Game Thread: Illinois vs Maryland

[aaeismacgychel]

I mean listen, we aren't playing well, but there's no team in the country beating Maryland today. A college team can't shoot 57% from three with 0 turnovers and 9 offensive rebounds against a high school team. I'd love us to have played better but even if we did, we're probably still down over double digits.

Just no chance in this one other than fouling them out

 

[Battle89]

Get ready for a full press offseason about how it was our not using him right. And I’m not basketball savvy enough to know if those naysayers are correct or not.

 

[New Creation]

They should fire hammer after this game and make a statement. I will have us winning the first game of the tournament and then getting blown out in the second game.

 

[Bopsal68]

I can accept getting beat. But getting out hustled and out toughed is not acceptable. Brad better get in the portal for some dogs in two weeks because we sorely need both physical and mental toughness. This team just pisses down their leg against anyone with a scintilla of physicality. Embarrassing effort.

This.....this team is talented but they fold against physical teams. People can get mad but we are soft. We are scared of their bigs. Double clutching, faking and afraid to shoot it when taking to the rim. This is why Riley didn't score the first time....too physical.
Morez is even second guessing going up against them in the paint.....they still dominated us with Reese and Queen sitting in foul trouble.

 

[Crossbow]

You have to have heart, miles and miles of heart.
Time to dig deep and find it.

 

[CDRUSN]

In comparison to this game, our pathetic effort vs Duke is looking more and more like the good old days. At least we had the excuse of being short handed and less than healthy in that game. I really did not think we were capable of being this bad when we have everyone back, and it just keeps getting worse. I can't watch this anymore, not without a frontal lobotomy or a bottle in front of me.

 

[LvilleILL1]

Probably our worst half of the season. Not only are we playing poor, but they are getting almost every 50/50 and bounce. 32 has been pitiful. Show some effort second half and rest up for next week.

 

[altgeld88]

Maybe, but not that much better that we should be down 25 at the half.

Agreed. But zero turnovers. Even if we didn’t have a dozen they’d still be kicking our a$$es.

They’re tough, seasoned and physical. We’re none of those.

 

[LurkerintheOpen]

Isn’t one of the “benefits” of recruiting euro players their supposed advanced basketball maturity/IQ?

 

[IllinistrandedinHouston]

I am not sure they will let us in the tourney after this.

 

[RDS]

O turnovers and 57 points in a half says it ALL about our level of D. It simply does not exist.

 

[illinoispeak]

Been saying this for half the season... KJ is not a top half of the first round draft pick. Played well at the beginning of the season but never once did I ever see him as a lottery. Next year we need a killer point guard that creates his own !!!!.

 

[Retro62]

Agreed. Illinois is getting clapped and people think this is an officiating problem.

At this point I’m sure the officials are probably looking to see if they can call anything on MD to stop the bloodshed…there’s just nothing to call. They are playing as well as they can and we are playing like it’s our first game…except for Tre.

 

[abchew2]

At least I won’t be going into the tournament with a strong sense of false confidence. Team has solidified as a total crapshoot

 

[Ryllini]

I'm on my way to Indy to light up that locker room

 

[RollChief]

Watching this game on a road trip (in the backseat). Time for some road sodas

 

[CleverHandle1]

He's played himself out of the first round. Maybe the draft. Has a hard time guarding athleticism. Not quick or twitchy with the ball. That won't translate well.

I have no idea how good KJ is, but everyone says he's a high 1st round pick. It's got to be on potential, because he certainly hasn't earned "high draft pick" to me.

Yes, he's had some great moments. To me, he's not playing nearly at all close to "high draft pick" level. But, I am sure we'll get criticized. I just comment on what I see.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

I don’t care what the NBA scouts say about KJ . That’s why the NBA sucks . KJ is a turnover machine that needs to be benched. I’m tired of Brad kissing KJ’s butt. If KJ goes to the NBA good riddance. If you tell people you think KJ is a mediocre basketball player . The KJ cult members of the Illinois fan base will attack you. It’s like who do you believe KJ fans or your lying Eyes

 

[Flyin' Illini]

You don't think we are a contributor to how well they have played?

 

[altgeld88]

I'm at the game and this is pretty pathetic

I’m so sorry.

 

[The Sprouting Divot]

This hasn't been a very fun season.

A few "fool's gold" highlights for sure, but man, on the whole, this just isn't enjoyable.

 

[CleverHandle1]

Yeah illinois is a 6 or 7 seed in the tourney but this type of beating is a confidence killer

Very good point. Let's hope it's not. We'll see come Thursday/Friday.

 

[LouHenson]

Did you hear the crowd yelling your draft spot is falling when he was shooting free throws? He is for sure sinking down draft boards at this point.

 

[IndyOrange]

KJ is so soft and predictable. NBA guards will eat him alive. He will be a bust if he’s a lottery pick. Hope for his sake he’s later in the 1st round.

 

[PasadenaIllini]

Not buying that. To name one example, any team in the country isn't going to have its supposed lottery pick point guard gift the other team 9 points via irresponsible handling and passing of the basketball...fundamentals. Also, any team in the country isn't going to guard Maryland as softly and lazily as we have. Maryland are playing well BY exploiting the hell out of the flaws in our preparation and roster construction.