Recent content by TopOtheKey

By now the players are aware of the fan base and press negativity. Surely some of them accept personal responsibility for some of the problems. But they are not clueless to opinions of Underwood’s failings. So my question to all of you is how does Underwood go forward with the team? Tell them...

Perhaps. But I very well understand how “constituents” can take you apart from afar. Negative press will not build the program.

Much of this discussion is akin to the chicken vs the egg. Good stuff. But the issue is the $3,000,000 per year CEO of Illinois basketball is not controlling the narrative. He may in fact be out of his league. SFA is a tiny school that is ignored in Texas. Okie State is OU’s little brother, even...

Is there a larger narrative? In the past week, two very negative articles on Underwood. Tupper on his in game “personna” and this one. Underwood seems to handle the press very well but maybe something else is going on?

Did I see Ayo turn his back on Underwood during a second half timeout? Anyone else?

New approach: hope the opponent overlooks us. Hope is a strategy, isn’t it?

This is a good summary of the positives so far. But the conversation needs to be about appropriate leadership. How long does an effective leader wait to create change? It’s too late if you wait until the car is in the ditch. Sports and life are all about ability to change. Good leadership is...

In his 3 minute post game interview, Underwood himself gave the reasons change is needed. To be honest, I wasn’t sure until I heard him describe what he viewed the problems were.

One of the big stories when Underwood was hired were the adjustments he made to save Oklahoma States’ season. It’s time.

Feel sorry for Benetti. He’s humoring Wierd Walton. Deserves better

Didn’t say I wasn’t supporting him. I suggested these two stated goals are mutually exclusive.

Ayo also said he wants to be associated with resurrecting the Illini program. IMO he cannot be a one and done and also act as program savior. If he somehow gets drafted in 2019 then he’s a flash in the programs pan and it’s more about him than where he came from and any degree of the program...

This is all well and good and some if it is logical. The biggest problem with allowing dribble drives is the pressure it puts on your big. Now he has to constantly defend a 2 on 1. Creating too many foul opportunities.

Intangibles: Heart. Relentless. Instinct. Coolness under pressure. (I might be missing some) We have guys with these pluses- Trent, Ayo, Damonte, probably Giorgi and Andres. AJ and Kipper just a bit short there. And to me that’s the story. They are Illini and gave themselves to the effort. We...

To me this is the essence of Lovie. He treats the players as he treats a son. He treats them like men. It HAS to pay off. I’ve been holding my breath as we were losing. This is a man you want your son to play for.