A loss to Winthrop isn't that bad. A loss to a top 20 team on a neutral court CERTAINLY isn't. But the WAY we've played these last two games is enough for me.
Sorry, not buying that excuse. We have athletes and some are quick. We just keep making bad passes against this press, not lack of athletes or quickness.
My one word about this half is PASSIVE. Passive lead to dribbling against the press instead of attacking it with the pass. It leads to bad block outs and getting out muscled for rebounds. The Illini look afraid to take chances and make mistakes. Ironically against a press this leads to more mistakes. Only way to beat an aggressive team is to be aggressive.
Well, grabbing a board, making a free throw, taking care of the ball, or playing some g-dang defense would certainly help our chances in the 2nd half. WV getting away with a lot of contact with that press too, but thats not why we are losing.