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
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!
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.
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.
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.
That's no longer "next man up," but "last man standing...."
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.
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.
Also, that foul on Khalid was complete BS, Rutgers didn't deserve those free throws.
I have Directv and it allows for a 30, 60 or 90 minutes extension on live events. I always add 90 minutes just in case.
[YOUTUBE]TcCnQNeXOiQ[/YOUTUBE]
Nevermind I figured it out!
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 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.
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.Chicago article with some good points.
http://www.csnchicago.com/big-ten/illini-put-fight-resiliency-display-triple-overtime-win
Thanks cubby ..." But there's pride to be had, and they can take pride in how they're competing."Chicago article with some good points.
http://www.csnchicago.com/big-ten/illini-put-fight-resiliency-display-triple-overtime-win
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 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.