Game Thread: Illinois at Indiana

[Bailey]

That's all you got? I've already agreed his D is not where it needs to be yet. But I'll take the marginally worse D for better ball handling, running the O and being a threat to score.

But since you asked -
he set up JCL's first three via extra pass,
drew two fouls via penetration drives,

That first three was heavily contested.

Both of his fouls were ticky tack - driving into a defenders chest. He then proceeded to leave points on the line.

 

[O-Bla]

FIRE GROCE!

The good news is we are one game closer to getting a new coach.

 

[Bailey]

Has anyone ever seen that before?

We'd cut the lead to, what, 13? He was trying to have our best offensive player on the floor in a critical moment despite the fouls.

 

[CoalCity]

I wouldn't be particularly excited about playing in his system at this point either

LOL! You may have hit on something here!

 

[Bailey]

omg why are we having this conversation about TJL? He's a true freshman. It's not fair to draw any conclusions. The kid needs minutes.

I'd still rather have him out there over Tate.

Good lord we've spent all season yelling at Groce to give TJL more minutes, and now that he's in, we're all throwing him to the wolves.

I'm saying he needs more minutes too, but I'm going to call BS on the narrative that he's offering so much more than Tate.

 

[MrOizo]

For sure.

Just don't tell me he's giving better minutes than Tate.

TJL definitely gives us better minutes in my opinion. More upside, more development for the future, an extra offensive threat. Hands down better for me, along with more DJW.

 

[Idkhti37]

That's still pretty generous for Thorne.

He got to the line once...and I'm just a big softy.

 

[sacraig]

I just swished an ice cube into the sink drain from across the kitchen. I'm thinking maybe our team could use another deadeye shooter like myself? I have 4 years of eligibility!

 

[geneseo]

Nobody is saying that Tate is single-handedly losing us this game today. Groce - maybe. But not Tate.

What we are, have been, and will continue to say is that with Tate being bad both on offense and defense, it's more important to get Lucas minutes to acclimate him to the speed and physicality of B1G basketball than to continually trot out Tate to provide next to nothing.

You must be fairly new to the forum.

 

[ole 99]

At this point, I'm just glad I don't have ESPNU, so I don't have to torture myself by watching this.

 

[Cheez]

You must be fairly new to the forum.

Key word in my previous post: today. Nobody is saying that "today".

 

[Bailey]

Kipper sighting.

12 deep now.

 

[JudsonFTS]

What's up with Abrams?

 

[Idkhti37]

Kipper sighting.

 

[Bailey]

Heavily contested? ticky tack ? - perhaps you haven't been paying attention but the refs are calling it incredibly tight tonight. A good PG realizes that and plays it to his advantage.

Both those fouls were beyond the three point line.

Again, to be clear. Excited for his future - but Tejon still has his deer in the headlights days. Today is one.

 

[JudsonFTS]

Kipper looks lost.

 

[geneseo]

Key word in my previous post: today. Nobody is saying that "today".

You mean like before sunset or the entire 24 hour period?

 

[MrOizo]

Halftime grades
TA/JT/TJL: D-
JCL/AJ: B-
MH/DW: F
LB/MF: F
MT/MM: F

Kipper must be the worst player in the world not to get some tick in a half where our bigs play like this.

Totally agree. Give us some Kipper! And send a dang message.

 

[LurkLongandProsper]

LOL! You may have hit on something here!

There's a legitimate argument there, I mean teams come out and play hard when they're having fun and believe in the system. Our system is counterproductive on both fronts. We don't get guys involved, take hard shots, work overly hard for bad shots, and lose a lot as a result. I'd come out flat a lot in those circumstances too.

 

[Idkhti37]

HEY JOHN! THAT ZONE DEFENSE...IT'S NOT WORKING! JOHN? JOHN?!

 

[CoalCity]

Somebody cover Blackman FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!!

 

[txillini11]

Is Groce clueless? The zone isn't working.

 

[Bailey]

Totally agree. Give us some Kipper! And send a dang message.

He's getting a big chunk of tic this half.

 

[PhillyIllini]

HEY JOHN! THAT ZONE DEFENSE...IT'S NOT WORKING! JOHN? JOHN?!

- Josh Whitman

 

[PostersLastStand]

Earlier I was watching Oklahoma at Kansas State, two thoughts came to me. First, was I love to have either of these coaches back. Second, I would love to send another Illinois coach to the Big 12.