I think that there are just HUGE gaps in the perceptions of our players that are currently out. Some seem to think that they are all worthless and some seem to think that every one of them are 5 star difference makers. Personally, I feel that they are all upgrades to what we have on the floor but most are middle of the pack Big Ten caliber players. I feel that even with all of our players back, we would have been in the middle of the BIG. I feel that is about where we will be next year. For me, I don't want to be in the middle. I feel we had that with Weber. There was no reason to get rid of him if we were going to settle for the same thing.
Game Thread: Illinois at Michigan State
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HoustonIllini
- Houston, TX
Goodness....We are down 30??? I am not watching the game (glad I am not) but wanted to check in and we are down by 30 to a team minus a guy who might be a Wooden award winner or at least a finalist? What would the score be if Valentine was playing? Thank goodness I wasn't able to see the game and will be deleting it from my DVR without viewing. The program isn't in good shape right now. People say we are missing all these starters and it does hurt but who knows what TA brings to this team except toughness and D. LB fouls so much would he even play that many minutes? MT was a 5th year senior stop gap. He was playing well but in the long term how much good does he do to the program? Nunn missing for his kid being born really stinks because he has been tearing it up but he is doing the right thing being there with his son and would he really make a 30 point difference?
Go to the John Groce thread. This is so much drivel . . . .
Post defense is the biggest weakness in his game right now. It will improve and he gains strength and experience. He will have a good career for the Illini.
Mav is going to foul someone out tonight
Agreed.
Mav is drawing some fouls inside tonight. There, there's a bright spot.
HoustonIllini
- Houston, TX
And that was apples, and this is oranges. Different game, different points in the season . . . .
Hill, tate, and morgan are our only players tonight with any experience playing together before this season. Besides them it's 4 freshman and lewis.
I'm not saying Oakland isn't a good team with good basketball players. I'm just saying even with all the advantages and resources we have over them, we've managed to put ourselves in an inferior position.
sdfidaho
- Boise, Idaho
This is pretty much where I'm at.....
I keep hoping for overachievement and great coaching, but it's just not happening. Even if we're missing 27 of our top 31 players.....
Hate to say it, but JCL's defense is as bad as anyone's on our team. Still looks lost.
It really sucks to think that if MT never got hurt, we probably come into this game at 12-3 with quality wins over IA St. and ND, and a semi quality win over scUM.
Edit: We also would've handled tOSU easily.
And with Nunn we probably beat providence who is currently ranked 8
and Finke is rebounding, battling his arse off. Positives on a night where we don't have many. JCL is working hard.
sdfidaho
- Boise, Idaho
Yes.....Unfortunatley this is true. But also unfortunately this isn't just a "this year" scenario
If you think Kendrick Nunn is a middle of the pack big ten caliber player, then that explains your post.
Hence the word MOST. Who else do you feel is elite? I get it, you feel that you have to respond to every post with blind optimism. Pretty much every team in the BIG has their KN. Some have two or three. He is good, but not elite. Just my opinion.
ChiCityHoops34
- DeKalb IL
MSU 81% shooting in the paint, is that good?
Oh I get it, because that team clearly went into the season depending on him for production? Get a grip, and maybe some perspective
I'd love to have Kahlil Felder on Illinois.
For all those comparing this game to Oakland stop. A young team fell behind it the first half got rattled and it got ugly fast. This game is not indicative of where the program is right now. Is the team great, no. But this team is not as bad as it looked in the first half. They just did play a 2 point game on the road against OSU.
Maverick Morgan has no killer instinct whatsoever. He could go on to be a spokesman for Nerf or Koosh.
Deleted member 11241
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This has been tough to watch. Really hope we get thorne and black back soon. For those that think Nunn wouldn't have made a difference tonight, he would not have had to score 30 to make a difference. He could get his average, his defensive presence could have prevented a couple scores, couple rebounds taking away second chance points and his leadership, toughness could have made the difference
Austin with a 3p and we made it to 50...time for bed
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