Game Thread: Illinois vs UConn

[Ignatius Shang]

Not super worried about the offense, but we really cannot guard Reed.

 

[Deep]

Uconn playing tougher

 

[Lysol623]

UCONN couldn't buy a 3 for most of their last game, but of course against us they can't miss.

 

[Scoregasm]

Another slow start.....sigh....hopefully those 3s dont drop for them in the 2nd half.

 

[SuperMetroid]

Worst possible start. One guy dominating the glass and randos hitting 3’s

 

[FromTheLogo]

Make them shoot 3's... Except for Mullins (of course). Reed is getting 3 feet from the bucket... Too deep. And Z... Please never take a 3 again.

 

[HailtotheChief]

I love what Z brings when he plays to his strengths but it seems he hasnt hit a 3 in a month. I dont like hom taking those early in the clock. Our other 3s were good looks but gotta hit em. I wish Mirk was not outside guardimg Karaban. Id prefer ben. We need Mirk on the glass.

 

[IlliniWatcher]

...but 18-9 isn't a good start.

 

[hoopsfan47]

To win at this level kids have to leave it all on the floor. And most of that effort has to be denying Reed inside. If not, it will be a long day.

Any for some reason I don't think UConn liked being the underdog as it appears.

 

[IllinoisGrad0609]

We're bricking open 3s and they're splashing them. That's essentially the difference so far.

Yeah, if you ignore rebounding and pretty much every other facet of the game. Illini getting punked so far.

 

[New Creation]

We are a second half team, we just have to keep it close..

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

This is a different story with the size. We can't have a terrible three point shooting night because we're not going to control the offensive glass. This is a different animal they're playing and we're getting destroyed on both boards. Not ideal.

 

[IlliniMilkMan]

We're bricking open 3s and they're splashing them. That's essentially the difference so far.

The threes are open. They will start going in. The interior defense is the problem.

 

[PapaKvells]

It seems like we see the cold start every game. Just can’t afford it to last too much longer.

 

[FloridaMan]

Play the inside out game. Post Z or Tomi and feed them. Kick out for open shots. And rebounding better pick up or it's over.

 

[ChiTown]

We can’t even double the post since they are hitting from the outside.

 

[PopChampaign]

if we don’t stop Reed they will run away with this, if we can manage to stop him, we have the advantage in every position. This will come down to stopping him. Oh.. and we’ve been “crashing the boards” meaning being around the rim but no jumping, no grit

 

[Deep]

The thing about an opponent going jets-on strong in a first half is that they could leave less in the tank for the second half. That's what happened with Iowa. Illinois has longevity. Keep the faith, all - it's 40 minutes.

Its about rebounding the basketball

 

[AnnaMay]

Better have a body on Reed at all times or its gonna be a long night

 

[Fighting I 95]

Gotta hit some threes if we are going to win… not a good start

Mirk wide open 3 miss, wagler ooen 3 miss, big z open 3 miss, mirk layup miss. Not looking good

 

[spotter]

Illinois will make a run.

 

[skyIdub]

This is how it had to start.

We own the second half. Just stay in reach.

 

[Flyin' Illini]

Sucks that our 3 point shooting has gone south at the most important time.

 

[I Bomb]

shouldn't be using game time to warm up. hit your shots

 

[Epsilon]

Worst possible start. One guy dominating the glass and randos hitting 3’s

Randos getting open looks because we can’t keep track of the screens and movement.