Ohio State 72, Illinois 60 Postgame

[chiefini]

So disclaimer: I haven’t read the game thread or the first 9 pages of the post game thread. I can imagine all of the vitriol, but I’m not up for that right now. My husband and I watched the game at the Sand Bar Sports Bar in Marco Island, FL. With about 4 minutes left to go, our really friendly waitress, Kathleen, asked us how we were doing. I said not very well. Our team was going to lose. She said, “It’s just a game. There are a lot more games to play. In the big scheme of things, it’s just a game.” I replied something like, “but it was really important for our team to win this one.” She said, “There will be more games,” and she started to walk away. She hesitated and came back and said, “Four years ago, my little sister died of cancer at the age of 31. Then five months later, my older brother died of cancer at 41. And a year after that, I lost my other sister who was 36 to cancer. It was just a game.” That pretty much puts everything into perspective for me today. Go Illini.

 

[Nuke Dukem]

Oh where have you gone Dain?

I don't know but maybe someone should check the doghouse.

 

[doowink]

today looked eerily similar to skyy clark's last game.. lackluster all around, guys in general didn't seem engaged today. i have no idea what to expect from this team in the upcoming weeks

Hate to say it….but more of the same

 

[doowink]

Not to give them any excuses, but the four games in eight days and having to mount huge comebacks in two straight games caught up with them.

Nope I’m calling BS on this…play anywhere near their potential and they don’t have to mount a 15-20 pt comeback the past couple games …these guys are in great shape and shouldn’t be using the “ tired leg” excuse…or X number of games in X number of days…tell it like it is …we’re not consistent on either end of the floor …period

 

[skyIdub]

 

[pruman91]

So disclaimer: I haven’t read the game thread or the first 9 pages of the post game thread. I can imagine all of the vitriol, but I’m not up for that right now. My husband and I watched the game at the Sand Bar Sports Bar in Marco Island, FL. With about 4 minutes left to go, our really friendly waitress, Kathleen, asked us how we were doing. I said not very well. Our team was going to lose. She said, “It’s just a game. There are a lot more games to play. In the big scheme of things, it’s just a game.” I replied something like, “but it was really important for our team to win this one.” She said, “There will be more games,” and she started to walk away. She hesitated and came back and said, “Four years ago, my little sister died of cancer at the age of 31. Then five months later, my older brother died of cancer at 41. And a year after that, I lost my other sister who was 36 to cancer. It was just a game.” That pretty much puts everything into perspective for me today. Go Illini.

Today was 1 week since my dad passed away, so I can understand the intent of her message to you.......

I am a fanatic of all things Illini, but there ARE games left to be played....in life and in sports and I will be there for start and finish in both....I really really will.

 

[JMoser16]

To be fair to those of us who are frustrated, it's been three years of frustration when taking the full seasons into account. A basketball season does not just consist of the conference games.

Not pinning this all on the staff, as I have mentioned in other posts, but felt it needed to be said.

The last three (3) years have been frustration?

Lemme breakdown the last 3 years for you:

41-17 record in the big ten
BTT champions
Big ten regular season champions
2 consensus All-Americans
Top 5 AP poll ranking
Multiple wins against top 10 teams on the road/neutral courts
#1 seed in March


Really having a hard time with these posts. If the last three (3) years have been frustration what would you call the Groce era or the end of Weber’s tenure? Brad has us at 10 conference wins this season which is more than any Groce season. Things could be a lot worse, seriously though what would you describe the Groce era of the last 3 years have been so bad for you.

 

[Illini in Indiana]

Glad I didn't watch it yet. I won't endure this agony. I'm kind of glad we got beat by 12, instead of 2. Maybe we won't this it is normal to go down 15 and then start to play.

Please oh please, let this be a wake up call.

 

[WyattEarp]

Nope I’m calling BS on this…play anywhere near their potential and they don’t have to mount a 15-20 pt comeback the past couple games …these guys are in great shape and shouldn’t be using the “ tired leg” excuse…or X number of games in X number of days…tell it like it is …we’re not consistent on either end of the floor …period

At least we haven’t heard the ridiculous 11 AM game excuse.

