Illinois 110, Rutgers 101 (3OT) POSTGAME

#126      
I'll be honest, that was a hard fought game with entertainment value. Watching each finish right up to that 3rd OT where we pulled away was pretty intense.

That said, you've got 2 irrelevant teams playing for pride. At least we can say the pride part though
 
#127      
I'll be honest, that was a hard fought game with entertainment value. Watching each finish right up to that 3rd OT where we pulled away was pretty intense.

That said, you've got 2 irrelevant teams playing for pride. At least we can say the pride part though

There was hardly anything to gain, but so much to lose in that game. If fans could get some entertainment, while also getting a W, then that's a win-win in my book.
 
#128      
I guess I do wish we won more convincingly, but in an otherwise dull season, it was nice to be entertained for almost 3 hours last night with some competitive basketball. Some of the positives were:

We won (duh)
Young guys got a ton of playing time (JCL mainly, would've liked to have seen Jordan/Williams more)
No one got hurt! :cool:


It's also nice that this rag-tag group of misfits can get 55 minutes of playing time together. This year is obviously a wash, but the experience these guys got together last night (and all throughout the year) will hopefully be invaluable heading into next season.

Was the buzzer beating three from Sanders on the SC Top 10?

It was #1.

All in all we were a missed free throw away from losing to one of the worst Big Ten teams in history. We can sugar coat it with some buzzwords and say they played hard. They did. Unfortunately the results don't really show that. They show where our program truly is, which is as low as it has ever been. Sucks.

But as others as said at least the game was fun to watch last night. Often for the wrong reasons, but fun nonetheless. Hope we at least get more of that in this lost season.
 
#129      
It was #1.

All in all we were a missed free throw away from losing to one of the worst Big Ten teams in history. We can sugar coat it with some buzzwords and say they played hard. They did. Unfortunately the results don't really show that. They show where our program truly is, which is as low as it has ever been. Sucks.

But as others as said at least the game was fun to watch last night. Often for the wrong reasons, but fun nonetheless. Hope we at least get more of that in this lost season.

At least our worst was good enough to beat Rutgers on the road. Sure our program is down right now, but it's not like this happened to us with a healthy roster. That would have been more telling, IMO.

Also, that foul on Khalid was complete BS, Rutgers didn't deserve those free throws.
 
#130      

eMitch

Quincy, IL
At least our worst was good enough to beat Rutgers on the road. Sure our program is down right now, but it's not like this happened to us with a healthy roster. That would have been more telling, IMO.

Also, that foul on Khalid was complete BS, Rutgers didn't deserve those free throws.

And had Khalid made the gimme layup the possession before it wouldn't have mattered either.
 
#131      
At least our worst was good enough to beat Rutgers on the road. Sure our program is down right now, but it's not like this happened to us with a healthy roster. That would have been more telling, IMO.

Also, that foul on Khalid was complete BS, Rutgers didn't deserve those free throws.

Thank you for responding to this. I hit reply, then decided it wasn't worth my time. I take pride in this team fighting hard against adversity. Rutgers has had it rough with injuries too, so I empathize with that team. Both teams were playing hard... and I will support any Illini team that plays hard.

1.) Mav had a really good game, and is getting better every game with this experience. Looking forward to the rest of this year and next season.
2.) JCL played amazing. Hit some clutch shots to keep the team in it.
3.) Malcolm played hard, and was clutch with his free throws and the potential game winner at the end of regulation.
4.) Defense was solid after the rough first half. The effort was there.

Also, the above quote bolded for emphasis.
 
#133      
When I seen Fine in street clothes last night I had to wonder who would win a scrimmage game if all were healthy,the team we started last night or the team in street clothes.
 
#134      

whovous

Washington, DC
When I seen Fine in street clothes last night I had to wonder who would win a scrimmage game if all were healthy,the team we started last night or the team in street clothes.

I am not sure who'd win the game, but I am pretty sure who'd win the rebounding battle.
 
#135      

zpfled

Logan Square, Chicago
It was #1.

All in all we were a missed free throw away from losing to one of the worst Big Ten teams in history. We can sugar coat it with some buzzwords and say they played hard. They did. Unfortunately the results don't really show that. They show where our program truly is, which is as low as it has ever been. Sucks.

But as others as said at least the game was fun to watch last night. Often for the wrong reasons, but fun nonetheless. Hope we at least get more of that in this lost season.

