danielb927
Orange Krush Class of 2013
- Rochester, MN
Thought this was cool - our top 10 and bottom 10 games in the KenPom era (since 1997) in terms of Defensive Efficiency. One of these things is not like the others...
Illini Basketball 2023-2024
- Status
I've noticed the Illini get very little respect from BTN, during daytime when reruns and games in 60 minutes are on very rarely do they play Illini games. Peacock games are on BTN next day, not Illinois, why? Been this way forever, watch scheduling and you will see what I am talking about. Just another reason this is the season, don't want to pay respect? Leave no choice
He’s the Anti-Epps
As far as am concerned as much as I like Goode he’s a defensive liability,especially in close games.All you have to do is rewatch the NU game in Evanston.
2 point defense starting with the home loss vs Maryland:
vs MARY 54%
at MICH 54%
at NW 53%
vs IND 56%
at OSU 54%
vs NEB 43%
at MSU 51%
vs MICH 49%
at MARY 49%
at PSU 57%
vs IOWA 51%
vs MINN 55%
at WIS 55%
This is atrocious to look at. The defense looked a little better vs Iowa in the second half, then looked terrible again the entire game vs Minnesota, then we were probably lucky Wisconsin didn't make threes in that game even though we got needed stops down the stretch.
I'm still pretty dang worried about this.
vs MARY 54%
at MICH 54%
at NW 53%
vs IND 56%
at OSU 54%
vs NEB 43%
at MSU 51%
vs MICH 49%
at MARY 49%
at PSU 57%
vs IOWA 51%
vs MINN 55%
at WIS 55%
This is atrocious to look at. The defense looked a little better vs Iowa in the second half, then looked terrible again the entire game vs Minnesota, then we were probably lucky Wisconsin didn't make threes in that game even though we got needed stops down the stretch.
I'm still pretty dang worried about this.
If they shoot their avg or slightly above avg. from 3 we win by 22+. And them going crazy from 3 had nothing to do with our defense.
You are absolutely correct but they also converted 55% on 2 point shots which is the trend we need to buck imo
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Lol, two distinct memories for me here:
1. I remember that #10 one on the top ... we had just got blown out at MSU by 20 points two games after an infuriatingly unimpressive Braggin' Rights loss. We were 9-5 (1-2) going into this game, and few predicted an NCAA Tournament. We then just DOMINATED Purdue at home, and it kickstarted a 7-game winning streak. While everyone remembers the epic victory in Madison three days later, you could argue this game truly kickstarted the "we're back" phase of the Underwood Era.
2. I was unfortunately at both the #9 and #10 games on the bottom ... two humiliating defeats against Iowa in Ayo's freshman year. The one at Carver (#9) was just purely bad, but the one at the Untied Center (#10) at least gave me hope. Don't get me wrong, it was NOT fun ... we completely folded in the second half, and by the end there were more Iowa fans in our Home Away From Home than Illini fans because most had headed for the exit. However, we actually hung with Iowa for the first half. I remember texting my Iowa fans and saying something like, "Enjoy Fran, because you know exactly what you have ... we have young talent on this team, and we WILL be good." Almost a year later, Kofi blocked Garza at the buzzer to earn a double bye in the BTT that wasn't (we were slated for a third rubber match with Iowa if not for COVID!), and this kickstarted our 5-game winning streak vs. the Hawkeyes.
band camp
- STL City
Illini are getting each team's best shot. It's an honor.
I feel like the losses, and they way in which they lost exposed some weaknesses. The team has shown they have learned from the mistakes. They are fighting harder than ever to close out games. FT shooting has been pro series. All we can ask for as fans.
I feel like the losses, and they way in which they lost exposed some weaknesses. The team has shown they have learned from the mistakes. They are fighting harder than ever to close out games. FT shooting has been pro series. All we can ask for as fans.
I think our defense is what it is at this point. I wish they play some zone but I bet it’s not going to happen. My strategy now is praying for good draws.
danielb927
Orange Krush Class of 2013
- Rochester, MN
I was at that #9 game on the bottom too (@ Iowa, 2019). It was a snowy weekend; I had just moved back to MN from California, dug out my car in tennis shoes, and couldn't use the spray on my windshield because the stuff they sell in CA freezes below 32 F. Not the ideal weekend... but those of us who went to those kinds of games built character for the resurgence to come
Win tomorrow he will be, imho.
The losses exploited either matchups against us (many here, including some of our best defenders since we switched everything) or inability to handle a full court press.
