Texas Tech 84, Illinois 78 Postgame

[BalloonsTheElephant]

United Supermarkets Arena:
4,000 seats or about 26% of the stadium's capacity is dedicated to students.
Something like 3,200 to 3,500 of those student seats are in the lower bowl.

State Farm Center:
3,000 seats or about 19% of the stadium's capacity is dedicated to students.
Only 1,200 of those are in the lower bowl.

When they panned in, it just looked imposing. The bowl was steep and meant to be in your line of sight at all times, which is vastly different from what we have.

If we want to add students, now is the time. It sells out almost instantly, but we'd need to find a place to put them. With the olds on one side and the suites on the other, we seem pretty stuck with what we have.

 

[pweo]

When they panned in, it just looked imposing. The bowl was steep and meant to be in your line of sight at all times, which is vastly different from what we have.

If we want to add students, now is the time. It sells out almost instantly, but we'd need to find a place to put them. With the olds on one side and the suites on the other, we seem pretty stuck with what we have.

Don't forget the box seats in between! We chose money over atmosphere.

 

[kingtater79]

Sample size is that they dominated us for the next 8 minutes after we had rallied to tie it up. Not sure what else matters. In this case that matters to Illini, they were correct. Don’t care about anything else.

Brad can do what he wants.....I mean he a final four coach, but we all know he waits too long to call a timeout to blunt the momentum or take the crowd out. He seemed pissed after the game about certain aspects of play........well he could have called timeouts numerous times and ripped players and discussed those. Again, we can all complain and appreciate what he has done for Illinois at the same time. I was screaming for time outs when we were down 8 in the first half....take the darn crowd out or make adjustments.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Brad can do what he wants.....I mean he a final four coach, but we all know he waits too long to call a timeout to blunt the momentum or take the crowd out. He seemed pissed after the game about certain aspects of play........well he could have called timeouts numerous times and ripped players and discussed those. Again, we can all complain and appreciate what he has done for Illinois at the same time. I was screaming for time outs when we were down 8 in the first half....take the darn crowd out or make adjustments.

I think we can all have banter on if we would or wouldn’t call a TO in certain spots, roster makeup, strategy, preference, etc.

But it is wild we so matter of factly say “I’m right and he’s wrong” when it comes to timeouts, scheme, recruiting, staff hires, adjustments.”

Like when you truly think about it, that’s a wild statement.

Also - y’all know this team practices right? Like everyone here is aware you can make “adjustments” without calling a TO, correct?

 

[Marthgiela]

Don't forget the box seats in between! We chose money over atmosphere.

Exactly. When SFC was renovated we had our choice of an imposing atmosphere or an arrangement that makes lots of money. We chose the latter.

 

[kingtater79]

I think we can all have banter on if we would or wouldn’t call a TO in certain spots, roster makeup, strategy, preference, etc.

But it is wild we so matter of factly say “I’m right and he’s wrong” when it comes to timeouts, scheme, recruiting, staff hires, adjustments.”

Like when you truly think about it, that’s a wild statement.

Also - y’all know this team practices right? Like everyone here is aware you can make “adjustments” without calling a TO, correct?

Yeah, but sometimes small reminders when time has stopped is needed especially with attention spans these days. You cant practice everything either.....a certain player takes over or does something unexpected.....adjustments, reminders, visuals could be helpful.

 

[Aldy1955]

Z had 1 reobund and 1 block, were you looking at Z as in zavier zens (i see he had 4 boards)?
tomi also had 2 steals, 3 assists and was 50% from the field. Outside of a dunk, big Z was Ofer and not even close on 3 threes (one of which he shot as if he was steph curry)

Loved the floater he had -very smooth
wish everyone had that shot

 

[Det_Illini_fan]

I’ll also add, I think what we learned from Tuesday night is that this team will fight like hell. How many times in past Illini basketball did we go down 22 and just kind of give up? How many other teams would go into the locker room having gotten punched in the mouth that brutally, and just phoned it in to get through the game?

We fought back, in hostile territory and closed it to a 1 pt game before a possession or two kept the game out of reach. And missed free throws going the other way could have given us the lead after all of that, and maybe the win. When we’re down 2 veteran leaders, one that’s an NPOY candidate. We relied on freshman, and them along with the veterans showed us they’re willing to fight like hell to get a win if possible.

