I've just returned from the game, so I've had an hour+ to stew while on the subway/uber.... didn't help numb the pain. What an utterly embarrassing showing by our team tonight. Did we really go 0-fer 15 or whatever in the 1st half from 3???? Did we end up something like 2 for 30 on 3pt atts? Do we even have a coaching staff who gives a FF? If I'm JW I'm insisting on immediate changes to who calls the D & O sets on this team, and would not take no for an answer. I'm just beside myself right now. And in fear of the Dan-ban, I'm gonna just purse my lips, but I do have some not-so-nice-thoughts/things to say about what I saw this evening.
Duke 110, Illinois 67 Postgame
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Please give me data where Izzo and Painter lost by more than 30 points in a game ever.
I listened to Brad's 14-minute presser. Basically, "I'm not going to make excuses" and then spends 75% of the time making excuses.
Groce-level misunderstanding of what's going on around him and the team. No fixing this.
Sure, give him two more years to prove me wrong...and then hope you can salvage what's left of the dumpster fire with an elite coach. If anyone still wants the job by then.
I understand, due to the large buyout, BU's not going anywhere and no other school is going to take him off our hands at his salary.
But tonight was the other bookend to the Loyola fiasco. Totally owned on national TV and he has no answers other than "we need to make shots."
Wow. Brilliant.
Groce-level misunderstanding of what's going on around him and the team. No fixing this.
Sure, give him two more years to prove me wrong...and then hope you can salvage what's left of the dumpster fire with an elite coach. If anyone still wants the job by then.
I understand, due to the large buyout, BU's not going anywhere and no other school is going to take him off our hands at his salary.
But tonight was the other bookend to the Loyola fiasco. Totally owned on national TV and he has no answers other than "we need to make shots."
Wow. Brilliant.
I disagree. This is the culmination of a lot of adversity being brought to a team who is ill equipped to deal with it. The best players on this team have never been here before.
Even the “veterans” we have, have never had this type of expectation or competition in front of them.
Don’t get me wrong. This is really bad. The coaches bear a lot of responsibility here. I think we went for the shiny objects (talent) over substance this offseason. We are simply not tough enough to overcome the challenges we have faced. The idea of getting old and staying old, for whatever reason, was lost this offseason & we must get back to it.
A good coach adjusts his offense and defense based on what he/she has. Not always going to get the “perfect” 5 guys for your “system.” 95% of college coaches would salivate to have the opportunity to coach these players
Lol. It's not about the off season. Yes, they occur. It's about players deciding they want this type of environment.
You brush aside that point. Just as you brushed aside concerns about continuity.
You brush aside that point. Just as you brushed aside concerns about continuity.
Izzo has had 3 years recently exactly like this Illinois season. Painter has lost to 14, 15, and 16 seeds. Coaches aren't perfect.
SampsonRelpenk
- Edwardsville, IL
The only thing I can say is that I really do not appreciate the young men who choose to represent the team that means so much to us have been put in a position to be humiliated like this.
USAFILLINI
- Florida
What has Brad Underwood done to be mentioned in the same breath as coaches like Painter and Izzo? One Sweet 16 in his entire career, which just so happens to be the only time he's made it past the first weekend.
Call us idiots if you want, but we’re not looking to go back to a time when our program struggled. I’m grateful to Underwood for pulling us out of the Groce years, but let’s not forget, the bar was set pretty low.
I understand you may be loyal to BU, and it's clear you have a close connection. I can't fault you for that. But calling our fanbase idiots for expressing frustration over this disastrous season is crossing the line. This isn't the '90s if we don’t act quickly, this program could be buried. We just witnessed the worst loss in Illinois history, and it’s clear the wheels have come off. Year after year, there's drama with players he recruited and issues with his own assistant coaches. Add in a little nepotism, and I hope the donors are ready to help him move on.
Call us idiots if you want, but we’re not looking to go back to a time when our program struggled. I’m grateful to Underwood for pulling us out of the Groce years, but let’s not forget, the bar was set pretty low.
I understand you may be loyal to BU, and it's clear you have a close connection. I can't fault you for that. But calling our fanbase idiots for expressing frustration over this disastrous season is crossing the line. This isn't the '90s if we don’t act quickly, this program could be buried. We just witnessed the worst loss in Illinois history, and it’s clear the wheels have come off. Year after year, there's drama with players he recruited and issues with his own assistant coaches. Add in a little nepotism, and I hope the donors are ready to help him move on.
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Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
I generally agree. Brad has been able to recruit very well here (and will continue to do so). The issue is that there has been a lot of turnover within the coaching staff, that goes along with turnover in the roster. 2 out of the last 3 seasons have had roster construction that did not necessarily gel (for various reasons), even though many of us were satisfied with the recruiting. I am hopeful that with some shakeup in the coaching staff, that it will make the difference, but I understand the concern that many have here.
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No way are you comparing Underwood to Izzo? Izzo has been to 8 final 4's and won a national championship. Painter has reached 7 sweet 16's, 2 elite 8's and 1 final four.
Underwood has no where close to as much success as those two coaches. Please stop comparing him to them, as they aren't even on the same stratosphere.
Underwood has no where close to as much success as those two coaches. Please stop comparing him to them, as they aren't even on the same stratosphere.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I’ve noticed you’ve said nothing, lol. We’re all upset, man, but it’s AWFUL right now.
No one has more control over what happens out there than those young men. They need to take a long look in the mirror and decide if they want to compete.
This game was non-competitive. You have to have the guts to knock down shots. We have guys who can shoot. The issue is toughness.
Sadly, sometimes toughness is born though getting humiliated.
Comparing the worst years of the two best coaches in the conference to defend a coach who hasn't also matched their best years is an interesting way to defend someone.
I think the numbers say, despite what Brad says, that we don't have guys that can knock down shots. the stats don't lie. we are 15 of 18 in field goal % in the BIG, we are 17 of 18 in 3pt % i don't care how good they shoot in practice. as Iverson said, we're talking bout practice!
I have the utmost respect for you and appreciate your posts, but #3 definitely crosses a line. First off you have your opinion of Brad, but to consider him an elite coach or put him in the same category as Tom Izzo is insulting. Compare Izzo’s record. While most of us have whined about Izzo for years, we would have died to have him as our and have his results. Sure, Brad made the elite 8 last year where he sh*t the bed with his preparation for UConn. Do you think he was given a gift of having to only play Morehead State and Duquesne to get past the first weekend? I do. TJ goes for 29 and we were lucky to hang on for a 3 point win against Iowa State after being up 10 at half. Then UConn. Brad has been much, much better than Groce, but I’m not sure his ceiling is as high as others might think. Izzo’s record:
Attachments
Interesting topic actually. Honestly decided to look back a bit. I'm sure there's more, but the ones in recent memory and/or right off the top of my head:
You asked for it
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Our best offensive performance of the year (rated by torvik) was against Minnesota. We only shot 16 3's in that game. I thought for sure it was the moment we decided to play differently and turn the season around.
Since then? 28, 30, 33, and 26 3pt attempts. ABSOLUTELY MIND BOGGLING.
Since then? 28, 30, 33, and 26 3pt attempts. ABSOLUTELY MIND BOGGLING.
You mean there are 13 division 1 team that shoot three pointers worse than Illinois?
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