Indiana 65, Illinois 63 Postgame

[Navy_illini]

That was my guess. Just assumed during the regular season the BIG used same ball in all games. Strange that they would use a different brand Basketball in BTT as compared to regular season BIG play

Every team uses any regulation ball they want. This is another area the NCAA fails to regulate the sport

We use Nike
Wisky and Maryland use under armor. Wisconsin used to use a weird brand for a home court advantage.

Belo and Plummer shot around 17%

We need to practice with the tournament ball this week so the players comfortable with the feel

Wisconsin's use of Sterling basketballs reflects inconsistency throughout NCAA

When going from using a Nike basketball to a Sterling basketball (which is used at Wisconsin, SU’s next opponent) shooting percentage decreases by 3.8 percent, according to research performed by a Syracuse University professor.

dailyorange.com

 

[BBIQ]

I have decided that, after watching the regular season and the Indiana game, that I can't feel confident that I have a clue to what this team will do next. I wouldn't be surprised if they lose the first weekend, and I wouldn't be surprised if they make a long run. And I am OK with that. I want to just enjoy whatever this team does, and stay grateful that we are relevant again. I love this team and will love next year's team. Every year the Illini gives me hours of pleasure, frustration, anger, and excitement. We are in the Big Dance, and anything can happen.

I think we are just too inconsistent to make a long run. I think we can beat anyone when we are at our best but winning 6 games in a row? Curbelo won't play under control 6 times in a row and we won't hit 3's consistently 6 games in a row. The Athletic had some pretty compelling splits. The author wasn't using this to bash Curbelo, he acknowledges that good Curbelo makes this team better. Its just that good Curbelo isn't around enough. Its a really well written piece. Here are some of the highlights.

"The record is the record. The Illini are 13-1 without Curbelo in the lineup (the lone loss being a thriller to Arizona), and 9-8 with him.

And the numbers are the numbers. The Illini score 1.0 points per possession with a 50.8 percent effective field-goal percentage when Curbelo is on the floor, and score 1.1 points per possession with a 54.3 percent eFG% rate when he’s off the floor, per HoopLens. The other end is even worse. The Illini allow 1.03 points per possession (50.9 eFG%) when Curbelo is on the floor, and allow 0.93 points per possession (44.9 eFG%) when he’s off the floor."

"...this isn’t all meant as some massive slam on Curbelo. No. As playmaker, he’s objectively awesome — undeniably one of the more entertaining players in college basketball. Thing is, this was supposed to be a season of maturation after an erratic (albeit very good) freshman season. That process was never possible due to the concussion situation, though. His sophomore year was derailed, leaving Curbelo without that room to grow and his teammates without extensive time to play alongside his very unique style of play."

 

[Cook]

In regular season the home team picks the ball. Illinois uses a Nike ball. Wisconsin uses whatever the NCAA tournament ball is. It used to be Wilson, I don’t know if that’s changed.

I’d assume the BTT uses the tournament ball, but that’s just a guess.

BTT is a Spalding

 

[Roundball Sage]

I have decided that, after watching the regular season and the Indiana game, that I can't feel confident that I have a clue to what this team will do next. I wouldn't be surprised if they lose the first weekend, and I wouldn't be surprised if they make a long run.

No one knows which Illini will show up on game day. The players don’t know. The coaches don’t know. The broadcasters don’t know. Even some psychics are confused.

But Tournament Time brings with it a certain kind of pressure. Some players like the challenge of pressure and others just fold up. Good old human nature.

But what is the ‘pressure killer’? Remembering how this game is FUN. Remembering all the success and joys you’ve had already and bringing that sense to your next time on the floor.

The Illini looked so tight last year in The Dance. Tight as a drum. Played like it was torture. And we saw some of that yesterday again.

These guys need to have fun playing this game again. That’s when your natural talent comes out and flows. The tenser you are, the more you can’t play this game.

Yes, the Tournament is big. But forget all that and have fun again playing this game.

I really don’t get the feeling that the Coaching staff is putting pressure on these guys. I think they are doing this to themselves.

Fast and loose, guys. Fast and loose. And more SMILING.

 

[WhiteHorseWings]

BTT is a Spalding

You’ll get nothing and like it!!

 

[GBIllini]

Anybody got a video clip of that Curbelo pass to Coleman on the fast break? I mean the one where he missed the dunk - not the one where he made the three?

I don't think Coleman was expecting to get the ball in such a good placement otherwise he would have already been slowing and elavating for a dunk that no one could have prevented. Curbelo served it up on a platter to him.

 

[altgeld88]

Anyone who says they feel better now about this team at this time of year than last year is in complete denial OR they are benefitting from the old retrospectoscope (which reminds me ... I think I'm due for one of those from my GI doc).

Anyone who is sold on Belo, count me in ... just not sold on him as a "closer" in the last minute or two of the game this season. Doesn't mean we don't need him in there then. His D, rebounding, FT shooting, and good feeds to Kofi are very valuable. But Trent is trying to once again find his role when Belo is in the game. I think Trent shoots better off the dribble, but that's jmho. When you have a creative unpredictable guy like Belo in the game, it takes many games and practice sessions for the guys to all get on the same page with him. What I love about BU is that he's not some flaming head-in-the sand optimist ... he's a worker. He solves problems. And he's got a little more time to do it now.

Anyone who truly believes this team can win the championship or even get to the final four is saying so with quite a bit of trepidation. Count me in that group. Just a realist. Consistency has not been our strong trait. I do agree with BU it will be nice to get out of our conference. He as much said so in his postgame interview that he was tired of playing Big Ten teams right now.

