Illinois 82, Notre Dame 72 Postgame

[Peoria Pipeline]

Some of the sets to Kofi were beautiful tonight. We didn’t just throw it in and hope for the best every time.

 

[redwingillini11]

Great bounce back game! Can’t ask for more than beating a signature team on B1G/ACC night!

 

[FloridaMan]

Really satisfying win! Was really concerned about this one with all the injuries/illnesses. Making free throws, shooting 3's well, and Kofi having his usual strong game are encouraging. Kudos to Plummer living up to the expectations as of late; we needed it! Defense needs a lot of work. Hopefully we are on the mend this week. Even tougher games coming up, but we seem to be progressing and getting some guys valuable minutes.

 

[Chad Fleck]

That was more pleasant to watch than the last win.

 

[the national]

Thank goodness. Now, get healthy everyone.

 

[spillini]

A lot to clean up but that was a much better outing. Hope we get AC back in the mix ASAP so we can get this team gellin.

 

[Mr. Roberts]

To follow up on my own point I think part of it was the team playing under control but it also helped not playing a team that uses a lot of pressure like Marquette and Cincy.

Was thinking the same thing. Why didn't Brey press at all until too late?

 

[illiniCA]

Plummer is FT King

Dude was not passing at the end of the game

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

With so many just overall negative posts in the game thread, I’m not sure why some posters even watch the games.

 

[TheFameProtector]

Was unable to watch until the very end -- if anybody is bored and wants to write up their thoughts on how the individual guys (particularly the guys outside of Kofi, Trent, DMW, Grandy) looked, I would appreciate it!

 

[GallopingGhost]

Solid improvement. Continue this momentum to Rutgers and that’s a pretty great week of Illini basketball.

Oskee wow wow!

 

[Miles Leonard]

Hawkins put back might have saved the game for us. That was looking like a repeat of Marquette. Need to stop allowing teams to hang around when we get up big on them.

Kofi is a grown man. Did I see him knock down a 15 footer? Nice.

Ball movement was fantastic. We found open shooters and they knocked 'em down.

Took care of business at home against a legit opponent. I don't care if ND isn't a powerhouse that was still a good win.

 

[ginabackes00]

Ball movement was so much better tonight. Tough defensive match-up for Kofi, but then again, he's such a beast on offense, it's ridiculous. Defensively we can get better on rotating, closing out, and defending high double ball screens. Good confidence booster for the team who has struggled the past three games.

 

[Pikeillinifan]

Huge win for the guys, did some growing tonight. Lots of work left do, but a very good game - especially with the flu and injuries wreaking havoc.

 

[Illini_Jack]

Nice to see us look like Illini basketball again. I-L-L!

 

[logjam]

Not always. UTRGV.

A win is a win...

 

[hoopsfan47]

If you are a fan of this Illini team, you should be happy tonight. I saw a game that was not going to win any beauty contests. However, seeing Trent and Grandy on the floor, seeing this team hit shots from the arc like we all expect every night, seeing whoever it was wearing #21 doing so many things that the guy he replaced has never been seen doing, and seeing contributions from guys that were solid but unexpected. We saw a step forward...maybe two tonight. I love watching kids learn to play the game and this game was a big reward for me.

Now, and don't anyone respond that they know who should start for this team, Underwood has a huge and complex problem to figure out who to put on the floor together, what he wants from the bench, and who gets to play in the clutch? Is Curbelo the best answer at PG or does the team run more smoothly and confidently with Frazier? For my money, Curbelo needs to be a plus performer before he gets to be a starter....and he has not been. But he can be if he works at positive contributions starting with A/T ratio and hitting shots, not necessarily from the arc.

I like all the guys who have and will play for this team. But they need and Alpha dog and have too many great roll players. Tough times...and this bunch just needs to get tougher and more consistent. Tonight was a big move forward.

 

[Orangetool]

Overall perhaps our best game so far, well coached and the team played hard all game.
Nice to see the shots falling but if we can play hard defense like this the Illini will be a tough matchup for any team.

Also lotsa, lotsa Kofi.

 

[Manual3for4peat]

trust underwood

 

[Chad Fleck]

Oddly, I think this was a bad game for NBA hopeful Kofi. He seemed to be pretty exposed guarding a perimeter playing big man. Also, he got burned pretty bad when he got switched onto guards.

Its a shame, he's such a dominant low post player.

 

[KCBassin]

Cohawk second game in a row a put back really pushed them to victory. He didn't have a great game but another big play late. ILL!

 

[FlotownIllini]

I'm just happy to have seen improvement. Definitely room for more, but feeling better about this team. The ball movement and reduction of turnovers were nice to see. Loved seeing contributions from Melendez and Goode. Having Trent on the floor and looking so good was a breath of fresh air. Let's keep it going! I-L-L!

 

[Orangetool]

I was glad to see Melendez and Goode play well, looked ready for the moment.
This will help when BIG play starts.

I think the Goode / Lucas Johnson comparison is apt.

 

[pruman91]

This Illini team that played tonight is a top 25 team........no doubt in my mind..................

 

[SouthFarmLlama]

Growth all over. Team is finally learning to play together. Not only did we need to replace Ayo, but Gorgi and Miller. We are making strides and I'm loving our freshman. Future is bright.