Cincinnati 71, Illinois 51 Postgame

#226      
Obviously, BU is going the Izzo route. Let his team lose early, get their attention and come conference season they will be rolling through everyone.....I hope.

I'm really starting to wonder if our assistants last year were much better x's and o's coaches than this years assistants.
 
#227      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Cincinnati coach Wes Miller had no idea who he was watching early on against Illinois on Monday night.
Not because he’s in his first year with the Bearcats, either.
“We weren’t playing our defensive principles. We weren’t alert. We weren’t executing offensively,” Miller said.
It took two media timeouts for the Bearcats to rediscover themselves. And when they did, they mounted a big first-half charge to take a stunning halftime lead, then steadily pulled away from the No. 14 Illini for a 71-51 victory that pushed them into the championship game of the Hall of Fame Classic.

“We got off to a good start, but give Cincinnati a ton of credit. They played harder than we did, which is very unacceptable for me to stomach,” Illini coach Brad Underwood said. “They were the more physical team. And I give them a lot of credit.”

The 7-foot, 275-pound center from Jamaica bullied his way to six straight points to open the game, and the Illini raced to a 19-4 lead before the Bearcats seemed to realize the game had tipped off. At one point, Cockburn had outscored Cincinnati 12-8 as the Illini built a 23-8 advantage nearing the midpoint of the first half.
That’s when Miller made a couple of subtle adjustments that got them on track.

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I highlighted 3 things above..........................

I hope I never hear that phrase "" I give ******* a ton of credit "" ever again ....coachspeak.....

Miller made a couple of "" adjustments "".................I'm starting to believe we are slow or hesitant to make adjustments that change the flow of a game.....whatever adjustments made last night or against MU didn't work at all......

Finally , it's bad enough to read the printed recounts of the game last night ...i'm glad it was on ESPNEWS instead of the broader reaching ESPN channels.....

Also , I'm very glad the recruits for 2022 are signed to their NLOI 's.......would hate to get another nutpunch if any had decommited after that fiasco last night......I'm not too amped up about tonights game ....I'll watch but no game thread posting for me....chill out with a 420 and NL # 3 by my side......
 
#228      
In my view, the game snowballed out of control on a handful of possessions where Grandison and Hawkins passed up open shots to force bad passes to Kofi and Trent tried a circus layup in transition after a steal where he had damonte trailing the play. Air went out of the balloon and the game quickly spiraled out of control from there. Curbelo with the stupid tech was also a momentum killer—that’s two in three games.

Another observation: our backcourt’s lack of size at the 1 and 2–both height and weight—is causing issues on the offensive end. Trent and ‘Belo just look tiny out there. Ayo’s massive size for a college 1/2, ability to finish at the rim, and rebounding prowess are missed dearly.
Passing the ball into Kofi is probably a point of emphasis by the staff. We probably need to run some plays that are distinctly tied into shots for other players. There also needs to be recognition that sometimes a player is only going to be open for half a second and make the pass then and not only when one can't get one's shot off.
 
#229      
Those guys actually have to move, or the only way they're getting open is the dribble drive.
Very little motion until BU forced it late in the game.
If one is standing there wide open, one should not have to move. It is the pg's job to find him. Cutting across the lane clogs the lane and brings more defensive help to Kofi. We can worry about cutting when Kofi sits or when we start running plays for someone else.
 
#230      
If one is standing there wide open, one should not have to move. It is the pg's job to find him. Cutting across the lane clogs the lane and brings more defensive help to Kofi. We can worry about cutting when Kofi sits or when we start running plays for someone else.
Passing the ball into Kofi is probably a point of emphasis by the staff. We probably need to run some plays that are distinctly tied into shots for other players. There also needs to be recognition that sometimes a player is only going to be open for half a second and make the pass then and not only when one can't get one's shot off.
They asked Danny Ainge what it was like passing the ball into Kevin McHale. He said it was like passing the ball into a Black Hole. I rest my case.
 
#231      
Obviously, BU is going the Izzo route. Let his team lose early, get their attention and come conference season they will be rolling through everyone.....I hope.

I'm really starting to wonder if our assistants last year were much better x's and o's coaches than this years assistants.
Time will tell on all of the above. BU sounds confident enough that they'll get things figured out on offense. I'd say he (and the completely new supporting cast of coaches) deserve some time. Expectations were clearly inflated by everyone, none more so than our fan base.

We are better than we've shown, we will be better, the question is just where this team's ceiling is. I honestly don't know, at this point.
 
