Game Thread: Illinois vs Houston

[TheChief4Life]

A lot of of our three attempts have been good looks. Just nothing fell. Getting out rebounded in back-to-back games is inexcusable, and a big part of our woes this post-season. But man, our shooting percentage is very... very... bad.

I agree with those that said our roster next year could be, and should be, very exciting! This is by no means 'the end of Illinois' basketball. It'll be another good run next year, and I'm going to be pumped for it.

On to the football season!

 

[Sawicky]

Lol time out now? Come on Brad

 

[LvilleILL]

Good season. It was a lack of being able to execute and make a shot that cost us. Can't do that in the tourney and win. Onto next year, future is bright everyone

 

[IlliniInCAN]

I know early in the season it was a nice idea to have the 4 out - 1 in concept, but what this tourney exposed is you have to have guys who can get to the basket and create their own shot. We currently have two players that can do that, Curbelo, who has no outside shot, and RJ who coach only plays in small spurts (outside of today). It really hurt that our three seniors have almost no ability to drive the ball and finish.

Our small guards also got eaten up this tourney as well as the BTT. We need more size at the guard positions.

 

[3 point girl]

Fitting way to end with Damonte on the court doing absolutely nothing offensively down 14.

He hasnt even tried to score this year- so frustrating to have a player getting major minutes that cant shoot or wont.

 

[freebird6]

Defense and Rebounds win games. That addage gets proven over and over .

That said the scoreboard records how many times the ball goes through the hole. Shooters not needed as much as makers.

 

[BlueLeader]

Hows this going to impact transfers and recruiting

Not good bob.

 

[blife]

Well on to next year. I hate us historically playing in early morning games, at least to my failing memory.

 

[Gunner23]

Not today.

Wrong...

 

[Epsilon]

I'm wondering why they teach the bad pass in practice every day.

 

[skyIdub]

Thank you Trent, DMFW, Plummer, and Kofi!

We love no other......

 

[HailtotheChief]

I hate Sampson. He is a dirt bag but his early strategy if daring and seeing if Belo, DMW and Hawk could beat them along with the turnovers early by Belo, DMW and Trent just killed us. Sampson out coaches BU . What BY thought are good looks aren't for some guys when they haven't hit a good percentage all year and didn't today.

Hopefully and likely Belo and Hawk will improve this off season

 

[krushalot2005]

Honestly love Trent and Damonte but I think that may be a factor (undersized)when we get to the NCAA tournament

 

[Illini in Italy]

Out worked, out coached, and out executed is a tough combo to stomach.

I will admit to being wrong. I really thought we would win today.

 

[KBLEE]

Fitting way to end with Damonte on the court doing absolutely nothing offensively down 14.

Yup - he should have been on the bench next to Belo.

 

[TGB]

No BB IQ, except the Freshman

 

[WeWillWhen]

Turnovers and missed 3s story of this game. Sad way to go out.

 

[IceCuban]

The clank fest from three...lived and died by that all year...

 

[krushalot2005]

Think they will bring up the fact that They threw a fit after a loss at Alabama and the coach and the team (minus one player) trashed Alabamas court!

Another Houston player was suspended for BITING an opponent during a game. Their coach was also suspended from the NCAA for five years for cheating.

 

[madillini4]

He’d be out there if he could shoot

I’m going to refrain from commenting how I feel about Curbelo

 

[illiniCA]

No.

The were playing so far off of him he was no threat

 

[Hopingfor500]

Illinois won’t contend for a nat. title until they get bigger and more athletic at guard

To me, this is the #1 takeaway from this year. I LOVE TF, but against teams like this....his size is tough to overcome. Same for AP for that matter.

 

[Manual3for4peat]

We’re going to be a better team next year, Kofi or no Kofi. Because RJ and Goode are going to get high usage and we won’t be as out of control

I think you’re greatly underestimating how amazing Kofi is. We’ve been lucky to have him.

 

[IlliniForceOne]

3 of our worst played games in the last two seasons are in the NCAA tournament.

This is what I have such a hard time wrapping my head around.

I just don't understand how B10 champion (back to back?) Illinois teams can look like they did in the Loyola game, the Chattanooga game, and now this Houston game. Sub 60 points in all 3.

 

[Rap47]

I hope next year's team has players who can beat their man off the dribble.