Game Thread: Illinois vs Ohio State

[IlliniTilDeath]

We have to start Morez every game for the rest of this year, and pay him whatever NIL money is needed to ensure he is back in O&B next season. He and a fully healthy Tomi will give us one of the best frontcourts in the nation next year.

I love that he’s so versatile. He can play with Tomi or at the 5 alone.

 

[ejam21]

This why every FT is important. KJ is not playing like a top 5 pick. Sorry.

He's shooting 87% from the line for the year..no ones gonna be 100%

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

Because as good as Morez is under the hoop, he can't get out of the perimeter to guard him. That's an issue starting two bigs like this.

 

[DB11Headband]

The 19% career three point shooter makes 3 in first half, so typical

People forget these are high D1 bball players, they can make shots if no one is within five feet of them

 

[Boswell4Three]

I mean it’s a division 1 basketball player, if we keep leaving him WIDE open, he’s going to make them.

 

[sacraig]

He's a stud but they need every point they can get, no?

And someone else needs to pick it up and help him out. Morez is killing it today.

 

[stlrunner]

3 pt shooting and FTs are this team’s Achilles heel

9-11 from the line today…not part of the issue so far today.

Turnovers and 3 pt shooting are the real issues.

 

[PasadenaIllini]

We are also failing to close out their best three point shooters and conceding wide open looks to them. This isn't how you want to play when you should be desperate for a win after losing 3/4.

 

[eas23]

Tre White has 33 points in the last 11 halves.

 

[JJHUI79]

I was not able to turn on the game until a few minutes ago. Where is DGL?

 

[azillini1]

Hasn't shot well since his injury. TO's also up... 3 today.

 

[SweetLuh]

The 19% career three point shooter makes 3 in first half, so typical

This! It’s the right scouting report.

 

[BackThatPassUp]

Horrible end to the first half.

Player who never makes a three makes 3 of them.... we can't throw a ball in the ocean from three AGAIN... familiar story.

I think this is where our play into analytics is over relied upon. There's a difference between being. 22% shooter when someone actually tries to guard you. At the collegiate level, numerous guys can eclipse their percentage with no one near them. That's where the defensive philosophy requires context of how these stats play out.

 

[LouHenson]

Well, if this game slips away feeling we firmly become a huddle team. We can’t afford to lose anymore games like this.

 

[tell it like it is]

People forget these are high D1 bball players, they can make shots if no one is within five feet of them

Please tell that to our guys.

 

[sacraig]

People forget these are high D1 bball players, they can make shots if no one is within five feet of them

Well, we can't, it seems.

 

[OneTime3]

DGL getting two fouls early kneecapped the flexibility with the lineup. Him and Morez just make the team play with more urgency.

 

[CleverHandle1]

He's shooting 87% from the line for the year..no ones gonna be 100%

Agreed. I was referring to the team as a hole. When teams are struggling and looking for wins, you need to almost be perfect.

 

[FloridaMan]

Recipe for a lost season. Just pathetic at home.

 

[derrick6]

KJ is killing me slowly.

At the most opportune times.

He’s shown some explosiveness too so hoping he stays calm and focused distributing and blowing by.

 

[sacraig]

I was not able to turn on the game until a few minutes ago. Where is DGL?

Fouls

 

[IllinoisGrad0609]

I think so. 3/15 from 3. 8 turnovers. Getting beat in the paint. The ONLY positive is Morez.
What game are you watching?

 

[NashvILLe05]

I was not able to turn on the game until a few minutes ago. Where is DGL?

Foul trouble

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

I was not able to turn on the game until a few minutes ago. Where is DGL?

Foul trouble.

 

[PasadenaIllini]

Nor can you win if you don't close out on the other team's best three point shooters and don't box out on defensive rebounds consistently. Yeah, we aren't shooting well, but there are other reasons why we are losing this game.