aka james franklin dilemma....
Wisconsin 91, Illinois 88 OT Postgame
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For all the people crapping on Brad (rightfully so), from all indications, he's our coach until he retires..He's 62 now so that's another 15-20 years he will be here. So we better get use to it...I just hope we recruit players in the future that we can go 9-10 deep with playing time..Relying on a 7 man lineup is not cutting it..
While we can blame bad calls all day, I think that's a scapegoat as we lost this game with poor shooting, bad defense and Missed free- throws
This is not a knock against Keaton at all. Kid is our best freshman ever.
But, IMO, we've gone a little too far in the direction of handing the keys to him. What made him and us great was his ability to take whatever the game gives him and make teams pay with his impeccable decision making. Now, I feel like we're so Keaton-centric that he's forcing it occasionally and other players are standing around waiting for him to make a play. We become more predictable.
In high major games where Keaton shoots fewer than 13 shots, we're 12-2. When he shoots more than 12, we're 6-6.
Now, big caveat is that four of those games where Keaton shoots more than 12 have been overtime games. And without doing the math, I'm sure our opponents have been better on average during those games. So, more losses isn't totally unexpected. But, that also makes me wonder, why in these marquee match ups are we putting more on Keaton rather than playing more of the equal opportunity style of ball that kickstarted our 12 game winning streak?
I suppose (and now I'm just thinking out loud) that it doesn't help that seemingly no one else, particularly the twins, can step up and make a shot. But I go back to the idea that maybe we're doing too many Keaton pick and pops and not enough action with our bigs closer to the basket where they (Tomi specifically) can be a true double or triple threat. Jake and Ben, two of our most consistent shooters were a combined 2 of 5 from three vs Wisconsin. In part, I think, because without the ball popping around and getting teams in rotation, they aren't getting space to shoot.
I guess I'm saying the emergence of Keaton has made us less dynamic, IMO.
Hoping we can find a good balance. A Kylan or Tomi 20 point game on Thursday or Friday would bode really well for the rest of the tourney.
But, IMO, we've gone a little too far in the direction of handing the keys to him. What made him and us great was his ability to take whatever the game gives him and make teams pay with his impeccable decision making. Now, I feel like we're so Keaton-centric that he's forcing it occasionally and other players are standing around waiting for him to make a play. We become more predictable.
In high major games where Keaton shoots fewer than 13 shots, we're 12-2. When he shoots more than 12, we're 6-6.
Now, big caveat is that four of those games where Keaton shoots more than 12 have been overtime games. And without doing the math, I'm sure our opponents have been better on average during those games. So, more losses isn't totally unexpected. But, that also makes me wonder, why in these marquee match ups are we putting more on Keaton rather than playing more of the equal opportunity style of ball that kickstarted our 12 game winning streak?
I suppose (and now I'm just thinking out loud) that it doesn't help that seemingly no one else, particularly the twins, can step up and make a shot. But I go back to the idea that maybe we're doing too many Keaton pick and pops and not enough action with our bigs closer to the basket where they (Tomi specifically) can be a true double or triple threat. Jake and Ben, two of our most consistent shooters were a combined 2 of 5 from three vs Wisconsin. In part, I think, because without the ball popping around and getting teams in rotation, they aren't getting space to shoot.
I guess I'm saying the emergence of Keaton has made us less dynamic, IMO.
Hoping we can find a good balance. A Kylan or Tomi 20 point game on Thursday or Friday would bode really well for the rest of the tourney.
Brad is all about metrics. Seems fair to use the same process to evaluate his results over time.
To be clear about my position, it's not just losing a game here or there...that happens to be sure. But how we lose too often just doesn't pass the eye test. Not being able to close out games where we have late leads reflects a lack of toughness and heart, in my opinion. And that starts with the head coach.
(1) define legit. did Villanova and NC State have legit chances?
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We can't win big games at home or at the United Center so that's neat too.
