Illinois 95, Minnesota 74 Postgame

[Illiniguy2442]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1888400864899162203

I’m calling cap. Tomi had mono and played over 20 mins after not practicing for weeks and probably barely conditioning. Tomi has had the ankle and I’m sure he hasn’t practiced the last few days and played 30 mins

 

[bartwa]

I don’t think KJ had his left forearm wrapped for the first time since he injured it. He seemed a lot different. No clunking free throws off the front of the rim.

 

[sacraig]

If he is first round he's gone.

If it looks to be second round, push Fletch and large NIL and he could stay. I think someone here said his mom is for staying.

He'd be a fool not to be.

 

[Orangetool]

I like Davis, thought he gave some good minutes.

 

[The Galloping Ghost]

I like Davis, thought he gave some good minutes.

He does more often than not. On a team with serious star power, having a guy who knows his role, executes it well, and gives 100% is vital. He's an everyday guy.

 

[sacraig]

He does more often than not. On a team with serious star power, having a guy who knows his role, executes it well, and gives 100% is vital. He's an everyday guy.

I've been surprised at how effective he is at sneaking in the back door and getting a quick putback bucket.

 

[Grange Grover]

Can we play Minnesota every game?? Next 4 games huge. Go 3-1 and all is forgiven and forgotten during that tough patch mid season.

 

[JKR]

KJ and Will are going to get all the love but let's not forget Tomi and Ben both had pretty solid games. Ben with 9, 6, 4, and a block. Tomi on a bum leg and still recovering 18, 11, 2, 1, 1. This team is sooooo much better on both ends when Tomi is in

Ben was also impressive defending Garcia. Tonight Garcia had 12 points on 22% shooting (17% on 3's). His season averages are 20 points on 51% shooting (37% on 3's).

 

[RML]

Good things happen when we get to the rim!

And when we shoot with confidence.

 

[JKR]

Yep, Morez played much better than his stats tonight, IMO

That third foul was crap.

 

[FleetFeetIllini]

Yea but Morez had 4 fouls real early into the 2nd. These are the kind of games you can really hammer home that you don’t stay on the floor if you get in foul trouble. If Tomi couldn’t have gone today this game would have been real trouble with those same fouls, fair or not.

They said 4 on TV but he only had 3

 

[Orangetool]

As an aside, I believe the elevated floor to be an idiotic idea.

 

[TheodoreRex]

Of course Brad would kill my optimism with this terrible take- basically saying we went inside because that's what Minnesota gave them... I want to hear specifically that we went inside for post looks and attacked the rim because THAT IS OUR TEAM'S STRENGTH.

 

[Dan]

 

[jumpingjack]

One of Ben's better games, but him getting 32 minutes, Tomi 31 minutes (on a bad ankle) and Jake Davis getting 15 while Morez gets 14 minutes hurts my head.

Morez brings things like toughness and rebounding no one else can bring inside. Some overlap with Ben and Davis. BU thinks Morez's magic number is 14 minutes.

He had 3 fouls with 19 minutes left in the 2nd half. I think Brad made the prudent decision.

 

[WyattEarp]

Can we play Minnesota every game?? Next 4 games huge. Go 3-1 and all is forgiven and forgotten during that tough patch mid season.

 

[SescIllini]

Yea but Morez had 4 fouls real early into the 2nd. These are the kind of games you can really hammer home that you don’t stay on the floor if you get in foul trouble. If Tomi couldn’t have gone today this game would have been real trouble with those same fouls, fair or not.

The box score has Morez with 3 fouls.

 

[blackdog]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1888400864899162203

I’m calling cap. Tomi had mono and played over 20 mins after not practicing for weeks and probably barely conditioning. Tomi has had the ankle and I’m sure he hasn’t practiced the last few days and played 30 mins

Did you see him today? He looked ROUGH on the sideline and was obviously struggling in the 20 seconds he played.

 

[JKR]

Yea but Morez had 4 fouls real early into the 2nd. These are the kind of games you can really hammer home that you don’t stay on the floor if you get in foul trouble. If Tomi couldn’t have gone today this game would have been real trouble with those same fouls, fair or not.

Rez had only three fouls tonight.

 

[ugottabjoshinme]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1888400864899162203

I’m calling cap. Tomi had mono and played over 20 mins after not practicing for weeks and probably barely conditioning. Tomi has had the ankle and I’m sure he hasn’t practiced the last few days and played 30 mins

Big difference is we needed Toni back ASAP

 

[BackThatPassUp]

It wasn't just that we were attacking, it was the off ball movement cutting to the basket that generated a lot of points. It looked like......offense.

 

[jumpingjack]

Did you see him today? He looked ROUGH on the sideline and was obviously struggling in the 20 seconds he played.

He and DGL both.

 

[DeeIL89]

Hearing on X that Kylan was seen limping onto the team bus after the game. Not good. Hopefully, it doesn't become serious. Can't keep getting hit with this weird bad luck.

 

[Dan]

 

[jumpingjack]

As an aside, I believe the elevated floor to be an idiotic idea.

We're lucky that one official didn't tear a hammy when he stepped off the side.