We were a tipped dunk away from beating Providence on the road. That doesn't mean a whole lot, either.

Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
 
#136      
Also, that foul on Khalid was complete BS, Rutgers didn't deserve those free throws.


I agree. I tend to complain a lot about the refs recognizing that I am super biased and that I am probably wrong a lot of the time. but I really felt like that crew was just incompetent. not biased, but just not that tuned into the game. Obvious travels missed and bizarre ones called, strange double dribbles, the complete lack of evidence for that ball hitting Malcoms head, the OT jump ball that was so clearly early on Rutgers part. I did think the call to not give Malcolm shots on that foul at the end was the right one. He was only beginning the shooting process in his head.
 
#138      

Illini_1979

Oregon
[YOUTUBE]TcCnQNeXOiQ[/YOUTUBE]

"You look like a late sleeper." That made me laugh.

I didn't see the game live but did DVR it (luckily I set my live event recordings to go for an extra hour). I have watched the third overtime three times so far. What a gutty performance by our guys. While on the surface this was a contest between two "also-rans" in the B1G, I couldn't be prouder of the way our guys battled.

:thumb::thumb::thumb::shield::shield::shield::thumb::thumb::thumb:
 
#139      
This was not the the PSU 39-33 game, not a polished game but players were making shots.

Hopefully are two best players return next season and Abrams is healthy. Would like to see the continued growth of all our players and should be much improved next year.

Lands are Finke are having very good freshmen campaigns.
 
#141      
At least our worst was good enough to beat Rutgers on the road. Sure our program is down right now, but it's not like this happened to us with a healthy roster. That would have been more telling, IMO.

Also, that foul on Khalid was complete BS, Rutgers didn't deserve those free throws.

I don't think he (and some others) watched the Rutgers vs. a healthy IU team a couple games ago. :confused:
 
#142      
I agree. I tend to complain a lot about the refs recognizing that I am super biased and that I am probably wrong a lot of the time. but I really felt like that crew was just incompetent. not biased, but just not that tuned into the game. Obvious travels missed and bizarre ones called, strange double dribbles, the complete lack of evidence for that ball hitting Malcoms head, the OT jump ball that was so clearly early on Rutgers part. I did think the call to not give Malcolm shots on that foul at the end was the right one. He was only beginning the shooting process in his head.

agree. The jump ball should have been redone. It came out of the ref's hand sideways. I don't blame their guy a bit. Bad toss.
 
#144      
I think it's consensus that no matter how putrid the basketball has been this year (very), the team deserves credit for not quitting. That speaks to their character and it speaks to the fact that Groce still has the team in his corner. Same could not be said of BW in his final year.

That's a Big Deal™, and this board should not overlook it.
 
#146      
DJ williams

I really liked what he did in the Rutgers game, and I think he is starting to acclimate to the BIG environment. DJWs length is great for D, and I think he can add value as a slasher for the 10 foot shot. Also, his bounce is better than I thought. My point? Utilize him instead of alex Austin as that defensive sub.
 
#147      
Better than what Steve Greenberg had in the Sun Times this morning. I can't put into words (on this message board) how I feel about that pretentious jerk.

"By the way: Illinois 110, Rutgers 101? So much worse than it sounds."
 
#148      
I really liked what he did in the Rutgers game, and I think he is starting to acclimate to the BIG environment. DJWs length is great for D, and I think he can add value as a slasher for the 10 foot shot. Also, his bounce is better than I thought. My point? Utilize him instead of alex Austin as that defensive sub.

Agreed. I have been impressed by him lately. His game around the basket is what we need. He can get some easy baskets. The play where he shot got his own rebound and scored was very impressive.
 
#149      
I really liked what he did in the Rutgers game, and I think he is starting to acclimate to the BIG environment. DJWs length is great for D, and I think he can add value as a slasher for the 10 foot shot. Also, his bounce is better than I thought. My point? Utilize him instead of alex Austin as that defensive sub.

I think the difference is whether or not it is a guard we need guarded or a forward. DJ's body style is great for slashing but laterally is where he gets beat. In other words, his feet are always close together.

I have no problems with how Austin was used in the late going. In the defensive switch, he was in on defense and JCL was in on offense. That is not a bad use.

As far as the season being a wash and utilizing the now to play DJ more, I agree but working on spreading the feet, getting lower and move more laterally is really something that you work on in practice, not at the end of the close game.

Just my two cents.