Serious question: how is "1 for 9 on second weekends" a true statistic?
He hasn't made a second weekend in 2026. Exactly ZERO other college basketball programs have made a sweet sixteen in 2026; the tournament is still a week away.
He didn't make a second weekend in 2020. Exactly ZERO other college basketball programs have made a sweet sixteen in 2020; the tournament was cancelled.
After our 18-19 season, at the beginning of our 19-20 season - if I told you most BIG wins over the next 7 years, would you say great or good? Just curious.
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Illini4Chief
- TENNESSEE
Choke Masters....
Ok, when we go 8 of 14 from the line with a few of those misses being front ends, that is not on Brad. Shooting 57% is unacceptable. Meanwhile, they shot 19 of 20. That's 95%. In regulation, they made 11 more free throws. Think about for a second, that's the equivalent of them making almost four more three pointers in regulation. They were making their front ends, then they got the second shot.
If we would have shot 60%, which is still awful, we win in regulation.
We shot 31 threes. They shot 41. Both teams shot less than 25%. They "chucked" a lot more than we did and still got to the line and converted.
None of that is on Brad. Jake, Keaton and Mirk all missed front ends. That's where the game was lost. Quit overthinking it and over complicating it.
Stop using chucking as an excuse. This is at least the third game that we've lost at the line. We shot 55% in another one.
Blackwell and Boyd were the best players in the court, they absolutely abused all of our guards, got to the line and between the both of them, they missed exactly one foul shot.
Now, one could argue that the refs blew some whistles for Boyd that were absolutely ridiculous. That continued the march to the foul line, where they converted.
Quit making excuses. Step to the line, convert, we win and win comfortably. Those are the facts. It's that easy.
Edit:
Boyd/Blackwell were 21 of 22 from the stripe.
Boswell/Wagler were 2 of 3.
Wagler was 1 of 6 from 3.
Boswell was 1 of 1 from 3.
Blackwell was 4 of 12 from 3
Boyd was 2 of 8.
Their backcourt "chucked" 20 threes. Ours "chucked" 7.
That's the backcourt comparison. None of that is Brad.
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Go back and watch Brad's postgame presser with the media after yesterday's game. One particular question threw him. He didn't get angry/dismissive because he knew it was smart but he also revealed how disconnected he has become from how the team is operating, having delegated those responsibilities to his very young assistants. The question: was it an effort issue or an x's and o's issue that allowed Wisconsin, which shot 10 of 41 from beyond the arc, to score 91 points? Look at BU's expression, note the delay in responding and note what he rambles on about instead of addressing the question.
March Madness has always been driven by guard play. And every team that cuts down the nets has a true on-the-court leader.
Wisconsin did not have Winter yesterday. That's significant. They also had a tougher-than-expected game the day prior. Illinois had 4 days to prepare/rest, knowing they were most likely going to play Wisconsin.
Boswell left Arizona after 2 years. That's a very strong program with a very good coach. Why did he transfer? Just to come home? If you watched the Wildcats that 2nd year, you would see quite clearly that Boswell never took the next step as a sophomore. As that season progressed, he became more hesitant, less assertive and even aloof. The UNC transfer became the alpha dog and Boswell's playing time decreased as another guard took his minutes.
Leadership today is hard to find. Family has a lot to do with it but so does life experience. Boswell is not a natural leader. He's a senior. Wagler is young and also not a leader. That's a major Achilles heel for this team heading into the Madness.
March Madness has always been driven by guard play. And every team that cuts down the nets has a true on-the-court leader.
Wisconsin did not have Winter yesterday. That's significant. They also had a tougher-than-expected game the day prior. Illinois had 4 days to prepare/rest, knowing they were most likely going to play Wisconsin.
Boswell left Arizona after 2 years. That's a very strong program with a very good coach. Why did he transfer? Just to come home? If you watched the Wildcats that 2nd year, you would see quite clearly that Boswell never took the next step as a sophomore. As that season progressed, he became more hesitant, less assertive and even aloof. The UNC transfer became the alpha dog and Boswell's playing time decreased as another guard took his minutes.
