Game Thread: Illinois at Ohio State
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Yep, I'm plenty happy with a 6 point lead at half!
Bigtex
- DFW
You see why underwood typically doesn’t use first half timeout. Doesn’t typically produce good results
He comes in immediately turns it over. Did not look good in his brief stint.
Has Bam tried a drive at all this game?
"Don't turn the ball over ever" isn't a realistic standard. You have to give him a little rope and some confidence.
Higher chance of Wagler back next year than Petro.
Yes, it’s very early.
Yes, it’s very early.
Not give away the ball the first time you touch it?
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
While true overall....we literally can't afford to do that on the road in the B1G.
That's what the non con tune ups are for.
Have to come out strong like we did against Tn in the second half.
Illini are at a higher %age from the arc, inside, and at the line than OSU. Both teams playing at a very high level. Illini lead on rebounds by 1 with two less fouls and two less TOs. One would think they would have a double digit leads . The stats don't tell us why as OSU has made one more from the arc but we outscored them from the FT line 11 to 4. Why the lead is only 6 is pretty much a mystery to me.Beyond Thornton & Tilly, the Sucks are 0-12 shooting…
But overall, we have witnessed one of the best halves from an Illini team against a foe who is playing their best. Team has to feel good about their play and enjoy keeping the lights on. Great to see the freshmen leading the way...especially Mirk getting his confidence back.
Punesguy
- Ft. Collins, CO
The halftime show was as bad as the game announcers. The comment was made that they don’t think Thornton can do it again in the 2nd half. Hey knuckleheads, if he does, we will by 12 and if he doesn’t, we win by more! No question he’s on a heater but we’re winning the game! 
I mean, I get what you’re saying…but in a Big Ten road game, where you have Wagler playing like he is, and BAM being your best defender (Thornton’s heater not withstanding) you have to have a short leash in key games like this.
Win the first 4 minutes by 7 pts n let's go!
Meant over the season thus far, not today.
On offense averages 0.915ppp, Illinois averages 1.279ppp
On defense Illinois gives up 1.155ppp when he's on the court. When he's on the bench Illinois gives up 1.002ppp.
From a metrics standpoint in a vaccuum he's performing at a bottom 20% of the NCAA level.
And this isn't saying he's going to stay that way or that he's a bad player, he's just struggling mightily right now compared to the rest of the team. That's why his minutes are limited
They have a player that went nuclear on us in the first half. Many of his shots were contested threes. Our D has been an issue at times this year, but that first half was just special for Thornton. Tip your cap and play a better 2nd half.
Insane that arguably our best two players played a terrible first half (Kylan and Tomi) and we are up 6- hard to believe.
My daughter had a coach in high-school that world pull her out as soon a she made a mistake. It got to the point where she would go in the have and be paralyzed because she was afraid of making a mistake. Yet other girls could make mistake after mistake and not get pulled. One girl who the coaches dubbed her an all-stater before she even stepped foot on the body as a freshman would literally have 20 turnovers a game as she started varsity as a freshman. The all-stater ended up quitting her sophomore year.
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