Game Thread: Illinois vs Arkansas

[Bigtex]

No “team” within Illinois. Bunch of individual players. Disappointed the coaching staff couldn’t get them to play as a team

 

[Gary J]

Also, TSJ- tired of his game. 1-1 doesn't win championships.

 

[fuggles]

At some point, regardless of the number of yearly conference victories, someone is going to have to ask if Brad is the right coach to get this team to the next level. I'm not saying he's a bad coach, but as far as the Tournament what has he achieved? Ever since the Loyola fiasco, Illinois has not been competitive when it counts.

Didn't we win the B1g ten after that game? Are you a troll?

 

[bergd91]

Arkansas had 2 assist in 1st half on 36 pts..
2 Freaking assist. And we're down, . Sorry coach, grow a pair and put Matty buckets on the bench. Some days are not the best days!

 

[BTM33]

Either Brad has no offense and so guys are giving up on it and playing hero ball...or...

Brad does has an offense but Mayer/Coleman ignore or don't trust it...or

Brad doesn't coach well enough to actually enforce the actions he wants offensively...or

We dont have the talent/shot making to be a good offensive team...

 

[walzon]

at least we know its not particular teams that just "had our number". we're just not that good, and we honestly got pretty lucky for that Texas game. some could say this team overachieved actually, our home court carried this team to this tourney.

 

[Orange Wave]

Dear lord at least go down fighting.

 

[aaeismacgychel]

The problem is what will change? If it’s we start shooting a bit better and have fewer TOs, great … we’ll make it a game. But this is win or go home!!! The fundamental mental state, body language, outlook, etc. has to change during halftime. It’s depressing sitting here just hoping against hope for that, and you can see it on the faces of the miserable Illini fans they’ve shown on TV, lol.

I think we go on a run these first 4 minutes. We'll see where we go after that. I think we've played better with Dain on the court. Gotta get CoHawk back inside. The freshmen unfortunately are playing like freshmen, which is par for the course in a 1st tourney experience, so I'd focus on calming them down a bit. As for Mayer, I'd take him aside privately so as not to embarrass him and ask him if he wants to play or whether he's packed it in because the only way you can have that poor a first half is if you're injured and physically unable to compete or you're mentally checked out. We can win this game without him if we need to, but we have no chance of winning if he plays this 2nd half like he did the 1st.

 

[Deep]

Well.........20 minutes......lets see what we got!!

 

[IlliniSon]

I hope no none gets upset if I say the team in orange looks unprepared and poorly coached!

 

[Dr Copejam]

 

[InDaAZ]

The Complain Train: It never gets full!

Go, Illini! Come out FIGHTING

 

[coachingillini]

Does MM play the rest of the game?

Hope not!

 

[GetAWin]

They're going to shoot more 3s????

 

[Flyin' Illini]

"Keep firing, they'll fall." That's what I want to hear!

 

[hoopsfan47]

No one should shoot 3's but Goode. Maybe Epps. The rest should try scoring closer to the basket. Mid range, free throw area, lay ups, dunks! And please, please, please, STAY WITH YOUR MAN! Or at least help your helper! This team is truly capable of so much more. If they could just mentally wake up and go all out! I can see the anger in Shannon right now. Just don't play silly ball and fall asleep defensively. Mayer needs to wake up so badly! And everyone needs to contribute and defend! This is it! End of the road if they don't come with it this half!

I vote for this.

 

[Bacon Butkus Swanson]

he has to

Maybe he took his Monster via intravenously during half…. How bout the seniors step up?

 

[Mr. Roberts]

And Mayer loses his man.

 

[tell it like it is]

Hope not!

Just got beat by his man to open second half.

 

[hiberto]

3 for 12 from three but yes let's keep shooting them

 

[Aceon3]

When do we start blaming the captain of this ship

 

[WhiteHorseWings]

Have we ever had the possession arrow in school history?

 

[Kinkyfish]

Good start

 

[Flyin' Illini]

Here comes the obligatory "try to get Dainja involved for the first 90 seconds, then abandon the idea for the rest of the half."

 

[JSpence]

No “team” within Illinois. Bunch of individual players. Disappointed the coaching staff couldn’t get them to play as a team

To be fair, there are a FEW who play as individual players surrounded by many teammates who must be quietly pulling their hair out.