Illinois 75, Washington 66 Postgame

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#177      
They missed because they were gassed, IMO. Our depth (even missing Boz) does that to almost everyone.
Our depth? We played 7 guys. Same against Purdue basically (Petrovic and Lee played a minute a piece). Both games Illini starters played 158 minutes while opponents starters played less than 140 minutes.

If WA was gassed, it probably had more to do with PNW team playing in Midwest than Illini’s “depth” — with a healthy dose of Illini conditioning by Fletch.
 
#178      
I heard comments like trap game, looking ahead, etc. etc. Bottomline is the conference is very competitive from top to bottom and teams like Washington are a gritty team that for the most part have been competitive all season against the top tier teams of the B10. And so far as Sunday is concerned, like James Brown said - big payback - revenge!
 
#179      
I said in the pregame thread I didn’t care how it looked, just get a win. Mission accomplished.

As others have said, glad to see Ben have a good game. I know he’s struggled shooting, but there is so much variation in shooting throughout the season, I didnt think it was a bad thing he was struggling when he did. I don’t think you want to have all your shooters “on” at the same time. Better to stagger, which produces games were we are consistently shooting 33-38% on volume, vs last year where we would shoot 45% one game and 20% the next.

If the Ivisics had to go 1-11 combined, I’m glad it was this game. Those shots will be there vs Nebraska and then some. Need them to shoot 35% or better on volume to have a chance to win.
 
#180      
1. Give Washington a lot of credit for playing hard, aggressive defense making it difficult on the Illini.

2. BH? Keep this up! This is what we've been looking for. You or Jake?

3. AS just confuses me at times. Looks good at getting to the hoop with a few layups, but other times, it's brutal to watch. Not sure what BU and staff can do to get him more looks or something? Post him up possibly, so he's more stable on the ground to make a good move?

4. Yes, we need KB for every game, but this was the game that I felt Illinois needed him desperately. He would've given KW a break at PG, penetrate willingly and either dish off some nice assists or get his points at the basket.

5. I thought they'd cover, but Washington played hard while the Illini weren't crisp at all, especially in the first half.
Agree with #4. Mirk has been great most of the season and been valuable as a “point forward,” but I don’t particularly like him playing the main ball handler/distributor role when he is out of necessity. Much better when he has a distributor type in the game too. Team got bogged down offensively in second half when Keaton got two-minute breather. Mirk
 
#181      
Why can't youever just enjoy a win and not criticize a player?
 
#182      
Tomi didn't have his best shooting night, but thought he was an effective passer. And he just spaces the floor so well. Andrej had a rough go.
 
#184      
I think this game should put the bed the idea that Keaton needs another year of strength development before going provide. Washington was really physical on him all game long. Despite that Keaton still got downhill and finished THROUGH contact. He's not like Riley who would bounce off defenders and throw up off balance shots, he really out muscles these physically bigger dudes with regularity and stays on balance the whole time. Definitely a lot stronger than he looks.

He will definitely benefit from more strength development - the NBA is another level of physicality. As far as making the leap, agree completely. He's shown he can finish through a lot of contact. Watching guys like TSJ, Ayo, and Wagler, I've gotten spoiled --they finish and have great touch around the basket. When I see guys who aren't finishers, that's when I realize how good they are. I put Domask and Kofi in that category btw, but with very different games from the downhill guys.

Hoping Andrej expands his arsenal to either improve the outside shot or get another move going to the bucket. --seems like he struggles when well scouted. Having another guy who can stretch and drive I think makes the team even more dangerous.
 
#185      
I thought Andrej was not good offensively, (especially in the first 8 minutes). His offense picked up a little at the beginning of the second half. With that said, I thought he played fairly good defense, chasing their guards around the court and making things somewhat difficult for them.
 
#187      
Little late posting … Little early for this maybe … 😎

But as expected …

Whiskey Looping GIF by Buffalo Trace Bourbon
 
#188      
A top 10 NBA pick does not need a 2nd year of college. Honestly he probably doesn't need the 1st year if it weren't the rule. It took him like 5 games figuring out college basketball
There are years where I’m not sure that’s true, but this isn’t one of them. It’s a great year to have a lottery pick. This freshman class was insanely deep before our boy crashed the party.
 
#189      
Washington did what they do and played tough but this team just grinds you down with consistent play the whole game.

