Game Thread: Illinois at Ohio State

[Ramrod2010]

Guys won more games than anyone the past 4 years in the big and our fanbase can’t wait to get back to John Groce.

Yeah we got some crazies.

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

Are we just tired. This is the end of that 4 games in 9 days.

No excuses. We're flat out bad 2 of the last 3 halves.

 

[CV Illini]

Our defense is elite

 

[Illini-Rule]

Bad news, we haven't won when we've given up 70 or more points. OSU is at 41 at the half, not looking good...

 

[sacraig]

What would we be like with a coach. Who disciplined players instead of yelling? Our bad shots, turnovers, missed FTs, and not getting touches to the correct players would now be gone this late in the season.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

Because Illini played longer on CBS than just the last 3 years?

So you’re going back to like 2019 when we had a losing record on every network?

Either way, there’s clearly no “curse.”

 

[Illini8420]

Gotta just stick with the Hawkins-Rodgers-Harris-TSJ-Mayer lineup as much as possible. That’s how we came back last time. Defensive intensity. Unfortunately Epps isn’t giving us much once again

 

[Flyin' Illini]

Wisconsin projected in the tournament? No way in hell.

 

[FeelYourPaign]

We are lucky to only be down 12

Hate that I have to agree with this

 

[727ill]

The IQ of this team is really bad. Not fouling at the end of the half when you had plenty to give is just bad.

 

[dsg]

Did Brad record last games halftime locker room "talk" so he can just walk in and press play?

 

[Illinimark]

Most of the team can't hit a 3 to save their behinds...now we throw them up from 10 feet beyond the 3 pt line...

This jumping up on the shot fake is beyond believable. It has been a symptom of this team's defensive shortcomings since the beginning of the season. It should have been addressed in December.

 

[hoopsfan47]

Can't watch the game so have to scan the boxscore for the story. Looking at the turnovers is a bright spot but the poor shooting negates it all. With all the layups by OSU the defensive concentration and execution appears to be poor. With DD getting one shot, it would seem there is a complete unawareness and effort to get him the ball.

This team is Jekyll and Hyde, and there seems that BU has no control over which is playing and when. We should know by now but it is hard to accept for a Fighting Illini team to play like that.

 

[808Illini]

Tough spot for Brad regarding Epps. Do you start him coming out or go with Harris?

 

[LGIllini]

Missed most of the first half getting a massage. The masseuse commented about how much tension I was carrying in my neck and shoulders. I simply replied "I'm an Illini basketball fan." I couldn't see her face, but I can only imagine she was sadly nodding her response. Got out, checked the score and saw we were out to our usual slow start. Here's to another great second half comeback - we know they have it in them!

 

[Ransom Stoddard]

Missed most of the first half getting a massage. The masseuse commented about how much tension I was carrying in my neck and shoulders. I simply replied "I'm an Illini basketball fan." I couldn't see her face, but I can only imagine she was sadly nodding her response. Got out, checked the score and saw we were out to our usual slow start. Here's to another great second half comeback - we know they have it in them!

I learned that massages before the game were a waste of time and money, because I just need another one after the game.

 

[eas23]

Wisconsin projected in the tournament? No way in hell.

They're the last team in in the bracket matrix today.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

The more I think about our struggles, the more clear it becomes that it’s mental. Ugh, so frustrating!!!!

 

[Deep]

Need to play better D if we are going to have a shot in this game

 

[FeelYourPaign]

I learned that massages before the game were a waste of time and money, because I just need another one after the game.

Made me laugh. Thanks

 

[Illini8420]

Gotta bench Epps again. It’s similar to the Skyy issue but Epps at least has better offense and will be needed in other games. But today it’s not the day. Ride Harris the rest of the way and ramp up the D

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

Need to play better D if we are going to have a shot in this game

We complain about the offense, but the defense has been equally abysmal.

 

[jumpingjack]

This. Trent got away with it somewhat because he worked his absolute @ss off, but a tale as old as time for the Illini is getting torched by bigger guards. Not saying pure size mismatch is why Epps is getting beat, but it’s no wonder guys like Pickett salivate with the matchups they get. Terrence has absolutely no excuse. He needs to be a better defender, and especially as a senior, I can’t remember a game this season where his defense really stood out in a positive way.

 

[grantlab]

I think something that gets overlooked a lot is just how important *elite* (and especially experienced) guard play is for winning in March. I think everyone would agree Epps and Harris have had better seasons than we expected they would, but no one could’ve predicted Skyy leaving back in October. That said, you could kind of see from the start of the season where our shortcomings would be (guard play and post depth), and that’s kind of how this season has played out. I’m not discounting this team could get hot and go on a run, but I do lose perspective on how young our guards are and how spoiled we were with 5th year Trent and Damonte. Epps needs to be a better defender and Harris needs to provide more from the PG spot on offense. But again, they’re true freshmen.

 

[dbeverly26]

We’re so obviously the better team out there but just haven’t bothered to show up, just standing around and watching. Just…blah. Yuck. Gross. Icky.