Pregame: Illinois vs Iowa, Tuesday, February 25th, 8:00pm CT, FS1

[Fly Illini Fly!]

I actually disagree here. That Purdue game is becoming more of a coin flip type of game by the day. Purdue will be coming into Champaign on relatively short rest compared to Illinois, and possibly losing 5 out of their last 6 or worse (they have lost their last 4 games, including the collapse in Bloomington on Sunday).

We will have a better idea of this team after tonight. I am hoping some full team practices will help, along with a consistent game plan that will play to the strengths of this unit.

Have to win today - If we lose, then no. If we win, then yes - coin flip game, and I'd argue we'd even be favored.

 

[Roundball Sage]

It is simply a fact that the team is not tough enough right now.

The fact is... this Illini group is a soft team as a collective. They fold easily when things aren't going right. They are fragile instead of strong and ruthless.

Bringing up the Gold Standard for the roundball court... the GOAT that played for the Bulls hated excuses. When things got tough he got even tougher. He would fight his own teammates as much as his opponents if the circumstances called for that. He would practice like hell and his teammates got the message and were afraid of not living up to his expectations. He made himself the best player he could and he made others around him better than they would have been without him.

He may be the one and only GOAT -- BUT any player can adopt that kind of attitude. While personalities are going to be different... that ruthless attitude when you step on to the floor should be there for every player or they should stay in the locker room.

Maybe it is considered too old-school an attitude but when you put on a uniform it is a priviege to do so and it is not owed to you. When you wear that logo and colors you have obligations that go beyond yourself and whether you're 'feeling it' from one day to the next. For you who are wearing those colors there are ten or more guys that would do anything to change places with you.

Where is the fight on this team? Can they yet reclaim of some of their pride and show respect to the program and the Illini Nation fan base? Will anyone finally step up to be a floor leader?

 

[Chukwuwumba]

If you take a step back, things lean toward our favor in this game.
Need this game to cement tourney status. Big wants to make sure a team with our resume gets in. It’s at home. Iowa will not be in tourney. Refs know all of this information. It will be tough for Iowa to win; they could but more things going against them.

 

[PepeSilvia]

I actually disagree here. That Purdue game is becoming more of a coin flip type of game by the day. Purdue will be coming into Champaign on relatively short rest compared to Illinois, and possibly losing 5 out of their last 6 or worse (they have lost their last 4 games, including the collapse in Bloomington on Sunday).

We will have a better idea of this team after tonight. I am hoping some full team practices will help, along with a consistent game plan that will play to the strengths of this unit.

I don't really think this Purdue team is that good but I think Smith will shred this defense and create a ton of great looks for them and Purdue has some guys that can actually shoot.

Getting a bid ahead of ourselves here but I also think it's a game where not having Morez really hurts us because Purdue doesn't have much size.

 

[madillini4]

Just win. That’s all. Don’t care how. Don’t care by how much. Just win.

 

[kyillinifan]

Let’s hope everyone is healthy tonight. Drive the lane. Keep Tomi in the low block and let Ben play on top. They have no one who can guard Tomi down low.

 

[OnlyOrange]

This is the last real chance to get in the tourney, right?

Obviously we could win the BTT, but meaning, if we lose tonight, we almost certainly lose to Michigan, Purdue, then first game of the BTT. Think that puts us on the outside looking in.

 

[skyIdub]

This is the last real chance to get in the tourney, right?

Obviously we could win the BTT, but meaning, if we lose tonight, we almost certainly lose to Michigan, Purdue, then first game of the BTT. Think that puts us on the outside looking in.

Well, let’s be honest here, if you can’t beat Iowa at home at this point in the season, you don’t really belong in the tourney.

 

[RockfordIllini]

I actually disagree here. That Purdue game is becoming more of a coin flip type of game by the day. Purdue will be coming into Champaign on relatively short rest compared to Illinois, and possibly losing 5 out of their last 6 or worse (they have lost their last 4 games, including the collapse in Bloomington on Sunday).

We will have a better idea of this team after tonight. I am hoping some full team practices will help, along with a consistent game plan that will play to the strengths of this unit.

To me the biggest question of the Purdue game is the health of Tomi’s ankle. He rolled on February 5. Hopefully it’s mostly healed by March 7. If so, I think Tomi can bother TKR with his size and disrupt the Smith/TKR connection in ball screens. I think Kylan can bother Smith with his physicality but if he gets hung up on call screens Smith will kill our drop coverage if Tomi can’t move. They are a 3 man team. If we shut down 1/3 or more we’ve got a good chance.

That said, let’s get it together and beat Iowa.

 

[OrangeBlue98]

If there ever was a game to drive, it's this one. Should feast on the offensive glass as well.

