Pregame: Illinois vs Ohio State, Sunday, February 2nd, 12:00pm CT, CBS
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Unfortunately we are starting to run low on games. Gotta get to 20.
I appreciate what you're saying here, Jrich, because I made a similar comment a month or two ago. But speaking for myself, when I predicted some "ups and downs", I wasn't thinking the ups/downs would last weeks/months.
What I had in mind (and I assume others felt this way as well), is that we might lay a few clunkers early in the season as we learn to play together, but that the overall trend line would remain pointing up.
The most worrisome thing here is that 2/3 of the season is behind us and there isn't really any indication that we're getting better as the season goes on. I bought the "just wait for March" stuff once. Will not be a repeat customer.
We have had two other 2-4 stretches since 2020:
2023
We went 2-4 to end the year, culminating in a first round tournament loss as a 9 seed....in March.
2020
We went 2-4, including 4 straight losses, in February. Then, rebounded to finish the season strong. Probably would have ended up with a 6 seed.
If we go the 2020 route, that would be fine with me but I think we're more similar to 2023. 2020 was a TEAM of players bought in to a CULTURE. Pre-NIL. They were one year removed from a 12-21 record, so their expectations were a lot different. And most importantly, we knew they were all coming back.
Of course, it's true that we haven't been whole during this period. But isn't that kind of worrisome, too, that losing one guy can completely derail our team? We've survived and even thrived in past years when we've lost a superstar.
The season isn't over. We have a 1/3 of it left to turn this thing around and we know we have the talent to go on a run. But I think it's totally reasonable for a rational mind to start having doubts about this team.
Sorry for the Friday morning doom and gloom. Just my honest assessment of the situation.
I still believe we can make a deal run in March, but every loss is now causing us to skip down a seed line. Now we are a 5, maybe? That makes our path that much harder.
I know it's verboten to criticize the HC but I put most of the blame on Brad. Obviously, the PnR works great with Tomi, but the only other offense we consistently run is just jacking up threes, whether they're falling or not. Writers have asked Brad about this and he proudly beats his chest that we are going to keep shooting threes. That's a choice and our loss last night was by choice, not because a better team outplayed us.
In fact, we got out-coached in those last 18 seconds of regulation and Nebraska did exactly what they should have done (and what I predicted they would do) - foul us about every 5 seconds and not allow us to even get a decent shot off. Calling the timeout set them up perfectly for that. We had 18 seconds to get a decent shot off or get to the line and we weren't capable of doing either one. The fact that Nebby only had 3 fouls at that point proves we weren't playing team ball and moving the ball around and taking it at them. We set ourselves up for that outcome. We're embarassingly terrible at inbounding the ball so I wouldn't have called timeout in that situation with 18 seconds left. I'd practice "situational" things like that ahead of time (as BB does) and pound the ball underneath to get fouled at the last second.
In fact, we got out-coached in those last 18 seconds of regulation and Nebraska did exactly what they should have done (and what I predicted they would do) - foul us about every 5 seconds and not allow us to even get a decent shot off. Calling the timeout set them up perfectly for that. We had 18 seconds to get a decent shot off or get to the line and we weren't capable of doing either one. The fact that Nebby only had 3 fouls at that point proves we weren't playing team ball and moving the ball around and taking it at them. We set ourselves up for that outcome. We're embarassingly terrible at inbounding the ball so I wouldn't have called timeout in that situation with 18 seconds left. I'd practice "situational" things like that ahead of time (as BB does) and pound the ball underneath to get fouled at the last second.
Bigtex
- DFW
It is one thing to schedule tough games, it is another thing to win close/tough games.
Maybe analytics say playing close but losing isn't that bad but.... Maybe analytics says winning by large margins is good but....
The eye test indicates this team (players and coaches) is soft. Maybe an indicator of being young but with more Playing time the young should learn and adjust
don't see IT, team doesn't value possessions (jacked up 3s and unforced turnovers) and there is no consequence other than losses.
What's also very frustrating is I get stressed the teams ability to get the ball even in bounds without a turnover. However, Nebraska is not only getting it in but running plays for easy shots and lay ups on out if bounds plays. I would fall out if we had executed one of those on the last play when Will came close on a corner heave.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
What NFL game are we competing against this week? Also, if you are playing on early Sunday in January/February, it means that CBS wants your game (and that is a good thing). The reality is that the networks are in control of a lot of the time slots, and for the last few years, the Illini have been a hot commodity to be on national tv. The Illini did have the 4:30 start vs Tennessee on Fox back in December.
After Sunday's game, the Illini are in a lot of prime time weekend slots (Sat 2/15 7 PM FOX MSU, Sat 2/22 7 PM FOX Duke, Sun 3/2 2:45 PM CBS @Mich). Hopefully this team can right the ship, as there are going to be a lot of eyeballs watching the Illini product over the next month. The team has looked very bad offensively with Ivisic out. The coaching staff needs to make some major changes to the starting lineup to get off to a better start in games. Hopefully Brad is not too stubborn to make the necessary changes, because this team could easily slip into the 8/9 matchup if not careful. Too much talent on this roster to be playing .500 basketball in conference.
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KJ
DGL
Tre (I Guess)
Will or Jake (I guess - They'd both give up career games to whoever they are guarding)
Morez
I thought we were deep at the beginning of the year, but our lack of an offensive game plan and getting outcoached/game-planned is evident that we are vulnerable in every game
DGL
Tre (I Guess)
Will or Jake (I guess - They'd both give up career games to whoever they are guarding)
Morez
I thought we were deep at the beginning of the year, but our lack of an offensive game plan and getting outcoached/game-planned is evident that we are vulnerable in every game
Illini in Indiana
- Indiana
My new expectations going in to winnable games
If that change doesn't involve Dra, Brad needs to be checked out by a doctor..
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Meant to post this here instead of post game thread, but I guess it’s fine in both.
It’s time to pull an NHL coaching move and yank the starting goalie to send a message.
F$ck the NIL bs.
Sunday starters should be KJ, DGL, Riley, Tre, and Rez.
Boswell to spell KJ and DGL
BH off the bench.
I just might join my brother in a one week Illinois sports blackout.
It’s time to pull an NHL coaching move and yank the starting goalie to send a message.
F$ck the NIL bs.
Sunday starters should be KJ, DGL, Riley, Tre, and Rez.
Boswell to spell KJ and DGL
BH off the bench.
I just might join my brother in a one week Illinois sports blackout.
Battle89
- Cary-Grove, the better Trojan team
Similar. You may recall a few weeks ago I wrote about a poster here passing. We're getting the gang together this weekend to go to the OSU game, reminisce, and hoist a few in his honor. Will still be great to see everyone, and of course the main point was and is remembering our departed friend, but I sure thought then I'd feel better about the game itself than I do now.
Even though I don't think it will come down to this.....FWIW 18 wins should easily get us in.
He's not coming back by Sunday.
They're a lot like us in that regard
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
But, cottage cheese?
I mean... we will be favored
Must win is an understatement for this one. Hope we come out with that energy.
We also are in the midst of playing without, who is proving to be, the most important player on our roster.
If he comes back, I think that we bounce back. If not, it's going to be uncomfortable come mid March. After last night, there isn't one game that we can feel good about. Not one. Nebraska is AWFUL and they led pretty much wire to wire. With Tomi, we win by 20 because you'd see the KJ that we came accustomed to seeing and the interior play, with his ability to pass....can't stop it.
I don't think that he's anywhere close to playing. Mono is brutal.
Energy is great, but starting off 1-14 from three eliminates all energy, including the fans. Brad's right.....they're getting the looks, have to make them. Have to make shots.
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