ROI isn't there?
They were tied for second in the league, they're too 5 in the NET, they're probably going to be a #2 in the NCAA and the tournament is still 10 days away.
Tough to look at the financials before the season is over, no?
Illinois 78, Maryland 72 Postgame
- Status
They were tied for second in the league, they're too 5 in the NET, they're probably going to be a #2 in the NCAA and the tournament is still 10 days away.
Tough to look at the financials before the season is over, no?
So that was the angle that I thought was very misleading, because it does look like Maryland's player just had to make contact with the ball based on that camera angle, but the reverse angle that showed a clearer view of the play in my opinion appeared questionable on whether the ball actually made contact with the Maryland player's hand.
It's why I agree with @ChiefGritty on this one. That the play probably should not have been overturned based on all angles available, even though that one angle made it seem his hand had to touch it. In my opinion that was more a visual effect of the ball eclipsing the hand rather than proving actual contact. Tough call to make.
I'm still in shock a B10 ref though actually correctly called in real time a leg kickout foul on a 3pt shot on the shooter instead of calling a close out foul on Mirk. I didn't think B10 refs capable of getting that type of call correct.
Jeremy Fears deserves an Oscar for his performances
The question is, however, is that due to the Ivisic's play?
If you equate every individual to the team's accomplishments and take it to the extreme, should we pay Petro more next year?
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Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
It's pretty obviously out on maryland, is someone arguing otherwise? Because they are very wrong. Ben knew right away, didn't even need to react, just told the staff to review.
He was talking about the Big Ten Tournament
I don't know what we're paying the Ivisic bros, but, I'd argue that for Z if we're paying him based on how he played with Cal, then we're getting a pretty solid return on him. His stats have been significantly better pretty much across the board in all facets since putting on an Illini jersey. He's been significantly more efficient, been a better rebounder, has reduced his turnover rate by over 50%, has significantly cut down on fouls, while improving to 4th in the country in block rate. And while he's had a rough past couple games defensively Illinois still has been significantly better defensively when he's been on the court this year (He was hovering around the Top 10 in the nation in defensive affect on floor vs off floor much if this year before falling off but is still Top 30. Next best on the roster has been Mirk who's around Top 180 adjusted and 10.8pts per 100poss worse raw?!?!). Really the only thing that has decreased for Z here is his 3pt shooting. Not sure why that is.
So if we paid Z entirely based on his past performance, we're getting more than we paid for thus far. And yes, I realize that isn't quite how it works, but he has been good for us, just not a star player.
But Tomi... He's been the same or worse in most categories this year. He's been a much more efficient 2pt shooter but his production inside the arc is down about 50% from last year. He's definitely had a sophomore slump, which isn't uncommon for B10 players. Again, not sure what we paid him, but if we were paying him expecting improvement on his freshman year, then yes, I'd agree that we are overpaying him based on what the expectations were.
Next year though will be interesting. If we were to decide not to pay them and let them walk, getting better would be nice, but isn't a guarantee. Especially if we think Fletch can do something with Z in the weight room this offseason. His potential is there, but the body and frame isn't. If Fletch can succeed there hard to pass on that.
Couldn’t agree more. Also, enough about what they’re making. Don’t care! It’s the new norm in college today. Every team has overpaid guys. Just win games!
Apparently Underwood doesn't think so. He had an opportunity to let us know his thoughts and went in another direction.
Good point. I think we are saying similar things.
After sleeping on it - and really this has been the case all year - our team's success is dependent on rebounding IMO. Win that convincingly, which we didn't really do against MD, and we are difficult to beat; and they nearly beat us as a result. At least we did eek it out by a slim margin, giving us the second chance points.
Michigan beat us on the boards, and in about every other way. As did Uconn and Mich St. We just are not a great defensive team that can consistently get stops or contain quick guards, so rebounding is where we have to beat teams. Hopefully we get back to dominating on the glass as we have in most of our wins this year.
