Houston 68, Illinois 53 Postgame

[Tacomallini]

Thank you, sir. I agree. A few refreshments and I couldn’t stay away. I have to say, AC, CH, BBV, BL and the freshman have known nothing but going to the tourney now. If we can keep them, pretty soon everyone on the team will think this is just the normal noises. Today was tough, but in the big picture, it’s progress. Love this board, love this team!!!

Well said. Tourney is the new normal

 

[drsmitty74]

Getting bounced in the second round of the NCAA 2 years in a row while having first Team All Americans is not a good look for the coaching staff.

You mean like Kentucky and Tshiebwe?
Or Iowa and Murray?
Or Wisconsin and Davis?

Guess BU, Calipari, Fran and Gard are SOL with recruits now.

 

[hiberto]

He did this pregame last year, too, so I'm less inclined to view it as inappropriate. It's just what he does, like Kofi juggling soccer balls.

I think the press conference yesterday got to some of the guys. Those questions were rough and I think what's been said in the media has played on them since the Indiana game. Not saying it's an excuse -- players need to develop mental toughness -- but I think it's led to some of the testiness we heard about from Belo today and Trent's earlier tweet.

some of the questions from the media were tough, but I think justifiably so. this team has not played well as of late and if you don't want the media to question your performance or effort, shut them up by playing better

 

[IlliniKat91]

some of the questions from the media were tough, but I think justifiably so. this team has not played well as of late and if you don't want the media to question your performance or effort, shut them up by playing better

Don't disagree. Hence my line about needing to develop mental toughness.

It may not just be the questioning. All the pressure of last year was on them too. On all of these teams. Even with super seniors returning, narratives change season to season. It's unfair to hold teams to what's happened in the past.

 

[Carl Spackler]

curbelo is probably the second most talented player on our roster (maybe first).

if he’s not injured, BU should face questioning regarding him not playing second half

Did u not watch the first half?

 

[drsmitty74]

You mean like Kentucky and Tshiebwe?
Or Iowa and Murray?
Or Wisconsin and Davis?

Guess BU, Calipari, Fran and Gard are SOL with recruits now.

Oh and Auburn too.

 

[Carl Spackler]

Learn some new inbounds plays. PLEASE

Learn ANY inbounds plays PLEASE. FIFY.

 

[BfosterL]

I tried reading thru this thread (and others) but simply cannot continue. Just want to say, fwiw, I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the contribution of ALL the players and coaches this year. THEY OWE US NOTHING! I owe them so much! I consider it a joy and privilege to be along for the ride, to cheer, to celebrate wins and grieve loses. I also want to thank those of you who contribute here on loyalty. The positive comments, insights, and entertainment (thanks Pruman) helped me get thru so many days and nights. I’m an old man, my life is not great, but Illinoisloyalty and Illini b-ball has been my friend. Thank you all! Be cool, and go Illini!

This is one of the best and most truthful posts I have ever read on here! I think Brian Barnhart said it well today, "don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened". What a great ride these young men took us all on this year! Thanks you to all the players, staff and folks on here.

 

[chrisRunner7]

He did this pregame last year, too, so I'm less inclined to view it as inappropriate. It's just what he does, like Kofi juggling soccer balls.

I think the press conference yesterday got to some of the guys. Those questions were rough and I think what's been said in the media has played on them since the Indiana game. Not saying it's an excuse -- players need to develop mental toughness -- but I think it's led to some of the testiness we heard about from Belo today and Trent's earlier tweet.

I thought some of the questions in the press conference crossed a line. I think the same guy asked two questions that really irritated me. My first thought was literally, who is this plant from the Houston media asking them these questions?

The "please speculate on how the team did surprisingly well while you, Curbelo, played like trash" question:
4:20 - Hi guys. For Belo: You know, people have such strong reactions, good and bad, to the way you play. Last night’s an example. You know, you turned it over a bunch and didn’t shoot well, and then you look at the end and you’re plus eighteen, which is kinda hard to believe, you know, for me, given just the way that game was and how close it was. What do you make of, you know, why the team was, first of all, plus eighteen while you were out there, and also, just the way people react to your play, especially when you make mistakes?

The "as a team, when is the last time you didn't play like trash on offense" question:
7:37 - I’d appreciate it if more than one of you would take this. But I definitely want you, Kofi, to take this, uh, question. When is the last time you guys feel like it was a... you know, you had a really good offensive game? A good, team, offensive game? That it flowed well and everybody was pleased after with how it went?

 

[WestSuburbanIllini]

Haven't been here since the game ended. Here is my hot take.

We had a lot of good players who were all one dimensional offensively. Kofi low post, back to the basket, dependent on entry pass. Plummer a shooter who needs space (he's not tall). Ditto Frazier. Ditto Grandison (his is mostly a set shot). Curbelo drives and can sometimes finish - but no jump shot (I am not sure we ever saw a 100% healthy Curbelo this year). Hawkins scores mostly on put backs, yet was not crashing boards in tournament (by design?). Williams, Payne and BBV unfortunately had no offensive game this year. Goode has some length but seems to be a catch and shoot guy.

Conclusion - we became easy to defend. Our last 5 games we averaged 61 points per game. We simply need more multi-dimensional scorers (hello Melendez). We also need more length - longer guards just shut us down.

Great season, especially considering all of the adversity and missed games. A regular season Big Ten title is sweet. To compete on he national stage, though, we will need more length and to be more diverse offensively.

It was fun. Thanks to the players - they gave their all. And they have a banner!

This.

Excellent take and echo what I was saying to my friends and family today almost verbatim.

 

[alexander58]

Trent and DMW are all time greats for their contribution to bringing the school back to relevance. Their devotion to the program cannot be questioned.

