Game Thread: Illinois vs Virginia

[skyIdub]

He has 1 foul. Relax.

 

[ChiefGritty]

It suits how we play and we seem fine with it, but like, why are the refs calling this game like we're in the Kohl Center in 2004?

Is this the same crew from Friday?

 

[Sedino]

Did RJ just forget how to dribble a basketball during the off season?

 

[Emerson Bigguns]

Hoping to see some Cav hands on knees in the second half.

 

[Jimbo]

That last miss before halftime probably meant something to lots of people in the stands. $$$

 

[hoopsfan47]

Every game is different, but this was a high quality of play by both teams.

 

[azillini1]

We lead even with our bigs with a combined 2 points in 1st half ... Coleman, Dainja, and Mayer. We are in good shape if any of them can get it going in the 2nd half.

 

[aaeismacgychel]

since we like to complain about it the other way.. officiating has been very favorable towards us so far

Agreed. They've allowed us to play as physical as we are by not calling softer fouls. If we were playing in Bloomington, half our team would be sitting on 3 fouls by now.

 

[ChiefGritty]

Every game is different, but this was a high quality of play by both teams.

Two outstanding coaches at work.

 

[skyIdub]

I almost wish BU saved Sencire until the second half. Like a secret weapon unleashed. Like Friday.

 

[Goillinikobd]

I like where we are if we can make some adjustments, don’t ask me what, I don’t coach

 

[ChiefGritty]

since we like to complain about it the other way.. officiating has been very favorable towards us so far

That charge taken by Shannon was, uh, not the rules of basketball as I understand them.

 

[The Galloping Ghost]

Jesus H. Monkeybutter we are getting embarrassed on the glass.

The fascinating thing is, we are only being outrebounded by 2, 19-21, and only 1 on the offensive side. It feels like it's a vast discrepancy, though. The biases of being a fan are fascinating. But yeah...grab a friggin' rebound lol.

 

[WyattEarp]

Result of all of the switching we do?

That really shouldn’t/needn’t adversely effect that. IMO There are quite a number of teams that play an aggressive switching man to man that are also good/excellent rebounding teams.

 

[aaeismacgychel]

All I can say is what a freakin half from us. We played as well as can ever be expected for such a young team against such quality competition. Let's keep this up for another 20min. Win this half and win this game. Hell of an effort by everyone out there.

 

[grantlab]

In terms of offensive poise, we look lights years more experienced than Friday’s first half. Major props. Maybe we got the jitters out of the way. Their D is tough. Maybe the toughest we’ll see all season. Just gotta accept this is a “muck it up” game and hope we can come out on top. Bottom line: we continue to play like we belong.

 

[illini.culture IG]

Those offensive boards converted to and-ones are killing us

 

[skyIdub]

The fascinating thing is, we are only being outrebounded by 2, 19-21, and only 1 on the offensive side. It feels like it's a vast discrepancy, though. The biases of being a fan are fascinating. But yeah...grab a friggin' rebound lol.

Wow. I need to calm down. Caffeine before the game was a marginal idea at best.

 

[hoopsfan47]

One reason for the Illini lead............only 3 turnovers. Make it the usual 10-12 and they are down by 10. See, they can do it if they value the ball. Two of those TOs were likely good as they would have resulted in baskets....but passes were risky and well defended.

 

[Mr. Roberts]

Just need to hit a few more shots (including FTs) in the second half. D has been awesome. Up 2 when our 3 leading scorers have 7 combined points.

 

[pruman91]

halftime thoughts by pru..................................

Very entertaining game
very good officiating
Epps is a bucket maker
Illini playing great D
Sincere came in and shut down the cav pg
many of the cavs are breathing hard already
RJ with a couple of 3's and a slam dunk
TSJ getting it done on both ends of the court
refs got the flagrant foul correct
Skyy is automatic from the FT line and hit a long 3 also


Looks like it might be a nailbiter , but I think our conditioning and sub pattern will lead us to a victory.................

LET'S GO ILLINI................

 

[IlliniForceOne]

Well, we came to Vegas not really knowing what type of team we had.

It’s only a game and a half but this looks like a team that can hang with - and even beat - any team in the country.

 

[IllinistuckinGopherland]

Never would’ve thought we’d be winning the turnover battle against UVA 7-3 at half. Get Cole and Mayer going at all (or Dainja), and we’ll get this.

 

[21ChampaignSt]

We're 10 points better than this team.

 

[FromTheLogo]

I smell the "soft press" coming in the second half. Hopefully they will keeping missing open threes due to tired legs.