Illinois 83, UCLA 78 Postgame

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#276      
Ben isnt a Big Ten heavy minutes caliber player. It was a miss on recruiting. Theres probably 7 guys better him on the roster, He just looks slow and unsure.

Teams regularly scheme to go at him on D

Hes 3rd in the B1g in turnover percentage

FT % is awful

Theres 3 other Illini with a better 3%.

We basically got a bad FT shooting Luke Goode who also cant create his own shot and shoots worse from 3 annnnnnnddddddddd we paid a ton of money for him.
Youre Wrong John C Mcginley GIF
 
#277      
I've been hard on Ben during some of our more frustrating games (and probably worded some things poorly in the heat of the moment, no doubt) ... but I have also been hard on KJ, who is probably our best player. So, I at least like to think I am not "picking on" Ben. And while I admit I am not this Xs and Os guru, you said it yourself that he was brought here to shoot (and make) threes. Thus, my main issue is that when he's not making them, there is an excellent argument to be made that there are better guys to have out there. Put another way, we never would have taken a version of Ben that shoots 30% from three, so when that's happening (or worse), he needs to sit, at least for a little. I get that there is a fine line between pulling a shooter and letting him figure it out, but the fact is we have some guys on the bench who are capable of stepping up when Ben's not feeling his shot. And I think that is people's main issue. I recognize he's played some good defense at times, and he obviously always gives pretty good effort!

FWIW, there is anecdotal evidence that Ben might be settling into his shot and getting out of a funk. The progression since Nebraska is very encouraging.

0.0% at Nebraska on 7 attempts
33.3% vs. Ohio State on 3 attempts
37.5% at Rutgers on 8 attempts
50.0% at Minnesota on 4 attempts
40.0% vs. UCLA on 5 attempts

From the USC to Nebraska games, Ben hit 27.3% of his threes, and that number was pushed up by a 4/9 performance vs. Northwestern ... he shot under 35.0% in four of those games, including a real bad 0 for 7 at Nebraska.

However, since the Nebraska game, Ben has hit exactly 40.0% of his threes, and there has been way less inconsistency. If he is doing that, it goes without saying that he is a VERY valuable part of this team.
That’s a hard recipe to live by in the tournament though - I do not want our chances determined by whether Ben can go 2-5 from 3, at that point I’d rather just live and die by KJ, Will and Tomi like last year with TSJ and Domask
 
#278      
Wonder if fatigue played a role in giving up that late run. Below is when each player checked in and played the remainder of the game.

Will 15:22
KJ 14:04
Ben 10:50
Tomi 10:50 (subbed out for 6 seconds of game play at 00:17)
Boz 10:10

I know Tre is reportedly in the doghouse and DGL is still sick, but maybe having Morez and Jake spell the others for a bit may have been beneficial.
Called this out last night in the game thread. I do not understand Brad's continual insistence on riding the same 5 in the second half, especially when it's not the best 5 he can put out there. Frustrating.
 
#280      
Just my two cents, but I thought the Skyy chants were too much for too long. Same with TSJ last year....I was annoyed by the nonsense from opposing fans last year, especially Northwestern.

These are young men trying to find their way. Imagine how you would have felt being at the game if you were a parent or sibling to Skyy.

I'm all for having fun, but that annoyed me as an Illini fan. It shouldn't matter when, why or how he left here. Just my take....I know many will disagree.
 
#282      
From UCLA forum:

“Their point guard is a lottery pick and Riley and the big fella are both likely pros—very well coached and classy team.
Good for the Bruins. But for a break here or there they might have stolen this one in a very tough arena, particularly with Dailey having a real off night. One niggle—I would have given Lazar more time in the first half when we couldn’t hit the side of the barn.”
 
#283      
Just my two cents, but I thought the Skyy chants were too much for too long. Same with TSJ last year....I was annoyed by the nonsense from opposing fans last year, especially Northwestern.