 

[PizzaHutParkingLot]

The last three (3) years have been frustration?

Lemme breakdown the last 3 years for you:

41-17 record in the big ten
BTT champions
Big ten regular season champions
2 consensus All-Americans
Top 5 AP poll ranking
Multiple wins against top 10 teams on the road/neutral courts
#1 seed in March


Really having a hard time with these posts. If the last three (3) years have been frustration what would you call the Groce era or the end of Weber’s tenure? Brad has us at 10 conference wins this season which is more than any Groce season. Things could be a lot worse, seriously though what would you describe the Groce era of the last 3 years have been so bad for you.

I ride or die with this group (even if they're frustrating as hell)

 

[billybaroo]

Uhh, it’s “Downtown FREDDY Brown” you dumbo! And “launcheem”? Do you mean launches ‘em ? Geesh learn how to type, fella.

Geesh, go easy on the guy

 

[JMoser16]

I ride or die with this group (even if they're frustrating as hell)

I love chopping it up with the fellas (and lovely ladies, if there are any) on loyalty, but a small few lack common sense

 

[fuggles]

That last one...smh. Brad, if you'd told them that about 9 games ago we'd probably have about 3 more wins right now and wouldn't be sweating about seeding.

Lol. Brad never tells them that. smh (at you)

 

[fuggles]

The Crush was in attendance today. I know this because a friend's son is in Crush. So, at the 6:40 mark of the first half (yes, I went back and looked it up) we are down 26-14 and Coleman makes a nice move to the bucket for a dunk. What's he do? He gives a shout out and a point up to the Crush. Obviously, he knew they were there and somewhere in his head he was hoping to give them a shoutout. This to me shows the mentality of not only him but the team. We are 29 games into the season. You are not and have not been living up to your preseason billing, expectations or talent level but there is plenty of time to get your head straight, acknowledge it's time to knuckle down and play hard. But no, he feels the need to showboat for the Crush. I'm sure no one has forgotten the BS T in the IU game. So why even flirt with that. You made a nice play, hurrah! Get back on D. You're still down 12 to a team that's lost 9 in a row in a game with huge implications.
And he missed his FT

Why do you keep misspelling The Orange Krush?

 

[Eternal Optimist]

Everyone’s different, but growing up playing sports I always left it on the court with 100% and demanded the rest of the team do the same or get off the court/field. I’m good if we have a game plan and do our best to execute but just lose sometimes. What I don’t get is the lack of fire. Looking in the eyes of this team there are moments for sure, but fire in the eyes and play is a lifestyle for winners. Not sure why this team can’t just play with some tenacity every game/play. I guess we were just spoiled with the “everyday guys” of the past. Give me heart every time!

Can still be a special season, but at the very least I hope something is lit in the returning players that will learn how this team needs to be led to bring back the real “everyday guys” mentality.

 

[21ChampaignSt]

The last three (3) years have been frustration?

Lemme breakdown the last 3 years for you:

41-17 record in the big ten
BTT champions
Big ten regular season champions
2 consensus All-Americans
Top 5 AP poll ranking
Multiple wins against top 10 teams on the road/neutral courts
#1 seed in March


Really having a hard time with these posts. If the last three (3) years have been frustration what would you call the Groce era or the end of Weber’s tenure? Brad has us at 10 conference wins this season which is more than any Groce season. Things could be a lot worse, seriously though what would you describe the Groce era of the last 3 years have been so bad for you.

I know what you're getting at and mostly agree with it. But I dont think late Weber and Groce are the standards to which BU gets compared. Nor should they be.

The last few years have been a Renaissance for Illinois basketball but they haven't been perfect.

2019-2020: Strong finish to regular season before covid shut everything down. No one's fault but that was certainly frustrating.

2020-2021: Magical season that created Illini legends. But the Loyola game was the single most frustrating game of my 20+ year Illini fandom.

