Illinois 75, Iowa 69 Postgame
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At least twice today, Tomi gets the ball up high and then brings it down to his knees, or lower. One tie-up and one turnover. Drives me crazy to see a guy that tall bring the ball down (when he has no place to go in the lane) to let 6' guards take it away from him. Seems like that's a teachable moment. Z avoids doing that.
But a great win at Iowa. And Keaton Wagler is the best Illini freshman I can ever recall. Amazing that he was not heavily recruited.
But a great win at Iowa. And Keaton Wagler is the best Illini freshman I can ever recall. Amazing that he was not heavily recruited.
Just absolute *boggle* this happened. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
At least we’re 2-0 following late game, mind boggling foul reviews that could’ve changed the outcome.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Official video of the hook and hold:
Saw this on another board. Not sure if this is the official rule book or if this is from ChatGPT (it looks like ChatGPT, so could be inaccurate):
If that’s true, then it should not have been a hook and hold.
Saw this on another board. Not sure if this is the official rule book or if this is from ChatGPT (it looks like ChatGPT, so could be inaccurate):
If that’s true, then it should not have been a hook and hold.
The announcers were very annoying today. Did you know that Keaton Wagler only had two major offers? Did you know that Humrichous is a glue guy and can knock down shots?At one point the Illini fans in attendance were chanting I-L-L… I-N-I and one of the clueless announcers said the crowd is doing everything it can to encourage the Hawkeyes.
Put some respect on Jason Benetti please, he is a treasure. I like to imagine it was stated as a diss to the Hawkeyes and then it’s great!At one point the Illini fans in attendance were chanting I-L-L… I-N-I and one of the clueless announcers said the crowd is doing everything it can to encourage the Hawkeyes.
Where do we think this Iowa team ends up at the end of the year?
Not sure if it's my orange tinted glasses, but I could see them squarely on the bubble and possibly losing the tournament. I'd say a 7 seed is their ceiling.
Stirtz is going to have to be a star for them almost every night in the B1G. But he has already been slowed down significantly in 3 out of 4 B1G games.
Not sure if it's my orange tinted glasses, but I could see them squarely on the bubble and possibly losing the tournament. I'd say a 7 seed is their ceiling.
Stirtz is going to have to be a star for them almost every night in the B1G. But he has already been slowed down significantly in 3 out of 4 B1G games.
If Tomi comes around and begins playing like last year and I believe he will as O is one of the best bigs coaches in the country and Tomi starts using his right hand as a counter post move plus Andrej starts paying closer attention when the defense collapses on him when he drives into the lane and instead of forcing up shots he finds the open man on the perimeter and kicks it out to them we will have the most efficient offense in the country without a doubt.
I've been very impressed with the way this team has grown this season. I think we all knew Iowa would come back, but this team has so much more poise than last year.
Overall our offense got what we wanted, and outside 3-4 minutes at the end of the first half, we were active and selfless on offense. Our defense and hustle showed great improvement since Nebraska and it looks like we've really locked it in.
Great work by the staff so far this season!
Overall our offense got what we wanted, and outside 3-4 minutes at the end of the first half, we were active and selfless on offense. Our defense and hustle showed great improvement since Nebraska and it looks like we've really locked it in.
Great work by the staff so far this season!
I think there’s two areas Stoj has to improve in order to become a more winning player. 1) when he drives, he has tunnel vision. Needs to be able to pass out when necessary. 2) his bad 3pt shooting has hurt our team. He took 5 attempts today from deep. Right now would like to see some more rip-through drives, but he needs to get that shot figured out in the summer. No way he’s getting drafted literally shooting 22% from 3.
I think he’s an All American next season if both areas improve, especially with Keaton and Kylan gone.
I think he’s an All American next season if both areas improve, especially with Keaton and Kylan gone.
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These aren’t THOSE blues though. The last time we wore the ones assigned as bad luck was the blown lead against PSU.
I know this exact feeling after our 2022 football win against Iowa.
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Any win at CH arena is a big deal. Wagler has become a bona fide star. He plays so calm, never forces things. That's the mentality of a senior, not a freshman. I was expecting a physical game, but that didn't truly happen; we only shot 11 free throws, Iowa only shot six. Let's keep the winning streak alive by whipping the Mildcats!
1st time, Iowa player was clearly over his backAmazing how Z just falls down like that getting a rebound? Crazy! Especially to happen twice. How could that have possibly happened refs?
Illini in Italy
- Illini HQ, Florida Panhandle
Sed quid faceremus de Loyalty, si minutas allegaremus?
DICKnaggie
- Champaign
Agree regarding Z but Tomi is definitely needed. We need him to develop and be more than was last season, specifically we need him to develop a serviceable low post game. He just isn't very good down there currently, even against smaller players. Having that in our tool kit would really add another layer.
biglug58
- Chicago, IL
Maddening how he continues to hold the ball low in the post, just to get stripped by a guard. He’s freaking 7 feet tall. Seems like that should be easy to correct.
I would not change the lineup at all. I like Z off the bench. No need to rock the boat.
Goodness grace. He never said Tomi isn’t needed flat out… that was only the first part of his sentence. The full quote reads “isn’t needed or used in the same capacity as last season.”
I actually find that to be quite accurate. Last year he was the focal point of the offense in the frontcourt — DHOs, pick and pops, facilitator at the top of the key, etc, etc. This year that’s Mirkovic. Tomi isn’t nearly as featured — and that may also be what’s led to some of his struggles.
Wagler has taken on KJ’s role as the primary guard initiator (and IMO, has been even better).
Most notably, there’s absolutely zero way that’s anywhere close to being “the worst take that one has taken on this board all year.”
And get a technical in a 4pt game with under a minute left?
I was actually glad he kept his cool. You can be angry when the game is over and not cost your team a lead. He led by example in that situation. He stayed calm, player stayed calm, we held on.
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