I think this is understated and under appreciated - imagine the task he faced preparing this team after the nut punch they received this week. While it was against a sub 300 team, this team came out focused and prepared, a tribute to Brad and his staff. Great leaders deliver great results when they are needed the most.
Illinois 104, Fairleigh Dickinson 71 Postgame
Name checks out
really looking forward to Marcus getting his stroke back from 3. Even with this year's slump (19% so far) he's a 34% career shooter. A lot of those 3's in the last 4 games have been pretty open looks. They're going to start dropping and will add another dimension to this team when they do.
Another sign of his maturity is even in this slump, he has stepped up and continued great play in other areas.
Although we still have a lot of season left, seeing Ty's progression from the line is so encouraging. I really don't expect it this year but next year I'm confident he will start to develop a mid-range shot. When he does watch out because it will make his driving ability to the bucket that much more dangerous for opposing teams.
Another sign of his maturity is even in this slump, he has stepped up and continued great play in other areas.
Although we still have a lot of season left, seeing Ty's progression from the line is so encouraging. I really don't expect it this year but next year I'm confident he will start to develop a mid-range shot. When he does watch out because it will make his driving ability to the bucket that much more dangerous for opposing teams.
Very nice win given the circumstances. Not going to get too excited about beating FDU big. Team lost to Fordham and Fairfield big — the latter at home. But nice resiliency by the team.
On Thursday I said...
“There is a great deal of talent on this team. So much so, that the potential loss of Shannon would open up floor time for guys to bring out and display some their own ball talent in ways that would not be been possible before... any team MUST be more than one guy. This is a test of character for the Illini. What kind of character do they have?.. get back on your game and have the great season that you and Illini Nation were on the path to having.”
Thank you, Orange & Blue... for coming through in ways I believed you could.
This was just one game. There will be highs and lows to come. BUT you guys brought out some of the latent talent and character that I see in you.
Obviously, a lot is going on, but I believe the Illini still covered the spread. 
Beat NU in the 8 - 12 point range now. Rest of team hopefully will be motivated to do just this.
Beat NU in the 8 - 12 point range now. Rest of team hopefully will be motivated to do just this.
Dain fan but not convinced until he does it against a good team with a decent sized center. He absolutely eats smaller teams but we haven’t seen it against size. Hoping Marcus and Luke find their shot as they were 1/10 and rest of team was 12/22. Marcus has been cold for several games but still producing. Need his shot without having TJ.
BillyBob1
- Champaign
And clapping on the bench!What a performance by Dain. I think I saw him smiling.
GallopingGhost
- Denver, CO
Over under for the next 3 months of board posts:
“Man, imagine this team/game/season/tournament with TSJ/our best player/our all-American”
Set O/U at 120
It was a great game from our boys. Way to respond
“Man, imagine this team/game/season/tournament with TSJ/our best player/our all-American”
Set O/U at 120
It was a great game from our boys. Way to respond
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
FDU was #333 KenPom going into last night's game. Pressing was their only shot at containing a team that is taller, quicker, and more athletic than them, and it clearly didn't work. It was a great win at the end of a bad week for Illinois BB, but suggest pumping the brakes for anyone who things last night is any kind of barometer about the rest of the season.
ginabackes00
CrazedUIFan
If anything came from last night's game, it was helping the team get the first game without TJ behind them. It gave others an opportunity to build a little confidence and get a feel for the rotation.
I was not saying we are a better team without Ts jr.. but to handle the pressure and mental exhaustion of losing a teammate with only 13 TO's. is a huge win! I will also place a bet that FDU ends up winning 20 to 24 games this year. Good players and good coaches. Getting used to new style. Colgate will be the same
I'll take the over
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
We're averaging 12.6 turnovers per game, so tbh 13 against a doormat like FDU isn't cause for celebration to me, it's cause for concern regardless of what the team's been through. I was glad to see the way these guys play together and there were some great stretches of basketball, but FDU is a sprinkle-covered cupcake with a creamy marshmallow filling.
FDU is currently 6-8 and has 17 games left, so they'd have to go 14-3 to get to 20 games. KenPom projects them to finish 14-17, 8-8 in the Northeast Conference, which is the worst in D1. Illinois and Seton Hall are the only sub-100 KenPom teams they've played this yea, and their "best" win is 236 St. Peters and there is no one remaining on their schedule better than 249.
Colgate's a much different story at 160 KenPom and projected to cruise through the Patriot League, even though they're currently 6-7, having played a much tougher non-con than FDU.