Michigan 84, Illinois 70 Postgame

[Second place is 1st loser]

Except we have seen this with these guys. We were9/29 from 3 today

For example
7/31 vs IU, W
7/22 vs TTU, W
6/27 vs PSU,W
9/30 at Nebby, W

This team is 8-4 when shooting below 33% from 3

I'd say winning 2/3s of your games when you shoot like crap is pretty good.........wish we'd shoot like crap less though lol

We generally get second and third chances when we shoot that poorly. We were top 10 in offensive rebounding, but it was vs much, much less of an athletically dominant team.

What are we, 22-7? We're 8-4 shooting under 30% and 14-3 shooting over. Our biggest win of the season, at Purdue, we were 18 of 38. That's the type of effort that it would have taken to win.

We coughed up a 23 point lead vs UCLA because we were hot for 12 minutes, then went 3-25 in the next 28 + OT.

This is our DNA. The good news is that we've shown we can do it. The bad news is that we haven't done it vs the lines of MI.

For example, against Indiana we out rebounded them 38 to 25, we had 15 offensive rebounds to 2 and we had 40 points in the paint to 24.

It's ok to be that bad shooting it, as long as you can make up for it in other capacities. There isn't a world where we were going to have a 13 rebound advantage overall, a 13 offensive rebound advantage and a 16 point advantage in the paint.

Their front line is too good.

 

[eas23]

Boz was the only player who showed the toughness to match up with Michigan but hurt us with his poor 3 point shooting which for him qualifies as bad shot selection. . Kylan is as tough as his still underdeveloped body allows him to be but Cadeau was abusing him in the paint early in the game and he had to be switched off him and Boswell had to guard him. Wondering how much that messed with our defensive scheme?

The Ivisic brothers are flat out soft- especially Tomi. Yes he is a skilled passer and sometimes is effective from 3 point range but seems inexplicably reluctant to pull the trigger from there at times or maybe is just too slow to get his shot off. His defense is really poor in the paint and he just seems so slow and unathletic. I don't see him being an NBA player. Z has more potential but like his brother gets pushed around and out of position for defensive rebounds.

Never have been an Andrej fan. Yes he is pretty good driving to the hoop and scoring there but he also has the ball stripped from him while dribbling at least once a game, forces several drives against multiple defenders which invariably ends up with a miss and the ball sticks in his hand and he can't shoot from the perimeter- he's also not a future NBA player. Certainly not worth bringing him back, especially at what he is wanna get paid.

We need to build around Mirk for next year and we better hope yet another freshmen, Morillo turns out to be terrific. Not sure why Mirk didn't back down any of their guards every time they were switched onto him. We supposedly are great at hunting matchups but didn't execute on that nearly as much as we could have although I was disappointed that sometimes he threw up a weak shot when posting up on a much smaller guard.

It's been an issue for quite some time now that BU is not getting enough high level, fast twitch, athletes on his teams. TSJ and Morez are the only ones that come to mind in the last 3-4 years.

I'm not basketball smart enough to know the nuances, but there's clearly something Stojakovic does when he tries to drive that allows him to get stripped without getting fouled as often as he does. Opponents have scouted it and I feel like Andrej and/or the coaches should have been able to account for it by now.

 

[Bootheel Illini]

It just might be when you recruit European players, soft is what you get. They play against similar players and just don't develop that "dawg" mentality. Our 7' brothers have developed into 3 point shooters above all else because it worked in their Euro leagues. They are not good defending the paint. Too many one-handed rebounding attempts and fear of fouling limits their effectiveness.

Once again, for another year, we were told how "elite" this team was, but they just do not pass the eye test for being "elite". They are adequate, but adequate teams do not become National Champions.

Michigan bought their team with their $$$$$$ by choosing experienced, successful, hard-nose players whose ability they could predict and count on. We put our $$$ on players the staff hoped they could mold and develop into 'elite" players like Michigan actually selected. Once again, they have not succeeded.