Illinois should copy and paste the Minnesota game plan. Make them collapse and then kick for open 3s in rhythm if three Iowa guys collapse. Iowa has no chance to stop us if we go to the basket. Particularly without Freeman, this is one of the most unathletic and least intimidating teams around the rim that I've ever seen in college basketball.

 

[AnnaMay]

I found it to be a Weberesque insult of your own team.

At some point, it falls on the players to actually make shots and want to win. Not asking for much. Just 30% from 3 and holding a team under 80 would be a good start.

 

[illinipimp]

For us on the Iowa border in the QC this is the most hated rival by far. Iowa has been playing hard since Freeman is out. They’ll bring it tonight. We either respond to the embarrassment in the Garden or roll over for sqwakeye. Sadly I’m not sure which way it will go.

 

[Orangetool]

But…this team is soft. He didn’t go as far as saying that. I can only assume the NIL takes away some fire. Not meant as an insult but reality to when we have all our needs met.

You and others that have knocked my post are missing the point here. He said, in public, that his team is not tough.

As a coach you just can't do that and not presume that some or all of your players won't resent your words. Interesting that the writer notes a pause.
I wonder if coach thought: "Oops, I shouldn't have said that here in public" and he backpedals. A coach and the team should project a unified front in public and that goes both ways.
Soft or not soft is a debate and of course a coach has his opinion. I think it is a discussion that a coach should have in private, one-on-one or in practice, someplace, just not in print. It's not hard to think a player might read that article and wonder if he should leave for a team where the issue might be addressed with more respect.

I have been a supporter of Brad from the first but I don't think he has handled the season downturn and losses very well at times.

 

[altgeld88]

But…this team is soft. He didn’t go as far as saying that. I can only assume the NIL takes away some fire. Not meant as an insult but reality to when we have all our needs met.

I agree that incentives matter but I don't notice this problem with Duke, or Houston, or Auburn, or Tennessee, or Texas A&M, or...

 

[illinibbcz]

Still believing in this game for the Illini, Illinois 88-76.

 

[Illini2010-11]

You and others that have knocked my post are missing the point here. He said, in public, that his team is not tough.

As a coach you just can't do that and not presume that some or all of your players won't resent your words. Interesting that the writer notes a pause.
I wonder if coach thought: "Oops, I shouldn't have said that here in public" and he backpedals. A coach and the team should project a unified front in public and that goes both ways.
Soft or not soft is a debate and of course a coach has his opinion. I think it is a discussion that a coach should have in private, one-on-one or in practice, someplace, just not in print. It's not hard to think a player might read that article and wonder if he should leave for a team where the issue might be addressed with more respect.

I have been a supporter of Brad from the first but I don't think he has handled the season downturn and losses very well at times.

This was asked after a 43-point beatdown in the postgame press conference. He answered it about as well as he could, because clearly the team is not tough enough at the time the question was asked. He went on to say that he will get the team tough enough moving forward. What is he supposed to do, ignore the question or say "yes", when the whole world saw the team completely give up in primetime? If the players get all worked up over that answer, then there are a whole host of greater issues to deal with.

The coaching this year can definitely be questioned, but how he answered this particular question is not one of them, IMO.

 

[Bigtex]

Illinois has lost 7 games they were favored to win this year? Based on recent games - feels like #8

 

[Calvin]

Not sure if it has been posted elsewhere. If so, I apologize but it is difficult to keep track of the many different threads discussing this topic. However critical we are of Bardo's analysis - and I've been plenty critical at times - he makes a compelling case here. And I hope the staff plays this to the players prior the game tonight. Although, at this point it MAY already be too late. We shall see, I guess.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1894371553459962089

Yeah, different era and he makes his point better than anyone. It's not just Illinois, although maybe the turnover and issues here are higher than many other programs. I have to believe staff thought they were getting guys with toughness and pride, or they could instill it. I'm a believer that at some point, you bench the starters and put in anyone who's willing to play with effort. Better to lose with effort than lackadaisical talent. But you may have noticed I'm a Monday morning QB whereas the staff got to a high major and their livelihood depends on good decisions....so advantage staff.

 

[CoalCity]

You and others that have knocked my post are missing the point here. He said, in public, that his team is not tough.

As a coach you just can't do that and not presume that some or all of your players won't resent your words. Interesting that the writer notes a pause.
I wonder if coach thought: "Oops, I shouldn't have said that here in public" and he backpedals. A coach and the team should project a unified front in public and that goes both ways.
Soft or not soft is a debate and of course a coach has his opinion. I think it is a discussion that a coach should have in private, one-on-one or in practice, someplace, just not in print. It's not hard to think a player might read that article and wonder if he should leave for a team where the issue might be addressed with more respect.

