SuperMetroid
- Evanston
I watched the condensed game this morning (thank you Matthew Loves Ball) and stopped counting at 15 moving screens set by their big dumpy center alone. Drives me nuts when they let teams do this all game long.
Illinois 66, Northwestern 62 Postgame
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-Harris baiting Buie into a travel
I felt the same way. It was as if Harris had him "measured".
Underwood is tough on these guys, and it definitely doesn't seem like everyone likes that, these kids come in, they are the MAN on their high school and AAU teams, everyone tells them how great they are. They get recruited, everyone tells them how great they are and how great they'll be. Then they get to college. And Underwood is TOUGH, he's not going to go light on them, he's not going to hold back if they aren't playing up to their highest capability. It's not an easy thing for teenagers to deal with. And we see it, we see a lot of guys that transfer out. They don't want to deal with it. You can go into the Portal, and you're back to being the darling recruit again and people fluffing you up and telling you that you're great....
But the thing about Underwood is that he is NEVER unfair. He doesn't yell at the players to embarass or humiliate them. It's not about proving that he's the big man, that this is HIS team, and they will listen to him because HE'S in charge. You see a lot of coaches like that. That's not Underwood. It all comes from nothing but the best intetions. He's telling them they aren't playing the way that they are capable of playing, and that he expects more out of them. This is what we used to call "tough love". I think some of the younger guys, especially in the social media age, struggle with that a bit. They want that instant-gratification.
But if they are willing to fight through a bit of that adversity, they will realize that Underwood only wants the best for them and the team. He will never give up on a player that he knows is capable of more. We saw two years of screaming at Hawkins every time he did something silly or play not within himself or the team. And now we've seen him grow into a much more capable player. We've seen the frustrations with Melendez, and yet he's still out there and being given opportunities to make a difference and has played better the past couple games.
It seems like Underwood does best with some of the more "business-minded" players, like the older transfers that come in and thrive, and a guy like Ayo who was laser-focused on being the best possible player for Illinois and making it to the NBA. And then you got the tough-minded guys like Trent Frazier and Damonte Williams that immediately bought in to Underwood's vision and helped change the culture to turn the program around.
Like I said, it's not for everyone, we're gonna lose guys we recruited to the portal because of it. But I just think if these guys realize that Underwood has the right idea and the right intentions, they will be capable of so much more if they stick it out and don't let their frustrations get the best of them.
Epps came into last night scoring in double digits in 13 of his last 16 games. It just wasn't his day, I think he was a bit frustrated with how the game played out, especially with his man going off on the other end. I think that he will grow from this, be right back in the starting lineup and continue helping the Illini win games this year, and that he has a very good chance to become an all time Illini great!
But the thing about Underwood is that he is NEVER unfair. He doesn't yell at the players to embarass or humiliate them. It's not about proving that he's the big man, that this is HIS team, and they will listen to him because HE'S in charge. You see a lot of coaches like that. That's not Underwood. It all comes from nothing but the best intetions. He's telling them they aren't playing the way that they are capable of playing, and that he expects more out of them. This is what we used to call "tough love". I think some of the younger guys, especially in the social media age, struggle with that a bit. They want that instant-gratification.
But if they are willing to fight through a bit of that adversity, they will realize that Underwood only wants the best for them and the team. He will never give up on a player that he knows is capable of more. We saw two years of screaming at Hawkins every time he did something silly or play not within himself or the team. And now we've seen him grow into a much more capable player. We've seen the frustrations with Melendez, and yet he's still out there and being given opportunities to make a difference and has played better the past couple games.
It seems like Underwood does best with some of the more "business-minded" players, like the older transfers that come in and thrive, and a guy like Ayo who was laser-focused on being the best possible player for Illinois and making it to the NBA. And then you got the tough-minded guys like Trent Frazier and Damonte Williams that immediately bought in to Underwood's vision and helped change the culture to turn the program around.
Like I said, it's not for everyone, we're gonna lose guys we recruited to the portal because of it. But I just think if these guys realize that Underwood has the right idea and the right intentions, they will be capable of so much more if they stick it out and don't let their frustrations get the best of them.
Epps came into last night scoring in double digits in 13 of his last 16 games. It just wasn't his day, I think he was a bit frustrated with how the game played out, especially with his man going off on the other end. I think that he will grow from this, be right back in the starting lineup and continue helping the Illini win games this year, and that he has a very good chance to become an all time Illini great!
the national
- the Front Range
Jayden looks to me like he is thinking he should be the guy taking the shot more and more. It looked like in the Iowa game, he may have taken the last shot when it wasn't designed for him. Perhaps the staff is saying, we don't want you in that role yet, get the ball to Shannon and Mayer, and Jayden is bristling against that.