I’d say that’s a bit of hope and “good” to take from the game.

 

[OB positive]

Free throws are such an overlooked part of the game for many (including players themselves!) because they are not sexy like 30 foot bombs or backboard-shaking slam dunks or Magician-like passes through traffic. But Free throws win games – or lose them. Period. Always have, always will.

Free throws are that muscle-mind-memory combination of mental concentration and physical technique – tune out all the noise around you... rotate the ball until you get that right feel for it in your hands – make sure you have a good knee-bend upon your release AND good arm follow-through in that release. Gauge the right elevation and release the ball with as light a touch as possible for friendly rim responses if needed. No other magic formula required. And keep practicing this until you could literally make free throws in your sleep. Muscle memory. Mental discipline.

And one more thing: Confidence. ‘Know’ that ball is going through the middle of your target. Watch it do that. And know that you can do this another 25 times in a row if you had to.

Free Throws may be ‘free’. But missing them COSTS you a whole lot...

Yes I remember at least one of our games last year that was close throughout that we pulled out in the end that I believe we didn't miss a single free throw and we shot several. If we had shot them like we just did against TT we loose that one and how many others last year.

 

[wc_illini]

Brad can do what he wants.....I mean he a final four coach, but we all know he waits too long to call a timeout to blunt the momentum or take the crowd out. He seemed pissed after the game about certain aspects of play........well he could have called timeouts numerous times and ripped players and discussed those. Again, we can all complain and appreciate what he has done for Illinois at the same time. I was screaming for time outs when we were down 8 in the first half....take the darn crowd out or make adjustments.

I'm curious what you'll find if you to do some internet research about timeouts and momentum

Spoiler alert: there isn't a clear consensus, and it's hard to distinguish regression to the mean from a real benefit.

 

[AssemblyHallForever]

make free throws and we win. without Mirk and Davis. we will be fine

We lost in similar fashion to Alabama last year by missing FTs and it didn’t hurt us at the end of the year so let’s repeat that.

 

[AssemblyHallForever]

I’ll also add, I think what we learned from Tuesday night is that this team will fight like hell. How many times in past Illini basketball did we go down 22 and just kind of give up? How many other teams would go into the locker room having gotten punched in the mouth that brutally, and just phoned it in to get through the game?

We fought back, in hostile territory and closed it to a 1 pt game before a possession or two kept the game out of reach. And missed free throws going the other way could have given us the lead after all of that, and maybe the win. When we’re down 2 veteran leaders, one that’s an NPOY candidate. We relied on freshman, and them along with the veterans showed us they’re willing to fight like hell to get a win if possible.

I’d say that’s a bit of hope and “good” to take from the game.

The three offensive rebounds they got on one possession when they had a 1 point lead was a killer as they knocked down a three after the third rebound.

 

[OB positive]

Z needs to get the message that he is a rim protector and should do his work in the lane on both ends of the court. He is still a very valuable member of the team if he can focus on that — we have plenty of other guys who can shoot the three.

The game a couple of years ago when the twins faced each other Z took Tomi to the hole 3 or 4 times and scored over him. He looked like the stronger post player of the 2. Since we have had Z he has been reluctant to play offense in the paint. Don't know if that's his doing or the coaching staffs but having a 7'2 player just shooting 3s at a terrible percentage is not working. Plus when he's shooting them that means our tallest rebounder is 25 feet from the basket. Once we get Mirk back that will help corraling missed threes.

 

[NarrowJ]

The timeouts discussion is one of those things where there's really no right or wrong answer, but of course everyone posting here is 100% right**







**especially me

 

[March2TheArch]

The game a couple of years ago when the twins faced each other Z took Tomi to the hole 3 or 4 times and scored over him. He looked like the stronger post player of the 2. Since we have had Z he has been reluctant to play offense in the paint. Don't know if that's his doing or the coaching staffs but having a 7'2 player just shooting 3s at a terrible percentage is not working. Plus when he's shooting them that means our tallest rebounder is 25 feet from the basket. Once we get Mirk back that will help corraling missed threes.

It’s criminal what has happened to Z. And frankly 2025 Tomi.

We are def not Big Man U.

 

[NarrowJ]

We are def not Big Man U.

