Illinois 66, Northwestern 62 Postgame

[St Michel]

I don't know what the general consensus is on Chris Collins, but after watching his postgame press conference, he seems like a likeable guy. No excuses or attitude, gave Illinois a lot of credit, and had solid answers to all the questions. I find it hard to root against Northwestern (especially considering that I did some graduate work there).

Totally agree. He had to have been very disappointed but was as classy as could be.

 

[Coop70]

4 min left in first half my posting privileges disappeared. Kept me from making a fool of my self. Thanks Dan.

 

[Bbuck21]

If you want a good laugh, go read the halftime posts from the game thread.

"This team's going nowhere in March. The tournament is not a given whatsoever."
"Hmmm.. I don’t think I can watch the second half. If we somehow come back to make it competitive, so be it, but I don’t see it from anyone tonight."
"I'm so done with this season."
"This game is over."
"Goodnight. I can’t watch this."
"Well, it was a nice 59 year run."

And the winner is...

"I think TSJ came back too early"

Thanks for sharing. That's one reason why I don't even look at the in-game thread. There are other reasons as well.

 

[Mr. Roberts]

I'm calling for the kitty kats to lose out from here. Two away games at tough venues and a PSU team on the bubble.

Very possible. Especially this year.

 

[Illini-Rule]

No, I did not. What did I miss?

When we were coming back and all the guys on the bench were up and cheering, Epps stayed on the bench looking pissy. Maybe he wasn't being pissy, but it wasn't a good look regardless.

 

[jumpingjack]

I turned off the tv at the 14 point deficit. So I’m guessing I got some catching up to do?

Do not, under any circumstances, pay your cable bill.

 

[1970 John]

I knew we were in trouble so I took a risk and took off the Orange sweat shirt and came off the couch suited up for the game.

You’re welcome.

 

[Deep]

 

[Dan]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1628981680722657283

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1628980394094735360

 

[Illini in Indiana]

ok, got to give BU a cap tip!!! Very little Dain or Epps (or Goode) in the 2nd half, because it wasn't working. Love all those guys, but Harris was having a game. Nice coaching the 2nd half, but better playing by the players on the floor.

 

[Illini60613]

Yeah, if this team is bi-polar, what do we call some of the posters here?

I said this in the game thread...my wife, who is literally bipolar, called this team bipolar...

 

[fuggles]

Did anyone notice Epps on the bench during our come back?

Yea. He was not good today.

 

[WyattEarp]

When we coming back and all the guys on the bench were up and cheering, Epps stayed on the bench looking pissy. Maybe he wasn't being pissy, but it wasn't a good look regardless.

Yeah, that’s less than ideal.
Thanx for the 411.

 

[jumpingjack]

And it did not go unnoticed that Lieb got in there and busted his !!! at the end of the first half when the team was dragging.
That kid, beyond being an incredibly down to earth and pleasant dude, just works.
We see you, Brandon.

 

[blackdog]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1628981680722657283

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1628980394094735360

I really enjoyed how they tried to spread and iso on Coleman with Buie like it was a mismatch. It's a mismatch alright but not for them!

 

[the national]

Im glad Brad made an example of that trash can at halftime #SorryNotSorry

 

[FeelYourPaign]

And the off arm push off from their guards to create space. Give them credit….they keep doing it until it gets called. Same with the butt push hip push screens. It’s taught and executed.

Did a fair bit of yelling at the screen over those. Never had any effect. Maybe because I watch on delay?

 

[Flyin' Illini]

When we were coming back and all the guys on the bench were up and cheering, Epps stayed on the bench looking pissy. Maybe he wasn't being pissy, but it wasn't a good look regardless.

I haven't loved his body language for awhile now. Hopefully he sticks around, but I'm not sure he has entirely bought in.

 

[Bbuck21]

Does NW get away with the moving screen every game?

What an adjustment by the staff, it’s been a weakness letting guys go off, glad they found a way to tourniquet the BB bleeding

I think their high screens are always late and not completely set. I watched it over and over and kept wondering how they get away with it?

 

[Grandpa]

I was on the floor when we came back in the second half, so I had to stay there, right? It seemed to work.
I'm glad that I wasn't participating in the game thread. I would have said what I was thinking, "They are just better than us."

 

[Gunner23]

Had to watch the game from my phone in the hospital (my son was born yesterday). It took a Herculean effort to not yell out in excitement during the floor's quiet hours. I will remember my silent fist pumps forever.

Truly amazing heart from the team in the second half. If the team can harness that energy and emotion the rest of the season, look out!

Even though Buie had a career night, the second half adjustments on him were great (Harris deserves a game ball for his defensive efforts). For those who did not turn the game off at the half, we got to witness something special (and maybe the final click to getting on a serious role going into March)

On to Columbus!

Congrats on the birth of your son. Enjoy and cherish every minute as years will fly by into the future. Silent fist pumps should be memorable. I did a lot of them in 2005 during the Arizona game. My son was born on January 5th, 2005. Not a lot of consistent sleep in the house and that comeback happening with a, finally, sleeping child (and mother), was nearly impossible to not wake up the neighborhood as we finished off that game. I will always remember that game/night for many reasons.

 

[Miles Leonard]

Also is it me or do we love epic comebacks against Northwestern?

One of the major highlights of the Weber years post 2005

The one where we turned a 43-28 halftime deficit into a 81-56 victory.

 

[illini0440]

When we were coming back and all the guys on the bench were up and cheering, Epps stayed on the bench looking pissy. Maybe he wasn't being pissy, but it wasn't a good look regardless.

Oh he was. He checked himself out of the game and refused to go back in.

 

[aaeismacgychel]

When we were coming back and all the guys on the bench were up and cheering, Epps stayed on the bench looking pissy. Maybe he wasn't being pissy, but it wasn't a good look regardless.

Let's not look too much into it right now. He was having a rough night, and he was likely pissed at himself more than anything. It never feels good being benched because you aren't playing well or the guy you're guarding is just going off on you. Sometimes you miss out on really fun things because you're feeling bad about yourself. I'd be more concerned if he started laughing it up with the cheerleaders having some popcorn when he was pulled. Being upset after a bad performance is human, and shows you have a deep hunger to do better. Jayden will surely be starting next game and Brad will be going back to him and my bet is he'll have a really solid game.

 

[1970 John]

Had to watch the game from my phone in the hospital (my son was born yesterday). It took a Herculean effort to not yell out in excitement during the floor's quiet hours. I will remember my silent fist pumps forever.

Truly amazing heart from the team in the second half. If the team can harness that energy and emotion the rest of the season, look out!

Even though Buie had a career night, the second half adjustments on him were great (Harris deserves a game ball for his defensive efforts). For those who did not turn the game off at the half, we got to witness something special (and maybe the final click to getting on a serious role going into March)

On to Columbus!

You need to have more babies.