if wagler has a good game against Michigan and Illinois wins, he's a lock to win big ten player of the year imo.I guess it depends on how you’d define “argument.” To me “argument” only stands for the guys that realistically have a chance to win it.
Does Stirtz theoretically have an argument? Probably.
Does Thornton theoretically have an argument? Probably.
But if the award were to be handed out today, neither of those guys have a realistic chance to win it.
IMO the BIG POY has been between 4 guys for the past month. The order has just continuously flip flopped:
Wagler, Smith, Yaxel, Fears
Right now the top two would probably be Yaxel and Wagler.
Freshman of the year is a.
Illini Basketball 2025-2026
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Screams of a writer who saw the one red box for Illinois on Torvik and thought "there it is, their Achillies heel" without actually really thinking about it.
Illinois basketball’s fatal flaw that will cost it in Big Ten Conference title race
Illinois basketball is one of the top threats to claim the Big Ten title. But what's the fatal flaw that could halt the Illini?sports.yahoo.com
Thoughts on this? Arguing that our slow tempo is going to cost in the B10 Tourney. Not sure I've disagreed with an article more...
Visualized this one as an artistic rendition named "Beat Writers Astutely Identifying Illinois Basketball's Weakness"
Do B1G officials have a vote? If so, they’d be tripping over themselves to choose Fears in a landslide.I guess it depends on how you’d define “argument.” To me “argument” only stands for the guys that realistically have a chance to win it.
Does Stirtz theoretically have an argument? Probably.
Does Thornton theoretically have an argument? Probably.
But if the award were to be handed out today, neither of those guys have a realistic chance to win it.
IMO the BIG POY has been between 4 guys for the past month. The order has just continuously flip flopped:
Wagler, Smith, Yaxel, Fears
Right now the top two would probably be Yaxel and Wagler.
Freshman of the year is a
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I wouldn't do it that way if I were a voter. JMHO.
Btw part of the problem here is that in an 18 team league a much lower percentage of the games actually pit these competitors against one another.
Wagler, Smith, Yaxel and Fears have played a combined 4 games against one another so far, a couple more still to come. In a full double round robin it would be 12.
Illinois for sure isn't a "fast" team. However, their adjusted tempo is misleading for the following reasons...Illinois basketball’s fatal flaw that will cost it in Big Ten Conference title race
Illinois basketball is one of the top threats to claim the Big Ten title. But what's the fatal flaw that could halt the Illini?
Thoughts on this? Arguing that our slow tempo is going to cost in the B10 Tourney. Not sure I've disagreed with an article more...
1) They don't turn the ball over much, so their possessions end with a shot more often (making them take longer)
2) They get a ton of offensive rebounds, so they create some very long possessions that distort their pace number.
3) Their defense doesn't force a ton of turnovers (by design), so their opponents have long possessions. I guess this is the actual criticism he is making, since it reduces fast break points. But it isn't like they are giving up fast break points either, and their defensive efficiency is very good (~20-30 in the country). If running on them was a weakness their defensive efficiency wouldn't be so high.
Illinois' real weakness is that the style requires the refs to call the game correctly at both ends, which usually means calling more fouls on the other team. When a team hand checks and bodies the whole game like MSU did, sometimes the refs insist on calling about the same number of fouls each way anyway. That's always been a problem with basketball and the Illinois "strategy" feeds right into it. You can't force tempo if you can't force turnovers and can't get a good shot off early in the shot clock. And illinois is pretty deep when healthy so it's not like you can run them out of the gym.
Another weakness in close games is that Brad still isn't a great in-game manager. They don't use timeouts to avoid jump balls well, they don't get 2 for 1s often, they don't press to slow the other team down when ahead. Also, their "we're gonna just let you take mediocre shots" doesn't work quite as well down the stretch when the other teams best player is much more likely to be the one taking the shot. Teams that have a more aggressive, hand-check, take the ball out of their hands style I think do a little better defensively in the last couple minutes of a close game, especially if the refs are swallowing their whistle.
This team is right on the cusp of realizing that it can dominate, yes, dominate, any team it plays. Truly. Michigan, Arizona, UCONN, Houston, anyone.
Anyone.
There’s just a little mental aha moment that we haven’t yet experienced. It could happen at any time.
If ever we really realize just how dominant we are (and I actually mean dominant, not just “positive thinking”) we will finish as National Champions.
Anyone.
There’s just a little mental aha moment that we haven’t yet experienced. It could happen at any time.
If ever we really realize just how dominant we are (and I actually mean dominant, not just “positive thinking”) we will finish as National Champions.
wettsten
- Chicago
I stopped reading at this:Illinois basketball’s fatal flaw that will cost it in Big Ten Conference title race
Illinois basketball is one of the top threats to claim the Big Ten title. But what's the fatal flaw that could halt the Illini?