 

[OB positive]

My understanding is that he arrived at 220 lbs. and is now over 250. Assuming the added weight is Fletch muscle, it hasn't helped him from getting pushed around or holding his position for rebounds.
This Z's being his second year in the system, I had high hopes on him taking the typical leap. So far it looks more like a nap. Hope he wakes up, because he should be a critical piece to reaching our ceiling.

Getting bigger and stronger is great but you still need to learn how to use it to your advantage. I thought both Tomi and Z would both improve greatly in the post with Antiguas help like Michigan states big men seem to do but that hasn't happened.

 

[New Creation]

if he becomes a top 10 pick, then we can say we have developed a big man. Right now the last big man drafted was Lenord

 

[lstewart53x3]

The timeouts discussion is one of those things where there's really no right or wrong answer, but of course everyone posting here is 100% right**







**especially me

My timeout opinion:

I could see value in-game of calling a timeout to stop momentum. Even outside of emotionally resetting your own team, the small break in action can break the hot streak from the other team.

But over the course of the season, I can see it hurting your team. For all the reasons you listed in a previous post. You’re robbing your team of the ability to solve problems on their own.

It’s kinda like if you have kids and they’re struggling to clean up or whatever it is. You could step in and do it for them which is useful that one time because it gets done quicker/better, but you’re stunting their future development.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Yeah, but sometimes small reminders when time has stopped is needed especially with attention spans these days. You cant practice everything either.....a certain player takes over or does something unexpected.....adjustments, reminders, visuals could be helpful.

No, I think it’s a worthwhile discussion just in the context of talking hoops - so I definitely don’t want to sound like we should shut that down.

I just rarely think things like that are so black and white for a HC.

Like, to me, letting them play through a run in game 3, is different than a final four, or tournament game. There’s also moments where maybe they’re on a 6-0 run, but made a sub, and now you like you’re lineup matchups and don’t want them to sub back. Maybe in game 3 he LOVED our frosh getting tested.

Thats not even getting into the evolving strategy around challenges as well. Plus Brad loves to keep those timeouts for lineup matching at the end of games.

I just don’t think this is as simple as “Brad doesn’t take timeouts and is wrong”.

 

[NarrowJ]

if he becomes a top 10 pick, then we can say we have developed a big man. Right now the last big man drafted was Lenord

He has to be a top 10 pick? 2nd best player on a final four team counts for nothing? Dang man tough crowd haha

 

[chudaman]

Damn you beat me by 2 minutes lol. Good job.

I hope he doesn't cut off Z's minutes because even though he has been terrible shooting the ball, we still need his defense and rebounding.

There was a play where QC was driving to the basket from the right and Z turned his back on the ball and ran from the key to the left corner to spot up for a three, totally taking himself out of the play. The Illini don't need any more of that.

 

[Altuve27]

I know I have been too negative about this game, but our lack of fight, intensity, or whatever you want to call it in the first half just pissed me off. Losses happen, but that was embarrassing.

When or lose at Duke Tuesday, I want us to come out of the locker room and fight. Get after it. Live with the result.

I don’t what the announcers asking what the hell we’re doing.

 

[jjv0004]

I don't think that game revealed anything grand about this team. No Jake and no Mirk and this team misses Keaton, Ben and Kylan. I think the number 3 ranking was very generous. I think the Illini are a borderline top 10 team. I think people need to lower their expectations.

 

[March2TheArch]

He has to be a top 10 pick? 2nd best player on a final four team counts for nothing? Dang man tough crowd haha

Kofi got bounced in the Round of 32 and went undrafted. Mirkovic isn’t currently a consensus projected 1st round draft pick. Both were/are All-American college level players. The Ivisics will not play in the NBA.

This program doesn’t have a forward or center in the league getting rotational minutes. I consider TSJ a perimeter-oriented guard-forward hybrid. And as things stand we don’t have one in the pipeline. Wabbington was a possibility. He went to Indiana.

I’m happy to call us Guard U. Ayo (and his $100M+ contract), TSJ, KJ, Will Riley, and Keaton (and his $40M+ contract). QC ain’t far behind.

We are not Big Man U. I hope we can start to change that after the Ivisics move on. We need a someone in the mould of a Krivas, Condon, Mara, Clingan. Height and athleticism. Not just a 3ball.