Illinois 59, Northwestern 56 Postgame

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#376      
IlliniRon
That was quite a game, not sure about some of the fouls, but a road game. Loved the tip dunk by Williams, and our defense seemed better than normal. Our freshmen give us a nice spark, since they seem to know how to score, play defense, rebound, etc. That was a little too close, but road wins in the big 10 are something great to cherish I guess.
 
#377      
JFGsCoffeeMug
blackdog said:
If we had a player that did all those things we wouldn't have them because they would be in the NBA.
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We could put a literal NBA team on the court, and some people on here would only talk about how there's going to be a significant drop-off next year.

If you can't enjoy a team when it's good and you can't enjoy the growing pains of a rebuild, what in the world is left? The Flyin' Illini and 04-05 teams aren't a reasonable benchmark. Those teams were exciting in part because they were so special. Special teams, by definition, don't happen every year (and maybe only once in a decade, and only if you're lucky).
 
#378      
blackdog
JFGsCoffeeMug said:
We could put a literal NBA team on the court, and some people on here would only talk about how there's going to be a significant drop-off next year.

If you can't enjoy a team when it's good and you can't enjoy the growing pains of a rebuild, what in the world is left? The Flyin' Illini and 04-05 teams aren't a reasonable benchmark. Those teams were exciting in part because they were so special. Special teams, by definition, don't happen every year (and maybe only once in a decade, and only if you're lucky).
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The team isn't just good they're GREAT! (Cue Tony the Tiger) but for real over the last 3 seasons Illinois is 60-22 which is a 73% winning percentage. In conference they are 37-14 over that same period which is a 74% winning percentage. In the B1G. In what has been considered a period of excellence in the conference. Losing to Loyala seems to make it easy to forget that Illinois basketball has been borderline dominant during that stretch.

Totally meaningless but to maybe put it in perspective if we won at that level forever it would put us at #3 in all time winning percentage.
 
#379      
JFGsCoffeeMug
blackdog said:
The team isn't just good they're GREAT! (Cue Tony the Tiger) but for real over the last 3 seasons Illinois is 60-22 which is a 73% winning percentage. In conference they are 37-14 over that same period which is a 74% winning percentage. In the B1G. In what has been considered a period of excellence in the conference. Losing to Loyala seems to make it easy to forget that Illinois basketball has been borderline dominant during that stretch.

Totally meaningless but to maybe put it in perspective if we won at that level forever it would put us at #3 in all time winning percentage.
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I think one of the challenges here is that basically everyone can agree that last year's team was dominant in-conference, but then faltered early in the NCAA tournament. The simplest analysis would be that this team needs to be even more dominant in-conference in order to make it deeper into the NCAA tournament. I happen to think that's incorrect. But I think that might help explain some of the angst over bad losses and closer-than-anticipated wins. People are trying to project (with woefully incomplete information) whether this team will make it out of the first weekend. There's a way of looking at the early data and thinking "no."
 
#380      
blackdog
JFGsCoffeeMug said:
I think one of the challenges here is that basically everyone can agree that last year's team was dominant in-conference, but then faltered early in the NCAA tournament. The simplest analysis would be that this team needs to be even more dominant in-conference in order to make it deeper into the NCAA tournament. I happen to think that's incorrect. But I think that might help explain some of the angst over bad losses and closer-than-anticipated wins. People are trying to project (with woefully incomplete information) whether this team will make it out of the first weekend. There's a way of looking at the early data and thinking "no."
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I was really just trying to emphasize your point about enjoying the team while it's good. Besides for one hiccup at a really inopportune time we are seeing an amazing amount of success right now. I have faith that BU can keep it rolling but it's soooo hard to do it at the level they've been at for the last 3 years.
 
#381      
JFGsCoffeeMug
blackdog said:
I was really just trying to emphasize your point about enjoying the team while it's good. Besides for one hiccup at a really inopportune time we are seeing an amazing amount of success right now. I have faith that BU can keep it rolling but it's soooo hard to do it at the level they've been at for the last 3 years.
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I agree with your point. I'm just trying to understand conceptually why people might seem upset during what is arguably a period of success for the team (based upon your helpful reference to winning percentage).
 
#382      
illini80
JFGsCoffeeMug said:
I agree with your point. I'm just trying to understand conceptually why people might seem upset during what is arguably a period of success for the team (based upon your helpful reference to winning percentage).
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In general, fans are never satisfied. That’s just how it is. Remember a few years ago when we wanted so bad to make the tourney again? No one’s going to be satisfied with just making the tourney again for a very long time.

