Illinois 65, Houston 55 Postgame

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#426      
Ats123
I’m here to give Brad his flowers, the game plan was on point tonight and it worked.

After watching all the post game stuff, I’m a bit worried this game was our Super Bowl - need to stay locked in on Iowa.
 
#428      
JoseCuervo
constant lurker said:
I thought this play and the one early in the second half (around the 17 or 18 minute mark) where Mirk missed a corner 3 and it appeared Houston came down with the rebound, but either lost control or Wagler stripped it and put it back to put Illinois up 29-26 (and started the 17-0 run I believe) were the two biggest plays of the game. If Wagler doesn't get the ball and bucket, I feel like that could have given Houston momentum and start a run of their own.
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That was the play where you knew he was locked in. Our best player is consistently better in the second half.
 
#429      
Hondo
I was sick to my stomach at halftime when Bruce Pearl was criticizing Illinois’ multiple-foul strategy right before the half. It’s bad enough to hear that man’s voice, but it’s even worse when I agree with him. 🤢🤮
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Talkin heads, I record the game and get to FF thru the so called experts. Pearl is anti IL for how many decades now?
 
#432      
band camp
NASchamp said:
I will say one good thing about Sampson (still don't like him one bit):

I liked how he was real enough during the game to tell his players that they did commit a foul. Namely, Tugler. It was refreshing to see as an opponent when we’re used to seeing cry baby coaches like Hurley and Izzo losing their mind about every call that goes against them.

Okay, compliment done. Don’t run me out of here.
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Nas, I noticed that exchange as well. Was a good moment for KS.
 
#434      
rbse
the Illini's performance was the best played basketball game that I've witnessed this year, not certain I can express in words how proud I am of our guys. I'm not going to express anymore than that, it was simply magical, wonderful, what dreams are made of. What a statement, and the coverage and accolades are still a little gimpy, I think all of that has worked for us. Stay focused guys
 
#435      
azillini1
They hadn't seen a team of our size all season. I think that's been a problem for a lot of teams facing B1G teams. We just gotta control the boards and run iowa off the three point line and we will be in Indy!
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They played Arizona twice and lost both games. U of A has some big kids on the front line
 
#437      
Kernal12
Maybe this has already been discussed, but ... how about the defensive plan to throw some hard hedging on ball screens at them? I think Houston came into the game expecting mostly drop coverage and our hedging threw them for a loop.

Hopefully we see some more of this as needed!
 
#438      
Scoregasm
Me waking up this morning.
Surprise Omg GIF
 
#442      
ChiefGritty
Having been increasingly a critic and unbeliever of this team, it was really awesome to see the way this game plan took what I find to be the team's weakness (robotic, unemotional, one-gear) and turn it into into a strength against this difficult and unique opponent (calm, level-headed, not getting pulled out of our game).

We were extremely well prepared for the challenge. Brad is really good.
 
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#445      
Mapman
Nas, I noticed that exchange as well. Was a good moment for KS.
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They mentioned on the broadcast, but it was a great call by the refs, too. Too frequently, the initial contact on the screener would have been missed in BIG play.
 
#446      
Pikeillinifan
ChiefGritty said:
Having been increasingly a critic and unbeliever of this team, it was really awesome to see the way this game plan took what I find to be the team's weakness (robotic, unemotional, one-gear) and turn it into into a strength against this difficult and unique opponent (calm, level-headed, not getting pulled out of our game).

We were extremely well prepared for the challenge. Brad is really good.
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I was unfortunately with you. I thought we were done after that late-season swoon. I have never been happier to be wrong, and cannot give enough credit to the guys and staff - what incredible adjustments and toughness.

This is a Final Four team, but the Iowa game will be a rock fight, and I never thought I'd say this, but it will be tougher than Houston.

I think the guys will be up for it. Let's get to Indy!!
 
#447      
RichAdams
Two double--doubles? I watched the game, it was late and I was tired, admittedly. But it wasn't until I looked at the box score this morning that I realized that Mirk went for 14 and 10 while Wagler went for 13 and 12. Twelve, I tell you! Is that crazy? What I saw live was that the team shared the ball well and was up against a really tough defense. But the box on Wagler and Mirkovic really underscored how hard the team played. I hope we (I graduated in '77) win the national title with this team, because I have no idea when a team this versatile will show up again. (Probably not in my lifetime.)
 
#448      
Illini in Italy
Traveling as I'm on a gig tour right now, but I was sitting at a bar in Meridian, Mississippi watching the game pretty much by myself. What a display of the defense we had all been wishing and hoping for - as Indy likes to say, "ELITE". So proud of the coaches and players, they were prepared and executed (well, except for FT's). Thank you, thank you, thank you. Salute!

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I'm too happy to go back and look for receipts for all of those on here who had no belief in the Beloved this game, but have prepared this special dish for all of you. Enjoy.

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#449      
ChiefGritty
RichAdams said:
Two double--doubles? I watched the game, it was late and I was tired, admittedly. But it wasn't until I looked at the box score this morning that I realized that Mirk went for 14 and 10 while Wagler went for 13 and 12. Twelve, I tell you! Is that crazy? What I saw live was that the team shared the ball well and was up against a really tough defense. But the box on Wagler and Mirkovic really underscored how hard the team played. I hope we (I graduated in '77) win the national title with this team, because I have no idea when a team this versatile will show up again. (Probably not in my lifetime.)
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The effort level from Wagler was immense, he didn't excel as a scorer but he was absolutely everywhere on both ends of the court playing 38 minutes

In a game where every rebound looked like a Dudley Boyz match from ECW in the 90's, the leading rebounder of the game was baby-faced Keaton Wagler sneaking his way through the carnage.
 
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#450      
bleedorange and blue
I was very disappointed with how we ended the season and was certain that play would carry.over if we didn't lock in. Glad the guys proved me wrong and made a deep run! Let's steal a F4 trip now!
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Season hasn't ended for one and ain't stealing nothing it's gonna be well earned
 
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