We ask a lot of Frazier in these games to play 40 minutes, guard the other teams best perimeter player the whole game, run the offense, be the primary offensive threat when we’re not giving it to Kofi, it’s just a physical toll on anyone- we really need Curbelo back, it will lighten the load tremendously on Trent and we can see the best Trent again- it will be like getting two players back with Belo out there
Illinois 59, Northwestern 56 Postgame
Yea, if you stop your man from scoring more than you do. If you don't you lose the game. That's how it goes. Stop your opponent from scoring more than you do. His counterparts almost always outscore him. If the rest of the teams counterparts did the same we'd lose every game! Offensively we are playing 4 against 5 when he's on the floor. Defensively he's a beast and he usually does great! But when he's not playing well defensively, and not scoring he's a double liability. I like Damonte but he's a liability offensively and every team knows it. It is what it is! He made some great plays tonight and I'm proud of him and his effort! Glad he's on our team! Just wish he'd be aggressive again offensively like earlier this season!
Liked to see that Podz and RJ were able to make positive contributions. We really have to get Belo back or else our offense is going to continue to stall, I fear. We just don’t have enough guys who can get their own shot consistently without him, and he will help open up shots for everyone else as well.
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
1. Kofi was dominant down the stretch of the game. Yes DMW did great things as well, and so did Podz. But this was mostly about Kofi in the last 7 minutes, from my view.
2. It totally seemed to me that Trent had the yips after the deep late shot clock airball. By my memory he: blew a very easy layup, airballed another 3 that was much more open than the first, and had a pretty typical pass bounce off his hands. I think the fans got in his head. Then again, I wouldn't think that would happen to Trent at this point in his career.
3. The crowd was loud on both sides. Seemed Iike a great atmosphere. Good for everyone.
2. It totally seemed to me that Trent had the yips after the deep late shot clock airball. By my memory he: blew a very easy layup, airballed another 3 that was much more open than the first, and had a pretty typical pass bounce off his hands. I think the fans got in his head. Then again, I wouldn't think that would happen to Trent at this point in his career.
3. The crowd was loud on both sides. Seemed Iike a great atmosphere. Good for everyone.
We've done an amazing job of sustaining and adjusting to not having Belo, mostly on the back of one of hardest workers in the game, Mr. Trent Frazier. He's given everything and more, all while being banged up for much of it. But yes, he can't keep that up, and I certainly hope Belo begins to help get him some rest minutes, starting on Wednesday. With him (hopefully) healthy and getting worked back into the mix, the team can really start to become its best self heading toward March. Gonna be fun to watch!
The last 2 games have been a freshman coming out party
blackdog
- Champaign
He's not really a liability because he's not hurting the team. He doesn't take bad shots and he doesn't turn the ball over. He moves the ball well, makes the right pass most of the time, and the defense has to respect him as a shooter. If he was out here chucking shots and throwing the ball away that would be a totally different story but being a low volume player does not make him a liability.
You can get a flop warning on offense. A typical one is a three point shooter falling after no or minimal contact. It was called on Plummer a few games ago.
It’s the bball coach version of the “if I had a million dollars” song
The stats can be a little misleading regarding Trents defensive impact on this game. While Buie did have nine points, not all were with Trent gaurding him. I can recall one basket being scored on Plummer and an uncontested three at the end of the game that didn't matter. So Trent actually held him to 4 points. Best defensive player in the Big 10 hands down and definitely should be up for Naismith award.
Just got done watching
1) Trent Is an absolute junkyard dog.
2) DMFW
3) Podz has "it".
4) Melendez showing those offensive flashes again - kid is smooth
5) Kofi is just a machine
6) this team has my
- gutting out another one, never a moment of panic, just relentless. I cannot imagine what the atmosphere at SFC will be on March 6th.
1) Trent Is an absolute junkyard dog.
2) DMFW
3) Podz has "it".
