I don't disagree with your point, but just to keep this in perspective...Those guys are 1st team All-Americans. Not sure how realistic it is to expect a fully healthy Ty even later in the season but we'll see
Alabama 90, Illinois 86 Postgame
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That was 100% a lane violation. I called it the second it he did it, because he's always close to doing it.
I still think we get too complacent on offense and settled for early threes. Besides missing free throws and bad luck on some long rebounds, I have no complaints. It was a great game to watch and I think this was a great early test for our team.
I still think we get too complacent on offense and settled for early threes. Besides missing free throws and bad luck on some long rebounds, I have no complaints. It was a great game to watch and I think this was a great early test for our team.
Illini beat themselves. 0-3 against the SEC in last 2 years with 1 game to go. This team was hyped as a good shooting team. Last nights game smelled of last year-CLANG CLANG. Missed 6 shots within 5 feet of basket, in fact 2 never hit rim. Since the 2nd half of the Tech game the Illini who went 0-7 from 3, 69% free throw line, barely won the boards 34-30.
Followed up against Colgate with 29% from 3, 37% overall. Against Alabama- 25% from 3 in 2nd half, 52% from the free throw line, virtually even on the boards although the Illini had size advantage.
Only 6 points from the twins, Mirkovic never scored in 2nd half [he was mauled the whole game] Sloppy ball handling! Who is coaching defense for this team? Answer-EVIDENTLY NOBODY! And yet they still could have won the game.
The football team got as high as #9 In the country and slid out of polls. What will the Basketball team do? They have 2 cupcakes left then UConn and Tennessee. Could have 3 losses pretty quick.
Followed up against Colgate with 29% from 3, 37% overall. Against Alabama- 25% from 3 in 2nd half, 52% from the free throw line, virtually even on the boards although the Illini had size advantage.
Only 6 points from the twins, Mirkovic never scored in 2nd half [he was mauled the whole game] Sloppy ball handling! Who is coaching defense for this team? Answer-EVIDENTLY NOBODY! And yet they still could have won the game.
The football team got as high as #9 In the country and slid out of polls. What will the Basketball team do? They have 2 cupcakes left then UConn and Tennessee. Could have 3 losses pretty quick.
Yeah, gotta make free throws.
But also, we got 7 more shots up than they did and only made 1 of them. We need to be better at putting the ball in the basket. Pure and simple.
Since the second half of the TTU game, we're shooting 29% from three.
I was most disappointed by our front court which should've been a big advantage coming in. The twins combined for 6 rebounds and gave nothing in terms of rim protection. Purdue's bigs basically made Alabama live on the perimeter and ate them alive on the glass. I know they're both banged up. But last night, it hurt not having a dependable big to anchor the defense.
This shouldn't hurt us in the long run but it's just such a missed opportunity.
On the bright side, the UC was rocking. I was surprised how not neutral it was. Literally SFC North. We had more Illinois fans in the building than we have for our home games and even the PA announcer and music were the same as our home games. Really fun atmosphere.
We'll get better.
But also, we got 7 more shots up than they did and only made 1 of them. We need to be better at putting the ball in the basket. Pure and simple.
Since the second half of the TTU game, we're shooting 29% from three.
I was most disappointed by our front court which should've been a big advantage coming in. The twins combined for 6 rebounds and gave nothing in terms of rim protection. Purdue's bigs basically made Alabama live on the perimeter and ate them alive on the glass. I know they're both banged up. But last night, it hurt not having a dependable big to anchor the defense.
This shouldn't hurt us in the long run but it's just such a missed opportunity.
On the bright side, the UC was rocking. I was surprised how not neutral it was. Literally SFC North. We had more Illinois fans in the building than we have for our home games and even the PA announcer and music were the same as our home games. Really fun atmosphere.
We'll get better.
I find it difficult to be too frustrated with last night's result. Alabama is a top 10 team.
Cons:
- Illinois had effectively 30 empty Ivisic minutes offensively, thanks to Tomi being very rusty and Z being a bit off today.
- Illinois shot uncharacteristically poor from the FT line, especially in the second half.
- The rebound battle was even last night, thanks largely to rusty Ivisic and tentative Mirk in the second half.
- Illinois couldn't score effectively at the rim (18-28) or from midrange (2-13)
- Illinois was actually in foul trouble, which is uncharacteristic of them.
- 11 turnovers
Pros:
- Petrovic had 5 assists in 12 minutes in his first game action
- Mirk still had 10 and 10 in the first half
- Illinois was getting better shots in the second half than the first, they just wouldn't fall.
- Illinois was getting to the FT line in the second half, they just wouldn't fall.
- When they got down, they fought back and were one play from getting the lead back late.
- They had 17 assists, more than Alabama
- They were still able to somewhat limit rim opportunities despite the rusty big minutes.
- Despite all the cons, they were in no way outclassed by a top 10 team that was firing on all cylinders in the second half.
The reason you schedule these kinds of games early is so you can get good film and improve as a team. I feel a little better about this team today than I did yesterday, because things went so uncharacteristically wrong in key areas they usually excel at, and they lost by four. If they play their game and make shots like normal, they win this game even with Ivisic being a non-factor and the freshmen being quiet.
This team was in no way "out over their skis", that's just absurd. And if you look at the ratings this morning, they mostly agree, this is just as good a team yesterday as they rate today.
Cons:
- Illinois had effectively 30 empty Ivisic minutes offensively, thanks to Tomi being very rusty and Z being a bit off today.
- Illinois shot uncharacteristically poor from the FT line, especially in the second half.
- The rebound battle was even last night, thanks largely to rusty Ivisic and tentative Mirk in the second half.
- Illinois couldn't score effectively at the rim (18-28) or from midrange (2-13)
- Illinois was actually in foul trouble, which is uncharacteristic of them.