It was a frustrating game, but this team has basically kicked the crap out of teams like this all year so it happens. Honestly getting a taste of a close win even if its Maryland counts for something.
Yep. Without a salary cap and a program that turns a big profit, I don't understand the "overpaid" argument. I suppose it has to do with the theory that the money paid to Player A could have bought Player B, who's doing well somewhere else. But it's just a theory, and it doesn't take into account whether Player B would fit well in this team's scheme or whether Player B even wanted to come here. For a very large part of this season, the parts have fit together extremely well. The only obvious "miss" has been Petro and his late arrival, subsequent injury, our switch to a slower pace and Wagler's eruption all contributed.
It's not lost on me that this is a team whose only losses were to teams that all are likely to be in the Top 25 in this week's final regular-season poll, and a team that most likely has earned a 2 seed in March Madness. Heck, I'd probably give them a bonus.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
I resisted the temptation to post after driving home from the game in College Park yesterday, 'cause I was still annoyed at the two-hour cortisol and adrenaline dump to which the the Illini subjected me. First of all, let me share my delight in having had our pick of premium season-ticket seating behind the Illini bench because Terp fans are so unmotivated to support their hard-working team this season that we sit where we wanted to.
As many noted, we were clearly low-energy from the tip. Mirk and Jake carried us in that first half, and then Mirk, and Keaton drawing fouls, in the second.
This was Maryland's shot at March madness and I wasn't surprised they brought it. I saw them beat Iowa in person last month, when Andre Mills went nuts, as he did yesterday. I love watching that kid play. He's electric: his intensity and skill is inspiring. Diggy Coit is often a problem, and yesterday Adams came out of nowhere in the 2H to lift them. They were unconscious shooting even when closely covered. Buzz has gotten the most out of them the two times I've seen them this season, and the players clearly love him. Mills is a R/S frosh and came with Buzz from A&M. I assume he'll stay with Buzz and, along with incoming talent and the portal, MD will probably be back to being a big problem next season unless weird March things happen there.
Winning on the road is not easy, particularly when sickness dogs the team. Plus, this was the final regular season game, and v. #134 in KenPom/#17 in the BT. The Terps left it all on the floor and, fortunately on an off day for us, it wasn't enough. We won. It was a very entertaining game. The Xfinity Center is a rough place to play on the road. We're fortunate it was only half-filled at best. It got plenty loud at times.
Am grateful we saw the team play four times this year. They're special, and it has been a treat to see them. I hope they rest, recover and recharge before Friday afternoon, and show up with intensity the rest of the month. A lot of us here seem down on them lately. I'm not. Though March is a craps shoot, I like our chances to get to the end of the second weekend. Onward and upward.
As many noted, we were clearly low-energy from the tip. Mirk and Jake carried us in that first half, and then Mirk, and Keaton drawing fouls, in the second.
This was Maryland's shot at March madness and I wasn't surprised they brought it. I saw them beat Iowa in person last month, when Andre Mills went nuts, as he did yesterday. I love watching that kid play. He's electric: his intensity and skill is inspiring. Diggy Coit is often a problem, and yesterday Adams came out of nowhere in the 2H to lift them. They were unconscious shooting even when closely covered. Buzz has gotten the most out of them the two times I've seen them this season, and the players clearly love him. Mills is a R/S frosh and came with Buzz from A&M. I assume he'll stay with Buzz and, along with incoming talent and the portal, MD will probably be back to being a big problem next season unless weird March things happen there.
Winning on the road is not easy, particularly when sickness dogs the team. Plus, this was the final regular season game, and v. #134 in KenPom/#17 in the BT. The Terps left it all on the floor and, fortunately on an off day for us, it wasn't enough. We won. It was a very entertaining game. The Xfinity Center is a rough place to play on the road. We're fortunate it was only half-filled at best. It got plenty loud at times.
