Illinois 75, Michigan State 66 Postgame

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#251      
IMPE ALL STAR
NorthShoreIllini said:
Great post game presser. For everyone who keeps asking “what’s changed” spend 20 minutes listening to Brad and Mayer.

Comes down a novel idea. Communicate, LISTEN to each other, and adjust. Underwood said he’s asking Mayer to call the play in a timeout. That’s great stuff. That’s a winning culture.

Mayer is quirkiest Illini guy I can ever remember. He is an absolute goofball but a clear leader of this team and maybe if he doesn’t speak up a few weeks back who knows what happens.

Also I had been critical of Underwood’s sideline demeanor during the tough stretch. The absolutely meltdowns etc. As he says “no one can put stubborn me” but I have to say watching him since the NW game you can see his change. Yeah winning makes it easier… but again major props to him for making a visible change in himself with this group. Clearly these guys are responding well.
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Absolutely agree with this. It’s more than the players are “playing hard” now and they weren’t before.
 
#253      
urbanite
illini80 said:
So one thing I can’t figure out is how a team goes from 18 turnovers every game to 5. How does that switch just get flipped? Nebraska was similar until late in the game.
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Probably a combination of factors. Clark and Hawkins had/have the highest turnover rates among the rotation players. Mayer, Harris, Shannon, and Epps have the lowest turnover rates on the team, and they're handling the ball more now. Also, we seem to be running a more organized offense, which likely results in fewer turnovers.

As for last night, Michigan St. has the 7th lowest defensive turnover rate in the country.
 
#254      
Tacomallini
Old Dude said:
Does anyone know who the dark haired guy is that's always directly behind the announcers table.Just wondered if it's one of ya'll.
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Don’t know, but he is my hero.
 

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#262      
altgeld88
Tacomallini said:
Don’t know, but he is my hero.

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The Illini Brother with whom I watched the game last night and I felt similarly. Loved how he was placed precisely between the two FS1 talking heads, and exuded the tranquil demeanor of confidence in victory.

I noted that he appears to be Steve Bannon's younger brother in all his Illini fandom and manspreading glory. Those of a certain age will appreciate that my compadre commented that he calls all guys like him, who appear to be the younger siblings of famous people, "Billy", after the colorful brother of President Carter.

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#267      
Navy_illini
HensonHall71 said:
The refs were wildly inconsistent tonight- it’s hard not to see the impact of the T’s as you mentioned after Izzo’s they called 2 straight fouls in one trip on us- the phantom calls on a couple of mSU drives and not calling fouls on our end

The T on our bench after TJ didn’t get a call was well timed because that certainly turned the calls in our favor again- it’s hard to believe officials would be that influenced, but it certainly seemed so
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I think when the calls seemed to favor us is when Harris went down. However I don’t think that was because of the refs changing the way they called the game. Rather the team rallied and fought through adversity and closed out the game as a team
 
#268      
GBIllini
A big key in the second half was Dains defense. He started helping more with the ball screens cutting off the gaurds on the drive and keeping them from getting easy baskets. I'm sure Brad emphasized that at halftime. Was a great adjustment and threw a wrench in the MS game plan. They weren't prepared for that.
 
#270      
hoopsfan47
ILLFAN67 said:
Dainja’s development is amazing. For a kid who is basically a freshman to do this is incredible. Also another big development story to sell to both recruits and transfers. Could be said for all 3 transfers!
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For me, DD has been a joy to watch when he is not shooting FTs.
1. Transformation of his body through hard work and conditioning.
2. The plethora of ways he can score....with both hands
3. His use of sound judgement resulting in few blunders and/or turnovers.
4. His defensive effectiveness for a first year player...shot blocking skills are surprising.
5. His ball handling skills were lauded by BU and seen in videos...but to see them in action against elite competition has been surprising still.

There are literally dozens of bigs, maybe 100s, in college hoops that have a soft touch and understand angles. None better than DD.
 
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