To me, that was an abysmal and horrible call. Once they were conferring for an eternity, I knew it was going against BU. No fire and passion from BU after the reversal, which is fine, but it'd be fun to see go after the refs.
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Illinois 75, Iowa 69 Postgame
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Tomi got 20 min today.
I am assuming he's mentally down right now--can't get like Petro. The Illini are going to need Tomi big time for this upcoming Big Ten grueling schedule.
I was encouraged he posted up 3/4 times--came away with one basket, I believe. Keep going, Tomi--can't give up.
He was fouled on that play. The analyst credited the referees for not calling a foul on that play. What B.S.
Refs went hard in the paint down the stretch- tip of the hat to them. We just went harder. I've seen this game so many times over the past 20 years and I'll never NOT appreciate coming out on top (apologies for the awkward double negative construction). And why do the trees in Illinois lean west (east) again? You know. Go Illini!
But Z only got 15. Tomi is averaging 23mpg on the season compared to Z’s 17mpg. There’s absolutely zero reason Tomi should be your top center option over Z.
The situation with Tomi and Z reminds me of our running back conversation with Valentine early in the football season. He’s outperforming the guy(s) in front of him, but still continues to get less minutes/carries simply because in the preseason he was thought to have a lesser role.
Very bizarre to me why Z sat the final 10 minutes of the second half, especially with how poor Tomi looked and our lack of rim protection.
And Z got 15. To me, at the current level of play, that should be reversed. Z just gives us so much more energy and a defensive and rebounding presence Tomi just hasn't displayed lately. Even though they were pretty even in stats today, Z affects many more shots that do not show up in the box score.
I know a lot has been said about Keatons performance today, but I’d like to take a step back and appreciate how much he and Mirk both have raised the ceiling of this team. If the team came together as thought in the offseason, with Petro and Ben likely starters and Keaton and Mirk as rotation guys, that’s still a good team but ceiling is probably similar to last year, sweet 16 ish and maybe top 5-6 seed. The metrics say our ceiling is quite a bit higher than that, and it’s due to those two, neither of whom were particularly splashy signings. Just outstanding evals by the staff.
TheDukeUIUC
- Twin Cities, MN
I dont know. He made his first three, then took two that were a tad too strong off back iron. From there, I saw him turn down at least two open looks. I would be more concerned if he's 1) not coming out looking to shoot at all, or 2) just chucking when he doesn't have it (like Ben was dragged for on this forum last year). That being said, having Tomi take and miss some makes me less angry than Andrej taking some and missing them.
Great win! Loved the early run in an opposing gym. Kylan gets my game ball, and Keaton is a very close second.
As other posters said, I didn't like the "small lineup" in mid-to-late second half.
Also, if I'm being picky, I'd like Andrej to periodically kick to the corner on those drives. It would keep the defensive help honest rather than cracking down so hard. Once he dribbles, he's taking it.
As other posters said, I didn't like the "small lineup" in mid-to-late second half.
Also, if I'm being picky, I'd like Andrej to periodically kick to the corner on those drives. It would keep the defensive help honest rather than cracking down so hard. Once he dribbles, he's taking it.
TheDukeUIUC
- Twin Cities, MN
One annoying thing I saw from the offense was when Tomi had the ball on the block, cutters would go to the basket but take a route too close to Tomi allowing their defender to dig. Just clear out.
The most encouraging thing to me was I never felt like the effort let up. Every time they made a run, we matched it for the most part. We had a few short droughts and gave up a few buckets late, but I never felt it was due to lack of effort on either end. I posted an X post from the men's bball site saying 40 minutes of all out effort, and we got that.
This is the worst take that one has taken on this board all year. The ceiling, if Tomi is playing to his capabilities, is through the roof. This team will absolutely not reach it's full potential without him.
The fact that we're winning games without him is encouraging, that I get. Your take that we don't need him is just silly. Purely MO.
blackdog
- Champaign
Yea not enough love for Mirk. He didnt score a lot today but just a casual 12 rebound, 5 assist performance as a freshman big.
Is Wagler the most consequential freshman we've ever had? If not, who?
Gangway MARINE!!!
I saw it differently- the hook and hold flagrant rule started because players started using it to draw a foul call by hooking and pulling a player on top of you and making it look like you were fouled
The Iowa player initiated the contact with Wagler and pushed him with his forearm to fight for space Wagler does grab him in an effort to hold his ground but as Wagler is falling he is not pulling the Iowa player on top of him- the Iowa player pushed him down and is falling over him, there are no locked arms
To call that a hook and hold ignores the spirit of the rule and is insane. How many hook and holds have been called across college basketball this year?
One way to look at this game: it was a terrific win because, first, the Fighting Illini overcame a strong, fiercely-competitive Iowa team on their floor; and, second, this team overcame additional adversity, in the form of officiating incompetence. This is what happens in the NCAA tournament. You just have to find a way. And this team did. This is a good omen.
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And for those who remind us how difficult it is to officiate: no kidding. And we saw today how appalling officiating can be, down the stretch. In the long term, NCAA officiating needs to be addressed (more formal criticism, better pay, whatever -- better is the goal).
Looks like he comes from a great family
My vote would be Hugh Hefner, but Wagler would be my second pick.
Agree, that was NOT a hook and hold!
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
Maybe it's not in his bag, but he could benefit from a quicker move. It's always rather deliberate and only to his right shoulder.
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