Am grateful we saw the team play four times this year. They're special, and it has been a treat to see them. I hope they rest, recover and recharge before Friday afternoon, and show up with intensity the rest of the month. A lot of us here seem down on them lately. I'm not. Though March is a craps shoot, I like our chances to get to the end of the second weekend. Onward and upward.
band camp
- STL City
Great post. Thank you.I resisted the temptation to post after driving home from the game in College Park yesterday, 'cause I was still annoyed at the two-hour cortisol and adrenaline dump to which the the Illini subjected me. First of all, let me share my delight in having had our pick of premium season-ticket seating behind the Illini bench because Terp fans are so unmotivated to support their hard-working team this season that we sit where we wanted to.
As many noted, we were clearly low-energy from the tip. Mirk and Jake carried us in that first half, and then Mirk, and Keaton drawing fouls, in the second.
This was Maryland's shot at March madness and I wasn't surprised they brought it. I saw them beat Iowa in person last month, when Andre Mills went nuts, as he did yesterday. I love watching that kid play. He's electric: his intensity and skill is inspiring. Diggy Coit is often a problem, and yesterday Adams came out of nowhere in the 2H to lift them. They were unconscious shooting even when closely covered. Buzz has gotten the most out of them the two times I've seen them this season, and the players clearly love him. Mills is a R/S frosh and came with Buzz from A&M. I assume he'll stay with Buzz and, along with incoming talent and the portal, MD will probably be back to being a big problem next season unless weird March things happen there.
Winning on the road is not easy, particularly when sickness dogs the team. Plus, this was the final regular season game, and v. #134 in KenPom/#17 in the BT. The Terps left it all on the floor and, fortunately on an off day for us, it wasn't enough. We won. It was a very entertaining game. The Xfinity Center is a rough place to play on the road. We're fortunate it was only half-filled at best. It got plenty loud at times.
Am grateful we saw the team play four times this year. They're special, and it has been a treat to see them. I hope they rest, recover and recharge before Friday afternoon, and show up with intensity the rest of the month. A lot of us here seem down on them lately. I'm not. Though March is a craps shoot, I like our chances to get to the end of the second weekend. Onward and upward.
illini55
- The Villages, FL
If we survive until Saturday and run into Michigan, it's a no-lose situation. If we lose, it does absolutely nothing to our NCAA seeding and gives us an extra day's rest to heal up from our various injuries/aches/pains. If we win, we get less rest and play for a banner, solidifying our 2 seed in the Big Dance. Either way, we win.I REALLY wish Nebraska had lost so that we'd be the 3 seed. Oh well, though. Just gotta play the hand we've been dealt. When our guys are on, they're virtually unstoppable. Hopefully, now that every game from here on out will be win or go home, that killer mentality we saw for so much of the season fully returns. I believe! GO ILLINI!!!
Yeah. But you are not on the European continent.
and it seems that every team has one of these. see Oregon for Wisconsin. Rutgers for Michigan State…
I'm certainly not "coming at you" but wanted to add that this take is missing the fact that actual people are the one's giving this $ to the university to pay these players. AKA, donors give a lot of their own money to pay these players and they absolutely have expectations for the ROI for the money they give. So ya, if I'm a donor that gave thousands of dollars to keep the twins- and they are underperforming.. While Morez tears it up at Michigan... Or if I gave thousands to get Andrej (I believe our highest paid player) and he's coming off the bench and is unplayable every 2 games or so.. Yep- I'm going to have an issue with that. This isn't monopoly money.
Won't someone think of the millionaires and billionaires!
100% correct the only person who can truly evaluate ROI on player payment is the donor(s). But, as it currently stands. We're a 2 seed, and I highly doubt we have a top-5 paid roster - but it seems everyone is comfortable saying we're in the top 15, range. So by no means are we poor here.
This will be determined by what happens in March, we all get that. But man, putting myself in Brad's shoes. If i make a final four or elite 8, and I secure a two seed, and im not a top 10 paid roster, if some donor is down my neck about one guy "underperforming", that's where I need whitman to put someone in line. Because that's just some selfish thinking and a horrible way to look at team sports.
- Status