#232      
They asked Danny Ainge what it was like passing the ball into Kevin McHale. He said it was like passing the ball into a Black Hole. I rest my case.
Kevin McHale was a great offensive player with a wide arsenal of moves. He faced few double teams, because Larry Bird was on the floor. By the way Robert Parrish, the Celtic center, was no slouch. Applies and oranges.
 
#233      

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Cincinnati coach Wes Miller had no idea who he was watching early on against Illinois on Monday night.
Not because he’s in his first year with the Bearcats, either.
“We weren’t playing our defensive principles. We weren’t alert. We weren’t executing offensively,” Miller said.
It took two media timeouts for the Bearcats to rediscover themselves. And when they did, they mounted a big first-half charge to take a stunning halftime lead, then steadily pulled away from the No. 14 Illini for a 71-51 victory that pushed them into the championship game of the Hall of Fame Classic.

“We got off to a good start, but give Cincinnati a ton of credit. They played harder than we did, which is very unacceptable for me to stomach,” Illini coach Brad Underwood said. “They were the more physical team. And I give them a lot of credit.”

The 7-foot, 275-pound center from Jamaica bullied his way to six straight points to open the game, and the Illini raced to a 19-4 lead before the Bearcats seemed to realize the game had tipped off. At one point, Cockburn had outscored Cincinnati 12-8 as the Illini built a 23-8 advantage nearing the midpoint of the first half.
That’s when Miller made a couple of subtle adjustments that got them on track.

------------------------------------------------------

I highlighted 3 things above..........................

I hope I never hear that phrase "" I give ******* a ton of credit "" ever again ....coachspeak.....

Miller made a couple of "" adjustments "".................I'm starting to believe we are slow or hesitant to make adjustments that change the flow of a game.....whatever adjustments made last night or against MU didn't work at all......

Finally , it's bad enough to read the printed recounts of the game last night ...i'm glad it was on ESPNEWS instead of the broader reaching ESPN channels.....

Also , I'm very glad the recruits for 2022 are signed to their NLOI 's.......would hate to get another nutpunch if any had decommited after that fiasco last night......I'm not too amped up about tonights game ....I'll watch but no game thread posting for me....chill out with a 420 and NL # 3 by my side......
I think I will try this approach at watching tonight's game!
 
#234      
We will find out tonight what we are made of, and what we have for the remainder of the season. We took a whooping last night, and the guys can either fight like cray tonight, or fold badly. I hope they fight.
 
#235      
I'm really starting to wonder if our assistants last year were much better x's and o's coaches than this years assistants.
I'm seeing a lot of people say similar stuff when the coaching staff from last year lost to Loyola in a very similar fashion to our recent losses. It's way too early to say anything like that.
 
#236      
It is obvious to see where the players get their heart of the game from, Underwood had the open mouthed Weber look multiple times tonight. Once again, zero in game adjustments and completely embarrassing. Any defense of this coaching staff or team is absolutely unwarranted.
In the Marquette game, Shaka Smart was pacing, talking to his guys, slapping the floor, and working the refs while Brad sat. Last night, Wes Miller was talking to his guys, pacing the line, working the refs while Brad sat with his arms crossed and a pouty look on his face. Players reflect their coach.
 
#237      
In the Marquette game, Shaka Smart was pacing, talking to his guys, slapping the floor, and working the refs while Brad sat. Last night, Wes Miller was talking to his guys, pacing the line, working the refs while Brad sat with his arms crossed and a pouty look on his face. Players reflect their coach.
Recency bias.

When Underwood was on that "in the huddle" where they show us both teams in the huddle vs. Maryland, Underwood was praised for coaching and not just chilling like Mark Turgeon.
 
#239      

illini.culture IG

Grand Rapids, Michigan
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#241      
If one is standing there wide open, one should not have to move. It is the pg's job to find him. Cutting across the lane clogs the lane and brings more defensive help to Kofi. We can worry about cutting when Kofi sits or when we start running plays for someone else.
If you just want to post up Kofi and have everyone else stand on the perimeter motionless, good luck with that.
 
#242      
Bobby Knight brought a Steve Alford led team into Champaign one year and sent a message to his team. He was upset with how Alford and his veterans were previously playing so he sat them the entire game. It was a dreadful game and the Illini won a low scoring game..something like 52-44 against Indiana's frosh and 2nd teamers. IU played much better from that game forward and Knight got his message across.

Wouldn't mind seeing that same message being sent to a few of our veterans.
 