- 11 turnovers
Pros:
- Petrovic had 5 assists in 12 minutes in his first game action
- Mirk still had 10 and 10 in the first half
- Illinois was getting better shots in the second half than the first, they just wouldn't fall.
- Illinois was getting to the FT line in the second half, they just wouldn't fall.
- When they got down, they fought back and were one play from getting the lead back late.
- They had 17 assists, more than Alabama
- They were still able to somewhat limit rim opportunities despite the rusty big minutes.
- Despite all the cons, they were in no way outclassed by a top 10 team that was firing on all cylinders in the second half.
The reason you schedule these kinds of games early is so you can get good film and improve as a team. I feel a little better about this team today than I did yesterday, because things went so uncharacteristically wrong in key areas they usually excel at, and they lost by four. If they play their game and make shots like normal, they win this game even with Ivisic being a non-factor and the freshmen being quiet.
This team was in no way "out over their skis", that's just absurd. And if you look at the ratings this morning, they mostly agree, this is just as good a team yesterday as they rate today.
Philon has everything you need to be a starter in the NBA. NBA players can't stay in front of NBA guards. If a guy is getting around Bam, there aren't many NCAA players who are going to slow him down. If he's hitting the 3's and the floaters like he was last night.... good luck.
Bigtex
- DFW
Andrej and Kylan in the 2nd half were good at taking it to the basket (fairly effectively) but zero passes out (playing inside out) to shooters.
I think Mirk got sped up a little bit because of the quick hands of the Alabama players.
I don’t see Bama as a FF team. They are gonna lose alot of games in the SEC. Other than quick guards (and Philon is a stud) I didn’t see much to believe they are elite. Last year they had way more talent with Nelson and Sears. Their style makes it seem like they are good with the firing 3s but pure talent I think they will be handled.
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I we are all upset at the loss last night. We played a B- game IMO and still were in it til the end.
Think we will see Andrej become a focal point in those stretches (like early 2nd half) when we can't get a basket. Even rusty and without his full "legs back" he was electric attacking the basket.
Think we will see Andrej become a focal point in those stretches (like early 2nd half) when we can't get a basket. Even rusty and without his full "legs back" he was electric attacking the basket.
Andrej is looking to score when he drives. He was 11/16 from the Field, but 0 assists/5 turnovers. He’s a Bull in a China shop with his sometimes clumsy drives into traffic but I think he’s strong enough to make it work. I think most of the guys on the team like passing but Andrej is pure tunnel vision when he gets it on the wing. I can’t complain in the two real games we’ve played he’s been very good at converting.
Illini in Italy
- Illini HQ, Florida Panhandle
This is just . . . out there.
Mirk grabbed another double-double, and is averaging a double-double on the season so far. He has tapered off in the second half of both the TT and 'Bama games, not sure if it's mental or conditioning, or whatever. Pretty sure Brad will help him figure it out. It's early in the season, but I'd expect he'll continue to be a strong candidate for B1G FOY, and in discussions for FOY on a national scale.
Ben actually leads the team in 3 pt% at . . . 37.5% through last night's game . . . if you exclude Tomi and Mihailo, who've both taken only 3 shots total this season.
I get it - you don't like Ben as a player and believe he should be riding the pine, or maybe not even be on the roster. He's a valuable contributor, and while not a starter, will have a positive impact on the team throughout the year.
Hawk also said “don’t tell me what you hit; tell me when you hit.” One of my favorite lines. There were about three 3-pointers that would have really set the place off had they gone in. All great looks. Just gotta knock em down.
We basically controlled the first half and were only up 1. Probably should have been couple possessions at least. Against 2 good teams out of the half has been a big problem.
Agreed. The stretch to end the first was big, thought we could have ran away with it a bit.
That said, the Bama role guys were raining 3s in that final half stretch. And as someone who watched the Purdue game… let’s just say, I’m not sure that’s gonna be typical.
and layups
Stevegarbs
- Mokena, IL
Was at the game and it was all Illini in United Center. Great turnout, other than a few seats up the rafters the place was packed and loud. And the acoustic difference between a modern, more vertical arena and our beloved widest-bowl-cool-for-its-time Assembly Hall was amazing.
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Couldn't agree more. What a great turnout by Chicagoland Illini nation and the nation was screaming at the Tide down the stretch, but they hit big shots.
United Center atmosphere and vibe was electric early and often.
BINGO!!!!!!
This is why I'm not a huge fan of the Euro game as it translates to the college game. They are extremely slow(comparatively), they lack explosiveness and they're much more comfortable on the perimeter. That might work offensively, but it won't work defensively.....I don't care who's running the defense.
Z was an absolute mess out there. They had him guarding the perimeter and it was blow-by after blow-by, which compromises pretty much everything you're trying to do. It was either drive and kick or a free run at the rim.
With this group and the lack of quickness and agility.....can't see how you can't dedicate yourself to a zone. None of our guys, outside of Boswell, can't be put on an island on that end of the floor.
I know Mirk has had his moments, but we're dearly missing that presence that Morez brought. He could match Bama's bigs stride for stride. We just don't have that.
Offensively......very similar to last year. We have Boswell and Drej(Riley and KJ last year) and a bunch of perimeter orientated guys. Ben looks a TON better and should be out there more than Z.
Where’s Ayo’s Mom when ya need her …
Make the damn free throws !!!!!!!!!!!
Make the damn free throws !!!!!!!!!!!
Yes. Have to remember how Dre looked in his first game back. Let's give Tomi and Petrovic some time to get their game and health up to speed. Great to see them out there last night. Can only get better moving forward
Missed FT's gave them to many second chance points and got sped up on offense to start the second half. Killed us
It's all window dressing for March. Just get healthy and ready for the tournament
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