 

[Flyin' Illini]

I feel like Grandison's defense was extremely underrated and his loss was a big factor in the team's late season struggles. It just seems like teams were regularly beating our defenders, leading to high percentage shots, but also forcing guys to help and getting them out of position which impacted our ability to rebound missed shots. Rebounding became a big issue toward the end of the season and is probably the biggest reason that Houston won the game today.

Ultimately though, the team had too many non-threats on offense. Frazier was struggling/sick and couldn't generate any offense. Damonte is limited offensively and also didn't make any shots. Curbelo has no outside game whatsoever. Plummer had his moments, but also missed a lot of shots. Grandison obviously wasn't anywhere near 100%. Teams could afford to throw absolutely everyone at Kofi, because nobody else showed the ability to beat them.

This was a flawed team, and we saw glimpses of those flaws throughout the season, but we should be grateful that they were able to fight their way to a share of the Big 10 title.

As a sidenote - That technical call against Melendez was atrocious. I watched the replay several times and all he did was steady himself to be able to land squarely on the ground. It is unfortunate that the refs have to insert themselves into the game and penalize a young player for a great play. R.J. is going to be a special player next year and I sincerely hope he stays in Champaign.

 

[illiniguy24]

Update: I am still very sad

 

[Snoopy]

I thought some of the questions in the press conference crossed a line. I think the same guy asked two questions that really irritated me. My first thought was literally, who is this plant from the Houston media asking them these questions?

Yeah, “professional”, adult, reporters going for clicks at the expense of college athletes is something I think the athletic departments around the country need to look at seriously. Start by removing credentials and more carefully picking what social media outlets to use, avoiding those that allow their members to verbally abuse players.

 

[Jrose]

Waited three months too long to play the freshmen. Who knows where they would’ve been at this point if they got consistent tick all year. Disappointing.

That’s just it….we don’t know! Maybe playing the freshman we lose a few more games and no Big Title…who knows but I can say this, if that were to happen Coach Underwood would have been blamed for playing freshman who were not ready yet!

 

[Poe's Law]

Not 2 years in a row

Coach Cal says hi… so does bill self from the year 2006 (I think).

 

[Snoopy]

That’s just it….we don’t know! Maybe playing the freshman we lose a few more games and no Big Title…who knows but I can say this, if that were to happen Coach Underwood would have been blamed for playing freshman who were not ready yet!

RJ was getting increasing minutes in the regular season until the appendicitis and emergency surgery. That kind of year.…

 

[sacraig]

Learn ANY inbounds plays PLEASE. FIFY.

We were statistically one of the best teams in the country on inbounds plays this year, actually. Just not today.

 

[InDaAZ]

Update: I am still very sad

 

[Poe's Law]

Honestly, I am a little disappointed in Trent's snipe at the "Keyboarders" especially in light of the team's disappointing performance in the tournament. I don't think there is a fanbase anywhere that has supported a player any more vigorously than this fanbase has with respect to Trent. I am actually surprised at how generally fair and balanced Loyalty's postgame comments have been. Kudos to Trent and his teammates for their commitment to the Beloved. They have been great representatives of the University and conference. I usually like the "Us against the world" mentality but it seems that might have been more productive had it served as motivation against Houston. Conjecture on my part, admittedly. One thing for sure... I hate when it's over. On to football and let's see marked improvement there to ease this sting a bit. Go Illini!

Haha. You got sensitive (or “disappointed”) by Trent’s snipe at sitting behind the keyboard, I shutter to think about how you’d deal with the vitriol these kids have pop up in their timelines and mentions. As supportive as most of our fanbase is, there are still far too many that post way too much negativity at our players.

 

[WyattEarp]

I agree, if the critique is coming from someone with knowledge and experience in the area being critiqued. However, your critique of a Div. 1 college player is like me as a rec league hockey player critiquing your performance as a college hockey player - it would simply be invalid.

I get where you’re coming from. But invalid
might be a stretch….Def. A random complete critique might be a little outta line but just having a valid opinion? I mean come on…Even a broken clock is right twice a day, no?

Brad Stevens only played Division III and Charlie Spoonhoor didn’t even play in High School…would their opinions of a random player be considered valid? before? later on? I get that not everyone is Brad Stevens and Charlie Spoonhour but you ever know…there might be some real savants out there in the press core that didn’t play DI like those two guys.

But yeah, MOST definitely would not be. Lol.

 

[Obsafeman]

We were statistically one of the best teams in the country on inbounds plays this year, actually. Just not today.

Williams had a five second call and threw the ball at Goodes ankles out of bounds. 10th year senior with two key TOs on simple inbounds plays. Critical times too. Beyond frustrating

 

[sully]

Just wasn't our day today. Pretty frustrating end to a rather good regular season . I will sincerely miss our seniors and King Kofi. And I wish them all the best in the world.

We got a share of the BT title and the future looks bright. GO ILLINI!

 

[grantlab]

Don’t think enough people realize how big of a loss Grandison was the last 4 games. Love Coleman Hawkins, but no defense is going to respect him as a shooter like they do Jake, and you wonder why our spacing had been so tough / it was so hard getting open looks for Kofi or anyone else. Would love to see him run it back. IMO, few players at the college level have his level of maturity, and he’d be quite the senior leader on what’s going to be a young 2022-23 team. Anyway, my point is not to make excuses for this team, but I don’t think anyone on the broadcast / national analysts really brought up that he was maybe 50% for the tourney and essentially a non-factor due to injury.

 

[madillini4]

Yes. I watched a team with superior athletes at every position maximize that athleticism playing a stifling risk taking defense. What did you see?

17 turnovers and an inefficient offense that has been an issue for a few weeks. We had opportunities but couldn’t capitalize. Credit Houston, but to say we didn’t do anything to lose the game is a bit over the top.