Game Thread: Illinois vs Houston

[Altgeld's Bells]

Yep they are gonna go after Boz to try pick up that 3rd right away in the 2nd half

I am so angry about that 2nd foul. He is critical for our defense. What was Brad thinking?

 

[Illiniaaron]

I don’t understand, when they double Wagler up top and he passes off, there are two Illini and three Cougars at the top of the key, otherwise it’s 3 on 2 and no Illini go to the basket.

 

[jmm]

We are better and we are a second half team

Usually the Wagler half, righ?

 

[HouTexIllini]

Can we get the ball into the post? They are doing exactly what we thought on D and it’s as if we weren’t prepared for it. The turnovers when they double and trying to drive into double teams is crazy- I thought Tyler would have drawn up something better to beat their traps

Just get the ball to Tomi in the post and let him make the pass - it’s worked the two times we’ve done that

This isn’t a defense that lets you dictate and “hunt matchup”. They are aggressive, active, and actually likes to dictate what you do with their defense. I’m actually kind of jealous and have been for the last two years.

We need to do what we should have done more of all year, get the ball in the post and go from there. Make the refs call fouls and make their defense scramble instead of scrambling the way they are scripted to.

 

[AnnaMay]

I feel like that half was a complete waste of an opportunity. I can’t get it out of my head.

They’ve just thrown us off our game. And we’re playing into it.

We should be up 10-15 on them and not looking back.

I think the alure of Houston's defense got in our head that half. We could have 40 points if we made the easy ones.

 

[champaignpak]

Cougars shot 27% for the half. Really dejecting to only be up 2 at half.

Keaton has to be stronger at the rim. You're 6'6. Act like it

he gets fouled multiple times on each drive

 

[Illini_Jack]

Alright, we're going to find out what Brad's made of in this second half

 

[TheFlyingIllini1317]

first 19 mins the Houston fans were sitting on their hands. If they come out and take the lead, they will erupt. First few mins of the start of the half can decide this game

100% Our fault for not finishing strong, start the first 5 minutes strong and we bring this home

 

[zentrails]

We can’t miss free throws. That is where we have to make them pay for their aggressive defense. Good lord do they foul a lot!

Yep, 2 misses already, one a front end and by two of our better FT shooters, can't happen

 

[BrimfieldBomber]

These TBS panelist guys need to be excommunicated from ever working again.

 

[hoopsfan47]

Cougars shot 27% for the half. Really dejecting to only be up 2 at half.

Keaton has to be stronger at the rim. You're 6'6. Act like it

This is the gravest concern if the Illini are to win. It will improve....and our shooting HAS TO ALSO!!! If not, this is the last game for this team.

 

[RML]

Gotta score on this first possession. If we don't, and they tie it up (or take the lead), yuck.

 

[skyIdub]

Gonna need 40 in the second half to win it I think.

 

[pruman91]

2 ill advised 3 pt shots by Boswell and Mirko-Man and then playing zone on last play of half was NOT smart play......get the ball to Z on a couple alley oops and Andre driving the rim will lead to an Illini victory......we are playing excellent D mostly and rebounding great....close it out Illini.................

 

[Get yourself a new map]

So bummed right now. We had a three in the air to go up 11 with two minutes left and then we coached ourselves right out of it. Houston has to be feeling great right now and our guys are like “we just played a masterful half defensively and it’s basically tied.”

 

[Witherspoon_illini]

If this game comes down to a similar situation as that UCLA game did, I really hope we don’t get completely out coached just we did in that game and the end of the 1st half today.

 

[Jimbo]

How can the world be so cruel to have Pearl breaking down a game of ours against a team coached by Sampson. Sheesh. At least Bill Walton isn’t doing color commentary.

 

[Sim]

I don't think Ben or Jake got up a shot yet gotta find a way to get open take some 3s

If players, not to mention names, would take it to the basket and make a layup they could start driving and kicking out to Ben and Jake.

 

[jmm]

We better turn it up because they aren't going to shoot this bad in 2nd half

And hopefully Wagler,Boswell,Ivisic, Ivisic, Davis and and Mirk don’t either. So many opportunities…

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

How does Tugler have 1 foul?

 

[jamie13197]

Coverage by these cheap networks is pathetic and the people they pay is worse. Mashburn needs a hospital.

 

[Trueblue777]

We can’t start the second half like we ended the first

 

[Champaign88]

Brad should have called a time out when we had the ball and given directions on fouling with say 4 seconds to go… so tired of not using the first half timeout.

 

[LuckyIllini]

Davis and Humrichous combined haven’t attempted a shot………….

 

[jumpingjack]

Given the physicality being allowed and badly Houston was getting their butts kicked on analytics, they'll bring it to start the half.
We need to bring it more.