I have been a supporter of Brad from the first but I don't think he has handled the season downturn and losses very well at times.

UCLA seems to have responded pretty well to their coach getting national headlines complaining about his team being soft. I don't think you can get all squishy in public and be a hardass in the gym. They can either get out of the fetal position they're in right now and fight or they can just go away quietly and suffer the public humiliation. Their choice. Some of them are being quite well compensated for their time, a little effort would be nice to see.

I wanna see some of that Ayo/Kofi/Trent toughness the rest of the season, win or lose.

 

[Orangetool]

This was asked after a 43-point beatdown in the postgame press conference. He answered it about as well as he could, because clearly the team is not tough enough at the time the question was asked. He went on to say that he will get the team tough enough moving forward. What is he supposed to do, ignore the question or say "yes", when the whole world saw the team completely give up in primetime? If the players get all worked up over that answer, then there are a whole host of greater issues to deal with.

The coaching this year can definitely be questioned, but how he answered this particular question is not one of them, IMO.

He absolutely could have said: "Yes we are tough, but we are young and inexperienced and myself and my coaches need to help them handle the moment and this and that etc."
There are things you say in public and things to say privately. Again, it's a matter of respect. IMO

 

[HereSoIDontGetFined]

Not sure if it has been posted elsewhere. If so, I apologize but it is difficult to keep track of the many different threads discussing this topic. However critical we are of Bardo's analysis - and I've been plenty critical at times - he makes a compelling case here. And I hope the staff plays this to the players prior the game tonight. Although, at this point it MAY already be too late. We shall see, I guess.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1894371553459962089

Yeah, sure. Pride in Illinois gets us to losing by 25.

 

[HereSoIDontGetFined]

I found it to be a Weberesque insult of your own team.

Is this really unlike the other five times a season he calls out his own team? He said they couldn't guard a middle school team in the preseason. This quote is extremely tame in comparison even to that.

Weber literally said he'd rather have another team's player in a postgame meltdown. That's another level of callout - that's a coach giving up on his players.

 

[derrick6]

You and others that have knocked my post are missing the point here. He said, in public, that his team is not tough.

As a coach you just can't do that and not presume that some or all of your players won't resent your words. Interesting that the writer notes a pause.
I wonder if coach thought: "Oops, I shouldn't have said that here in public" and he backpedals. A coach and the team should project a unified front in public and that goes both ways.
Soft or not soft is a debate and of course a coach has his opinion. I think it is a discussion that a coach should have in private, one-on-one or in practice, someplace, just not in print. It's not hard to think a player might read that article and wonder if he should leave for a team where the issue might be addressed with more respect.

I have been a supporter of Brad from the first but I don't think he has handled the season downturn and losses very well at times.

Not knocking your post but was adding the subtext of what was not said yet we all observe. My main point, with a slight attempt at lightheartedness, was that the NIL could build bad habits with respect to softness.

I also don’t mean to insult the players but feel the coach should be addressing it with them (and probably is behind closed doors, to your point)

 

[doowink]

The fact is... this Illini group is a soft team as a collective. They fold easily when things aren't going right. They are fragile instead of strong and ruthless.

Bringing up the Gold Standard for the roundball court... the GOAT that played for the Bulls hated excuses. When things got tough he got even tougher. He would fight his own teammates as much as his opponents if the circumstances called for that. He would practice like hell and his teammates got the message and were afraid of not living up to his expectations. He made himself the best player he could and he made others around him better than they would have been without him.

He may be the one and only GOAT -- BUT any player can adopt that kind of attitude. While personalities are going to be different... that ruthless attitude when you step on to the floor should be there for every player or they should stay in the locker room.

Maybe it is considered too old-school an attitude but when you put on a uniform it is a priviege to do so and it is not owed to you. When you wear that logo and colors you have obligations that go beyond yourself and whether you're 'feeling it' from one day to the next. For you who are wearing those colors there are ten or more guys that would do anything to change places with you.

Where is the fight on this team? Can they yet reclaim of some of their pride and show respect to the program and the Illini Nation fan base? Will anyone finally step up to be a floor leader?

I agree with what you've said....but several of these kids (especially the ones from other countries) may have not even heard of the University of Illinois or had any idea of where it was located and its basketball tradition or tradition of the school until they got here. I'm not making excuses or saying that it cancels the obligations to do your best when you step onto the floor.....but I doubt that Tomi had the same feelings or understanding for what this school and program is all about like say Morez when they both arrived last August

 

[derrick6]

I agree that incentives matter but I don't notice this problem with Duke, or Houston, or Auburn, or Tennessee, or Texas A&M, or...

Exactly. Failure of the staff dealing with paying kids. Those other had pre-NIL experience