Illini are at #24 in today's USA Today poll.
Illini are at #24 in today's USA Today poll.
I vividly remember some analyst speaking to the high offensive efficiency and then saying don’t expect the team to win any rebound battles. I think BU turned out to be a terrific defensive coach (all around coach). But I’m just recalling the reputation he came in with as being an offensive focused coach."Damn the defense?". My recollection is that we were to expect a super-aggressive, attacking defense that was going to force a lot of turnovers. Do I remember that wrong?
Sure, but in our first game after a long layoff, we throttled Minnesota and then Maryland 2 days later. Both of them are better than Nebraska and we are (seemingly) better than OSU.This was OSU's first game after a long layoff. That game looks like an outlier.
What about the UPI?Illini are at #24 in today's USA Today poll.
Our victory cigar is definitely a panetela, then.The human victory cigar, Brandon Lieb, will be in around the 3 minute mark.
I don't think our recollections there are inconsistent. I too remember him being touted as running a fast-paced offense, and if you're pushing the ball, you aren't focussed on offensive rebounds. But you might lean toward overplaying on defense in the hope of forcing turnovers leading to more fast break points.I vividly remember some analyst speaking to the high offensive efficiency and then saying don’t expect the team to win any rebound battles. I think BU turned out to be a terrific defensive coach (all around coach). But I’m just recalling the reputation he came in with as being an offensive focused coach.
both of you are correct...I vividly remember some analyst speaking to the high offensive efficiency and then saying don’t expect the team to win any rebound battles. I think BU turned out to be a terrific defensive coach (all around coach). But I’m just recalling the reputation he came in with as being an offensive focused coach.
Would it be that the Big 12 seems to play a more wide open one on one game and the Big Ten doesn't which is why that defensive system didn't work or was it more personnel? If it was personnel, why haven't we gone back to it? I've been trying to figure out why it worked at Oklahoma St but not here.both of you are correct...
BU came in with his 7 second offense predicated on aggressive trapping defense meant to create a lot of TOs and transition opportunities (under 7 secs)
Based on the analytics after his first season and the relative poor performance of our team with that approach, he completely revamped his defensive style to what we are seeing today.
Season schedule projection:
It seemed less about it being ineffective in the B1G and more about it fitting the personnel we had those years. The first 2 years teams just weren't any good, we had absolutely no size or shooters. So trapping, pack line defense was really the only solution to stay competitive.Would it be that the Big 12 seems to play a more wide open one on one game and the Big Ten doesn't which is why that defensive system didn't work or was it more personnel? If it was personnel, why haven't we gone back to it? I've been trying to figure out why it worked at Oklahoma St but not here.
At the college and professional level coaches recruit players that they see fitting into their system...but with a new coach coming into a program you will invariably inherit players already on the roster...being able to adjust your system to fit what you've inherited isn't always an easy thing to do.....BU tried the aggressive trapping defense to force TO's and play the uptempo offense (shots within 7 sec) but realized it wasn't producing results...he made the changes necessary and we're beginning to see those results.....being able to make those changes along with now recruiting people that fits the "system" makes BU a good coachboth of you are correct...
BU came in with his 7 second offense predicated on aggressive trapping defense meant to create a lot of TOs and transition opportunities (under 7 secs)
Based on the analytics after his first season and the relative poor performance of our team with that approach, he completely revamped his defensive style to what we are seeing today.
According to Andy Katz, Trey McGowens will be in uniform but not available tonight.Verge will be playing with a huge chip on his shoulder.He grew up liking Illinois. McGowens is one of the top 3 Freshman in the BIG.
Wrong McGowens.According to Andy Katz, Trey McGowens will be in uniform but not available tonight.
Me and my Pollyannish optimism. Come to think of it once I noticed during a time out he failed to jump immediately out of his seat and was staring at the floor. Obvi he's in a permanent fugue state.Couldn't be true. Haven't you heard the reports from the IL keyboard sleuths based on one-off still frames?
I do not care if it is an “ugly, unfun, dark and dreary road game.” Just win, baby…68 Illini
62 Huskers
One of those ugly, unfun, dark and dreary road games
Ohio St almost had a month layoff. That's a big difference. Agree with you that we are better than them.Sure, but in our first game after a long layoff, we throttled Minnesota and then Maryland 2 days later. Both of them are better than Nebraska and we are (seemingly) better than OSU.
Kofi mostly and the BIGWould it be that the Big 12 seems to play a more wide open one on one game and the Big Ten doesn't which is why that defensive system didn't work or was it more personnel? If it was personnel, why haven't we gone back to it? I've been trying to figure out why it worked at Oklahoma St but not here.