Thoughts on this? Arguing that our slow tempo is going to cost in the B10 Tourney. Not sure I've disagreed with an article more...
I guess you could argue indirectly, but have we had recent flaws in perimeter shooting without him?
Great question, I have to praise you.
The trap they have been running recently has produced some turnovers.
Interesting analysis of shot selection, sorry if already posted:
89illini
- Grand Rapids, MI
1989+2005=2026?
No way!
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
But it was written by Clutchpoints!
This team hasn't had an achilles heal --they're balanced, poised, and punch back. Teams that have beat them do so by playing VERY well and Illinois not playing their best --shooting, rebounding, and solid defense.
IMO there's a handful of teams on the Illini's level and we know who those teams are. You never know in a single game format what will happen --too many small things make a difference, but they've shown they should be playing on the second weekend and beyond.
Illinois basketball’s fatal flaw that will cost it in Big Ten Conference title race
Illinois basketball is one of the top threats to claim the Big Ten title. But what's the fatal flaw that could halt the Illini?
Thoughts on this? Arguing that our slow tempo is going to cost in the B10 Tourney. Not sure I've disagreed with an article more...
This article is bogus as if it were written by AI...
"Teams especially inside the United Center come March 10 will attempt to speed up the Illini. All to make Illinois uncomfortable and throw the Illini off their offensive game.
Athletic teams like Michigan have the potential to outrun and gas the Illini. Purdue and Nebraska can crank up the tempo if they cross paths with Illinois inside the United Center."
We beat Purdue and Nebraska at their venues! As such this author has lost all credibility...
NEXT!!!!!!
So did Michigan State and Alabama
Goillinikobd
- Southeastern US
We are a 14-6 team in the BIG, 2 or 3 seed on the NCAA, too weak and inconsistent to make the FF. One junk yard dog and one best in show pup.
Responding to my own post just for the info: we ended up with 33.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
Unfortunately, we saw that this team does have an Achilles heel last night. When they are not 100% locked in defensively, they do not have the athletic ability to make up for a lack of focus.
When they are locked in, they are good - maybe even close to very good - defensively. But when they lose focus, they are not good because they don't have the athleticism to compensate.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Somewhat Bracketology-related, but I thought it belonged here. I'll agree with others that in isolation, the #2 seed vs. #3 seed path would not really matter for this particular team. Obviously, if we were more likely to get St. Louis as a #2 seed (definitely true) or there were a scenario where dropping to a #3 seed got us Chicago (much murkier), that could tip the scales ... but I don't think we'd be particularly more likely to drop a Second Round game to a #6 seed than we would to a #7 seed, and the #2/3 group have to get past each other in the Sweet Sixteen anyway.
So, with all that said, I was thinking about how I felt heading into March Madness under the assumption that we were either a #2 or #3 seed and trying not to think too much about the location. Knock on wood and obviously anything can happen in the Tournament, but I do think this group has the talent and offensive firepower to have a VERY slim chance of getting upset in the First Round. Given that belief, I wanted to look at our performances in my completely subjective opinion that I thought would be the type that would cut our March Madness run short. I want to emphasize that these aren't all the same and are once again subjective. For example, maybe I would consider two performances equally encouraging for our March Madness prospects, with one being a game where we shot lights out but another being one where we WEREN'T on our A game and grinded out a win.
This is sort of what I came up with as the three big buckets for me, personally. I didn't include every game, so no need to point that out! These are just ones that particularly stuck out.
Playing With Fire | These are the types of performances that just gave me that archetypal feel of getting us bounced in the Second Round and leave everyone wondering what could have been.
(1) First half vs. Nebraska in Champaign
(2) End of regulation and OT vs. Wisconsin
(3) Second half at UCLA
Surefire Second Weekend Team | Regardless of how far we would end up going (Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four and beyond, etc.), this level of play is going to safely avoid any First Weekend upsets.
(1) vs. Tennessee in Nashville
(2) at Iowa
(3) at Michigan State
(4) vs. Indiana
(5) First half of the first half at UCLA
Title Contenders | If we play like this, I would take our guys against any other team in the field. It doesn't guarantee we don't fall short (1989 and 2005 did, after all), but it will take the other team's best to stop this Illini train.
