Really proud of my guys, there is always something to work on, but overall what a total package! Will Riley put on an exhibition and literally every player contributed and everybody has highlight moments, still smiling about the free throw shooting. Wow guys, you were simply awesome against a well coached and very good team. Substitute more to rest the legs, we got the bench, use it!
Illinois 86, Xavier 73 Postgame
- Status
Big Jack
- Decatur
I love Chuck. Every show needs a goof ball and he is one of the best. Funny part is I always wonder if he is acting dumb or if it just comes naturally. Dude could play the game though..
blackdog
- Champaign
It wasn't a good game for a two big lineup since with the way Xavier plays D it was easy to spread the floor and find cutters. I'm sure when the situation calls for it they will go back to them playing together.
he's the "clown" part of the show
They’re trying to get old and stay old. (But They still have an overall low, BBIQ team.) They need to do better with roster construction…or the honcho’s seat gets hotter.)
I’m just kidding…sort of. But, there’s fun and entertaining and there’s just dumb/bad/hard to watch.
Last edited:
This does not in any way mean that i don't trust KB or KJ with the ball, but i found myself saying a couple times "just give it to Riley."
He is oozing confidence right now.
If he's our best player in the game against Kentucky you'd really have to like our chances of winning.
He is oozing confidence right now.
If he's our best player in the game against Kentucky you'd really have to like our chances of winning.
What a night. So many guys stepped up. We could’ve easily won by 20+... Hell of an opportunity to beat a blue blood to go to the second weekend! ILL
sacraig
- The desert
What energy and grit? The kind where he just out of the way to let a ball handler drive to the basket?
I don't care how hard someone plays. If they can't keep up with the game, effort and attitude won't fix that.
I feel bad for the kid. He seems like a good kid. But, based on his body of work this season, he can't hack it at this level.
Energy and grit? Ben empty mins have to be approaching something historic at this point.
These are some of the worst per 40 numbers you’re going to see.
See All
| STATS |
|---|
| 2024-25 |
| 2023-24 |
| GP | MIN | FG% | 3P% | FT% | REB | AST | BLK | STL | PF | TO | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 26.2 | 37.5 | 34.3 | 68.8 | 3.7 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 7.8 |
Illini in Italy
- Illini HQ, Florida Panhandle
The team walking off the court after the game . . . Great game, on to the next!
I L L !
I L L !
Chuck is entertaining. He was a natural on the court and I have to believe he is naturally clueless. My wife says my brain is often 10 seconds behind my mouth. Apparently Chuck and I share the mouth-ahead-of-the-brain disorder. I spit out my gummy bear relaxant when he admitted he really hadn't watched the first half. I'm sure I was more amused than CBS officials as Chuck inadvertently attempted to divert viewers to another game on another network.
Last edited:
DICKnaggie
- Champaign
DGL is one of if not the quickest players on the team. Not that he should have played more but your statement is ridiculous. Plus Ben? Do you think Jake or DGL is slower than Ben? Come on...
Not every player has to average double figures, we need guys who will come off the bench (and accept that role, not 'quiet quit' as they say and/or be a distraction with their displeasure, etc)
You'd think he shoots 0-5 every game... he made some plays on defense, he spreads the floor, etc, the shots just didn't go down
Its the same thing with most of our players though... Kylan is roasted on here often... KJ missed a triple double by a rebound last night yet we have people saying our best lineup is with him on the bench
You'd think he shoots 0-5 every game... he made some plays on defense, he spreads the floor, etc, the shots just didn't go down
Its the same thing with most of our players though... Kylan is roasted on here often... KJ missed a triple double by a rebound last night yet we have people saying our best lineup is with him on the bench
I saw +14. Boswell +15. Riley was +9. +/- is not the end all be all. Got look at lineups and who they were playing. Like who was out there for the Morez/Tomi combo which didn’t seem to work well in the 1st half.
IlliniRon
Illini Basketball Fan Forever
- Ft Worth, Texas
That had to be a top 3 game of the year for the Illini, maybe the best game, I’m not sure. Incredible performances by Riley, KJ, Boswell and Tomi. Defense and rebounding seemed very solid too. Too many turnovers but quite a game. Would like to see more minutes for Morez, he was great. Ben seemed off last night, and not a lot of minutes for the bench.
We’re going to have to play them together a bunch against Kentucky- the matchup with Xavier just wasn’t conducive to having them play together
I am a bit disappointed about Hum but the truth is we have enough depth he does not need to score well every game. He will be worth his money if he score 10+ and help propel us win next game.
Both will be needed tomorrow and Rez will get more minutes. Kentucky is not as fast as Xavier. We will need playing all 9 guys.
Riley definitely showing up. The whole team really, but having multiple stars or role players who have good games makes us a tough out. Really hope they can beat the inconsistency bugaboo and get to the second weekend. Fun to watch when they're playing defense and/or hitting 3s. Some good assists in this one too.
Matt Jones the radio commentator pre game and post game for UK said last night that ILLINI do scare him. Let's wait to see what happens. Come out play hard to beat UK.
One thing I am thinking about this morning. While this season hasn't been an outright disaster by any stretch, I think it's fair to say it's been disappointing for the most part. And if we lose Sunday, it will still probably lean to the disappointing side overall. But if our new baseline for "disappointing" is a 6 seed and 2nd round exit, it is another testament to the program Brad/Josh have been able to build here. And if we win Sunday, I'll consider the season successful. We should just go ahead and win Sunday.
Charles Barkley appeared genuinely affected when the news of George Foreman’s death was reported. Maybe that had something to do with his distracted demeanor.
The last 5 games before Xavier, he shot a combined 9-19 from three. That might have contributed.
- Status