4) Melendez showing those offensive flashes again - kid is smooth
5) Kofi is just a machine
6) this team has my
- gutting out another one, never a moment of panic, just relentless. I cannot imagine what the atmosphere at SFC will be on March 6th.7) some of the ugliest calls I've seen in awhile.
I think after the you suck refs chants started I didn't have an issue with any subsequent calls. I am not sure if it was just illini fans chanting either. May have been both sides
I honestly didn’t notice the officiating too much this season. But it was just terrible this game. For calls on both teams.
Something was up with Trent. I think some of it was mental but on the whole he was a net positive for the team and win. The airball chant was definitely the most effective and loudest chant the nu fan base executed and they were consistent.
I agree that the officiating was terrible today. There were some mind-boggling calls. (NOT a shooting foul? What?) My point is that it's often going to be terrible. Or at least there will be some terrible calls during the game.
If you watch a game and think the officiating was pretty good, you probably should talk to the fans of the other team and see if they agree!
If you watch a game and think the officiating was pretty good, you probably should talk to the fans of the other team and see if they agree!
I’m a hater of changing any rules in college basketball. But I’m actually a real fan of the flop warnings. It has helped stopped a lot of the Paul Mulcahy type flop crap.
I’ve been bullish on RJ since I saw his film. Love his game and what he brings to the table. Would also like a verified measurement of his arm lengths as they appear to be rather impressive physical assets.
There are several good teams in the B1G. A few of them are REALLY good. The Illini are not perfect. They have stretches in which they struggle. They find ways to win more often than the others.
You can choose to celebrate that fact, or you can choose to pick apart ways in which they can win more decisively.
What I can assure yo of is that they have found ways to win these games more often than anyone else in the conference.
You can whine about what we aren’t, or can can celebrate what we are.
If it’s a 50/50 game, I’ll take our 50!
You can choose to celebrate that fact, or you can choose to pick apart ways in which they can win more decisively.
What I can assure yo of is that they have found ways to win these games more often than anyone else in the conference.
You can whine about what we aren’t, or can can celebrate what we are.
If it’s a 50/50 game, I’ll take our 50!
You lost me at miracle whip...
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Kofi Cockburn makes return in narrow win against Northwestern
Kofi Cockburn had 22 points in his return to the lineup in Illinois' win on the road at Northwestern.
EVANSTON, Ill. — Kofi Cockburn returned, and despite Illinois’ sloppy play, the Illini got a road win.
No. 24 Illinois escaped with a 59-56 win at Northwestern on Saturday, coming back from five down with 5:36 left for a win to stay atop the Big Ten.
“It doesn’t matter how we do it,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said.
The Illini (15-5, 8-2 Big Ten) had 22 points and nine rebounds from their big man, who missed the past 12 days in concussion protocol, but he was the only player in double figures for a dormant offense.
Da’Monte Williams was able to force a couple of misses from Nance, and Williams gave Illinois a 55-53 lead it would keep for good with an out-of-nowhere putback dunk.
Williams finished with five points, nine rebounds and three assists with his floor game proving vital down the stretch.
“His numbers didn’t show up here,” Underwood said, pointing to the stat sheet. “It’s just who he guards and how we, how he fights and how he competes. He’s not afraid to make a play. He was incredible in the locker room at halftime, in the huddles. Put a big capital W by his name.”
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whew......................1st Place in the B1G.........................nuff said............
My wonderful was watching the game with me and couldn’t understand why I stood up and yelled “DMFW!” when he slammed that dunk home. I had to explain the Loyalty penchant for the moniker . . .
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These things I'll remember from the NU game. 1. Kofi's fadeaway jumper from 15 feet to beat the shot clock. I said to my wife "Did I really see that?" 2. Playing Podz at crunch time. His streaking reverse layup showed speed and athleticism, but it was his three at a crucial moment in the game that got our breath back. 3. DW's slam of Kofi's miss underneath. I just didn't realize he had hops like that. For the game, BTW, he was one for one. And Plummer missed another free throw. He was only 3 for 4.