Illinois 91, Missouri 48 Postgame
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I agree. It didn’t make sense to me to keep Wagler in so long. I would have liked to see Lee get a few more minutes too.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Now that advanced analytics are used by the selection committee, scoring margin impacts seeding. There’s also something to be said for keeping your starters in a “everything’s going right” game to build confidence.
Kendrick Nunn was my favorite back then but Malcolm was just a great combo of skills, smarts and maximizing what you got. I still dream of that could have been with Kendrick, Malcolm and leron black together. but life gets in the way sometimes of a dream
I always had felt Kendrick was a better player, Malcolm was better in college and in the Big Ten but once Kendrick went to Oakland and they let him "be the guy" I think he realized how good of a shooter he really was. Was really glad he went on to play a couple of strong seasons in the NBA and obviously now is doing well in Europe.
I was going off what the commentators said during the closing minutes of the game. And the Illini's tough schedule will pay off come tournament time IMO
That video is freaking tremendous
Z loves the belt to 
. If Brad continues to channel his aggressive nature properly he is a beast in games. Get Tommy back to normal with the consistency of Keaton, steadiness of Kylan, Mirk rebounding and ability to ISO Dre with shooters around this game may be the one we look back on as the turned corner in a lot of areas. Special season in the works if so!
. If Brad continues to channel his aggressive nature properly he is a beast in games. Get Tommy back to normal with the consistency of Keaton, steadiness of Kylan, Mirk rebounding and ability to ISO Dre with shooters around this game may be the one we look back on as the turned corner in a lot of areas. Special season in the works if so!Attachments
Chuck Nuggets
Dip your nuggets in my staff source sauce.
I really don't think Mizzou is any good, or at least they didn't seem too interested Monday night. I'm pretty sure Gates isn't a good coach, too.
So I wonder how much of that was us or them. I don't think a B10 opponent all year will put up less of a fight. All that said, that was a very impressive performance from Illinois. Wagler is the real deal. If he's not a lottery pick, this is an all-time draft class.
So I wonder how much of that was us or them. I don't think a B10 opponent all year will put up less of a fight. All that said, that was a very impressive performance from Illinois. Wagler is the real deal. If he's not a lottery pick, this is an all-time draft class.
We need the relax with Keaton and just let him play. What were KJ's numbers prior to January last year. He will start to be the focus of defensive game plans and he's going to have very physical, stuff competition every game. He has three full months to go. I think expectations should be tempered because, ultimately, if our season rests in his young, undeveloped and inexperienced shoulders.... it probably means we're not having a great year.
The development has been phenomenal so far. Let's hope it continues, while also managing what history tells us about true freshmen.
easy to forget how good Kasparas was before he got hurt. Around bragging rights he was being projected as a top 10 pick, and with good reason.
Need a bigger sample size but looks like he is getting close to regaining his pre injury form.
I had forgotten. Sorry KJ
Was the whole story regarding his injury ever told? Feel like I don’t know anything aside from it being a forearm
KJ assist to turnover ratio: 1.33
Keaton assist to turnover: 2.5 (which is elite territory)
Keaton’s also far and away the better defender.
KJ (pre-January) was a better rebounder and scorer, but Keaton’s also been very good in both departments (tied for team lead in offensive rebounds for crying out loud).
IMHO - if he continues to not turn it over, he’ll be just fine. May have a few off nights, but he’s too talented offensively to no show every game (neither did KJ, but the turnovers really hurt his team).
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Keaton. Is a one of kind sleeper that Brad discovered. I hope Keaton would come back even if he has a great BT season. What a player.
The ability of this staff to figure out ways to make players who weren't point guards, into primary offensive engines really should be appreciated. It's incredibly cool. Keaton is excellent, but what Brad and team have done with him and Domask is wild.
I’m not exactly sure… why? The NBA draft is SUPER age-dependent nowadays. With each added year, he could lose millions. If he’s projected second round, fine. But if he’s in the KJ/Riley range of ~ top 20, really makes no sense to come back.
He has been FANTASTIC! KJ was FANTASTIC!
However, when KJ fell off a cliff last year, Riley was there to carry the torch and that's when Boswell really started taking a strong step forward.
He shouldn't turn it over as much as KJ because KJ's job was to run the show. He had the ball in his hands and orchestrated everything. The assists and turnovers track given the responsibilities. He became the absolute focus of the other teams scouting report. He was the head of the snake, for the lack of a better term. He just regressed as the season went on.
This year, Kylan has a huge role is running the offense, so the responsibility doesn't (and shouldn't) fall on Keaton's shoulders. That's a good thing.
I do think that we're going to see Keaton be subject to a lot more doubles, a lot more traps, etc. and defensively, other teams are going to target him with size and strength. He's still a kid and he's not filled out whatsoever. The coaches in the conference are really, really good and they will adjust.
Honestly, my biggest concern is wear and tear. We have a couple of games coming up, Southern, Penn State and Rutgers, where we're just going to be better at every position. After that.....those last 16 games + BTT....it's game on and that grind will take it's toll. No more 2 games in 16 days and there will be TRUE road games in some pretty hostile places. He did very well @ OSU, which is promising.
IMO, this season rests on the shoulders of Kylan and Tomi. Those guys have to be the engine. Tomi flat out has to be better. He's been through this grind and played major minutes. If we're relying on Keaton, to me, it's just too much to ask. He's going to get worn down because his body simply isn't ready for what awaits. It would be absolutely phenomenal if that wasn't the case. It'll be interesting to keep tabs on.
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If he piggybacks a great non conference season with a great Big Ten season.....he's 100% gone. The question will be is he physically ready. A great Big Ten season will prove that he is.
Keaton not a point guard?
If we're being honest, there's been plentiful of "relaxing with Keaton" since we heard about him in the fall
. So far he's blown those expectations away.I touched on the KJ part earlier in the thread.
Taking care of the ball and defense are both vital differentiaters.
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