More specifically to the current situation, our play the last 3 games (not counting the Purdue loss) just hasn’t been that good. I am well aware of all the reasons why and actually think we did quite well to win 2 of 3. But it’s just that simple. So everyone has an opinion on what to do different when we are short handed. I find the arguments non-productive and try to just stay out of it because there are no answers that are going to come from this board. I think Underwood has done a fine job. Maybe not perfect. Maybe the best it could have been done. Either way he’s my guy and this is my team and I’m proud of both!!
 
#383      
doowink
illini80 said:
In general, fans are never satisfied. That’s just how it is. Remember a few years ago when we wanted so bad to make the tourney again? No one’s going to be satisfied with just making the tourney again for a very long time.

More specifically to the current situation, our play the last 3 games (not counting the Purdue loss) just hasn’t been that good. I am well aware of all the reasons why and actually think we did quite well to win 2 of 3. But it’s just that simple. So everyone has an opinion on what to do different when we are short handed. I find the arguments non-productive and try to just stay out of it because there are no answers that are going to come from this board. I think Underwood has done a fine job. Maybe not perfect. Maybe the best it could have been done. Either way he’s my guy and this is my team and I’m proud of both!!
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Well said 80....
tim blake nelson water GIF
 
#384      
altgeld88
JFGsCoffeeMug said:
We could put a literal NBA team on the court, and some people on here would only talk about how there's going to be a significant drop-off next year.

If you can't enjoy a team when it's good and you can't enjoy the growing pains of a rebuild, what in the world is left? The Flyin' Illini and 04-05 teams aren't a reasonable benchmark. Those teams were exciting in part because they were so special. Special teams, by definition, don't happen every year (and maybe only once in a decade, and only if you're lucky).
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Thank you. And as for our outliers, more like once in a generation. IMO, the definitive NW postgame thread post given where we are.:illinois:
 
#385      
Konnie
I cannot find the comment now but someone asked if the Illini take a plane or bus to play Northwestern. At the backside of Welsh-Ryan there was a large orange and blue bus with Illini on it so I assume the team took the bus to Evanston.
 
#386      
the national
Konnie said:
I cannot find the comment now but someone asked if the Illini take a plane or bus to play Northwestern. At the backside of Welsh-Ryan there was a large orange and blue bus with Illini on it so I assume the team took the bus to Evanston.
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Agreed, It was bus. On Twitter there was a shot of Underwood on the bus before the trek up to Evanston.
 
#388      
KOTC2
Northwestern did win at MSU, so I knew the game wasn't going to be cakewalk, this was a hard fought victory despite one of the worse officiating games of the year IMO; it was nice to see the younger guys come off the bench and contribute; that needs to continue if this team has aspirations of a division title and deep tourney run.
 
#391      
WizardBill
Fr8trn16 said:
Yea, if you stop your man from scoring more than you do. If you don't you lose the game. That's how it goes. Stop your opponent from scoring more than you do. His counterparts almost always outscore him…
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That’s funny. So, you think that EVERYONE on the team should outscore the man they are guarding every game.

We would be the most dominant team in history.
 
#393      
IllinoisFan733
I watched the game on Sunday. I expected a bad showing by Illinois, but I didn’t see that. They played hard and I saw effort throughout the entire game.

1. It seems like Illinois missed about 5-6 layups.
2. Officiating wasn’t horrible, but it was inconsistent. Kofi did not get calls on literal body blocks from the NU defense. As usual.
3. Nance made some ridiculous fadeaway shots and was hot from 3. Give him credit, NU’s best player performed well.
4. Illinois shot poorly from 3. Hit a few more of those open looks (in addition to the layups) and it’s a blowout.
5. Northwestern is a solid team, but not deep.
A. Nance would start on most B10 teams.
B. Audige is athletic and is a B10 player.
C. Buie is talented and a definite B10 player.
D. Beran is a solid post player. Rotation player for most B10 teams.
E. Williams really impressed me with his effort and low post defense and skills. Rotation player for most B10 teams.
F. Greer is a solid backup point guard that can run the offense. Nothing flashy, but didn’t make mistakes.

You don’t play well, and Northwestern will beat most D1 teams. Illinois gutted out the win with determination, defense, and effort. To me, that’s the sign of top team. Shots won’t always be falling, but they did enough to stay in the game and pull out a road victory in the B10.

On to Wisconsin!
 
#398      
BretMyBeachHouse
NJJ871 said:
harlem globetrotters futurama GIF

The Harlem Globetrotters would like a word.
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So I did a refresher on Kareem and found this little nugget in his wiki page. So when cheating UCLA was coming up short, he looked toward cheating Michigan.

Alcindor had considered transferring to Michigan because of unfulfilled recruiting promises. UCLA player Willie Naulls introduced Alcindor and teammate Lucius Allen to athletic booster Sam Gilbert, who convinced the pair to remain at UCLA.[43]
 
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