The NFL is the worst at this. 5 games left in the season and already the announcers are calling them meaningless games. Well, players come to play and spectators pay good money to spectate.
Illinois 72, Nebraska 66 POSTGAME
The NFL is the worst at this. 5 games left in the season and already the announcers are calling them meaningless games. Well, players come to play and spectators pay good money to spectate.
Well, yes, technically that is right. But you cannot ignore the context. Basketball, as is life, is all about the nuances and gray areas.
I saw that too and it immediately left an opening across the lane and we got lucky (I loved what he did though). The thing I IMMEDIATELY noticed was that he knew he left his spot, looked at the bench and said “my bad”. NO NO NO - your good! He stopped a wide open dunk - if they make a great pass behind him for another shot so be it - have to stop the first one! It’s the little stuff and this team is doing more of that. I think we are going to finish well and be a springboard for recruiting and next season. Please BIG man please.
Illini_1979
- Oregon
I, for one, am glad that Mark Alstork decided to become an Illini. No, he did not work out as well as we had hoped (maybe our expectations were too high) but he has been an excellent defender. It seems to me that his hard work on defense may have impacted his offense somewhat. I hope that as he finishes out this year he has enjoyed his time at UofI (as much as possible with our current record) and will look back fondly on his time here.
Same feelings that things didn't work out as was hoping for MA. Didn't see much of him in the second half, something must have happened in the first half to bench him for quite a bit of time, maybe the 2 TO's and only 2 points to show for the game.
Same, wish him well where ever he goes after this year. However, would much rather the freshmen get more of the playing time at this stage.
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It was awesome to see Mark Smith make some big plays and hit a couple shots and free throws. I hate hearing the rumors of him transferring because I am rooting like crazy for him to succeed, as I think most of us are. If he starts holding his own defensively on a consistent basis and begins adding just a little scoring that changes our team by a lot in a positive way. If he can get going a little bit, I really think we will have a chance in the BTT. I’m nit giving up on him or our season yet. How cool would it be if he and our team get rolling right at the perfect time and we make a run? And I’m not even saying we have to beat MSU and Purdue this week. We have deficiencies yes, but it just feels like they are figuring things out.
Love your optimism and hope. I'm not dreaming that big...but it would be great to finish year with key returning players gaining confidence heading into off season.
I agree. Let's enjoy the team, despite its imperfections, over the last three regular season games and wherever we get in the B1G Tourney. These kids continue to work hard and play together, and unlike a few disappointing seasons in the past, no one associated with the team is throwing anyone else under the bus.
The Dave
- CA
Glad to see these guys fight so hard. It really was about effort and execution. If I told you an Illini opponent was going to:
* Shoot almost 40% (38.6%) from 3 on 26 attempts
* Shoot 7 more FT's than us.
* Shoot the exact same FG% from the floor as us
* Only have 9 TO's
* Have our tallest/most senior player out with a concussion
You'd think we would get crushed based on what we've seen so far this year. But where we did really well:
* Shooting 43% from 3 (yes, we need MORE reliable shooters)
* Only gave up 5 (yes, only FIVE!) offense rebounds to Nebraska!
* Shot almost 82% from the line (although on only 11 attempts)
* Kept fouls reasonably even (19 for us, 15 for them)
* Not that we get to influence it in any way (fans?)...they shot 56% from the line.
Then throw on the non-boxscore stuff:
* Better side-to-side ball movement & cuts (including 3 ally-oop layups/dunks)
* Overall better defense
* Some scrap/fight in the guys (the previously discussed scrum)
* Leron Black being THE MAN
* Not having a 10+ minute scoring drought (so sad this is a positive)
Obviously we CAN do better, its really a matter of consistency. That's where the youth really hurts us.
Because I like beating a dead horse...We need some really big/athletic wings. Not only do we need them just to compete in the B10 next year (LB and GE won't be enough), but after next year LB is gone...then where are we?
* Shoot almost 40% (38.6%) from 3 on 26 attempts
* Shoot 7 more FT's than us.
* Shoot the exact same FG% from the floor as us
* Only have 9 TO's
* Have our tallest/most senior player out with a concussion
You'd think we would get crushed based on what we've seen so far this year. But where we did really well:
* Shooting 43% from 3 (yes, we need MORE reliable shooters)
* Only gave up 5 (yes, only FIVE!) offense rebounds to Nebraska!
* Shot almost 82% from the line (although on only 11 attempts)
* Kept fouls reasonably even (19 for us, 15 for them)
* Not that we get to influence it in any way (fans?)...they shot 56% from the line.
Then throw on the non-boxscore stuff:
* Better side-to-side ball movement & cuts (including 3 ally-oop layups/dunks)
* Overall better defense
* Some scrap/fight in the guys (the previously discussed scrum)
* Leron Black being THE MAN
* Not having a 10+ minute scoring drought (so sad this is a positive)
Obviously we CAN do better, its really a matter of consistency. That's where the youth really hurts us.
Because I like beating a dead horse...We need some really big/athletic wings. Not only do we need them just to compete in the B10 next year (LB and GE won't be enough), but after next year LB is gone...then where are we?
Regarding stats lines, we out rebounded them 38-29 and won the assist battle 16-13.