(1) vs. Missouri at Braggin' Rights
(2) at Nebraska
(3) at USC
Games not mentioned either had too unique of circumstances for this exercise (e.g., Keaton's historic performance at Purdue), because they were against teams way worse than we would face in these Tournament situations (e.g., demolishing Rutgers), since they were just a really long time ago (e.g., vs. Texas Tech), etc. If you put those in chronological order, while obviously acknowledging there are plenty of omitted games in between and before this list, it would look like this:
Dec. 6 - Sweet Sixteen / Elite Eight team
Dec. 13 - Second Round loss
Dec. 22 - Contending for a National Championship
Jan. 11 - Sweet Sixteen / Elite Eight team
Feb. 1 - Contending for a National Championship (down one starter)
Feb. 7 - Sweet Sixteen / Elite Eight team (down one starter)
Feb. 10 - Second Round loss (down two starters)
Feb. 15 - Sweet Sixteen / Elite Eight team (down one starter)
Feb. 18 - Contending for a National Championship
Feb. 21 - Sweet Sixteen / Elite Eight team
Feb. 21 - Second Round loss
The TL;DR here is that when you take into account how shorthanded we have been and that this team arguably didn't fully blossom into the team we believe can make a deep run until Braggin' Rights, I can honestly say that the second half vs. UCLA last night was the only time that I was concerned by our product at full strength. The silver lining to that could be that maybe it was the first time the team saw that it could be that vulnerable at full strength if the effort and focus dipped. Let's hope last night can serve a similar purpose as the epic collapse at PSU in 2024 ... we never saw a loss of focus like that again with that group.
Put another way, since Braggin' Rights, this group has "done enough" to very clearly find itself in the Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight in 7 of the 9 games I highlighted above vs. NCAAT-caliber teams. I'm pretty confident these guys will bring it and then some on stages like the Sweet Sixteen and beyond, and I am hoping last night was the last wakeup call necessary to keep our foot on the gas in the more Second Round-esque games.
So, with all that said, I was thinking about how I felt heading into March Madness under the assumption that we were either a #2 or #3 seed and trying not to think too much about the location. Knock on wood and obviously anything can happen in the Tournament, but I do think this group has the talent and offensive firepower to have a VERY slim chance of getting upset in the First Round. Given that belief, I wanted to look at our performances in my completely subjective opinion that I thought would be the type that would cut our March Madness run short. I want to emphasize that these aren't all the same and are once again subjective. For example, maybe I would consider two performances equally encouraging for our March Madness prospects, with one being a game where we shot lights out but another being one where we WEREN'T on our A game and grinded out a win.
This is sort of what I came up with as the three big buckets for me, personally. I didn't include every game, so no need to point that out! These are just ones that particularly stuck out.
Playing With Fire | These are the types of performances that just gave me that archetypal feel of getting us bounced in the Second Round and leave everyone wondering what could have been.
(1) First half vs. Nebraska in Champaign
(2) End of regulation and OT vs. Wisconsin
(3) Second half at UCLA
Surefire Second Weekend Team | Regardless of how far we would end up going (Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four and beyond, etc.), this level of play is going to safely avoid any First Weekend upsets.
(1) vs. Tennessee in Nashville
(2) at Iowa
(3) at Michigan State
(4) vs. Indiana
(5) First half of the first half at UCLA
Title Contenders | If we play like this, I would take our guys against any other team in the field. It doesn't guarantee we don't fall short (1989 and 2005 did, after all), but it will take the other team's best to stop this Illini train.
(1) vs. Missouri at Braggin' Rights
(2) at Nebraska
(3) at USC
Games not mentioned either had too unique of circumstances for this exercise (e.g., Keaton's historic performance at Purdue), because they were against teams way worse than we would face in these Tournament situations (e.g., demolishing Rutgers), since they were just a really long time ago (e.g., vs. Texas Tech), etc. If you put those in chronological order, while obviously acknowledging there are plenty of omitted games in between and before this list, it would look like this:
Dec. 6 - Sweet Sixteen / Elite Eight team
Dec. 13 - Second Round loss
Dec. 22 - Contending for a National Championship
Jan. 11 - Sweet Sixteen / Elite Eight team
Feb. 1 - Contending for a National Championship (down one starter)
Feb. 7 - Sweet Sixteen / Elite Eight team (down one starter)
Feb. 10 - Second Round loss (down two starters)
Feb. 15 - Sweet Sixteen / Elite Eight team (down one starter)
Feb. 18 - Contending for a National Championship
Feb. 21 - Sweet Sixteen / Elite Eight team
Feb. 21 - Second Round loss
The TL;DR here is that when you take into account how shorthanded we have been and that this team arguably didn't fully blossom into the team we believe can make a deep run until Braggin' Rights, I can honestly say that the second half vs. UCLA last night was the only time that I was concerned by our product at full strength. The silver lining to that could be that maybe it was the first time the team saw that it could be that vulnerable at full strength if the effort and focus dipped. Let's hope last night can serve a similar purpose as the epic collapse at PSU in 2024 ... we never saw a loss of focus like that again with that group.
Put another way, since Braggin' Rights, this group has "done enough" to very clearly find itself in the Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight in 7 of the 9 games I highlighted above vs. NCAAT-caliber teams. I'm pretty confident these guys will bring it and then some on stages like the Sweet Sixteen and beyond, and I am hoping last night was the last wakeup call necessary to keep our foot on the gas in the more Second Round-esque games.
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