Game Thread: Illinois vs UCLA

[Naborman88]

Jacking up quick threes hs replaced our offense of multiple touches and movement

 

[Illini8420]

If we lose in March it’ll be from turnovers. Gotta take care of the ball

 

[LuckyIllini]

Can anyone remember the last big time non-conference win not including Duke under BU?

 

[1970 John]

Dang, we had a lead when I turned the TV on. Sorry, folks.

 

[FloridaMan]

What exactly happened on that Dainja call? I'm still confused.

Caught the ball with both feet on the ground then took a hop. I thought it was a clear travel on the replay but real-time looked like it was not.

 

[Orangetool]

Just need to tighten up a bit with turnovers.

All in all a good defensive effort.
Coach will make adjustments at this half.

 

[samj_17]

Mayer should be in the game and Hawkins should be out we need experience in this game if we wanna win

 

[CasualObserver05]

Turnovers, FTs, Coleman, and some very questionable calls = ugly half.

 

[illini80]

This team is in trouble without TSJ. Most obvious statement ever I know.

 

[sacraig]

We aren’t quite talented enough. Just try to hang in there.

Disagree. We are a team with loads of talent but that hasn't played together much yet. UCLA has 5 players remaining from their Final Four run and some new guys. They have a much higher baseline level of familiarity with each other.

 

[the national]

Our freshman point guards are getting exposed. The older guys need to step up in the second half

 

[hiberto]

Nah, it was the correct call. It's just something that they always seem to miss or let slide.

yeah seeing the replay it was the right call

 

[Mr. Roberts]

Tough close to the half. 10-0 UCLA.

The good: our defense.

The (very?) bad: turnovers, FT shooting. Any sort of offensive flow.

I get the freshman struggling. I get Mayer still needing to find his legs. We need much more from Coleman in games like this at this point in his career.

Need more from Melendez, too.

 

[Illinifan47]

too many substitutions. Couldn’t find a rhythm

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

This is a one or two possession game if we clean it up mentally. Make FTs and don’t turn it over!

 

[Deep]

So I'm not going to overreact but I dont understand how a 6 foot 6 inch guy is killing us when we 45 dudes over 6 feet 6 inches?????

And ........he keeps getting matched up with guards under 6 feet 3

I thought we were done with this nightmare??

 

[The Galloping Ghost]

Well, I'm excited to see how we handle this. Our defensive intensity was outstanding for most of the half but trailed off toward the end. Our offense, needless to say, can be better. UCLA is absolutely beatable if we can just clean this thing up. No matter what, our guys are going to learn a lot from this one.

 

[InDaAZ]

UCLA is not playing very well either

They’re shooting just 38%, but have 16 more attempts than us.
Hmmm… wonder why that is.

 

[Orangetool]

We are good.
We are OK.

 

[FromTheLogo]

If the "Dain travel" happens in the NBA, it is called 0% of the time. My point? Dain is NBA ready

 

[GallopingGhost]

They had 16 more shots than we did. 16!!!!

You lose the shot race by potentially -2 when you turn it over, and we had 13 TOs

 

[hoopsfan47]

Well we knew there were some things to be learned and the Bruins are doing the teaching. Just have to play the game with competence in all phases...and a couple are missing big time. A lot of energy and good play wasted in that half...likely the mountain it too high to climb back in, but we don't really know what these kids will do yet. Would love to see some competent play in second half regardless of the outcome.

Illini were hot and took a lead...and then started to blunder seemingly every other trip. Thirteen turnovers in a half screams that you do not know how to play basketball very well. Hope to see some Illini pride coming up!!!

 

[illinifreak30]

I didn’t know Indiana and Purdue were on???

 

[Ryllini]

Free throws and turn overs.

Who is our leader? I’m watching to see who huddles the team during dead balls, not seeing it. Looked like Ty wanted after Coleman attempt at taking a charge, but seemed to back off.

 

[Battle89]

Lots of talk about Colman regression. Still love him, but isn't this exactly what he did last year? Look like an All-American against the cupcakes and then seriously ‘regress’ against better competition? Not that he is unique in that I suppose.