Game Thread: Illinois vs Xavier

[Flyin' Illini]

Man, KJ has been great, but still the turnovers...

 

[HereSoIDontGetFined]

Morez Johnson needed to see that one go in.

 

[Illiniam1984]

Whenever Ben is in the game, they don’t play well.

 

[Jon]

Didn't want Tomi to pick up fouls, but the KJ/Morez pick and roll is a nice changeup from the predictable KJ/Tomi pick and pop

 

[FloridaMan]

STOP TURNING IT OVER!!!!!!! Man these constant mental mistakes are excruciating!

 

[IlliniFaninHoosierLand]

Van Gundy adds nothing to the broadcast lol

Strongly disagree on this.

 

[CDRUSN]

Ben comes in for some run stopping action. I wish him well, but he is not the answer this game. Rest Tomi for a few minutes, and get him back in there. Please!

 

[FoundersClub]

I can’t help but feel that we should be up 15+.

 

[CleverHandle1]

Can I criticize KJ for his damn TOs, or will I get pummeled here? He's doing great, but my God!!!!

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

Kasparas four rebounds and four assists from a triple doubles.

 

[Coop70]

KJ loses ball on too many drives.

 

[NarrowJ]

A lot of unforced errors which you don't expect to see many of in an NCAA tournament game

 

[azillini1]

I am WAY more concerned about his conditioning ...

Even before he got sick and hurt, his vertical was no-existent. I know he has lost a lot of muscle this year.

 

[illinidday89]

If this could clean up the turnovers and take better shots when up double digits it would be over. Cmon boys!

 

[Chad Fleck]

Can I criticize KJ for his damn TOs, or will I get pummeled here? He's doing great, but my God!!!!

High usage, high turnovers. It's a thing with Freshman PG's a lot when they get used a lot.

 

[DICKnaggie]

Honestly, why is Jake not seeing some of Bens minutes? What is Ben bringing this game that keeps him on the floor?

 

[AnnaMay]

I don't mind his last turnover. But the passing across the court through 3 opponents has to stop .

 

[sacraig]

I am WAY more concerned about his conditioning ...

I mean, he had a major setback this year with the mono.

 

[TheFlyingIllini1317]

Clean it up and this is ours, finish!

 

[Username]

Can anyone tell me a strategic reason why BU pulled Will just as he perked up and put Hummer in?? Did Xavier put someone in that Ben would be a better defender for? I'm legitimately asking bc I don't trust my own anti-Ben bias at this point.

 

[Ryllini]

It took 24 minutes to get it to 10, we’ve been close. Take care of the ball, you-man-ball on d, and let’s kick the door down and blow them out. We can’t let them hang around.

 

[From the cheap seats]

If this was a political campaign, the slogan might be “It’s the turnovers, stupid!” Those mistakes wipe out our rebound edge. It’s the only way Xavier can hang with us.

 

[CleverHandle1]

Is he really considered a Freshmen at this point? I do get your point, though.

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

11 Turnovers with 15 minutes still to go. Gotta get it right. If we lose, it'll be look no further.

 

[TheFlyingIllini1317]

Can anyone tell me a strategic reason why BU pulled Will just as he perked up and put Hummer in?? Did Xavier put someone in that Ben would be a better defender for? I'm legitimately asking bc I don't trust my own anti-Ben bias at this point.

!!! There's no defensive match up for Will that outweighs his offensive potential