Illinois 73, Northwestern 66 Postgame

#151      
Have you ever tried to excel at something? He's trying to be the best. He's trying to help his team win. That look is competitiveness. Intensity. He's not pouting, he's pushing himself to be better. He knows he has to be better to get this team to the next level.
Yes sir, thank you for your post. What we are witnessing is passion and intensity. It's not all sesame street out there.
 
#152      

Deleted member 747903

D
Guest
Last nite he started out great with a 15 ft shot and a 3 pter....then he comes out and I was thinking " why " myself....DMW has been playing great but I am glad grandi is starting now and wish he would get more tick...his hustle and rebounding is needed...
i guess we can just trust BU to play the lineups he thinks is doing it for us....I think he got a question last night on this topic but my mind is fuzzy this morning from the late night celebration of the Illini's win......
Clearly BU does not trust Grandison just yet late in the game.
 
#155      
I really wish Miller could figure out something to his game than just shooting 3s.
He will. How many even Freshmen contribute what Miller does? Maybe we've gotten a little spoiled with the kinds of Freshman contributions we've gotten from Giorgi, Ayo and Kofi the last few years, but to come into a team this good, and contribute with +3pt shooting and ++defending for a Freshman is a great start.
 
#156      

IlliniKat91

Chicago, IL
He will. How many even Freshmen contribute what Miller does? Maybe we've gotten a little spoiled with the kinds of Freshman contributions we've gotten from Giorgi, Ayo and Kofi the last few years, but to come into a team this good, and contribute with +3pt shooting and ++defending for a Freshman is a great start.
You can tell he likes to drive, too. He just hasn't adjusted for the bigger/more athletic bodies he's encountering in the Big Ten. Give him an off-season and he'll be doing the same things we're used to seeing from Ayo.
 
#157      

Deleted member 747903

D
Guest
You can tell he likes to drive, too. He just hasn't adjusted for the bigger/more athletic bodies he's encountering in the Big Ten. Give him an off-season and he'll be doing the same things we're used to seeing from Ayo.
I don't buy this, Adam Miller is built like a truck. Physicality is not the issue here.

He just gets sped up way to much when he puts it on the floor. For example, notice the difference when Trent and Adam penetrate. Trent, although not looking to score looks so much more smooth and comfortable. Every time Adam puts it on the floor right now I anticipate a turnover. Look for a big jump next year, its just about confidence at this point.
 
#158      
This is tape our future opponents will look at very closely. Even when we're playing well we have weaknesses, and those weaknesses were on full display tonight.

This team's weakness is in the mirror. If they want it and fight for it, they can play with anyone.

They're playing like a 1 seed. Still some big games to go against elite teams, but they're taking care of business against some pretty good teams.
 
#159      
I don't buy this, Adam Miller is built like a truck. Physicality is not the issue here.

He just gets sped up way to much when he puts it on the floor. For example, notice the difference when Trent and Adam penetrate. Trent, although not looking to score looks so much more smooth and comfortable. Every time Adam puts it on the floor right now I anticipate a turnover. Look for a big jump next year, its just about confidence at this point.

That's my take too. I think he's got the tools, but is struggling a bit with his sense of what he can do, and doesn't want to hurt the team. There may be some nuance to his lack of driving, in that some of the other players have a longer chemistry and look to each other more. So Ayo and Kofi, for example, are players the rest of the team are looking for opportunities; if they get open on a roll to the basket, they'll get the ball. Ace has to earn those looks, and he will. Even if he's not quite there yet, he'll be forced into the roll next season with Ayo & (very likely) Kofi gone.

He's impressed me with his maturity, willingness to accept his role, and earn his keep. That's going to help him in the long run. How many high-rated players lack that maturity, get bad advice, and start blaming everyone else?
 
#160      

IlliniKat91

Chicago, IL
I don't buy this, Adam Miller is built like a truck. Physicality is not the issue here.

He just gets sped up way to much when he puts it on the floor. For example, notice the difference when Trent and Adam penetrate. Trent, although not looking to score looks so much more smooth and comfortable. Every time Adam puts it on the floor right now I anticipate a turnover. Look for a big jump next year, its just about confidence at this point.

I agree that it's a mental thing. He's like Kofi last year. As a freshman, one of my biggest gripes about Kofi was that he seemed to hesitate when it came to being physical. He was the biggest dude on the court, but it hasn't been until recently that he's played like it. (As evidenced by the quote about now everyone has to feel him - dude's finally come into his own.)

Miller is built like a truck and used to going up against bean poles. There aren't many of those in the Big Ten. He needs to remember that he's a big, muscular dude who's capable of getting in and scoring.

He's had that mindset on defense (I love how he plays D!), so I'm confident he can do it. He just needs to put it all together.
 
#161      
Ayo Smile.jpg
Ayo Smile 2.jpg


A little bit of Ayo, in you face. The Ayo smile after. two long jumpers nailed the coffin on Northwestern.
 
#162      

skyIdub

Winged Warrior
Watch out for the freshman to sophomore jump from Ace. He is literally standing next to, and watching greatness every night. You can be damned sure he's taking detailed notes.
Freshman Ayo to junior Ayo has just been phenomenal.
I'm not trying to be unfair to either with the comparisons, but a junior Ace with a similar three year improvement trajectory is flat out a POY candidate.
He's physically ahead as a freshman, and he's a better 3pt. shooter as a freshman.

