Illinois 78, Minnesota 60 Postgame

[FloridaMan]

Really curious how that doesn't get reviewed. Seems like every possible hook and hold is reviewed, and this is the most obvious one I've probably ever seen.

Little Larry seems to constantly find himself in these sorts of questionable situations - on, and off, the court. He was part of the crew that Izzo was livid with throughout and after the game. Normally, I'm here for any calls going against Izzo, but he was justified today.

 

[mysterio2525]

Disagree. Let Edey go for 30+ and lock everyone else up.

Double Edey and let our length close out on the purdue shooters. Purdue can be beat if they don't shoot lights out. This is the way

 

[pruman91]

RJ has played more tentative this year than last year by far ......I thought he was gonna be a 10 ppg and 4-5 rpg player for us .....Maybe he will come on strong the rest of the season , but an example of his season this year was the 2 ft bunny he missed in todays game ...last year he woulda flushed that puppy big time...........

 

[IllinialuminAZ]

He actually had flashes last season. Of course, the appendix issue was a factor, but he didn't even play against Chattanooga. So people are taking a few strong games and extrapolating to a whole season this year.

I'm wondering if those unrealistic expectations have been a factor for him. As I said a few days ago, we just need him to establish a strong baseline to build from.

Was it really unrealistic to expect him to shoot better than 27% from 3? I don't think anyone was expecting him to carry the team, but if he's wide open, he was expected to bury those shots.

 

[DAM1298]

Really think he will get some minutes against Edey. He is aggressive and not weak.

“not weak” is…. Have we been watching the same Brandon Lieb? “Not as weak as he used to be” I’ll accept, but…

 

[21ChampaignSt]

Disagree. Let Edey go for 30+ and lock everyone else up.

This. Edey isn't going to make enough layups to beat us single handedly. I would stay home on the shooters and let Edey wear himself out trying to go for a career high.

 

[Bbuck21]

Sorry about being off topic:
But, do you think that kid required much medical attention after that?

Love it. But mainly because I'm wondering about the videographer? He's fine.

 

[ILikeCoffeeMugs]

LLIIEEEBBB!

 

[SeattleSlim]

Two really bright surprises tonight:

1. Lieb’s play
2. RJ’s shoes

 

[BretMyBeachHouse]

Was it really unrealistic to expect him to shoot better than 27% from 3? I don't think anyone was expecting him to carry the team, but if he's wide open, he was expected to bury those shots.

There were people talking about him going pro after this year. Some mock draft out there had him in the second round. No one actually thought that anyone would "carry" this team, but plenty of people, including media types, were hyping him.

 

[STL Illini]

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

^^^1000 likes, 1000% agree^^^

 

[Redbull]

1000 points for Neil Bresnahan reference. Guess that makes me old.

That and your screen name makes you really old if you watched channel 3

 

[Mr. Roberts]

Exactly ... Big Ten refs let Edey get away with everything on a nightly basis ... Last 8 games ... 7 of them with 1 foul or less . I find that INSANELY hard to believe that he fouls less than 1 time a game ... Averages less than 1 foul a game on the season ... Crazy ...

But of course, they're gonna make sure they get that "charge" called on Coleman ... Give me a break ...

Exactly. Edey's elbows should be registered as lethal weapons.

 

[IllinialuminAZ]

There were people talking about him going pro after this year. Some mock draft out there had him in the second round. No one actually thought that anyone would "carry" this team, but plenty of people, including media types, were hyping him.

Gotcha. I just thought he'd be good in transition and shoot 35-40% from three. I still think he can get there this year if he starts seeing his shots fall and can get out of his own head.

 

[Bbuck21]

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

Who are you calling "beer-belly middle age goofballs"? I might resemble that remark! Except remove the beer-belly and middle age.

 

[Illinifan74]

This. Edey isn't going to make enough layups to beat us single handedly. I would stay home on the shooters and let Edey wear himself out trying to go for a career high.

On the offensive end, Dain is going to give Edey all he can ask for. I don't know if Edey is quick enough to stop that spin move.

 

[Joel Goodson]

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.

Not only a magician, a real cool cat.

 

[Indy Illini Fan]

Disagree. Let Edey go for 30+ and lock everyone else up.

Have to agree here ... Still working through the film on the game today but Izzo deployed a similar plan and I think for us it could definitely work ...

MSU had no offense outside of Hoggard & Walker today ...

 

[RabidDawgClassic]

On the offensive end, Dain is going to give Edey all he can ask for. I don't know if Edey is quick enough to stop that spin move.

Probably not, but his arms are long enough to pin the ball to the glass as Dain gets to the rim. And this is a game where Epps’ drives to the basket might get swatted back more often than not. Mayer is the one I think can worm his way past Edey for a few layups.

 

[Indy Illini Fan]

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 present to you ... Jayden Epps ceiling ... (Also be sure to listen to the first couple seconds of this video lol)

 

[danbor]

It seems like since Underwood came to town the teams are so much more solid. I don't miss the drama of the teams before him.
I don't know what happened the first three big ten games but these guys are showing up very solid lately. They look a lot more like the team that started the season. I think shooting closer to the basket has helped as well. I mean we just aren't a good 3pt shooting team and maybe we adjusted?

 

[Highlander]

If King Kofi would have gotten the same treatment from the refs, he would have been unstoppable in the post within 6 feet

Not disagreeing with your thought, but King Kofi was pretty much unstoppable in the post within 6 feet anyway.

 

[WyattEarp]

I present to you ... Jayden Epps ceiling ... (Also be sure to listen to the first couple seconds of this video lol)

That was Fran F.? Wasn’t it?
That’s it…He just overtook Fran M. As my least favorite Fran.

How can you be so bad at this, Dude?
Is there something goin’ on with him? I don’t think he used to be quite THIS clueless.

 

[illini0440]

My sound volume for the postgame pressers is not nearly loud enough for me to completely hear and understand BU. However, I thought he said that Perrin would not play this season and will almost extensively work with Fletch to get stronger as well as skill development. Did I hear correctly?

Nico not Perrin

 

[Jules]

….it was never him

That post-game interview didn’t put him in a good light!