Illinois 76, Nebraska 50 Postgame
But we were told the locker room was in shambles. I'm not seeing any evidence of that here.
He always looks robotic
You know what I love about freshman, after around 15 games they look like this.
blackdog
- Champaign
Well they WERE in shambles. Obviously things have greatly improved over the past 2 weeks.
"missed shots they've been making" because they altered their shots because they were afraid of our shot blocking ability he should have added.
That was hella fun. The offense looked snappy, even when the shots weren't falling early. Just got back from the game so I'll go read the game thread next... But Daddy Brad looked generally pretty happy with the effort and execution. RJ in particular looked happier and more confident than I've seen out of him in awhile. And the defense was generally lights out.
Also I don't know if it happened earlier in the week but Luke's walking boot was off, which is hella exciting to see.
At about the three minute mark, I was yelling it too...a B1G road win goes a long way towards getting us back in the hunt. This was as big as a win over Nebraska gets for regular season title purposes.
The crowd was really pissed by the end of the first half.
the national
- the Front Range
These guys are having fun again.
Luke has been out of the boot for a while. Connor Serven has been in one the last few games.
I want to like this twice. Lol.
I like this momentum going into a big game vs MSU of which I am attending.
Amazing how quick things can change …
Rodgers keeps playing like this and Luke gets back … Those minutes are going to be harder and harder to hang on to … Not just for him but for anyone that thinks chucking 3s four seconds into the shot clock is a good idea …
When he goes 100% effort on the defensive end, he is an ELITE defender … Scouts want to see that effort all the time and he’s said himself he needs to be a DPOY type of guy … Hope we see more of it … Lots of flashes tonight …
Live cam is working fine brother.....lol
Sure saw another baby step up the competence ladder.
1. TSJ is being aggressive in the paint, trying to drive it and not chucking up wounded ducks. That is his game and his way to help and lead the team. Shoot those threes if wide open, but never more than a handful and drive it or post in the lane 3 times more often.
2. Love what we saw from Rodgers, but he needs to work on those FT fundamentals. Does not look like anyone has helped him at all. But good to see him hit 50%...a baby step up. Otherwise, I love his game...who wouldn't. Kid is smart, athletic, high motor, high character, and highly skilled in most areas other than shooting. B1G warrior in the making.
3. Sure liked Dainja making two FTs. And yes, less knee bend helps very much. Would love to see him get rid of the circle jerk with the ball as that also keeps him slightly off balance as well as too much lateral influence. Get quiet before the lift!! Watching closely, he did move straight up on both shots resulting in both going the same distance. A little more arc using more speed in the lift and he should be able to make 70%.
4. Liked seeing RJ hit those threes. He may never have the confidence to understand all of which he can do on the court, but hitting open threes is a significant contribution to the Illini winning. The air balls have to disappear, but in his defense, a 10 foot running jumper from the baseline is a tough shot for almost any player.
5. A slow, tough start but at least we could see them trying to move in sets and moving the ball great at times...and then missing too many shots. 10 turnovers was a huge step in the right direction...but the goal is 5 or less every game...just move in that direction!
6. DD is a load on both ends and getting better every game. Not sure he can slow Edey down at all but we will see.
Now, what will Sparty try in order to gain an advantage? Take another tiny step forward in all facets, especially defense and turnovers, and they will have a tough time in Champaign. Go Illiini!!!
1. TSJ is being aggressive in the paint, trying to drive it and not chucking up wounded ducks. That is his game and his way to help and lead the team. Shoot those threes if wide open, but never more than a handful and drive it or post in the lane 3 times more often.
2. Love what we saw from Rodgers, but he needs to work on those FT fundamentals. Does not look like anyone has helped him at all. But good to see him hit 50%...a baby step up. Otherwise, I love his game...who wouldn't. Kid is smart, athletic, high motor, high character, and highly skilled in most areas other than shooting. B1G warrior in the making.
3. Sure liked Dainja making two FTs. And yes, less knee bend helps very much. Would love to see him get rid of the circle jerk with the ball as that also keeps him slightly off balance as well as too much lateral influence. Get quiet before the lift!! Watching closely, he did move straight up on both shots resulting in both going the same distance. A little more arc using more speed in the lift and he should be able to make 70%.
4. Liked seeing RJ hit those threes. He may never have the confidence to understand all of which he can do on the court, but hitting open threes is a significant contribution to the Illini winning. The air balls have to disappear, but in his defense, a 10 foot running jumper from the baseline is a tough shot for almost any player.
5. A slow, tough start but at least we could see them trying to move in sets and moving the ball great at times...and then missing too many shots. 10 turnovers was a huge step in the right direction...but the goal is 5 or less every game...just move in that direction!
6. DD is a load on both ends and getting better every game. Not sure he can slow Edey down at all but we will see.
Now, what will Sparty try in order to gain an advantage? Take another tiny step forward in all facets, especially defense and turnovers, and they will have a tough time in Champaign. Go Illiini!!!
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Yep, 100% agree. Mayer has been an infuriating player for me to watch this year as it is clear how much talent he has, and yet it's even more abundantly clear how little a damn he gives with his effort on defense or willingness to play within the system on offense for large portions of games. Mayer is a player who if he showed the defensive effort he did in the 2nd half and the selflessness on offense for the first 10-15 minutes of that half he would be truly exceptional. But, he just doesn't. Well, unless it's effort that'll directly show up in the box score. I know players who play like that all too well. They might've had the most talent on the court/field and yet nobody liked playing with them and those teams they were on certainly didn't win all that many games.
When Matt decides he wants to give a full game's worth of effort he'll get a full game's worth of minutes, but until then, I have no problem cutting into his minutes to players who will give that effort the entire time they're in the game. And yes, I'm still saying this after Matt had his best game as a teammate as the only reason he can't do that for a full game is the thing between his ears that's holding him back.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
Can someone please help CoHawk understand that every time he shoots a three from more than 5 ft beyond the arc, our chances of winning drop like 0.25% and so do his chances of being drafted? Oh, and the reason no one's guarding him way out there is because it's a terrible shot. Thanks in advance.
I think at some point it's pretty clear that we have a pretty phenomenal coach. A ton of folks wrote this team off for dead after the Northwestern game
And they have arisen.
And they have arisen.