Illinois 81, Nebraska 71 Postgame
Champaign Toast
Fan since Kiwane Garris
What a great 4 minutes from Payne! Would have been even better if he'd gotten the block on McGowens' dunk, but will take it! Major kudos to him that kept Kofi off the floor for the entire final segment because he was so good.
Watching Kofi this year, I think he could play with a tad more calm in the post. He looks to be taking off-balance one-handed hooks and bank shots rather than collecting himself after his post move, jump off two feet, ball in two hands, and make it easier on himself with a slam or a straight-forward 3 footer.
Truthfully, he often gets fouled--and, perhaps I'm not giving the defenses enough credit. Still, once he makes his move and gets position on the block with the ball in hand, it's not like defenders are going to move him. Shaq is my model for how Kofi could play in the post. More "And 1's", less "Two shots at the line" as an objective.
I do love seeing the way Kofi improves his game month to month (the new hook shot is sweet, and his patience to look for the double teams is a great development this year), I wonder whether balance and composure during his post move is an item on his current work-on list.
Watching Kofi this year, I think he could play with a tad more calm in the post. He looks to be taking off-balance one-handed hooks and bank shots rather than collecting himself after his post move, jump off two feet, ball in two hands, and make it easier on himself with a slam or a straight-forward 3 footer.
Truthfully, he often gets fouled--and, perhaps I'm not giving the defenses enough credit. Still, once he makes his move and gets position on the block with the ball in hand, it's not like defenders are going to move him. Shaq is my model for how Kofi could play in the post. More "And 1's", less "Two shots at the line" as an objective.
I do love seeing the way Kofi improves his game month to month (the new hook shot is sweet, and his patience to look for the double teams is a great development this year), I wonder whether balance and composure during his post move is an item on his current work-on list.
Honestly, um... thank goodness he had the excuse.Maaan when Underwood pulled Kofi I was so ready to start up another week long argument about sitting players in foul troublebut good god was that a good decision
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Trent won’t be sitting. But I agree, for this team to reach it’s ceiling, Belo has to play. Get well Andre!
It is not easy to win on the road in the BIG. What this team has done over the past year and a half is incredibly impressive.
What i enjoyed was while some of the starters didn't play as well as normal. Our bench players came in and played well. While they may not have all went off they didnt hurt us. They each had key plays. Especailly Omar Payne on defense and hitting key one n ones.
Yup. The game thread (just before it closed) said that he got posterized, and I disagree with that take. OP went up with energy and gave a good counterattack. And didn't get whistled. Good stuff.
Man, on some real ****:
That 3 minute or so stretch after Kofi caught foul number 4 was like a pure, golden light lit, angels with wings unfurled rockin lingerie and singing from the heavens type burst of redemption. That few minutes of ball filled me with the kind of joy that reminds human beings that, yes, even the worst varieties of misery can in fact be overcome and cleansed away by unexpected moments of miraculous beauty.
Up until that point, this game was a steady diet of frustration, indignation, and emotional constipation. Bro, I was damn near on my knees appealing to all the basketball gods for us to finally play like a Big Ten title contender. And when Kofi got tagged with 他第四次犯规, and then Nebraska tied the game with the 2 subsequent free throws, I was already mentally preparing for the discomfort that I would feel across the next several days every time I thought about the fact that we let the Cornhuskers put doo doo stains on our once virgin pure, undefeated BT record. (This type of emotional defense mechanism is a direct consequence of the trauma inflicted onto me by Illini basketball across the Bruce Weber-John Groce eras).
But then, in defiance of all expectation, Omar I-Came-To-Bring-The-Payne Hardcore-From-the-Brain, took all of Illini Nation inside his astral plane.
Yo, I felt what Andy Dufresne did in that moment he emerged from the caca tunnel, finally liberated from the oppression and suffering of Shawshank. Because that first 90+% of the game was a straight prison sentence. But then, watching the Fighting Illini perform after Kofi took to the bench felt *exactly* like this...
REDEMPTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That 3 minute or so stretch after Kofi caught foul number 4 was like a pure, golden light lit, angels with wings unfurled rockin lingerie and singing from the heavens type burst of redemption. That few minutes of ball filled me with the kind of joy that reminds human beings that, yes, even the worst varieties of misery can in fact be overcome and cleansed away by unexpected moments of miraculous beauty.
Up until that point, this game was a steady diet of frustration, indignation, and emotional constipation. Bro, I was damn near on my knees appealing to all the basketball gods for us to finally play like a Big Ten title contender. And when Kofi got tagged with 他第四次犯规, and then Nebraska tied the game with the 2 subsequent free throws, I was already mentally preparing for the discomfort that I would feel across the next several days every time I thought about the fact that we let the Cornhuskers put doo doo stains on our once virgin pure, undefeated BT record. (This type of emotional defense mechanism is a direct consequence of the trauma inflicted onto me by Illini basketball across the Bruce Weber-John Groce eras).
But then, in defiance of all expectation, Omar I-Came-To-Bring-The-Payne Hardcore-From-the-Brain, took all of Illini Nation inside his astral plane.
Yo, I felt what Andy Dufresne did in that moment he emerged from the caca tunnel, finally liberated from the oppression and suffering of Shawshank. Because that first 90+% of the game was a straight prison sentence. But then, watching the Fighting Illini perform after Kofi took to the bench felt *exactly* like this...
REDEMPTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited:
Great substitution to take Plummer out and go big with Cohawk. It slowed down Nebby's offense when they were getting quick baskets. Also Payne's blocks created an intimidation factor, Nebby started to hesitate on drives. BU I believe rewarded Payne by keeping him on the court to close out.
TOTALLY AGREE!!! You cannot complain about how Trent has handled PG.
Yes, but he did not say he would not use it!!!
9 turnovers for the illini tonight. So much better than earlier in the year. I’d take that every game.
More tools in his toolbox this year.
Absolutely loved your inclusion of angels in lingerie in this lolMan, on some real ****:
That 3 minute or so stretch after Kofi caught foul number 4 was like a pure, golden light lit, angels with wings unfurled rockin lingerie and singing from the heavens type burst of redemption. That few minutes of ball filled me with the kind of joy that reminds human beings that, yes, even the worst varieties of misery can in fact be overcome and cleansed away by unexpected moments of miraculous beauty.
Up until that point, this game was a steady diet of frustration, indignation, and emotional constipation. Bro, I was damn near on my knees appealing to all the basketball gods for us to finally play like a Big Ten title contender. And when Kofi got tagged with 他第四次犯规, and then Nebraska tied the game with the 2 subsequent free throws, I was already mentally preparing for the discomfort that I would feel across the next several days every time I thought about the fact that we let the Cornhuskers put doo doo stains on our once virgin pure, undefeated BT record. (This type of emotional defense mechanism is a direct consequence of the trauma inflicted onto me by Illini basketball across the Bruce Weber-John Groce eras).
But then, in defiance of all expectation, Omar I-Came-To-Bring-The-Payne Hardcore-From-the-Brain, took all of Illini nation inside his astral plane.
Yo, I felt what Andy Dufresne did in that moment he emerged from the caca tunnel, finally liberated from the oppression and suffering of Shawshank. Because that first 90+% of the game was a straight prison sentence. But then, watching the Fighting Illini perform after Kofi took to the bench felt like *exactly* this...
REDEMPTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
29 pts on 18 shots, 5 assists to 1 TO, 4 steals… can’t wait till Trent has a “on” night!
Hopefully he gained some confidence tonight and turns the corner. I think this version is what the staff foresaw when they picked him up. I wouldn’t mind seeing more Payne-Cohawk combo when Kofi rests.
Don’t forget 8-10 from the line