Game Thread: Illinois vs UConn

[zentrails]

What a sh!t last 5 minutes. The previous 5 min where we had a 10-2 run are what we need coming out of halftime.

no Mirk due to two fouls didn't help. We really need him in there

 

[WyattEarp]

Keaton is finally looking mortal in this one. (He’s still doing good things even in this game…)
But I honestly would have thought he would have been more disrupted by Houston than UConn. He’s not being guarded half as hard.

 

[PopChampaign]

In Brad/Tyler/Crockett we trust. Second half team right? Let’s do this.

 

[steveinspringfield]

UConn zero turnovers.

 

[Oracle21]

Reed’s consistent inside scoring and UConn’s 3s are the difference in this game. UConn just doesn’t beat themselves so for IL to win in the 2nd they are gonna need to be on fire from 3

 

[PNWIllini]

Let them right back into a lead. We need to keep pounding it inside. We shot no FT’s in the final 6:19.

 

[SuperMetroid]

I mean we were never winning if they shoot 40% from 3. Lol

Somebody better heat up.

Not if we shoot 12% or whatever tf we’re shooting

 

[BlabDunkAnd1]

We are playing nervy, guys look gassed from all the adrenaline. If they can settle down we’ll be fine.

 

[DeeIL89]

Couldn't extend the lead when we were up 22-21. Felt like that was a complete missed opportunity and then UConn got back to hitting shots.

 

[Second place is 1st loser]

3/14 from 3 (21%). They're 7/18 (39%).

that's the difference.

Last game, we shot poorly, but only took 17.

Poor three point shooting + the inability to even remotely stop Reed + continuing to not get out to shooters/going under screens.

 

[CHK71185]

We’re a second half team…no worries y’all

 

[Trueblue777]

I wish we could get off to better starts

 

[Se Il Illini]

There is definitely a pronounced difference in offensive philosophy in the half court.

 

[tell it like it is]

Trying to decide between scotch and bourbon right now…

Go for both

 

[CDRUSN]

Nice tie up at the rim by Ben. Our Iso hero ball won't win this. Let's make the right adjustments, play more inside out offense, and take over in the second half. Also, more Andrej, less Jake, who has been ineffective on both ends and has yet to be impactful in any tournament games.

 

[madcrazeeballa]

I think defense has been ok for the most part. Effort is better on rebounds, someone has to make an open look or we need Andrej to go nuts driving the ball and getting fouled

 

[Julie Meinart]

We are a better team. We are just not playing like it

 

[FromTheLogo]

We get in the bonus but don't take advantage

 

[IlliniPNW]

I mean we were never winning if they shoot 40% from 3. Lol

Somebody better heat up

This 100%

 

[rdk573]

I thought they at least would have come out "Sharp" this game. So disappointing

 

[NarrowJ]

Yea. About as poor of a half as you could draw up. Hard to point to one thing that we are doing well.

I think that’s a little extreme. We’re out rebounding them 22-18 and only 2 turnovers. Nobody for Illinois other than Tomi or Keaton can reliably make shots and that’s the only real difference between these two teams right now.

 

[Pikeillinifan]

Poor ball movement, as others have said, we’re just playing 1-1 ball and you’re not beating UConn doing that unless you’re shooting 50%.

 

[marvin1991]

9-1 deficit on assists. No real offense...just going one on one.

Have to make shots to get assists.

 

[TheFlyingIllini1317]

Knew Uconn was gonna shoot like that. If we were down 4 or less I'd feel so good about winning, once again the last 3 minutes of a half are so huge, difference between down 10 or 8 and tied. Have to come out with our hair on fire this second half.

 

[HailtotheChief]

Ok we’ve got the Z brick 3 and Bad Bos 3 out of our system lol

Keaton and Mirk each forced 28 fters early in the clock. Andre does great getting fouled and is 1 of 4 from the line. Mirk short arms 2 shots in the lane all nerves. Then they back in a damn 3. We lose the ball tp start the 2nd half with a great stuff but jump ball with 2.9 sec.

We are going to need to wake up. D wasnt great but we have to make shots.