OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
I really hope so. We are the best program to have not won a title. I want that label to go away.
UConn 71, Illinois 62 Postgame
- Status
I think Hurley would've got beat tonight if the Illini make shots. That game was winnable in every aspect make 3s and layups and Uconn is going home. Illini was on they heels all game cause they couldn't make shots.
No he doesn’t. Missed a lot of open looks. A couple of Wagler forces in late shot clock. But this isn’t 2024. Hurley didn’t out coach our staff in this game. UConn just got the breaks needed to win this type of game.
Yeah…that’s exactly what I was referring to in an earlier post about continuing to evolve. Hard to argue with offensive efficiency but I’m certain matchups, plan didn’t work.
Illini_1979
- Oregon
There were ~360 other Div. 1 teams who would have gladly traded places with us today. Tremendous accomplishment by our guys.
It’s a great season. But honestly gutted.
Not really upset with any one player or coach, just thought we played a C game offensively.
Even though they hit 3s (I swear solo ball missed by Atleast a foot on 3 of his makes) and Reed did damage. That defense was a winning ticket.
Just didn’t make open shots - from 2 and 3. Sucks. Our legendary defensive turnaround, coupled with newfound postgame, masked some pretty mediocre outside shooting outside of Penn this tournament. When natioanl folks said we were playing at our peak, i disagreed . If we hit shots at our normal level; we coulda hung with anyone and everyone
Not really upset with any one player or coach, just thought we played a C game offensively.
Even though they hit 3s (I swear solo ball missed by Atleast a foot on 3 of his makes) and Reed did damage. That defense was a winning ticket.
Just didn’t make open shots - from 2 and 3. Sucks. Our legendary defensive turnaround, coupled with newfound postgame, masked some pretty mediocre outside shooting outside of Penn this tournament. When natioanl folks said we were playing at our peak, i disagreed . If we hit shots at our normal level; we coulda hung with anyone and everyone
Tacomallini
- Washington State
Anybody made a ‘Wagler Come Back” music video yet?
Maybe. 3 games make it seem like a pattern.
But I really didn’t hate our shots tonight… like Tyler ain’t shooting the wide open 3s or point blank layups.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
19 straight after the first weekend is just bananas. Three different coaches, technically three different conferences, across entire different eras of college basketball.
Won titles as 3, 7, 4, and 1 seeds. Can they add a 2?
TheDukeUIUC
- Twin Cities, MN
They said during the game that UConn wants to force you into iso-ball, so our mismatch hunting iso-ball was not really putting them into a bind. We didn't get them into rotations and force breakdowns. Even when we got into the lane, we didn't have any dump-off or lobs. They trusted thier D to play straight up. It also helped them easily find a man to box out for rebounds, so even when we got an offensive rebound, there were no easy putbacks.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
Anyone ripping Bill Murray for supporting his kid’s team is off base.
If my kid played for Iowa, I’d swallow hard and root for that Iowa team.
orange100
time to hop on the wife
| Statistic | UConn | Illinois | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % (Game) | 35.5% | 33.9% | UConn |
| 3-Point % | 34.6% (season) | 34.8% (season) | Even |
| Free Throw % (Game) | 88.2% | 78.3% | UConn |
hypethetical outcome if both teams shoot their season average:
| Team | Actual 3PM | Hyp. 3PM (at season avg) | Change in Points | Hyp. Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UConn | 12 | 11 | –3 | 68 |
| Illinois | 6 | 9 | +9 | 71 |
Not the outcome we wanted, nor the way we wanted to go out.
But damn, I love this team. Hell of a season they put together.
Raise one up for these guys
The thing about this is how many times down did we get the shot we wanted? Basically, Tyler’s principal of gold, silver, bronze shots.
The number of missed wide open threes and LAYUPS were just astounding. Obviously in hindsight we missed those shots; so obviously people will opt to look at it as not great offense, good defense.
Disappointed but not disheartened. The ball bounced unbelievably bad for Illinois tonight as has been noted in early posts. Any of those go the other way and it is a different game.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
Loved this team. Thanks for all the memories, fellas.
Sad it’s over. I was hoping for another 40 minutes with these young men. So many great moments along the way.
In the end it’s a simple game… Put the ballin the basket. For whatever reason, the rim was unkind to us tonight. They fought hard, regardless.
The club including Illini players who played in a Final 4 game is pretty small. It may hurt tonight, but Bam, Ben, and Keaton should never be expected to pay for a beer in Champaign again. Thanks, men.
Everyone else, lick your wounds, sign your NIL deals and get back in the gym with Fletch on Monday. We have unfinished business.
It will be another great year to be a Fighting Illini.
In the end it’s a simple game… Put the ballin the basket. For whatever reason, the rim was unkind to us tonight. They fought hard, regardless.
The club including Illini players who played in a Final 4 game is pretty small. It may hurt tonight, but Bam, Ben, and Keaton should never be expected to pay for a beer in Champaign again. Thanks, men.
Everyone else, lick your wounds, sign your NIL deals and get back in the gym with Fletch on Monday. We have unfinished business.
It will be another great year to be a Fighting Illini.
Illinois 308th nationally.
Great season and one that I will remember forever. Please build off of this. I can’t stress that enough. Now is the time to capitalize. Don’t not get complacent and satisfied.
Run it back!
- Status