agree, but I don't know what other options he has?

If you run into a player like that its probably down to Damonte, Grandison or Hawkins.

Damonte and Grandison are both gonna get the call before Hawkins, and even if they do run Hawkins, I don't know if he'll have the footspeed yet either. Its a tough spot to be in.
 
#74      
I agree, but I don't know what other options he has?

If you run into a player like that its probably down to Damonte, Grandison or Hawkins.

Damonte and Grandison are both gonna get the call before Hawkins, and even if they do run Hawkins, I don't know if he'll have the footspeed yet either. Its a tough spot to be in.
Dont give up on BBV just yet. He could be our best option if he ever heals up.
 
#75      

ILFaninFL

Nature Coast in Florida
That is where Underwood needs to change. Georgi simply cannot guard on the perimeter nor is very good guarding the post. I know Williams is a good defender but should not be guarding a 6'10 guy.
This is where a condensed year with no summer ball will hurt us in the short term. I trust that Brad and company will get it figured out.

In the long term, we need a center to replace Kofi if he leaves after the season.