2021-2022: Another great season. B1G champs! I personally wasn't frustrated with how the post season ended because you could kind of see it coming. But a sad end to King Kofi's reign.

Plus we've had our fair share of off court drama in that time as well.

Now, I am completely satisfied with the job BU has done. Taking into account his longevity as an Illini coach and what he started with, he's been our best to do it since Henson, IMO. But I can understand why some fans feel frustrated, especially the day of a disappointing loss.

I firmly believe BU has at least one final four in him though.

 

[The Sprouting Divot]

I love chopping it up with the fellas (and lovely ladies, if there are any) on loyalty, but a small few lack common sense

Are you seriously suggesting that a person must lack common sense in order to be frustrated with how we've lost in the tournament the past two years, or with how this season has progressed?

 

[JMoser16]

I know what you're getting at and mostly agree with it. But I dont think late Weber and Groce are the standards to which BU gets compared. Nor should they be.

The last few years have been a Renaissance for Illinois basketball but they haven't been perfect.

2019-2020: Strong finish to regular season before covid shut everything down. No one's fault but that was certainly frustrating.

2020-2021: Magical season that created Illini legends. But the Loyola game was the single most frustrating game of my 20+ year Illini fandom.

2021-2022: Another great season. B1G champs! I personally wasn't frustrated with how the post season ended because you could kind of see it coming. But a sad end to King Kofi's reign.

Plus we've had our fair share of off court drama in that time as well.

Now, I am completely satisfied with the job BU has done. Taking into account his longevity as an Illini coach and what he started with, he's been our best to do it since Henson, IMO. But I can understand why some fans feel frustrated, especially the day of a disappointing loss.

I firmly believe BU has at least one final four in him though.

There have been frustrating moments for sure, but to say that the last 3 seasons can all be boiled down to “frustration” is such a tired take. Brad is our guy and what he has been able to accomplish is nothing short of a miracle. He got us out of irrelevance to national promise. He will get us to make that leap and become successful in the tournament. We just need to be patient

 

[RealWorld52]

Everyone’s different, but growing up playing sports I always left it on the court with 100% and demanded the rest of the team do the same or get off the court/field. I’m good if we have a game plan and do our best to execute but just lose sometimes. What I don’t get is the lack of fire. Looking in the eyes of this team there are moments for sure, but fire in the eyes and play is a lifestyle for winners. Not sure why this team can’t just play with some tenacity every game/play. I guess we were just spoiled with the “everyday guys” of the past. Give me heart every time!

Can still be a special season, but at the very least I hope something is lit in the returning players that will learn how this team needs to be led to bring back the real “everyday guys” mentality.

 

[WyattEarp]

Yep. CoHawk was not the problem today.

Nope…not even close.

 

[Eternal Optimist]

. Thanks! I know what I’m watching tonight!

 

[Aldy1955]

Everyone’s different, but growing up playing sports I always left it on the court with 100% and demanded the rest of the team do the same or get off the court/field. I’m good if we have a game plan and do our best to execute but just lose sometimes. What I don’t get is the lack of fire. Looking in the eyes of this team there are moments for sure, but fire in the eyes and play is a lifestyle for winners. Not sure why this team can’t just play with some tenacity every game/play. I guess we were just spoiled with the “everyday guys” of the past. Give me heart every time!

Can still be a special season, but at the very least I hope something is lit in the returning players that will learn how this team needs to be led to bring back the real “everyday guys” mentality.

Game face for sure -no smiles

 

[SKane]

The 2004 - 2005 team lost in Columbus to a not-very-good OSU team and deserved to have won a National Championship.

This year's team has accomplished part one and is capable of accomplishing part two.

 

[skyIdub]

Welp, I'm glad I picked up some OT today. Will avoid the replay.

Now beat scUM. Please.

 

[Illinifan47]

The 2004 - 2005 team lost in Columbus to a not-very-good OSU team and deserved to have won a National Championship.

This year's team has accomplished part one and is capable of accomplishing part two.

Yes but that team was 29-0 leading into that game lol.