Illinois 66, Northwestern 62 Postgame
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Big Jack
- Decatur
That was one of the best CBB games i have ever attended. Fortunately for me my tickets were in 216 row 15. The big NW fan section was about 3 rows behind me and boy was the back and forth with them fun.. Luckly there were 2 rows of Krush kids in between.. All good natured fun jabs in both directions.. They suddenly became very quiet hmmm wonder why they were in absolute and udder shock at the end... Have to admit they were alot more calm and cool compared to some of the UofI students around them.. The SFC actually sent security up there at the end to escort them down. Great win.... Hope Epps gets over his tantrum today and learns that if you dont play the way you are instructed then you will be seated.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
So you mean we allow large groups of opposing fans to attend our games?
*stares at Iowa*
May have been stated elsewhere, but how about Coleman vs Buie last possession for the knockout? Outstanding defense!
Favorite replay was with the announcers narrating they tried to get Hawkins switched onto Buie for the last shot.....that didn't work out so well
Also, and I'm as critical of officiating as the next person, I felt like they swallowed their whistles on a lot of plays I've seen called previously. A lot of people hitting the floor without a call, also mostly without actually being fouled, but in the past it's felt like that automatically equates to a call.
The last possession is an example. Also earlier when Harris suffocated Buie on a spin in the lane and Boo hit the deck.
Favorite replay was with the announcers narrating they tried to get Hawkins switched onto Buie for the last shot.....that didn't work out so well
Also, and I'm as critical of officiating as the next person, I felt like they swallowed their whistles on a lot of plays I've seen called previously. A lot of people hitting the floor without a call, also mostly without actually being fouled, but in the past it's felt like that automatically equates to a call.
The last possession is an example. Also earlier when Harris suffocated Buie on a spin in the lane and Boo hit the deck.
I think Dain is already better at passing out of a double team than Kofi ever was. Last night was a bit of an anomaly, I thought, holding on to the ball so long.
Totally agree....I'm impressed with how good the freshmen are defensively...typically that's an area that most freshmen struggle with and limits their minutes...but with this group...defense and rebounding seems to be a strength and has lead to more playing time...really excited to see what AH and MJ will add to the mix.
Before the game I told my wife I thought we could scratch and claw our way to 65 points and if we could hold Bouie/Audige under 40% combined wasn’t sure they could score enough to beat us. Bouie was of course fantastic and finished 12-24. Audige however was 3-14. Meaning they finished 15-38 which is 39.5%. We won 66-62.
Great 2nd half! Received contributions from a lot of players. Melendez shot the ball well, looked confident. Rodgers was great. Awesome to have TSJ back and Matt was terrific too. Epps concerns me, he is our future and a baller. Had a rough night but a lot of freshman do. I would think a Chester recruit wouldn’t do what has been mentioned. Hopefully they have a discussion today and clear the air and figure things out.
Dee_4_Three_83
- Mahomet, IL
I would be more concerned if there is a pattern of behavior that shows disinterest. I have not seen that personally, but maybe an insider has. Last night was the first time that it looked like anything phased him. I am hoping it's an anomaly and after a couple days to process through it, he is ready to go again.
I think he could have one of the best careers in an illini uniform and could lead this team the next few years.
I think he could have one of the best careers in an illini uniform and could lead this team the next few years.
When you are like 0 for 5 or whatever it was and your guy has 34 points on near-perfect shooting 7 minutes into the 2nd half, that would be pretty defeating. I also thought: Any chance Epps was just like "no coach, these guys are killing it, leave 'em in" kind of thing like Shannon did earlier in the year? Guessing no by his lack of cheering as many pointed out. Guy got his butt whooped and knew it. Underwood showed faith in him just like he did RJ through his struggles, we win with you, we lose with you. I suppose you never know, it could be (and I hope) a major growing/learning moment for Jayden.
that was the loudest game I've been at in years - and sustained through multiple defensive possessions - it was rockin at the end
matthew mentioned boos at end of first half - crowd (and I) boos were clearly aimed at the refs all game for moving screens (and we would get called for the foul), missed travels, over the backs - and continued to boo at calls throughout second half ... plus the Krush BS chants.
anyone know when BTN is rebroadcasting - wish I had recorded it but definitely want to watch
matthew mentioned boos at end of first half - crowd (and I) boos were clearly aimed at the refs all game for moving screens (and we would get called for the foul), missed travels, over the backs - and continued to boo at calls throughout second half ... plus the Krush BS chants.
anyone know when BTN is rebroadcasting - wish I had recorded it but definitely want to watch
I hate to admit it, but I went to bed at halftime last night. My TV was in serious danger of a violent death due to frustration. I figured that if we lost I could read about it with my morning coffee - and if we won I would watch the second half with my morning coffee. My night's sleep was peaceful, I woke up fresh to news of a great Illini comeback, and watched the second half with my coffee (and Bailey' 
). It's so much more relaxing, my TV is safe and secure, and the Illini win. The sun came out this morning, and it's a great Illini day!
P.S. NW still sucks!
). It's so much more relaxing, my TV is safe and secure, and the Illini win. The sun came out this morning, and it's a great Illini day!P.S. NW still sucks!
I, as well, turned the sound down. I got incredibly tired of hearing how Boo Buie was the greatest basketball player to ever wear shorts.Muted as well … Usually helps
Well it was sarcasm, but I remember watching the Minnesota game saying gees this are some horrible calls and they were going our way. I think the Big Ten refs have been pretty consistently awful this year. I feel like most of the times the calls are going against us, but there are certainly some games i was shaking my head on calls that went our way too.
The refs seem to anticipate fouls. Bodies are colliding, that's not a foul. Guys challenge shots, that's not a foul. The need to make sure they see something and not just blow their whistles in situations where fouls are likely to occur. They definitely seem to be doing the latter an awful lot.
That’s how I’m looking at it. Strangely, I find it a little reassuring that 0440 said Epps took himself out of the game. Sounds like he was frustrated. Certainly refusing to go back in isn’t a good thing, but hopefully Chester and BU can help him get past this and to get his head on straight. Right now I’ll chalk it up to freshman frustration and take a wait and see attitude. Will be interesting to see if he starts against OSU.
That cannot be right! Go back and read the NW game thread! BU always gets outcoached!
blackdog
- Champaign
Large might be a bit of an exaggeration
Jayden's a freshman and he is going to go through ups and downs. The one thing I have noticed is that if he's missing shots on the offensive end he really is unplayable. It's understandable because he's a 2-guard but playing the point guard position so he doesn't know yet how to facilitate when the shot isn't going.
I think Brad has done a nice job of realizing this when it does happen and getting Sencire in the game.
Did anyone else kind of expect Sencire to molt his mortal skin and transform into a dragon in the second half? When he forced the travel on Boo, I was certain he was about to start breathing fire. I bet his eyeballs were vibrating.
More funny than maddening to me. Epps had his arm wrapped around his waist prior to the trip attempt. That was a foul.
Did you notice the time he fell down when trying to set a screen? He was expecting to bump into the defender (TSJ) and missed. If he was setting a legal screen he would be balanced. I reran it. He clearly was expecting to move into the defender's path and bounce off. He was stunned himself.
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