Illinois 71, Iowa 59 Postgame

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#829      
GForce
Things I’m loving right now:
--Love that college basketball is the only sport where making the national semi-final is a banner-raising accomplishment in its own right
--Love that we just accomplished it!!! again!!!
--Love our crazy, dedicated fanbase that shows up everywhere (and isn’t entitled or obnoxious)
--Love that this team plays a style of basketball that is so fun to watch, for ball nerds and non-nerds alike
--Love that we play as a team, no egos, and that anyone can have their big night or moment
--Love that our players are all likeable with lots of personality, and seem to really be enjoying themselves and each other
--Love that we have no punks (Boyd), floppers (Fears), chronic whiners (Izzo), or sufferers of spastic leg disorder (Fears), and we really only chirp or flex when the other team is chirping/flexing
--Love that we have a link, and regular dad-cams, to a really cool NBA legend (Peja)
--Love that we have a coach who’s tough as nails but has a sense of fun and humor, and is really good with a mic in his face
--Love that our players seem to like and respect him so much, and have totally bought in
--Love having Kevin Kruger on staff and that every time I get a glimpse of him, I have a holy-crap flashback to his dad 25 years ago
--Love that we have a great history, with such great coaches and players over the years
--Love that I’ve been a life-long fan with all the memories that go with it, from listening to a late-night play-by-play of the Great Alaska Shootout on the radio with my big brother home from U of I on Thanksgiving break, to decades later celebrating another Final Four with high school and college buddies calling and texting back and forth.
 
#831      
Roundball Sage
GForce said:
Things I’m loving right now... Love that we have a great history, with such great coaches and players over the years
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It’s a funny thing. Over the years... some programs like to take ‘shortcuts’. Some programs like to ‘bend the rules’ a bit? Some programs think you can bully your way to the top, or that success is owned to you like some kind of divine right. Some programs will do anything to try to win.

And some programs are run with integrity as their core and as their default operating software. And those are the programs that are the Winners – win or lose on the court or on the field.

Some see 'Integrity' today as almost a lost art. And others know it’s the only way to live...
 
#835      
texasbestillini
Illinois going to the Final Four is awesome and life affirming. Iowa not going to said Final Four is also enjoyable.
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Their fans were pretty nasty in Houston. To be expected from a mostly rural bunch, I guess.
 
#836      
SescIllini
PapaKvells said:
I know Jake as a 3-pt threat spaces things and that he is a gritty defender, but this may be a great time to switch back to Andrej.

It could catch the next opponent off guard. There is already established chemistry with him in the starting lineup- we were rolling before his injury. But watching him play defense seals it for me. Having him and Bos out there would be a tough nut to crack. Offensively, while his shot may not be the threat Jake’s is, he gives us the reverse benefit. His driving ability can draw a crowd and open up shots for Wagler on the outside.

The only downside is I rarely see Andrej pass. He is so confident he’s going to finish he dismisses all other options.

I get the “don’t tinker now” mindset. Trust me, that isn’t lost on me. But we have also had three games in a row where a great second half bailed out some first half woes. May not hurt to change something to help get off to a faster start.
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With increased urgency by our opponents, Davis doesn't seem to have the looks he had. I'm in favor of putting Abdrj earlier than the 15-16 mark. We have started strong 2 d half. Don't tinker with that.
 
#839      
PapaKvells
SescIllini said:
With increased urgency by our opponents, Davis doesn't seem to have the looks he had. I'm in favor of putting Abdrj earlier than the 15-16 mark. We have started strong 2 d half. Don't tinker with that.
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Definitely fair. Like I said, there are pros and cons. But both guys will get their minutes regardless. Would love to see Jake heat up these next two games.
 
#843      
wc_illini
Wow just noticed how much of a complete no-show Folgueiras was in the game.

9 minutes with 2 points on 0-2 from the field and 2 turnovers.

Yikes.
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Why did he only play 9 minutes? I wasn't paying close attention to him when I watched it live. Was he that outmatched, or was he injured? Two turnovers in 7 first half minutes is bad, but you'd figure he'd get more leash since he's 6'10" and third on the team in pts and rebs per gm.
 
#845      
stlrunner
 
#846      
Illini in Italy
As promised. Here’s to the Fighting Illini Nation and our 2026 Final Four team.


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