Game Thread: Illinois vs Long Island

[SkyysNotFalling]

Why do I feel like we are playing horrible and then I look at the score board and see we are up by 43. So I go look to see the Sharks schedule.

And then it makes me think, are we that good that when we look bad we are blowing out an ok team?

We just might have a big year ahead of us

I wouldn’t say we look bad, we just look like we’re integrating 3 new guys into the rotation. It shows, but we’re still up 40.. which is nice.

 

[aaeismacgychel]

Hahhahahaha Big Z Dikembe'd him

 

[skyIdub]

Hahhahahaha Big Z Dikembe'd him

 

[illinifreak30]

Andres has a full arsenal

 

[derrick6]

They’ve learned to utilize Big Z effectively on offense

 

[Dan]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1992329604946854160

 

[CDRUSN]

A lot of TOs and sloppy play by both teams these last few minutes. No big deal against LIU, but Brad will use these stretches as teachable moments to minimize their occurrence when playing tight games against high level competition. Can't afford to get lazy then and not value possessions when we're in a rock fight.

 

[skyIdub]

Andres has a full arsenal

Not as full as Andrej's.

 

[pruman91]

Keaton casually with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.

Wags is an Orange Smoothie...........................he really really is..............

 

[skyIdub]

Anybody else getting Frankie vibes watching Andrej??

 

[aaeismacgychel]

Feels like Drej could have gone for 60 tonight if he wanted

 

[derrick6]

Random thought: Jake Davis similar to Sean Harrington during Self days.

Noticed Sean is coaching at NIU when I googled him.

 

[derrick6]

Back and forth. Absolutely no defense or stops!

 

[Dan]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1992331781811605967

 

[The Galloping Ghost]

Something tells me they won't be getting tomorrow off. Brad will have them busting their butts on defensive drills.

 

[Mr. Roberts]

I am still bothered by our three point shooting. Even in a blowout, our percentage is not good.

 

[aaeismacgychel]

Something tells me they won't be getting tomorrow off. Instead, Brad will have them busting their butts on defensive drills.

This has certainly been a defense is optional half. Lot of watching and backing off

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

Bad missed layup by Lee.

 

[Champaign88]

Obviously Andrej is impressive but I would rather see us work on some offense besides just iso. I don’t see the need for him to prove anything and it’s not going to help long term.

 

[skyIdub]

Bad missed layup by Lee.

Mirk grabbed the net and I think it interfered with the rim.

 

[grantlab]

Just a really soft 2nd half.

Either guys aren’t giving 100% because we’re up 35, or we’re just not a good enough defensive team to not let LIU score 40 points in 20 minutes of basketball.

Either is concerning.

 

[FloridaMan]

We have outscored them by 2 pts in the second half. Unimpressive guys. Seems like we have a lack of focus problem. It has been a recurring issue with Brads teams for some reason.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

Nice bouce back win overall. But disappointed in the second half today. I was thrilled with the first half, and so was Brad it seemed. But sleptwalk in second half. Understandable, not a huge deal, but still, didnt love it.

 

[hoopsfan47]

Offense is cantankerous....defense travels and can shine....every game. Not surprising that BU wants these guys to max their defensive attention, skills, and effort. Absolutely necessary if they want to win it all. Anyone not on board needs to sit.

 

[EmeraldCityIllini]

We have outscored them by 2 pts in the second half. Unimpressive guys. Seems like we have a lack of focus problem. It has been a recurring issue with Brads teams for some reason.

Seems a little harsh. It was a bad second half (in a game we were up 40+). Under Brad, we're never really in dogfights in these buy -games - and that's common throughout the country. Even Purdue was in was against Oakland two weeks ago.

Bad second half, but im not sure im ready to say there's some large scale recurring focus problem.