I feel solving the latter wins a couple. Solving the former is a bit harder, but going with the key guys as we’ve seen of late, definitely helps
What epitomizes TSJ for me happened recently. Tbh, not sure what game.
Illini player had to fight for a rebound just inside the FT line, passes it out, not sure to who but it's a little slow, then that player passes it to Shannon on the far sideline near mid-court. It's too slow for a fast break, and I'm 100% sure he's going straight to the rack anyway. Two defenders were converging out in front of him and it didn't matter.
TSJ turns not-so-fast breaks into fast breaks. So many and-1 buckets like that. Those fouls pile up when you have an aggressive team playing at a high tempo. Makes me wonder how many halves this season the team was in the double-bonus.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Total guess here, but I think he only wins it if we tie for the league title. That requires that we win out and Purdue loses to Wisconsin next weekend. He MIGHT have a fighting chance if we finish in second by one game, but I don't think non-Illini fans have enough appreciation for how much we have reloaded with transfers over the last couple years and how successful we've been. They'll default to "Big Ten champion Matt Painter" and call it a day, even though they shouldn't. If we won out and got second place by one game, we'd likely be ranked around #8 or #9 at worst and in great position for a #3 seed, whereas Purdue is likely a #1 seed and ranked #3 or #4. We were preseason #23 and they were preseason #3 ... but Painter will still unfairly win it.
I think hoiberg will win it because Nebraska is very likely in the NCAA tourney. Johnson would have won it if Minnesota were more of a lock.
The award is usually "did you exceed expectations" award. Underwood is a victim of his success. On btn Network they talked about this.... Underwood was on the list of coaches they discussed but they literally just brushed over him with a "underwood just keeps winning ". Frankly that's a good thing
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Fair point ... "Coach of the Year" is either a complete and total dominance within the league (e.g., 2005 Bruce Weber or 2007 Thad Matta) or a total surprise compared to your low expectations (e.g., Collins winning it last year for going 12-8 in the league). While you always want to be in that first group ... it's probably better to be a "forgotten winner" than an underdog story from the perspective of a healthy program.
Illini_1979
- Oregon
Dear Brad -- In your portal search please find more like this guy. Thank you.
The BTN talking heads tend to skip over us a lot. The best feather in Brad's cap in regard to that award is how the team played w/o TSJ, but they don't really want to talk about any of that...and understandably so. This is probably Brad's best coaching job, because of all the things they've had to navigate beyond basketball, and despite all that stuff, "Underwood just keeps winning."... and with a bunch of dudes that largely didn't know each other a year ago.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
Brad should get some COTY consideration purely on the basis of how he has expertly navigated the portal era.
He has blown away all reasonable expectations in that regard this season. Lots of people laughed at him for pursuing Domask. People were similarly unimpressed by Guerrier and Harmon. Who's laughing now?
He has blown away all reasonable expectations in that regard this season. Lots of people laughed at him for pursuing Domask. People were similarly unimpressed by Guerrier and Harmon. Who's laughing now?
foby
- Bonnaroo Land
Sandfort over MD for POTW.
I guess it makes sense since he plays for 2 teams.
bigten.org
"
I guess it makes sense since he plays for 2 teams.
Iowa, Minnesota Net Men’s Basketball Weekly Accolades
ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced its Men’s Basketball Players of the Week presented by Air National Guard for the week of Feb. 26-March 3, 2024.
bigten.org
- Tallied 23 points, five rebounds, and six assists to lead Purdue to an 87-80 win at Northwestern
"
Terrance had 29 and 23 this week and not a sniff of potw. He's backSandfort over MD for POTW.
I guess it makes sense since he plays for 2 teams.
Iowa, Minnesota Net Men’s Basketball Weekly Accolades
ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced its Men’s Basketball Players of the Week presented by Air National Guard for the week of Feb. 26-March 3, 2024.
- Tallied 23 points, five rebounds, and six assists to lead Purdue to an 87-80 win at Northwestern
"
illiniswish09
- Northwest Suburbs
That’s… Interesting…
Dang, he has been struggling lately but man I’ll miss him. He competes and has been a great culture guy. Hope we can get a win for these seniors.
RockyMtnIllini81
- Golden, Colorado
I saw that. Quite a feat!Sandfort over MD for POTW.
I guess it makes sense since he plays for 2 teams.
Iowa, Minnesota Net Men’s Basketball Weekly Accolades
ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced its Men’s Basketball Players of the Week presented by Air National Guard for the week of Feb. 26-March 3, 2024.
- Tallied 23 points, five rebounds, and six assists to lead Purdue to an 87-80 win at Northwestern
"
- Status