Anyone who doesn't love this season and still have some faith, however, I don't believe you. Or you wouldn't still be anticipating next game day.

As I noted last evening, I feel better now than I did a year ago today. About absolutely everything related to the team and program. We're broader, deeper and more mature than a year ago, and the future is even brighter given the recruiting trend and, as you astutely note, the tenacity and creativity of our coach.

I'm not in denial; recency bias would have me nostalgic for last year and down on this team, which I'm not.

As for the rest, completely on board. It saddens me that Belo and Trent haven't been able consistently to play together this season b/c of Belo's health struggles.

 

[altgeld88]

You’ll get nothing and like it!!

 

[Coop70]

You’ll get nothing and like it!!

Ten bucks he eats it!

 

[Jmd2020]

Not disagreeing with you in any way , but the bold words above leave out the different feels of each brand .......I played a long time ago and didn't have the options available now , but some manufactors had a slick feel to it or just something different about it........so I can understand somewhat about different brand of BB , but we stunk up the court yesterday............................we lost .........ok.........................next game ............................

Gotta have that mindset right now .....plenty of time to dissect the loosier game , but now is the time to really " every day guy "" the hell out of it and PREPARE starting Sunday , as soon as we know who it is next for us .........

JMHO

Let’s hope they’re using whatever brand ball that’ll be used during the tourney at practice this week.

 

[illiniguy24]

Anybody got a video clip of that Curbelo pass to Coleman on the fast break? I mean the one where he missed the dunk - not the one where he made the three?

The one where he got fouled…? Smh

 

[illini80]

Good observation. Wondered why the coaches were not all over that

Sturdy said the ruling was the player never had possession so there was no turnover. The shot clock at the arena stayed at 17 and didn’t reset.

 

[rbillini]

How many decades since we last made the front end of a 1-and-1?

.02% of a decade ago. Jodi made one yesterday.

 

[Point-Illinois]

.02% of a decade ago. Jodi made one yesterday.

Jodi Jockburn?

Great player, always on fire.

 

[WhiteHorseWings]

Jodi Jockburn?

Great player, always on fire.

Please leave my jock burn out of this

 

[Steelyunk]

I don't think Coleman was expecting to get the ball in such a good placement otherwise he would have already been slowing and elavating for a dunk that no one could have prevented. Curbelo served it up on a platter to him.

Don’t get me wrong - not bashing Hawkins. It was just an amazing pass. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[DonFlan]

Sturdy said the ruling was the player never had possession so there was no turnover. The shot clock at the arena stayed at 17 and didn’t reset.

If you watch the game the shot clock did reset to 30 seconds after the ball was stolen and after he lost it out of bounds the shot clock was set to 17 seconds.. Oh and he dribbled it from half court.

 

[RML]

Too many scoring draughts, too many missed free throws, too many terrible, predicatbale passes. Very remeniscent of some of our early season performances.

Anybody checked our season average on the front end of one and ones? I'm guessing it's around 65%.

 

[RML]

You and some others are missing the point about rest. Who gives a crap about rest for the BTT. The rest people are talking about is for the NCAA tournament. Getting extra physical and mental rest and preparation for way more important is critical. Also for those who are nursing an injury like Grandison. Doesn't mean we are going to automatically win but getting extra rest for the most important games of the season doesn't hurt.

Well, I don't think Grandson's recovery time until the tournament was improved by us losing early. Pretty sure the tournament is going to start this Thursday, and that there were no plans to move it up if we beat Indiana.

 

[illini80]

If you watch the game the shot clock did reset to 30 seconds after the ball was stolen and after he lost it out of bounds the shot clock was set to 17 seconds.. Oh and he dribbled it from half court.

It was a bad call imo. Just relaying the explanation Sturdy gave.

 

[WizardBill]

Here's what I did not understand. When Curbelo took the charge, why were there no free throws?

 

[Se Il Illini]

JMO but I think they were just searching for explanations behind their poor shooting. Different venues might use different makes/models of basketballs. The BTT for example is using Spalding balls while the NCAA tourney will use Wilson I believe. But they're all the same size and weight. I don't think there's anything to it. Players are trying to rationalize the loss, just like some of us are.

I coached middle school boys basketball for a long time. Our school was a member of the IESA. For years we used Rawlings, because that was the ball used in IESA tournaments. When the contract of the IESA switched to Wilson, we switched to Wilson. As was mentioned elsewhere, all ball brands have a different touch and feel. Just a personal opinion, Wilson is far superior to Rawlings.

 

[21ChampaignSt]

I coached middle school boys basketball for a long time. Our school was a member of the IESA. For years we used Rawlings, because that was the ball used in IESA tournaments. When the contract of the IESA switched to Wilson, we switched to Wilson. As was mentioned elsewhere, all ball brands have a different touch and feel. Just a personal opinion, Wilson is far superior to Rawlings.

I agree. For me, the Wilson Evolution is the standard.

 

[WizardBill]

For those who think the ball doesn't matter, I would offer that you've never been a shooter. The ball MOST DEFINITELY matters. Unless you're Larry Bird or Seth Curry, then, you could probably shoot pumpkins and still make 'em.

AND, if it is up to the School, then, GET THE CONTRACT WITH THE BALL USED IN THE NCAA!!!! Otherwise, you're being obtuse.

 

[bootsy1974]

Well, I don't think Grandson's recovery time until the tournament was improved by us losing early. Pretty sure the tournament is going to start this Thursday, and that there were no plans to move it up if we beat Indiana.

I meant if he was coming back to play had we advanced. I know you want to prove you are the smartest person in the room but stop twisting my words and understand what someone is saying.