I think a realistic goal for this season would be to not finish 14th in the B1G, even shoot for a first day bye. Winning 6 games convincingly like they have so far have really built momentum and would love to see them take care of business tomorrow and then roll that into good performances at Pitt and Indiana. I just hope if and when they hit a wall this season they can recover and take 5-8 games in conference.
Illini Women's Basketball 2022
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Oof.
I can’t say I’ve followed women’s basketball much at all overall and Illinois even less than that until this year, but 8 conference wins seems like a very optimistic goal. Even hitting 5 at the lower end of your range would be outstanding and represent huge strides being made. That would be the most conference wins since 2014-15 season.
It’s nice to have a strong HC and staff in place. Certainly no reason Illinois can’t be at least competitive in BIG on a regular basis. Looking forward to Shauna and company getting us there — or beyond.
Hope I didn't post too big of pictures from yesterdays game. My take on the game before I read coaches comments as we may disagree. As a team we played hard against an aggressive team that was very physical. That physical play turned out to be a big factor. Early on we lead but they fought back and were rewarded with being a bit big, strong and the ref's letting both teams play. What the ref did call were ticky tac calls and we were guilty of them. My feeling was the game changed when we got into foul trouble early, especially our bigger players. Once Bostic picked up her third in the first half, my only complain about the coaching staff by the way to not get her out sooner. That third foul changed the player rotation and play of the game.
Delaware had very strong, physical guards and it caused us problems. Second half they did call more fouls on them and we were able to take the ball to the hoop too. The two Bigs for Delaware along with a 5-11 guard that got a boat load of rebounds for them, made shooting in close difficult, but we held our own. Several times we could have folded as the fell behind yet didn't. Sometimes we were slow to get into set plays and wasted time off the shot clock. So if you wonder why some are not getting more playing time that is one reason.
Near the end of the game we had a chance to rebound a missed shot by them and go down to take the lead but failure to screen out cost us and we went down by four points, never to recover. Mistakes like these I mentioned drove coach Green nuts and I am sure she will correct. We shot well from the 3 point line. Not so well inside being smaller and lets be honest not as strong of guards as we drive in. McKenzie was great. Bryant and Cook played well but were pushed and had someone in their face the whole game. I loved the energy Lopes injected into the game off the bench. Bostic had cheap fouls called on her all game, that just happens sometimes. However key point in this game middle of 4th quarter was when she took an elbow to the face. Hard elbow, no doubt everyone saw it but three people. What is key was after we fould, giving them 2 free throws they then reviewed and saw that elbow. We got two free throws and the ball which we would have anyway as they made two free throws. HUGE delayed call and to be honest was no help to us. Cost us a foul, Bostic sat out for awhile due to injury and was even more frustrated. One or two plays in a game with 3 point difference at the end can change a game. This chamged the game. Sorry this was so long or report!
Delaware had very strong, physical guards and it caused us problems. Second half they did call more fouls on them and we were able to take the ball to the hoop too. The two Bigs for Delaware along with a 5-11 guard that got a boat load of rebounds for them, made shooting in close difficult, but we held our own. Several times we could have folded as the fell behind yet didn't. Sometimes we were slow to get into set plays and wasted time off the shot clock. So if you wonder why some are not getting more playing time that is one reason.
Near the end of the game we had a chance to rebound a missed shot by them and go down to take the lead but failure to screen out cost us and we went down by four points, never to recover. Mistakes like these I mentioned drove coach Green nuts and I am sure she will correct. We shot well from the 3 point line. Not so well inside being smaller and lets be honest not as strong of guards as we drive in. McKenzie was great. Bryant and Cook played well but were pushed and had someone in their face the whole game. I loved the energy Lopes injected into the game off the bench. Bostic had cheap fouls called on her all game, that just happens sometimes. However key point in this game middle of 4th quarter was when she took an elbow to the face. Hard elbow, no doubt everyone saw it but three people. What is key was after we fould, giving them 2 free throws they then reviewed and saw that elbow. We got two free throws and the ball which we would have anyway as they made two free throws. HUGE delayed call and to be honest was no help to us. Cost us a foul, Bostic sat out for awhile due to injury and was even more frustrated. One or two plays in a game with 3 point difference at the end can change a game. This chamged the game. Sorry this was so long or report!
Attachments
Some things apparently haven't changed in lack of quality venues in women's hoops:
MoCoMdIllini
- Montgomery County, Maryland
No apology needed. Thanks for the report.
Thanks 75. Ndour, our 6'6" center didn't play for some reason so when Bostic got into foul trouble their Bigs pretty much had free rein. I really like our guards but both Cook and Bryant are pretty tiny (5'6") and will be bullied by bigger guards.
You are right on both counts, Ndour sat on the bench in sweats yesterday. Lot of talent in our guards but seniors that are both tall, with weight or strength and quick will give us trouble.
ilphotog
The camera never lies
- Champaign
A lot of the top Men's teams have played in this Ballroom before in the Battle for Atlantis, this isn't something new. Didn't the Illinois men's team play in this a few years ago?
ilphotog
The camera never lies
- Champaign
Correction, I thought this was in the Bahama's, apparently its in Las Vegas.
Different ballrooms…..men’s teams play in the huge ballroom
This was in a ballroom at the Mirage in Vegas. Players were told to bring a hand towel from their room to use. The "scoreboard" at the tournament was a big screen TV. Because there was only one court available at the Mirage, teams had to use a local middle school for shootaround. The game clock and shot clock had to be reset multiple times as it kept getting unplugged.
illini80
- Forgottonia
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
This game is on Hulu Live + ......I just my dvr to record it .....can't wait to see them for my first time this year..............
illini80
- Forgottonia
Same here. Channel 402 on Dish Network.
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll Have to turn it when I get home from work. Be about the same time.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
Seriously, we look like an actual legitimate basketball team. The difference is night and day. Playing lockdown defense. Making the extra pass. Hitting our threes. Really impressed so far.
After first quarter we are up 18-13. Coach cost us 2 points yelling at a player who turned to look back at her and lost the ball. Ouch. Peebles only 3 points, we know she can score, but great on D! Good effort and putting her skinny butt into a much bigger player over and over, looking good. We can shoot if we quit turning the ball over.
Second Quarter looking better than the first. Peebles shooting the three and she doesn't need much room to get open. McKenzie and Cook both into double figures already, score inside and out. 37-23 Pitt time out. 4:34
Second Quarter looking better than the first. Peebles shooting the three and she doesn't need much room to get open. McKenzie and Cook both into double figures already, score inside and out. 37-23 Pitt time out. 4:34
Govoner Vaugn Fan
- New Orleans
Ladies can shoot.... AND they make free throws. 50-30 ILLINI up 20 the half.
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