Game Thread: Illinois vs Tennessee

[derrick6]

Yikes, only 6 made field goals apiece in the 1st half.

For us, we have to go up strong and stop expecting a foul. Try to maintain control and base, and score the ball. If you get blocked, so be it. If you get bumped, try to adjust. Just go strong like you are NOT worried about all of that and we'll stop missing the bunnies.

 

[Iamgroot]

Totally agreed. That is not a foul. The combination of the dribbler initiating contact and the screen knocking Davis makes that not a foul.

I'm glad Hummel is critical of the officiating. It reminds me of the 2023 NCAA women's final when the officials were calling a foul on every single possession. It's exhausting.

I hate to admit considering purdont but very much respect and enjoy robbie Hummel as announcer.that and he says it like it is gotta respect that

 

[Orangetool]

Watch turnovers, make the bunnies and 2 guys get hot, we're good.

 

[illinifan1987]

Hopefully Bos and Ivisic are the difference makers in the second half...

 

[ILLFAN67]

Riley and KJ 2-14. Taking some bad shots. Tennessee probably the best defensive team we’ve seen but you have to make layups. We’d be up 6 or so if we made some easy bunnies

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

To put it simply... weird, zebra driven college basketball game

 

[Flyin' Illini]

I don’t know that I liked a single outside shot Riley took except the one he drew the foul (albeit it was super deep)

Agreed. They aren't good shots. He isn't getting open shots in rhythm. They are forced shots where he is moving away from the basket.

 

[NASchamp]

Officiating aside, we looked like we had no plan for that game.

We need to run an actual offense. Pound it down low. Do some offensive rebounding. And KJ needs to shoot some 3s. We have had terrible shot selection.

 

[blife]

I hate to blame refs, because we couldn't throw the ball in the ocean for the entire first half, BUT the way they are calling this game has absolutely destroyed the ability of either team to get into any offensive flow

 

[Orangetool]

I don’t know that I liked a single outside shot Riley took except the one he drew the foul (albeit it was super deep)

....and the ball kinda disappears whenever he gets it. He needs to finish.

 

[eas23]

1-12 from three ain't gonna cut it fam

This is an ugly physical game where both teams are struggling to score, but also...yeah.

 

[JSpence]

Vols are on pace for 2 assists for the game. Heh. The good guys are hugely ahead of that, on pace for 4.

 

[derrick6]

The good news is that we are only down 1 to the #1 ranked team in the country. Also good news is that this is Rick Barnes! Remember that!

Brad, you owe it to your team to stand by your words after the Northwestern loss. Let's see that big brain adjust for the second half. Either guys will need to start taking and making better shots, or sit.

 

[Iamgroot]

This game is going to take 3 hours.

Might want to clear a extra half hour or hour if they keep up at this point.dont forget the last couple of minutes if it's still close.refs will obviously find a way to make it worse and make it last longer fr it's there time to shine

 

[Illini in Indiana]

Man Davis playing this many minutes...

He has to in a foul fest. He's doing his job, nothing dumb that I've seen

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

Tennessee has to feel absolutely giddy about leading at halftime. I'm not sure that they could have played any worse and here they are. The first five minutes of the half are absolutely critical. Cannot have Tennessee come out with a quick burst.

 

[derrick6]

This is an ugly physical game where both teams are struggling to score, but also...yeah.

Weber ball

 

[Julie Meinart]

No more sloppy hail Mary shots hoping to draw a foul

 

[InDaAZ]

Referees inserting themselves into this game…

 

[illinoisgrad1990]

Did they mention on TV that Luke Altmyer announced he was back for next season live at an early media timeout? It was pretty awesome. OK, now let’s win this rock fight!

 

[derrick6]

44 FTs…..in the first half??

At least it isn't Arizona one sided

 

[Oracle21]

We are fortunate to only be down 1 after looking at the box score

TN 23-15 rebs (10-6 off)
TN 4 turnovers. IL 7 turnovers

They are out scrapping us

 

[DeeIL89]

For the second half we got to do better boxing out for rebounds and more guys got to step up and provide scoring. We do that and I like our chances.

 

[Flyin' Illini]

This game is going to take 3 hours.

I can't have that, with the return of Saturday Night's Main Event at 7:00.

 

[Leelnd]

This is a horrible game to watch.

40+ free throws at half?

I continue to hate what they are running...all it is is 2 or 3 ball screens, they switch, and then it's 1 on 1 the rest of possession.

Do SOMETHING differently one or two possessions, anything.

I agree. There is almost zero off ball action. No cuts, no screens, no moving. Just standing around.