 

[DeeIL89]

The narrative going into this game was that we matched up better with them than anyone else. The true story is that they matched up with us better than anyone else. Yaxel neutralized KW and their bigs out toughed, out played, and out energized our bigs.

Michigan is a team that was hard to mismatch hunt against.

 

[IllinitripleJ]

Agree ego is bruised but the analytics matched the eye test, at least last night and the last couple years.

We have great resources and a terrific basketball program, but we aren’t in the tier where we can buy a super team. Now, roster construction and coaching still matter a lot. I do believe we are more successful than some teams that outspend us. But do we have the money to buy a top 3 pick every year and bid up a guy like Dame Sarr to $3M or whatever like Duke? No. And can we buy a first round pick to pull his name out of the draft and add 3 more transfers that were likely 7 figures like Michigan? Also no.

But can we build a team that maybe loses to those teams maybe 7-8 times out of 10, but can get hot and take one down in a single elimination tourney? We can and we did this year. But we really need to find our edge and start playing our best ball quick.

Any reason why Illinois cannot be as good as Arizona?

 

[illini510]

I don’t think my bar is low. I said he is more than the good here and there type of player you said he was. I don’t say he was great.

If we got good D from him every game with 10pts on 50% shooting with 7 rebs and only 1 turn over per game, that wouldn’t satisfy you?

He has scored 25 pts or more 14 times this year including 4 games over 20 points in games vs teams like Duke, Mizzou, and Houston.

Andre’s upside is what we are paying him 60-70% more than what we offered Trey and he is the one who is an every now and then good producer for us. If you like that then that’s your right.

My problem is how we are using Tomi and the bigs and how we aren’t using them. I think they produce better adding other drawn up plays. The same for Andrej. Heck the same for Ben and Jake.

You liking the upside with Andrej is valid. He averaged almost 18 points before getting here. Trey is averaging almost 15 now that he has left and averaged more before coming here. I can go on, but the usage while here is the problem IMO.

I believe the bigs and Andrej could be utilized better. That we can agree on. I think a big issue is the injuries and players being in and out of the lineup. It has messed with the on court chemistry and you can tell they are still searching for that right mix that they had pre-Boswell's injury. I also think Mirk's presence is definitely taking opportunities away from Tomi, Big Z, and Andrej. It is a bit of a conondrum that the staff will have to figure out.

I still say Tre White is a serviceable piece. He isn't the missing piece that is keeping us from being a Final 4 contender. I wouldn't call him a bulldog either. I think he can play defense when he wants to but there were other times where his rebounding and defense would go, which is why he got in the doghouse late last year. He's a solid player...not great...not elite...but solid piece. I certainly wouldn't run an offense centered around him though.

Andrej can go get his own at any time but his style of game doesn't totally fit this team either. His style would've fit 2 seasons ago much like a Domask type. But Andrej can rebound and defend when he sets his mind to it. He hadn't played on a winning team in his first two seasons so clearly, he's still adjusting to not being so ball dominant

 

[skyIdub]

Well, I was ready for the hot takes. Losing to scUM sucks.
If you really believe this team is not capable of running off 6 W’s in the tourney with a favorable draw/matchups, then I…we…can’t help you.

MLT, Tyler, Brad..etc..all talk about our offense being predicated on matchup/mismatch hunting rather than scripted offense. We have watched it obliterate teams…including UCLA for a stretch.
Last night we watched it run up against a team that we could not successfully hunt a mismatch consistently, when we did, it worked as usual, but they just defended it better than anyone we’ve played this year.

Maybe this is the kick in the a$$ they need to take a step forward with effort and defense.
Maybe there is a little fatigue.
It’s definitely an opportunity for the coaches to light a fire under their butts and challenge them at the most important time of the year.

 

[illini510]

Agree ego is bruised but the analytics matched the eye test, at least last night and the last couple years.

