Illinois 72, Iowa State 69 Postgame
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I'll man up and admit that I've been really critical of him at points in the season. Tonight he was one of the biggest heroes of the game. We don't win tonight without his clutch play on both ends of the court.
All 3 of TSJ’s steals were dramatic and at pivotal times:What I will remember of this game 30 years from now if I've not yet shuffled off this mortal coil: three things only.
The sick ball movement early and the utter suffocation of the ISU offense.
TSJ's steal with just under 30 sec left. Coleman trailing him and literally flinging his entire body toward the inbound pass and nearly getting a steal, forcing ISU to use up at least 3-4 more precious seconds retrieving the ball and heading back up court. They listened to Brad about the marginal loose balls, didn't they?
Oh, the only other thing I'll remember is Dain stealing the ball at midcourt and dribbling behind his back directly into a turnover. At that exact moment on the adjacent monitor in the bar the Alabama-UNC game was nearing its end. After processing what I just witnessed of Dain, I looked over to see the 'Bama elephant mascot dancing during a TO.
There were parallels.
1. Both teams were shaking off jitters and ISU tried going for a cheap alley oop to fire themselves up. TSJ stole that like he was Jaylon Johnson, we score and seize early momentum and set the tone for the half.
2. The second was when ISU was going through a stint closing the gap and TSJ kept us in that psychological multiple possession zone. Emphatic dunk flipped the vibe.
3. The third basically won the game.
DB11Headband
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Tyler Hansbrough is punching the air somewhere tonight 
ginabackes00
CrazedUIFan
It was the most focused I’ve seen Hawkins be in a game. All business.
Everyone that played tonight contributed in some way. I’d prefer Dain choose to pass instead of playing PG on a steal, but we can’t have everything.
Everyone that played tonight contributed in some way. I’d prefer Dain choose to pass instead of playing PG on a steal, but we can’t have everything.
I enjoyed a Final Four run while on campus.
My daughter enjoying Elite Eight.
My heart is full.
In my lifetime Illini elite 8 teams
1984 Bruce Douglas Efrem Winters Doug Altenberger George Montgomery Quinn Richardson - lost at Rupp Arena to KY Sam Bowie Mel Turpin
1989 (FF) Kendall Gill Steve Bardo Lowell Hamilton Kenny Battle Nick Anderson
2001 Frank Williams Brian Cook Sergio McClain Marcus Griffin Corey Bradford
2005 Finals - Dee Brown, Deron Williams Luther Head Roger Powell James Augustine
2024 Terrance Shannon JR, Marcus Domask, Quincy Guerrer, Ty Rogers, Coleman Hawkins
Its GREAT to be back!
1984 Bruce Douglas Efrem Winters Doug Altenberger George Montgomery Quinn Richardson - lost at Rupp Arena to KY Sam Bowie Mel Turpin
1989 (FF) Kendall Gill Steve Bardo Lowell Hamilton Kenny Battle Nick Anderson
2001 Frank Williams Brian Cook Sergio McClain Marcus Griffin Corey Bradford
2005 Finals - Dee Brown, Deron Williams Luther Head Roger Powell James Augustine
2024 Terrance Shannon JR, Marcus Domask, Quincy Guerrer, Ty Rogers, Coleman Hawkins
Its GREAT to be back!
He is probably a fan of Yao Ming
Tyler Hansbrough is punching the air somewhere tonight
I was dogging Brad mid-season as I felt he wasn’t using his bench enough to give his guys a blow and TJ was trying to do too much. Since then the team has come together and has trust in one another. Dainja went from being a lost soul to an impact piece and we have several other players that have breakout games on any given night. TJ also seems to recognize the team aspect as it seems he is getting his in the flow of the game and keeping others involved vs forcing 30 footers. We even saw a zone a couple times towards the end of the year.
Congrats to Brad for pushing the right buttons!
Breaking news: Stan Van gundy has fouled Dain Dainja as he exited the team bus. The refs are assessing it now
I am a total 180 on DGL. This dude is an EDG and he is crucial for continuity. We need him back
Hey, cut me some slack. I may not have much of a nose, but I'm not some mouth-breathing Iowa State fan. I clearly still have nostrils at least.
Yes, the Bear was a bit of a Bull in a China shop tonight.
Lipsey was kind of a non factor tonight.
Yep and Mom's was also a non factor. Completely took him out of the game.
If we win a natty, I look forward to you fretting about the fairway being poorly landscaped at the Masters or something
We don't need an A+ performance to beat them. They aren't perfect or unbeatable. I've seen them struggle to score at various times this year and they boat raced by Creighton. They aren't the 2017-18 Golden St Warriors for crying out loud.
They have not played a team like us all year and that includes Marquette who they played twice with Kolek and Creighton. Neither of those teams have the offensive talent, versatility, size, and just flat out playing like they refuse to lose attitude that we have.
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Hey, that's the play I was talking about. Shannon is literally licking his lips on the sideline knowing he's coming back in up 5.
Still there..
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