Leadership today is hard to find. Family has a lot to do with it but so does life experience. Boswell is not a natural leader. He's a senior. Wagler is young and also not a leader. That's a major Achilles heel for this team heading into the Madness.
We don’t just “lose” in the tournament. We get our butts kicked. Every year. That’s a problem.
Andrej must start over Jake in our next game. This team needs some kind of changeup and the staff is not going to start Z over T so this is the next logical choice. Attack rim early, then bring in Jake and Ben once defense starts to sag to cut off drives to hoop.
Playing Andrej and Kylan at the same time leads to bad things. Two guys that don’t shoot 3s well. No bueno.
I understand the frustration and I wish we would have close out that game
The BTT does not determine NCAA success or failure. We have won the BTT and go on to lose to Loyola the next week
For the BU frustrations I have them too but let’s be realistic about coaching. BU has shown the ability to identify, adjust, and develop talent throughout his time here. Post season success has been elusive. There are coaches who have been fired who have had more postseason success for a season but they did not put a consistent product on the floor. That’s why BU is one of the top coaches. Not many programs can claim what BU has done over the last few years
The BTT does not determine NCAA success or failure. We have won the BTT and go on to lose to Loyola the next week
For the BU frustrations I have them too but let’s be realistic about coaching. BU has shown the ability to identify, adjust, and develop talent throughout his time here. Post season success has been elusive. There are coaches who have been fired who have had more postseason success for a season but they did not put a consistent product on the floor. That’s why BU is one of the top coaches. Not many programs can claim what BU has done over the last few years
I apologize if this was referred to earlier but:
The missed free throws late in the game and in overtime were indicative of a team that was tired and played 24 hours before.....wait, that was Wisconsin.
The missed free throws late in the game and in overtime were indicative of a team that was tired and played 24 hours before.....wait, that was Wisconsin.
Illinois is now #306 in the kenpom luck metric.
**(hides)**
**(hides)**
Yesterday, if we swapped coaches and Gard coached Illinois and BU coached Wisconsin, I think Illinois easily wins by 15-20.
I’m beyond frustrated with the coaching staff, but also afraid of making a change and going back to 2010s Illinois. But something has to change and curious to see if Josh forces any staff changes.
I’m beyond frustrated with the coaching staff, but also afraid of making a change and going back to 2010s Illinois. But something has to change and curious to see if Josh forces any staff changes.
This has been pointed out to him ad nauseum and he still continues to use this "stat." Add in the reflexive defensiveness on certain other favored coaches who have very clearly disappointed this season, and it's all very telling.
Great inside information, but definitely a very specific viewpoint on all things Underwood.
I guess my point is that I don't feel we are consistently competitive. We win a lot of games (and always lose some real head scratchers) but I have not one iota of belief that we make it to a final four.
It would be great if Brad would start proving me wrong.
Amen! They can spend infinite time reviewing the minutiae like who touched the ball last. Obvious, critical blown calls have no recourse. Anything seen during a review already needed, needs to be called correctly. If you foul a guy and challenge who touched last, you should be able to call the foul. Have that ability now to check who a foul was actually called on that is a stoppage that contradicts all the: can‘t call a foul that wasn’t originally whistled.
And could do this rule silliness debating all day long. But long & short of it is way too much impact refs have on the game. Many things we could have done to get over the hump today are all valid, but if our guys are feeling there wasn’t a means of defeating today’s reffing imbalance, how do you stay tough, make FTs, etc? I felt defeated by this disparity in half two, when it was obvious that the refs were evening it up. As tough as you would hope our guys to be, today‘s imbalance was too much to overcome.
I would call winning more games in the Big Ten this decade than any other team the definition of consistently competitive. The last game of the season isn’t going the way we want it to but we are consistently competitive
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