We have great resources and a terrific basketball program, but we aren’t in the tier where we can buy a super team. Now, roster construction and coaching still matter a lot. I do believe we are more successful than some teams that outspend us. But do we have the money to buy a top 3 pick every year and bid up a guy like Dame Sarr to $3M or whatever like Duke? No. And can we buy a first round pick to pull his name out of the draft and add 3 more transfers that were likely 7 figures like Michigan? Also no.

But can we build a team that maybe loses to those teams maybe 7-8 times out of 10, but can get hot and take one down in a single elimination tourney? We can and we did this year. But we really need to find our edge and start playing our best ball quick.

I don't think Dame Sarr would have changed the trajectory of this team. I'd rather have Wagler than Sarr. Sarr has been benched and has not been consistent. 3 mill poorly spent if you ask me. Illini got a break on that one. Discount on Wagler and saved on a lemon in Sarr

 

[IllinitripleJ]

Should Illinois start sniffing around for a new BB coach? Nothing against Brad but I am intrigued by Jai Lucas of Miami. He's only 36, son of a NBA great and is doing a terrific job for Miami of Florida this year. Hate to see Michigan State or Ohio State grab him before we do. Izzo is in his 70s and Ohio State looks like they might be getting a new coach soon. It is a ruthless business but you have to do what you have to do....

 

[tomjc5611]

I understand everyone wants to give Andrej his walking papers given his last couple of games. But we desperately need his athleticism against the top level teams. If we don’t figure out how to get good Andrej back going again we can forget about winning a second weekend game (or maybe even getting to the second weekend).

We can start by playing him more. Playing him 12 minutes will not get him going. He is a volume player and not a sniper. Brad has done him no favors. I'm with you we need him if we are going to make a run. If your giving Davis and Ben his minutes then we are done.

 

[illini510]

Let's hope these last two losses in particular will be the springboard that this group needs to make a run in March. They don't have to look through rose colored eyeglasses any longer. Their flaws have been exposed and now they will either come together and start playing like the team we know they can be or they will lose in the 2nd round/Sweet 16 and we'll call it a solid year that fell short of expectations of a long run in March. I still think this group will surpass last year's team results. Wagler and Boswell>KJ and Boswell

 

[zentrails]

No way. Edey is far more skilled offensive player. Mara better protecting the rim but that’s it

And Edey used his elbows better

 

[Keisersose]

Maybe this is the kick in the a$$ they need to take a step forward with effort and defense.
Maybe there is a little fatigue.
It’s definitely an opportunity for the coaches to light a fire under their butts and challenge them at the most important time of the year.

If the problem was lack of toughness or effort, you woulda thought the UCLA loss would have been a wake up call.

Unfortunately I think it’s scheme and strategy.

Our bread and butter has been the Tomi ballscreens at the top of the key. Teams have started defending them well and/or we have played a couple teams now that have the personnel to defend them.

Need to start doing downing different on offense. We have reverted to one on one stuff too much one on one stuff recently bc other stuff isn’t working.

At one point late yesterday we threw it inside 2 out of 3 players. Each time resulted in an easy bucket.

 

[Yes33]

Well, I was ready for the hot takes. Losing to scUM sucks.
If you really believe this team is not capable of running off 6 W’s in the tourney with a favorable draw/matchups, then I…we…can’t help you.

MLT, Tyler, Brad..etc..all talk about our offense being predicated on matchup/mismatch hunting rather than scripted offense. We have watched it obliterate teams…including UCLA for a stretch.
Last night we watched it run up against a team that we could not successfully hunt a mismatch consistently, when we did, it worked as usual, but they just defended it better than anyone we’ve played this year.

Maybe this is the kick in the a$$ they need to take a step forward with effort and defense.
Maybe there is a little fatigue.
It’s definitely an opportunity for the coaches to light a fire under their butts and challenge them at the most important time of the year.