These are young men trying to find their way. Imagine how you would have felt being at the game if you were a parent or sibling to Skyy.

I'm all for having fun, but that annoyed me as an Illini fan. It shouldn't matter when, why or how he left here. Just my take....I know many will disagree.
Chuck Norris Cordell Walker GIF by Sony Pictures Television
 
#284      
On Bilodeau, I know Brad said there were communication breakdowns but from what I could see Tomi was stuck in drop coverage on an awful lot of those wide open 3’s.

Whether it was the coverage or execution/communication, really frustrating we didn’t prepare for that better. It was a pretty simple action they were running. Hopefully they fix it soon because Wisconsin in general and Crowl in particular are due to hit a bunch of 3’s against us.
Crowl isn't even close to the shooter that Bilodeau is and also not nearly as mobile to be a matchup problem when Ivisic moves out to the perimeter.
 
#287      
The KB we have is same KB that played 2 years at AZ. Solid complementary player but not Alpha dog like TSJ or KJ. We are lucky to have him - he is a warrior and plays his heart out. Unfortunately he cannot hit layups like Ayo, post up like Marcus, or hit 3's like TSJ but he is still a very good player.
I think the 2 years at Zona he did hit 3s at least as well as TSJ,is quicker and a better ballhander than Domask, and an elite defender. Every player has strengths and for being 19 Kylan is very very under rated.
 
#288      
Maybe my imagination but 80% of the makes were against Ivisic with Boswell going over a screen. There seemed to be no adjustment.
I think we could likely make the adjustment to go under more screens in general.

Most college guys aren't good enough shooters that they are to going consistently knockdown pull up jumpers if you go under the screen.
 
#289      
Just my two cents, but I thought the Skyy chants were too much for too long. Same with TSJ last year....I was annoyed by the nonsense from opposing fans last year, especially Northwestern.

These are young men trying to find their way. Imagine how you would have felt being at the game if you were a parent or sibling to Skyy.

I'm all for having fun, but that annoyed me as an Illini fan. It shouldn't matter when, why or how he left here. Just my take....I know many will disagree.
Disagree, he quit on the team mid season, used NIL funds that could have gone to another player. He correctly shouldve been booed every time he touched the ball.

Plus, it’s easy to get all the students to boo/chant when one player touches the ball.

I will concede that the specific Sky Clark sucks chant may have gone on for too long but probably would’ve chanted it if I was a student in the section
 
#291      
How could you possible like Cronin? Do you know him personally? Do you like whiney little trolls that yell constantly at the refs and his players?
 
#292      
I have been in this Illinois Loyalty site for eight years. I have never read a more stupid, nasty misinformed, incorrect post ever. Congratulations.
 
#296      
Not to mention the case against TSJ shouldn’t have even made it to court.
 
#297      
I think we could likely make the adjustment to go under more screens in general.

Most college guys aren't good enough shooters that they are to going consistently knockdown pull up jumpers if you go under the screen.
Especially when the screen is set 30 ft from the basket..
 
#299      
Just my two cents, but I thought the Skyy chants were too much for too long. Same with TSJ last year....I was annoyed by the nonsense from opposing fans last year, especially Northwestern.

These are young men trying to find their way. Imagine how you would have felt being at the game if you were a parent or sibling to Skyy.

I'm all for having fun, but that annoyed me as an Illini fan. It shouldn't matter when, why or how he left here. Just my take....I know many will disagree.
SAME.
I think you're in the majority.
 
#300      
Disagree, he quit on the team mid season, used NIL funds that could have gone to another player. He correctly shouldve been booed every time he touched the ball.

Plus, it’s easy to get all the students to boo/chant when one player touches the ball.

I will concede that the specific Sky Clark sucks chant may have gone on for too long but probably would’ve chanted it if I was a student in the section
No reason to hate on these kids.
Go ahead and boo 1x or 2x and then let it go.

Same for the AIRBALL chant in the last 2 min of a decided game for someone who failed to draw iron in the first min....

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