Game Thread: Illinois vs Texas Tech

[Illini88]

You could see in his body language that Stojakovic was going to the hole on that. We have MULTIPLE guys who want - make that crave - the ball at crunch time. What a nice luxury this year!!!!

 

[BTM33]

This team is probably going to be one of the more entertaining teams we've had...mostly good but some bad as well lol.

Mirkovic is a wild man...make plays that bring you to your feet, and also pull you're hair out.

I'm having fun.

 

[blife]

Fantastic half. Mirk doing a great job on D on Toppin. A freshman holding his own with a lottery pick. So much to like about this team and effort

 

[Ryllini]

Where’s the guy who posted in the last game thread that Stojakovic is unplayable?

Come on! Did someone really offer that?

 

[illinifan1987]

I like what I've seen so far! If our defense is like this all year, we're going to be a VERY good team and all I can say is...

 

[CentralILLini]

 

[InDaAZ]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1988422394739114063

 

[DeeIL89]

Great half. Continue to play like that and even better we get this win.

 

[nyc_illini]

never seen a player as unplayable as Andrej

 

[Idea Gardener]

I missed it, what is the Andrej isn't playable bit from?

 

[PasadenaIllini]

A few thoughts after the first half.
1. Let's put our foot on their neck during the second half. No pulling a Michigan please.
2. If I'm one of the guys on IR, I'm thinking I need to get my @$$ healthy quickly so that I can make sure I'm not Wally Pipped.
3. What an incredible performance by the team as a whole.
4. I was one of BH's biggest detractors last season. His rebounding now is completely night and day compared to back then. Kudos to him for the work he put into improving his game.

 

[jamarvelous31]

Texas Tech has had absolutely no answer to Big Z on either side of the court this half.

Gonna be fun once we have a constant stream of Ivisic.

Mirk at the 5 is doing a decent job, but it's not ideal

 

[Oranges]

This is why we needed Andrej to shake the rust off last week, holy cow he’s been great tonight. Hard to just single him out so far too, lots of guys playing well. Need to come out focused in the second half and put them away

 

[ILLFAN67]

Sleepers podcast were banging on Stojakovic. He is looking fantastic! Boswell is ticking me off with the step back and off the dribble 3’s but he’s hitting them!

 

[Orangetool]

We are big.
I can see how teams will have a real problem with our size.

We can also shoot.

 

[hiberto]

we're playing very well even without Tomi and petrovic. this team is extremely deep

 

[grantlab]

Hoooooooooly crap. Yes!!!!

 

[Rusty]

Just beautiful to watch.

 

[hoopsfan47]

Man...after a poor start on offense while TT was hitting shots...that turned into a pretty terrific half of play. Kudos for Stoya, Kylan, Z, and Mirk for strong play and Wagler and Ben for playing solid. No Petro yet, but if this keeps flowing, he needs to be ready to go strong. He and Tomi will find their moments and they are needed for the long haul and lofty goals. Hard to keep all the talent fed, but when the team plays as one, they are something else to watch.

 

[NarrowJ]

Jake Davis just out there getting cardio in

 

[The pop of Champaign]

Really happy with that half. The guys are playing well and there is still a ton to clean up.

 

[SummerofGeorge]

45-25 since the 7-0 start of game. Down 2 significant players plus a starter from an elite 8 team. Pretty, pretty good my friends.

 

[TheGMan]

I missed it, what is the Andrej isn't playable bit from?

Someone said after the last game that Andrej would be unplayable against TT

 

[FloridaMan]

Excellent half! Gotta keep the defensive intensity and rebounding up.

 

[Orangetool]

I like that I saw some Mirkbooty.