The last 11 national champions have been undefeated through Thanksgiving. For those who say the early games don’t matter.
Alabama 90, Illinois 86 Postgame
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Cant totally remember off the top of my head, but @MSU and Alabama were the two games last year where it felt like we really left a lot to be desired from the foul line.
Good analysis..Besides Bosswell and Peterovic, our defense is average at best and unless we shoot light out from 3 during the tournament, more than likely we will not see this team beyond the SW16
Nobody said they don’t matter
We ran plenty of actions.
26-46 FT between the two BAMA games.
Noblesville Illini
- Nappanee, IN
Ty has that ability to slow him down. He is needed back for that alone.
It should be noted that none of those 11 teams played a team ranked as highly as Alabama before Thanksgiving.
Noblesville Illini
- Nappanee, IN
His sisters put sailors to shame.
I don't see eye to eye with ESPN on just about anything......ever, but if you get a chance, take a look at their top 25. We come in at #10 following last night. There is a blurb on each team and I think the one on us is spot on. They have Boswell his flowers for being a terrific defender, but then they were pretty rough on our team D and it being something to watch out for down the road. I try to criticize all things related to ESPN, but this was pretty spot on IMO.
I was there last night and I 100% agree that the free throw shooting was absolutely ridiculous. The numbers don't even take into account missing the front end, which drives me nuts.
That was definitely frustrating, but my biggest frustration came from the fact that we'd score, cut the lead to one possession, the crowd would get on their feet and it got LOUD.....and we continuously couldn't get a stop. They sat us down darn near every time.
One of those most frustrating playing was Z getting an open three down 2 points, missed, then Bama beat us down the floor for an uncontested three. It's was a 6 point swing. Guys miss shots, that's not the issue. That happens. It was our inability to exercise any sort of transition defense to make the stops. One play, Mirk didn't even turn around while a guy blew by him for a pregame layup line finish. It was infuriating.
Bama out up 49 points in the second half. That just can't happen. Philon had 0 points at halftime and had 24 in the second half. That can't happen and that's on the heals of Toppin almost dropping a 40 burger on us.
Our interior just isn't very strong. We're tall, but that doesn't equate to much if athletically, you can't compete.
All of this said, it is WAY too early to make heads of tails out of anything. I think that we'll have a pretty good sample size after the Tennessee game.
To be clear, I'm with you on the foul shooting. They definitely assisted in Alabama's good fortune. I have no problem flushing this one. My concern is big picture and not being to hold good teams under 90.
Keep in mind, Purdue went into Tuscaloosa and won. They absolutely demolished the Tide on the boards. That was the winning formula despite Bama hitting 16 threes. How can we explain the pretty much even rebounding numbers? What can we write that off too?
A few comments about giving up 90 to Alabama
They average 90, they averaged 90 in conference play last year
Texas Tech scored 77 with one guy shooting 25 shots and making 70% of them and a stretch wheee they made 11 straight field goals
We didn’t lose because “we can’t hang”, we lost because we made mistakes, missed free throws, and imo didn’t play as hard as we need to vs a top 10 team who is playing hard
They average 90, they averaged 90 in conference play last year
Texas Tech scored 77 with one guy shooting 25 shots and making 70% of them and a stretch wheee they made 11 straight field goals
We didn’t lose because “we can’t hang”, we lost because we made mistakes, missed free throws, and imo didn’t play as hard as we need to vs a top 10 team who is playing hard
Chuck Nuggets
Dip your nuggets in my staff source sauce.
I just want to take a moment to highlight that Andrej Stojakovic dunk again.
Holy lord, that was awesome.
Holy lord, that was awesome.
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
That’s my thought. I’d LOVE a rematch. First of all, if there’s a rematch it means Illinois is likely in at least the Elite 8. Second, I think Illinois wins.
Bad foul calls on Boswell did not help....
Not to quibble (sorry I find myself with some time on my hands today), but don't think this is accurate. 2017 Nat Champ North Carolina defeated #7 Wisconsin 71-56 11/23/16.
Also, 2024 Nat Champ UCONN defeated #15 Texas 11/20/23. Alabama is the #18 rated Kenpom team, so they are arguably very similar to #15 2023-24 Texas.
By no means was this loss season defining or bad. Just a missed opportunity, and one we have to learn from to prevent similar losses this season. That's not a given, but it definitely can be used by BU as a tool. He and AS both said a championship is the goal postgame, so I hope the players are able to use it as motivation.
alabama was quicker, played defense and wanted it more.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
Column: Illinois could make some noise in March — but it has work to do to become a championship contender
After No. 8 Illinois lost 90-86 to No. 11 Alabama on Wednesday at the United Center, some of its flaws were exposed.
www.chicagotribune.com
This is a horrible article. Paul Sullivan knows nothing about Illinois basketball. Chicago Tribune is trash. Can’t wait until they are gone due to AI.
Ryllini
- Lombard
That is what we did pretty much all night. We walked the ball up and got into our stuff. Was too deliberate for my liking and became easier to blow up, but we still got great looks.
I was going off AP ranking.
Looks like Wisconsin was ranked 16th for that game against UNC in 2016.
Texas was ranked #15.
But I agree. Missed opportunity. Would have been really nice to have. Not season ending and doesn't preclude us from going deep in the tourney or even winning a championship.
I'll concede this though - if we lose all three of Alabama, UConn, and Tennessee, a 1 seed becomes significantly less likely (we'd have to really run through the B1G in my opinion to pile up the Q1's necessary for a 1 seed). And if we don't get a 1 seed, getting to a Final Four gets a lot harder.
So, I'm certainly not downplaying the importance of the game and the fact that I don't have a voice today from screaming so much at the game last night shows how much the game mattered to me. But typically #1 seeds aren't defined by a single game. If we really are that type of team, we'll prove it.
I just want to take a moment to highlight that Andrej Stojakovic dunk again.
Holy lord, that was awesome.
The blocked shot by Humrichous and dunk were #3 on ESPN top 10 plays
Were beers really 25 bucks each at the UC last night or did I just get fleeced
It was a great atmosphere. Crowd was into it. I hope SFC crowd can get as engaged this year.
It was a great atmosphere. Crowd was into it. I hope SFC crowd can get as engaged this year.
He needs to play a few less minutes - he has been getting worn down in these big games - same thing happened in second half of the Texas Tech game. Playing long minutes requires experience in knowing how and when to conserve energy and when you have to make the effort. Mirk goes hard all the time - so I think you have to get him more rest.
Along with many good points, they often seemed uncoordinated as a team, out-of-sync playing together. Perhaps that comes from not having played much together in actual (difficult ) game situations. Or perhaps that comes from me not knowing a lot about basketball. In any event, I look forward to a better "harmony" on the floor.
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