#243      
Passing the ball into Kofi is probably a point of emphasis by the staff. We probably need to run some plays that are distinctly tied into shots for other players. There also needs to be recognition that sometimes a player is only going to be open for half a second and make the pass then and not only when one can't get one's shot off.
If they plan to triple team Kofi...recommend we practice Kofi at high post and practice his feeds to Hawkins at low post or streaking Curbelo (give and go) . Cincy totally neutralized Kofis post on the block last night.
 
#244      
Bobby Knight brought a Steve Alford led team into Champaign one year and sent a message to his team. He was upset with how Alford and his veterans were previously playing so he sat them the entire game. It was a dreadful game and the Illini won a low scoring game..something like 52-44 against Indiana's frosh and 2nd teamers. IU played much better from that game forward and Knight got his message across.

Wouldn't mind seeing that same message being sent to a few of our veterans.
If we're to take any seriousness out of the hard-nosed, tough culture that he is trying to apply here, then it would go along ways for Underwood to do such a thing. Everyone is freaking out over a potential loss to Bruce Weber and KSU, but I don't give 2 !!!!! really. This team is total hot garbage right now and a message needs to be sent to right this ship because at this moment, it's sinking like the Titanic.

Honestly the only player who should never see the bench (aside from getting a breather or 2) is Kofi. None of the other 4 starters are moving the needle at all at this moment. Curbelo is a complete and utter mess right now. Trent throwing up a bagel last night is very alarming. Grandison is a total nothing right now. Hawkins is still another year away.

I don't know who you'd start for the next game to send a message, but I'd say you start with Kofi. After that, maybe draw names from a hat???
 
#245      
I wish Underwood would look at the offense Weber ran in 2005. Very little dribbling with motion and ball passed accordingly. I would like anyone on this site to explain how dribbling in a weave pattern with no one moving or anyone who can break a defense down is going to work. Curbelo probably could if he were a penetrate and kick point guard, rather than trying to be a scorer.
 
#246      
Not sure there was any coaching tonight..or in the off-season for that matter..did Kofi ever kick the ball out of a double, triple, or quadruple team..can’t remember seeing it happen
Yes, to a wide open shooter in the corner, right in front of me, (at the game) who did nothing with it.
We overpassed last night when we just needed to take it to the rim. We underpasses it and attacked the rim with no chance of scoring with a wide open teammate waiting for a pass. It was a weird game in which every wrong decision that could be made, was made. We pump faked out of wide open shots for contested tough shots. We pass faked to Kofi as opposed to just giving it to him. It was bizarre.
 
#248      
In my view, the game snowballed out of control on a handful of possessions where Grandison and Hawkins passed up open shots to force bad passes to Kofi and Trent tried a circus layup in transition after a steal where he had damonte trailing the play. Air went out of the balloon and the game quickly spiraled out of control from there. Curbelo with the stupid tech was also a momentum killer—that’s two in three games.

Another observation: our backcourt’s lack of size at the 1 and 2–both height and weight—is causing issues on the offensive end. Trent and ‘Belo just look tiny out there. Ayo’s massive size for a college 1/2, ability to finish at the rim, and rebounding prowess are missed dearly.
This. (The 1st paragraph)
 
#249      
I was at the game with my kids for their first live Illinois game. That was brutal. The best part was my son being chosen to shoot 3’s during a media timeout midway through the 2nd half. He won making 7. Proud dad moment.
Anyway, it comes down to being out toughed. We are not a “tough” team. We woof a lot, and pound our chest, and shoot our veins up with some type of fake ice water, or jaw with the other team. Then when the other team steps up to that challenge we fold.
My humble opinion is that we need to get back on defense, get in a stance and guard! The only talking should be to each other to communicate on defense. We should never react to the refs. They were bad at points and did take us out of our rhythm. But they HAVE TO roll with that. But they are too busy running their mouth and overblowing their reactions. Shut up and play.
As an example, Belo was having a pretty good game in the first half. Cincy took the lead and the Curbelo hit that step back 3. That was the type of shot that could have ignited us on the defensive end and had a nice little run to close out the half. The type of shot that HE could have rode from a confidence stand point. Instead he starts jawing at the bench, because they had been hawing at him, and they got exactly what they wanted. They got the momentum, they got free throws to take the lead again (never to lose it) and they exposed our fake toughness. We had nowhere to hide. We were the bully that got punched in the face and became the b*%#h the rest of the game.
My one criticism of Underwood has been allowing this primadona fake toughness to continue. I would tell them they have not earned the right to complain about officiating. They have not earned the right to woof at the other team. They have not earned the right to ANY histrionics.
Get in a stance and guard!!
 
#250      
Build to disappoint.....so many hopes crushed. Just can't see this team moving up the scale with these last two outings. Sliding down the ranking poll ...FAST