He may never get the end of game killer reputation that Ayo will hang in the rafters next year....but he absolutely can be something very special too.
And you can tell he wants it.
 
#163      
Watch out for the freshman to sophomore jump from Ace. He is literally standing next to, and watching greatness every night. You can be damned sure he's taking detailed notes.
Freshman Ayo to junior Ayo has just been phenomenal.
I'm not trying to be unfair to either with the comparisons, but a junior Ace with a similar three year improvement trajectory is flat out a POY candidate.
He's physically ahead as a freshman, and he's a better 3pt. shooter as a freshman.

He may never get the end of game killer reputation that Ayo will hang in the rafters next year....but he absolutely can be something very special too.
And you can tell he wants it.
Remember the jump Kendal Gill made from Fr to soph? Anything close to that and we will all be happy
 
#164      
Do you know how hard my dvr recording of this game was to watch in these Texas power outages?

we’re up 15 I feel good...no power

northwestern goes on a run it’s 10: no power

northwestern cuts it to one possession: no power

Ayo hits a 30 foot 3: no power

don’t worry no issues since the post game show started though. Like how the ad always loads better than the actual stream.
 
#165      

Deleted member 747277

D
Guest
Collins shoulda bolted for greener pastures after their tourney appearance. That’s as good as it’ll ever get for NW basketball.

He probably had delusions of transforming Northwestern into Duke Midwest after that season.
I dunno. Young team. They may turn a corner next year. Remember they gave given us a game and a half this year, and this will likely be OUR best team in the next few years.
 
#166      

Deleted member 747903

D
Guest
I dunno. Young team. They may turn a corner next year. Remember they gave given us a game and a half this year, and this will likely be OUR best team in the next few years.

If NW has no transfers, likely a top 6 team in B10. Purdue could be Top 5 in the country if they return everyone..
 
#167      
I've never seen anybody do what Ayo did last night. He crossed half court with 24 seconds on the shot clock. Dribbled in the same spot for 16 seconds, took literally one step forward, and then launched a dagger without making a single move. That was some Larry Bird level confidence.
 
#169      
I've never seen anybody do what Ayo did last night. He crossed half court with 24 seconds on the shot clock. Dribbled in the same spot for 16 seconds, took literally one step forward, and then launched a dagger without making a single move. That was some Larry Bird level confidence.
At the college level you mean?

 
#170      
Remember the jump Kendal Gill made from Fr to soph? Anything close to that and we will all be happy
Wasn't Gill just a bit higher regarded as a Fr than Bardo at the time? I just remember thinking that Bardo played above my expectations at the time. Maybe it was Bardo's defense when he was a Fr. Gill's offense had to catch up and it sure did later. 2 great players in there own way.
 
#171      

iLL 89ers

Dallas,TX , Born and raised in Alton,Illinois
A win in the column , two biggest areas which has been previous noted...unforced turnovers and free throw shooting ( both IMO a mental aspect ) been going on a few games with the turnovers and free throw shooting all season . If this team can just focus more on those two areas , I think this team is very , very , very good , and make a nice tourney run and be one of the toughest outs.

This teams defense , rebounding have greatly improved and offensively ( have to make effort of getting Kofi more touches ) without him just getting his from offensive rebounds and put backs . Work on zone offense and they will be fine.. A MUST GETTING Kofi touches moving forward getting better . And IMHO this is one of the best group of guards in the nation with Ayo , Frazier , Miller , Curbelo and no EXCUSES why they can`t get Kofi the ball with them guards . That happens this offense is totally one of best in nation , it just frees up the guards if teams double Kofi or zone him and he has gotten a lot better passing out of them this season .

Health , Unforced turnovers ( lazy passing ) , Free throw shooting , Inside out game with Kofi...this team does this and continue pace , offense and rebounding effort the talent is there for this to be a special season... Lets see how bad the young men want it

Get ready for them Gophers ( not easy at all ), the remember the game you handled them in your house and their Home court record speaks for itself !!!
 
#172      
I've never seen anybody do what Ayo did last night. He crossed half court with 24 seconds on the shot clock. Dribbled in the same spot for 16 seconds, took literally one step forward, and then launched a dagger without making a single move. That was some Larry Bird level confidence.
'everyone' (I did) expected a screen and Ayo to go downhill to rim. Gaines kept looking to side for impending screen. Shot and flight path were the image of beauty
 
#174      
Wasn't Gill just a bit higher regarded as a Fr than Bardo at the time? I just remember thinking that Bardo played above my expectations at the time. Maybe it was Bardo's defense when he was a Fr. Gill's offense had to catch up and it sure did later. 2 great players in there own way.
Bardo was definitely unexpected. I think he was an afterthought in that class. He got a ton of freshmen minutes because he knew how to take care of the ball. I think his height probably helped him as a conservative point guard. Larry Smith was probably the guy most expected to take over for Douglas but it was Bardo.

Gill was probably third behind Anderson and Smith in terms of hype. arguably way behind. But it became pretty clear pretty quick that he had special athleticism. I haven't checked the numbers, but I bet he had a ton of steals that first year. Of course, he also had one of the most glaring freshman mistakes of my Illini watching against Purdue. I don't think anyone had any idea he'd develop the outside shot that he did. Same with Luther.