Screw dat! Give me a #1 seed and not having to face anyone better than a #9 seed the entire tournament,Give me another crack at them in the NCAA Tournament and I predict a different outcome.
Vegas Illini fans need to step up their daydrinking gameNot sure anyone wants these updates any more (or ever did ), but what a different vibe in the arena for the second game today. Crowd, while still majority Illini, is so quiet.
Virginia played solid defense, yet I think Illinois forced some tough/wild shots. Shot selection could have been better.
Not sure they were better, but definitely more experiencedFun game, but a pretty rough last three minutes. This Illini team is fun and good! But today we got beat by a better team.
On to the next one!
I-L-L!
Exactly, Need more than that from your 6'10" forwardColeman Hawkins had one more rebound than I did.
Duke treatment?Screw dat! Give me a #1 seed and not having to face anyone better than a #9 seed the entire tournament,
Thanks Wahoowa... I want to think our ceiling is much higher. Perhaps you guys are much closer to yours which keeps me hopeful!UVA fan here just popping in to say gg. It was a hard fought game that could've gone either way. The difference was our experience and maturity prevailed at the end. That definitely felt like an away game for us. The ILL crowd defining showed up and showed out. You guys have some talented Freshman and I'd hate to be facing this team once they gain some more experience as the season progresses. Highly doubt there are 18 teams that are better than you guys right now. Wishing you all many wins and good health the rest of the way!
Actually both stats surprise me....while watching the game it felt like they were killing us on the boards (esp. offense), getting several second chance opportunities while we were primarily one and done....or at least that was my thoughts watching the game....getting to the line in the future more frequently would help as wellOffensive rebounds:
UVA: 9
UI: 11
Second chance points
UVA: 11
UI: 12
I’m actually surprised by that last one. The weird and annoying stat to me was that we only committed one more turnover than they did but they outscored us 19-9 there and 12-3 on fast breaks.
They got better looks and finished them or got to the line. There’s not much else to separate the two teams, regardless of how it felt while we were watching it.
Agree. The partial cause in the disparity in free throws was the Illinois dependence on the 3 ball. The ball needs to go inside. Just my old school view.Wasted Dainja's inside ability by shooting the 3 way too much. He is such a force inside and usually makes the basket or draws the foul. Guards needed to get the ball to Dainja off the screen or drive to the basket and dish off to him. Either way will get you a basket or to the line.
It's hard to rebound when you're positioned at the point/perimeter for the majority of both offensive and defensive possessions.Coleman Hawkins had one more rebound than I did.
Yeah, I agree, and also agree with the bigger point that a putback or two down the stretch woulda been really helpful. I also think we gave more up to get ours by sending more players to the boards, which partially explains the points in transition stat.Actually both stats surprise me....while watching the game it felt like they were killing us on the boards (esp. offense), getting several second chance opportunities while we were primarily one and done....or at least that was my thoughts watching the game....getting to the line in the future more frequently would help as well
It might be that... it could have been his second flagrant 1 and it would have resulted in a disqualification.Pretty sure his shoulder was fine the whole time. No issue with him trying to get that call - has worked against us many times. And might have even got the call if they reviewed it. No idea why they wouldn’t at least look.
That aside, stripes were better than 98% of BIG games.
Agreed. Or, at least they were better yesterday. When crunch time came, you could see the composure difference.Not sure they were better, but definitely more experienced
I tell you what, if my ILLINI are not playing on a given night, I know what game I'm looking for next!UVA fan here just popping in to say gg. It was a hard fought game that could've gone either way. The difference was our experience and maturity prevailed at the end. That definitely felt like an away game for us. The ILL crowd defining showed up and showed out. You guys have some talented Freshman and I'd hate to be facing this team once they gain some more experience as the season progresses. Highly doubt there are 18 teams that are better than you guys right now. Wishing you all many wins and good health the rest of the way!
Cohawk was doing what he could for the most part. He is not a creator except for his passing so he replies other players a lot for his scoring. He forces a little bit sometimes because driving to the basket is not his forte. He defended well but could add a few more rebounds. However, your rebound number is not going to be high when you stay at the perimeter most of the time.Saying ahead of time...fan of both but...Cohawk is in the middle of things and RJ who I am a fan of is not...I believe it will improve...
Epps and Clark had four each.It's hard to rebound when you're positioned at the point/perimeter for the majority of both offensive and defensive possessions.
You forgot to tell how bad Dain is doing. These kids have played 5 games.I said before that 1-1 would be a very good result. I still believe that but after beating UCLA, I sure was hoping for 2-0. They are going to have to figure out how to beat teams when Shannon is not going off. I was really hoping for more from RJ and Coleman but neither seems like they will ever be scorers. Coleman has a hard time on offense. Rodgers has not been anywhere close to what I thought he would be like based upon all the hype leading up the season. I realize he is a freshman but the other 3 freshman have greatly outplayed him so far. Epps has been the best freshman so far by a mile. That dude is going to be a stud. Harris is all energy. Love the defense. Clark will be here for at least 3 years. I don't see the NBA in his future. Maybe I am way off. Once Goode is healthy and they hopefully get more from beyond the 3 point line from Mayer, Hawkins and Melendez, this team could be really dangerous. Hopefully at least to the sweet sixteen this year.