More like Felix than Ayo.
Illinois 78, Minnesota 60 Postgame
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Battle?We really, really do …
However, outside of Garcia there’s not a single player on that team that could play for us …
Nah. Ayo made intensely contested layups all day long. Epps has been blocked quite a bit. Still, playing damn good BB.
Really think he will get some minutes against Edey. He is aggressive and not weak.Would rather give those minutes to a kid like Lieb honestly … People clown on that kid but all he does is take care of business off the court, show up to practice and give it everything’s he’s got …
Kid is living his dream … Illinois Basketball … Pretty cool to see
In 2023 where every kid is entitled and thinks they’re going to the league … it’s nice to see a kid who stuck it out when he knows he ain’t gonna play and get rewarded with 10-15 minutes tonight
To be clear, I wasn’t clownin’ on Lieb. Glad he got to play today and he did so well.Would rather give those minutes to a kid like Lieb honestly … People clown on that kid but all he does is take care of business off the court, show up to practice and give it everything’s he’s got …
Kid is living his dream … Illinois Basketball … Pretty cool to see
In 2023 where every kid is entitled and thinks they’re going to the league … it’s nice to see a kid who stuck it out when he knows he ain’t gonna play and get rewarded with 10-15 minutes tonight
I was clownin on Garcia though. I don’t know where he’d play for us unless it was the same role Lieb has.
They unfortunately never really won that much. Just their senior yr.
No. I think she’s fine
1. Good to see this bunch aggressively using their strengths and having fun.
2. The most impressive and satisfying aspect of this game was seeing RJ playing loose and being aggressive in finishing at the rim. Kid has skills he doesn't even know he has that are a huge weapon for this team.
3. Mayer gaining confidence as his impact grows seemingly every night is a huge factor in raising the ceiling of what this team can accomplish.
4. Ty played a ton of important minutes. If he can match his pt. total with rebounds, he will be another big weapon when really needed. But someone please teach him to get the ball and his eyes quiet before the lift on his FT technique. The lift also needs to go up on an arc and not forward on a line. Yet other than that, the package he brings is pretty complete for a frosh.
5. Epps continues to amaze...almost as much as Harris.
2. The most impressive and satisfying aspect of this game was seeing RJ playing loose and being aggressive in finishing at the rim. Kid has skills he doesn't even know he has that are a huge weapon for this team.
3. Mayer gaining confidence as his impact grows seemingly every night is a huge factor in raising the ceiling of what this team can accomplish.
4. Ty played a ton of important minutes. If he can match his pt. total with rebounds, he will be another big weapon when really needed. But someone please teach him to get the ball and his eyes quiet before the lift on his FT technique. The lift also needs to go up on an arc and not forward on a line. Yet other than that, the package he brings is pretty complete for a frosh.
5. Epps continues to amaze...almost as much as Harris.
Take it easy now.
Maybe. Good player.
Could it be that the S. Clark thing was a blessing in disguise?
Sencire gets more minutes and Ty Rogers too. I'm liking him more and more.
Ty reminds me of Lucas Johnson or if you're old like me Niel Bresnahan.
Like that type of player
Good to see we didn't have a repeat of Penn St.
My game ball goes to Brandon Lieb for helping to stabilize things with our bigs in foul trouble. It takes a village to get it done.
Wasn't a shot at you at all my friend
... Mainly on Garcia ...Some of you may remember that recruitment ...
To be fair, as fans the data points we were working from were:
1. Matt’s presser where he essentially said there were locker room issues (‘not on the same page’)
2. Rumors of Matt getting in a tussle pre Mizzou game
3. Rumors of Matt not being a fan of Brads hard nosed practice style.
Key words here being rumor. I’m happy things have turned around. Would be interested in understanding what really was happening behind the scenes during that challenging stretch.
Addition by subtraction
Feliz?
Probably not, kids are pretty bendy.
That 3rd one definitely ain't a rumor ... LOL
Brad and Matt relationship has grown a lot ... Accepted that there is different ways of doing things and have learned that a good mix of both is what works best for them ...
1000 points for Neil Bresnahan reference. Guess that makes me old.
Felix was a magician with his uncanny ability to score among the trees within 8 ft. If Epps can become really, really consistent with that banked runner, he could be in the same stratosphere as Felix, but with an elite shot from the arc...a lethal and almost unstoppable combination.
The most astute prediction that was the mantra of this board preseason was "I can't wait for this team to jell in Feb. and March". Let's hope they continue on the ascent and show us.
I think to assume that he was likely at least PART of the problem…was a fair read based on the limited information we were privy to at the time.
And, what mounting evidence that was available wasn’t real good. He publicly called his coach out..AND publicly got into an altercation with a member of his own team. (not in the confines of Ubben)
His defensive effort wasn’t there like it is now….we didn’t dream that. La Tulip isn’t
the oracle of all things basketball…but he observed it too.
The implication that the dribble entry on the
Spread offense was too difficult to initiate was bizarre and didn’t add up. I still am perplexed by that. Brad’s a good enough coach he could have 5 of us beer-belly middle age goofballs running it competently in about 2.5 practices…maybe less. LOL
It’s all history at this point…and who really cares.(because things ARE going well now-YES!!!!!) But it was almost common sense to to be suspicious at the time.
**However, I’m more than willing to accept that he wasn’t the main buzzkill…Why? basically because E.F. Sutton says so…lol
Captain 14
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RJ is the most perplexing thing of the entire season for me. BU says he virtually never misses in practice, and we were all expecting a lot from him this season based on how well he played last season, media included. And don't get me wrong...I think he's playing really well other than his shooting. It just has to be a confidence issue at this point. I want so badly for him to get two or three shots in a row to go down. Once that happens and he becomes the legit offensive threat we all know he can be, our team will be significantly better. Keeping my fingers crossed that it's the Indiana game!
Im on the record as a pretty big anti-Mayer (and anti Westlake and Austin area basketball in general) poster earlier in the season. Glad to be proven wrong as we moved through the season.
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