Illinois 87, Iowa 83 Postgame

#278      
Anyone know why Hutch isn't playing again? Assumed he would be over the flu by now.
Because he isn't playing better than the guys who got in the game. To put someone in, you have to say who deserved to sit instead. RJ didn't play either. Goode got very little tick. I'm not sure any of those guys are playing decisively enough at this point to help us break the press. We won last night because we maintained our poise. That's a product of experience.

Hawkins is a revelation in regard to guarding big wings, which has been a problem for us the last couple years. If he would just stop reaching, he'd be elite.
 
#280      
Because he isn't playing better than the guys who got in the game. To put someone in, you have to say who deserved to sit instead. RJ didn't play either. Goode got very little tick. I'm not sure any of those guys are playing decisively enough at this point to help us break the press. We won last night because we maintained our poise. That's a product of experience.

Hawkins is a revelation in regard to guarding big wings, which has been a problem for us the last couple years. If he would just stop reaching, he'd be elite.
I really feel for Hutch. He's clearly talented, but given his struggles getting and staying healthy, I wonder if he'll ever play a meaningful role on this team. Kinda like how BBV got hurt last year, and by the time he came back it was too far into the Big Ten schedule to be working him into the rotation.
 
#281      
Staff will get him involved again with some of the easier noncons coming up
Yeah agree. Really feel for the kid. He, perhaps more than any other player needed those early games to get acclimated to D1 ball (believe he was our leading scorer against St Francis) but a bruised tailbone and flu have kept him out and put him behind. Horrible luck.

A conference road game against a tough opponent running a tough press is no time to reintroduce a guy who has barely played in 2+ years. Thankfully this year we have enough depth we have the luxury of not needing him to contribute at this stage.

My hope is post Arizona we use the other St Francis, Mizzou and Florida A&M to break Hutch in before conference season. And, fingers crossed, Belo too!

If we can get a lightbulb to turn on from either one of Payne/Hutch similar to Grandi last year (barely played, then made the rotation and eventually started) plus we get Belo back anywhere close to where he was as a frosh this team could be special.
 
#282      
Watched the highlights again this morning. That late dagger 3 that Alfonso hit is what you dream about as a basketball player, especially a shooter. ESPECIALLY on the road when you can hear the wind get sucked out of the arena and the Illini bench go nuts. Has me fired up wanting to go play pick up ball tonight. LOVE IT
Alfonso's 3 was the dagger- not 100% sure we win that game without that clutch money shot. What a revelation he has been. And he is automatic from the line.
 
#283      
Every win on the road in the B10 is gold, would like to see them close out better, shouldn't have to have had it go down to Plummer making those FTs. Speaking of which even when Curbello returns they need to make sure Plummer is getting ample minutes, dude has earned it.
 
#285      

dish3

Seattle
Re the press, although we did turn it over, our guys did seem more composed and not just making desperate passes (like we did in years past), but rather did not have the urgency to push as soon as the clock started. It would seem to be easy to program the shot clocks to turn red for a second 10 seconds when it hits 20 (like when it expires but without the buzzer) as a reliable way of indicating whether they were across in time or not, but it also seems like the refs really like keeping this call in their own pocket to affect momentum as they wish...
 
#286      
Coleman really does not get enough credit for the job he did on Murray last night. He's so rangy and quick - if he can get the benefit of the doubt on a few of those calls, and be a little choosier on some of his gambles, he has the potential of a DPOY before he graduates/goes pro.
If someone tracked the points he scored against Coleman, it'd be interesting to find out what that number actually was. Also, 2 of the fouls were absolutely jokes.
 
#287      
I really feel for Hutch. He's clearly talented, but given his struggles getting and staying healthy, I wonder if he'll ever play a meaningful role on this team. Kinda like how BBV got hurt last year, and by the time he came back it was too far into the Big Ten schedule to be working him into the rotation.
Agree 100%. Similar to Damir Krupaliga who was one of my favorite Illini. For this team to reach its potential, Hutch needs to become a plus player on both ends. Maybe not the starter and star we had hoped, but he has the potential to play like one, He is needed and we know we are all pulling for him to become the player he dreams he can be.
 
#288      
Thought before season started Hutch and Hawk were the X factors. Hawk is the real thing and still think there is hope for Hutch, although it is fading with time. Hawk the more important position and he has filled a weakness we’ve had forever. Long version of DMW in the making.
 
#293      
Anyone know why Hutch isn't playing again? Assumed he would be over the flu by now.
Did anybody really have realistic hopes that he'd contribute this year? The operative word being realistic. Hutch has not been healthy since he stepped on campus. It really stinks for him and we could really use the depth.

The other issue is BU's liberal use of the word "elite". The reason he might not be getting tick is that he's not as elite as the other 10 guys that he's bestowed that praise on.
 
#294      

foby

Bonnaroo Land
Just a heads-up. If you have the BTN Plus app still, you can re-watch the game without commercial and half-time breaks.
 
#295      
Did anybody really have realistic hopes that he'd contribute this year? The operative word being realistic. Hutch has not been healthy since he stepped on campus. It really stinks for him and we could really use the depth.

The other issue is BU's liberal use of the word "elite". The reason he might not be getting tick is that he's not as elite as the other 10 guys that he's bestowed that praise on.

This x 20. But expecting people to be realistic on a fan forum is not realistic.
 
#298      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
Coleman really does not get enough credit for the job he did on Murray last night. He's so rangy and quick - if he can get the benefit of the doubt on a few of those calls, and be a little choosier on some of his gambles, he has the potential of a DPOY before he graduates/goes pro.
BU praised CoHawk first on the radio interview with Brian and Deon.............

Also praised him in the low low volume presser.......