Yep. Not saying Podz shouldn’t see more time, but even if he does he isn’t going to be primary ball handler. Need Belo back, or it’s TF for 40 or close to that, or Plummer or DMW handling some primary ball handling — which isn’t ideal.
Illinois 59, Northwestern 56 Postgame
Illini_1979
- Oregon
Hopefully by Wednesday. I'm guessing we will need them.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Agreed, but I want to record this for posterity as someone who just left Evanston … might have honestly been pushing 75-80% Illini fans.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
Attended in person. Thought the officials were pretty decent.
Missed a double dribble by Grandison and the Podz flop call was also bad. Otherwise, just a tough, physical game. Typical Big10 game.
It doesn't appear to me that BU trusts Podz enough to run the point yet. Is PG his natural position?
Plays lockdown D while absolutely not being able to foul as our only ball handler.
I agree that Plummer and/or DMW being our primary ball handler is not good. And I don't think Podz is the guy either. Which basically means you have to play Trent close to 40 mpg. Get Belo back and get Trent doing what he does best - defending and scoring.
This is nothing against DMW, Plummer, or Podz. They're all valuable (especially DMW!), but none of the three is a PG.
sacraig
- The desert
I don't know. It just seems like the only way other than Curbelo that Trent gets a breather.
I thought the refs made as many bad calls in this game as against Purdue, but that this game had both sides getting screwed - the refs were just bad. Does anyone have more of a line-drive shot than Nance? I guess those of you here that thought we needed to see more minutes from the freshmen weren't nearly as absurd as others here seemed to think. Great gut it out win.
GallopingGhost
- Denver, CO
Am in the only one ECSTATIC about today’s win?
It does 3 huge things:
1. Solidifies an awesome week- beat the 10 ranked team and home and win on the road in the B1G. I suspect we jump up 5-6 spots.
2. Likely a Quad 1 win at the end of the season. NW sits at 76, so any good performance(s) could launch that win into Q1.
3. Secures top spot alone B1G ranking with further opportunity to separate ourselves when Wiscy comes to town.
SO
DANG
GOOD!!!!
It does 3 huge things:
1. Solidifies an awesome week- beat the 10 ranked team and home and win on the road in the B1G. I suspect we jump up 5-6 spots.
2. Likely a Quad 1 win at the end of the season. NW sits at 76, so any good performance(s) could launch that win into Q1.
3. Secures top spot alone B1G ranking with further opportunity to separate ourselves when Wiscy comes to town.
SO
DANG
GOOD!!!!
Nitty Junior
Why would he? Podz is a Shooting Guard and he's a Freshman.
sacraig
- The desert
Hopefully not for the reason depicted here, though.When you lick the tears of sad NW alums....your IQ jumps 7 points.
It's science.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Any chance to .gif South Park.....
Real ball fans know the value that Williams brings to the floor. BUT... this game proves without a doubt that the Young Guys need to see more floor time, too. Not an either-or situation, but both things are true at the same time.
This is a character builder not so much for the Vets but for the Young Guys. They head to the showers tonight knowing each one of them made a major contribution to this victory and that the team would not have won without them. And not in a 20-point-lead no-stress situation but in a Big Ten Pressure Cooker.
And with the Illini revolving door from game to game as to who is available to play, this is a real team effort with a different mix of guys each game bringing something to the table. Finding a way to win when some of the starters didn’t have their best games.
And also, that they pulled this thing out after a point in the game where things were starting to get out of hand... not a pretty but was a sweet win.
Northwestern likes to bill itself as “Chicago’s Big Ten Team”. Well, maybe. But to be correct, Chicago really has TWO Big Ten teams. Always has.
Before the Mich St game, Izzo said that the Illini 'play 4 guys about 40 mins... I don't know how long that can last.' (Not an exact quote, but the gist.)
From a guy who knows about deep runs in the tourney, I am of the mind that Trent needs to get more rest. Not just physically, but his mental exertion has been tremendous.
From a guy who knows about deep runs in the tourney, I am of the mind that Trent needs to get more rest. Not just physically, but his mental exertion has been tremendous.