Are you confident our coaches can identify and game plan against a top team / coach? Doesn’t do any good if you bust your a$$ but nothing you do works. As I’ve said hundreds of times, we can’t even setup a decent inbounds play.

Here I’ll help… https://www.coachesclipboard.net/BasketballPlays.html

 

[zentrails]

Still think Morez is a traitor and a sellout but he brought it tonight and was cold blooded. He did not let the crowd impact his gameplay. He's a good player and our fanbase is not happy that he sold his soul for the almighty dollar but that's college athletics for you.

I totally didn't get sick of the TV announcers saying this 5 billion times

 

[…INI]

Well most of the time when we are missing those threes we are often getting the rebounds giving us second chances. Michigan did a good job of keeping us from doing just that plus out rebounded us overall. That scenario will probably end in a loss every time. Plus they got to the free throw line more than we did.

Yes, our playbook is

1. Shoot a 3
2. Get rebounds off misses and follow with a make
3. Win the turnover margin
4. Get defensive rebounds off opponent misses.

If those fail our defense is not good enough to beat good offensive teams. See Michigan game.

 

[Mistakenj]

This season seems like a lost cause already given the past 2 weeks and last night showing that this team is not a serious contender, and what appears will be yet another early flameout in the tournament. With that said, what does this team look like next year?

Do we get rid of the Ivisics? Does Andrej bounce or get asked to look elsewhere? If we can keep Mirkovic, Id start with him and go from there.

 

[IMK]

No point in playing him …

Give all his minutes to Jake and Ben …

Except if this team is actually gonna succeed against teams loading up on Keaton they need someone else who can create, and more creators is better than just 3 dudes who can only catch and shoot (we aren’t running much Ivisic post ups) and Boswell/Mirkovic.

 

[IMK]

Trent & DMFW ain’t walking through that door unfortunately …

Brad needs to go back to prioritizing dawgs.

Ayo, Frazier, DMFW, Kofi, Feliz, TSJ, Boswell, Wagler, even guys like Dainja and Domask. Morez was that kind of guy too, rather than guys who can space the floor. Physicality, toughness, focus on defense and rebounding rather than offense.

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

There's only 2 teams on this list with a legit shot at winning a title. Wonder where we would rank if an analytic nerd did a toughness per 100 possessions?...

Not even sure you know what that means lol.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Not even sure you know what that means lol.

If you say “toughness” and “in game adjustments” as many times as possible, you can fix all problems on a basketball court.

 

[Se Il Illini]

All of your examples of coaching were pre-NIL. It’s a different era with more opportunities for immediate success. My observation is that BU is a guy who builds/coaches really good teams but not national champion contenders. It certainly could be a lot worse.

As of February 28, 2026, you are absolutely correct.

 

[Se Il Illini]

BU is on record now, per this postgame. He said he doesn't 'really care about the B1G title' he pays attention to 'analytics and the NCAA tournament.'

If he is hyper-focused on that, results matter. In essence..... When the rubber hits the road come the weeks after selection Sunday, we'll see what he's really made of as a coach.

Even with the unbalanced conference schedule, I would think regular season conference titles would be something that the coach and team would strive to achieve. Maybe it was a heat of the moment comment.

 

[Se Il Illini]

Let’s see how the season plays out, but I think BU’s current formula (recruiting, NIL$, scheme, player development, etc) is a winning formula; it’s not a championship one. It prioritizes offense over defense too much.

Arguably we should be content with being a sweet 16 contender every year. As a life long fan, however, I find myself disappointed each year when we can’t seem to ever get over that hump.

Be careful. I got trashed last summer for saying something about a consistent sweet 16 program. I totally agree with your thinking.

 

[fishbed]

OK - it's one game. It's over. Rez got the revenge he wanted. Maybe he didn't like the way BU was using him. Maybe he wanted more money. Who knows ?

But we may be seeing those guys again. And it may be soon. And the outcome may be different also.

He can go pound sand. I want guys that WANT to be Illini.