Also when shots aren't falling that can weigh on your mind. I think if someone could get that hitch out of his jump shot, things would improve, because he is not going to make a career off driving to the hoop and making crazy angle layups. Teams will adjust and force him to shoot.
To be fair, I am always waiting for a moving screen to be called on Dain and Coleman because they always lean into the path of the defender trying to get around the screen
blackdog
- Champaign
This one particular play sure but they continued doing the exact same actions on just about every other screen the whole game. This is just a nicely filmed close up example. I remember one screen/rescreen in the 2nd half right in from of the NW bench and ref where the screen stuck his whole leg out on both. If I can see that from the top row how does the ref not see it from feet away?
the national
- the Front Range
However, to be fair to us, the refs seem to call that on us during the games at least once.
Did they call any last night? Truly just asking. I don’t remember any, but I could be wrong.
Harris played great, but what was he thinking on the last NW shot? Why would he get anywhere near Buie when you're up 4. I noticed Chester ran up to him right after the horn and let him know about it.
Yeh, that must be it.
BillyBob1
- Champaign
And Buie shot the free throws.
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I posted the same sentiment at end of the game thread. Freshman mistake Has to be smarter and turn off his intensity/ego in that situation. Thankfully no foul, no harm and didn’t take away from the great game he played.
BillyBob1
- Champaign
I hope they enjoyed their drive home too!
Sincere was just mad at all those meaningless last second threes that keep lowering our NET.
I know. Right before that last NW shot I was saying that NW can't win this game, just stay away from them and let them shoot the 3 ball. And then Harris almost gives the ref a reason to blow the whistle. I couldn't believe it. Someone/a coach needed to make sure every player on the floor knew what they need to do in that situation.
1m4tr
Cliffmas
What about taking a wider stance than your body when you set your base for the pick? Cuz his legs were splayed out well past body width. Does that not matter anymore in CBB?
1m4tr
Cliffmas
On the last NU play, their screener just ran right into our guy. Didnt even attempt to get set. I’ve seen that called a million times. It was a clear foul. Nnanna Egwu got called on that a million times during his career.
A tangent- but what’s up with no-calls on guys getting hit in the head on dunks?
CoHawk got hammered on his head by Trayce on his posterizing dunk and Harris last night as well. Are the refs de-emphasizing that call? They just seem so obvious when the defender challenges a dunk attempt and comes down hard on the head/neck area that it used to be an automatic foul if you don’t stay vertical- but it seems to go uncalled a lot this year
They would rather call Harris for a foul while being tripped by a moving screen that has nothing to do with the play- but that is another story
CoHawk got hammered on his head by Trayce on his posterizing dunk and Harris last night as well. Are the refs de-emphasizing that call? They just seem so obvious when the defender challenges a dunk attempt and comes down hard on the head/neck area that it used to be an automatic foul if you don’t stay vertical- but it seems to go uncalled a lot this year
They would rather call Harris for a foul while being tripped by a moving screen that has nothing to do with the play- but that is another story
lol I noticed that, very silly to contest there, you know Buie is going to try and foul bait for a miracle and-1 there, hopefully a teachable moment for the young man
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
I had a fairly restful night last night after the days events and the awesome comeback by the beloved.......
TSJ showed no ill effects from the concussion and while it took him the 1st half to get his legs underneath him , Oh what a second half he had ............his offense was spectacular , but his defense was equally great , especially done with 3 fouls on him..
MM was a no show in the first half but came on strong in the second half also........his getting to the FT line on 3-4 3 point attempts was huge......
Sincere was the " Tasmanian Devil " that we have come to expect and enjoy as it lifted up the whole squad.......his layup to tie the game at 59 was equally impressive as he went to his opposite right hand for the bucket.......
cohawk was great on defense and his block of buie on that last shot was impressive as was the pass out by Ty Rodgers downcourt to TSJ and the corresponding FT's to salt away the game............
I wonder what goes through peoples minds when they post such garbage in the game thread.....Is the game thread a license for anything goes as far as ripping the Illini ???????
Seems senseless to me to have a game thread and then view the rash of insults about the Illini.......JMHO
That sounds about right. They were a ways from me, but trying to be raucous and support their team. I am sure it was a long ride back...
Epps will bounce back. Remember, he’s a freshman. Learning experience.
Anyway, what an enigmatic team. As someone tweeted this week, most talented team in the country but also the most puzzling in the country.
I can see them losing early in the B1G tournament or winning it.
I can see them not making it past the first weekend of March Madness or reaching the Final Four.
Ya never know.
Anyway, what an enigmatic team. As someone tweeted this week, most talented team in the country but also the most puzzling in the country.
I can see them losing early in the B1G tournament or winning it.
I can see them not making it past the first weekend of March Madness or reaching the Final Four.
Ya never know.
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