I don't think Ace Baldwin deserves it either. I'm not sure who does but it's hard to say that it's an Illini player right now. I just can't fathom it. If TSJ doesn't get on the 1st Team Big 10, then that would be a travesty. DPOY or Defensive 1st team, I'm not going to argue that
Illinois 105, Minnesota 97 Postgame
I thought posting up and penetration were bigger issues than the 3pt. Am I wrong? If I am right, can those be the consequences that we ran opponents off the 3pt line?
Agreed - at least mix in going under once or twice. Though, we seem to get caught a TON with the screener just shoving the ball defender in toward the paint because he is technically "rolling to the basket" (total BS in my opinion but they never call illegal screens here even when it is clear there is no real attempt to advance toward the hoop). So even in this instance I think Elijah Hawkins ends up with a 24-footer if Harmon goes under. Which could still be a tough shot if Coleman isn't 10 feet away!
Game replay on BTN now.
my bad, thanx
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
That's because the popcorn has an extra , extra amount of butter on it and BU doesn't want the wifey to know........
Completely agree with this- we need to do something different and hedging or at least mixing in hedges I think will help. Coleman playing center fielder in no man’s land is not working and Coleman has said as much himself
My biggest issue with our defensive gameplan is we’re not mixing it up based on the opportunity and lineup on the floor- we are either switching everything or always fighting over the screen. Why not mix it up or even have that decision be player dependent. This is a very experienced team- many have high basketball IQs - trust them to follow a slightly more complex gameplan. When the other team knows how you are going to defend them before the game starts they are very comfortable- we need to make them less comfortable
In the NCAAs there will be cases where a mid-major gets hot from 3, and it does not matter much how good the opposing team may play defense. Happens every year. This game proves that this is not necessarily going to be a loss if it is against us, whereas most teams would be buried pretty easily by hot shooting.
It is undisputable that MN had an exceptionally hot shooting night against us. Our 3 point defense was not so weak as to basically make their attempts HORSE shots. I am sure if you look at the tape, they don't make 70% of their 3s in the warmups. This was one of those nights for MN which would have usually meant a home loss for IL in years past. There is a significant variation from game to game - if we played MN 10 times and gave them the same shots, they would probably score between about 67 and 97 in those 10 games with the average being much closer to about 75. We survived their best, and we should be happy about that.
I don't necessarily dispute what LaTulip says about teams being comfortable against us, but I don't think it is entirely that they are comfortable against us. In part, I think that we have been one of the few dominant B1G teams for the last 5 years, and we also talked some trash to these other guys over the last few years (if you remember Hunter saying no one else in the league likes us), so we get other teams' best efforts on a regular basis. Look at the Maryland away game - they have a full arena for us, but they hardly draw anyone for most of their other games. We have a target on our back. Also, MN really needed to beat us to keep their tourney hopes alive.
That said, I do agree with Werner. It is a point I have made before, they need to mix things up on defense, especially the pick and roll coverage like they did at Maryland. We are too predictable and play things too consistent, so we can be easily game planned for and the opposing players know exactly what is going to happen when they go into a pick and roll situation. I hope as we go into the post season that we keep some alternative defensive schemes in the pocket to pull out.
It is undisputable that MN had an exceptionally hot shooting night against us. Our 3 point defense was not so weak as to basically make their attempts HORSE shots. I am sure if you look at the tape, they don't make 70% of their 3s in the warmups. This was one of those nights for MN which would have usually meant a home loss for IL in years past. There is a significant variation from game to game - if we played MN 10 times and gave them the same shots, they would probably score between about 67 and 97 in those 10 games with the average being much closer to about 75. We survived their best, and we should be happy about that.
I don't necessarily dispute what LaTulip says about teams being comfortable against us, but I don't think it is entirely that they are comfortable against us. In part, I think that we have been one of the few dominant B1G teams for the last 5 years, and we also talked some trash to these other guys over the last few years (if you remember Hunter saying no one else in the league likes us), so we get other teams' best efforts on a regular basis. Look at the Maryland away game - they have a full arena for us, but they hardly draw anyone for most of their other games. We have a target on our back. Also, MN really needed to beat us to keep their tourney hopes alive.
That said, I do agree with Werner. It is a point I have made before, they need to mix things up on defense, especially the pick and roll coverage like they did at Maryland. We are too predictable and play things too consistent, so we can be easily game planned for and the opposing players know exactly what is going to happen when they go into a pick and roll situation. I hope as we go into the post season that we keep some alternative defensive schemes in the pocket to pull out.
Great, now do our Feb win loss record
Ryllini
- Lombard
That one barbershop guy who used to post here was probably pissed about the defense and is just miserable all together messed up the dye formula.Mistakes were made …
Must’ve not had his regular gal do it this week …
Agree- Raphael is talking out of both sides of his mouth. TSJ lit up PennState for 35 points and blew by Ace many times and Ace wasn’t assigned to TSJ for a single possession.
For the record I don’t think Coleman is anywhere close to DPOY given how big men have scored on him at will but TSJ has locked down some of the best guards in the country this year, but who cares if he’s on the all defensive team- it’s more about Raphael’s indignity to facts and double standards that makes this barber shop debate most annoying
Captain 14
- The Last Best Place
Ahhh...able to watch as you prepare the weather for the 6pm...
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
Gold, as always.
I think Coach Brad looks great with that light-brownish hair. Lose the black dye: a Wayne Newton, Elvis, Robert Goulet show-biz thing that looks freakish. But I just wish I had more hair. Who am I to judge? I'm getting that Josh Whitman/John Groce look.
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Well, laugh and enjoy your own position doc.
I find it pathetic to be honest to blame anyone but the head coach. And those that chime in, well, equally pathetic. There ya go.
To those who said I was the only person who thought Dainja should be in rotation more…
You hit on a key point. Opposing offenses are so comfortable when they play us. They don't have to think and know exactly what they will get. We didn't double the post, we don't mix it up that often. We need to create some havoc. It can make up for a lot of our defects even for short periods of time
And we are 6-1 in Feb. good call.
Agree with need to mix it up. Have wondered if he is saving some variances for the tournament. He seems to be more focused on March Madness than in the past (maybe because of all the criticism). Have read that the BIG is the most scouted conference and maybe explains the decrease in conference games. Excellent coaches and expanding data give a improved offensive plan. BU has proven several times that he is willing to change and adapt. Scrapped defensive system when it didn’t work in BIG, changed offensive system to utilize Kofi, and dropped his switching defense last year when it didn’t work. Really respect his willingness to adapt. Maybe neither he or his staff have a better idea and he needs some defensive help.You hit on a key point. Opposing offenses are so comfortable when they play us. They don't have to think and know exactly what they will get. We didn't double the post, we don't mix it up that often. We need to create some havoc. It can make up for a lot of our defects even for short periods of time
I think fresher legs can help as we expand our bench a bit.
To be fair, I saw zone a few times this year. I never thought I would see that!
biglug58
- Chicago, IL
And Nicco