This Washington team is a little disappointing for me … They’ve got the right pieces and especially did when they had Claude … Really thought they’d be better … Don’t know what the issue is … They compete at least …

They’ve invested HUGE into basketball this year and last year … Sprinkle leash is running out …
 
#191      
@MLT, if you're reading this can you do a film analysis of Illinois' defense on Steinbach?

I should go back and rewatch when I have a chance, but even though Steinbach had 16 pts, it seemed like he should have had way more last night.

Our players' timing doubling that catch & spin move in the post seemed perfect for most of the game, and they really kept the ball out of his hands. Last night was Steinbach's lowest usage all year at 16%, compared to a 25% season average. I know it doesn't show in the score or stats, but it looked like they did a really good job schematically on defense last night, especially with not having Kylan.
 
#195      
Glad this was not a 30 point walk over, but a good challenge from Washington to break us out of any hangover from the Purdue game. Need to bring this competitive edge to Nebbie this weekend.

Loved Ben's steal in the first half. Too bad the foul negated the fast break. Would have loved to see how that might have finished out.

Need to get Andrej's mom and/or dad in the seats to get Andrej to produce. It's just that easy.
 
#196      
So now that we are halfway though conference season, thought I would ask how we are doing? I like to put games in 3 buckets 1. Should win 2. Toss ups 3. Should lose. And then I try and see if our record matches that expectation or if we are ahead/behind, sort of like a golf score.

Before the season I would say of these first 10 games, I would have put 1 in the should lose category (@Purdue), 2 toss ups (@OSU, @Iowa) and the rest in the should win category. Now that we know what we know about Nebraska I think it’s fair to put that game on the toss up category so that would mean 6 should win, 3 toss ups, and 1 should lose.

Based on that I think we are ahead of schedule. I know the actual W/Ls didnt breakdown that way but we got Ws for all 3 toss ups and only have one loss which was expected.

Looking at the next 10, think we have 2 should lose (@Nebraska, @MSU), 2 toss ups (@Mich, @UCLA), and the rest are should wins. I could see an argument for dropping UCLA into the should lose category because though they aren’t great they are undefeated at home.

So I think 7-3 in the last 10 would be “par” and would leave us at 16-4. I have a suspicion one of Nebraska Sparty or Michigan will go 17-3 but I don’t know which one.

Somehow winning in either Lincoln or Breslin would do wonders for our chances. I think 17-3 would get us at least a share.
 
#197      
Last year, I would constantly question whether KJ and Riley were truly ready for the NBA, never buying the hype that either was a lottery pick. Obviously both made the right decision as NBA GM’s liked their games enough to nab them at 20 and 21 respectively, but I do believe another year in college could’ve vaulted them into the lottery.

With Keaton, I see it. Barring an unforeseen collapse or injury, he’s clearly a lottery pick. His all-around game is phenomenal and like nothing I’ve ever seen from a freshman in an Illinois uniform. He’s currently projected to go at #6 and, if that holds form, I could see a future where five NBA GMs are forever asked “what were you thinking not drafting Wagler?”
disagree - this draft is loaded and don't think another year of college for KJ or Will vaults them higher.
 
#198      
Went to the game with the family, fun game and great win!

That said, something is broken with the fanbase in the 200 level. Had seats at center court in the second row of the upper deck, behind the main cameras on the opposite side of the Krush on the floor. It took me a few minutes to realize how quiet it was up there when we were on defense, to the point it would lull me into not making noise. I had to ACTIVELY remember to get loud when they were on D, and quite honestly it was uncomfortable at times. Being the only person making noise within 2 sections around you is a bit of a weird feeling. I battled though, my family did their part.

There were 3 young guys sitting in front of me, and I am fairly certain they were actually annoyed with the noise we made. Keep in mind, my family and I were not screaming, not saying anything inappropriate, just your general "ohhhhhhhhhhhh", "De-Fense", clapping, etc. They politely clapped a few times and that was about it. The problem was, they were the norm. I felt like the outcast. I had to keep myself motivated to keep cheering when we were on defense.

A few other sets of fans were decent, one family would plan a De-Fense chant here and there, and when all of us cheered together it would get loud, then it would spur the other 95% of people around us to make some noise. Almost no one would sustain it for an entire possession, though. They would make noise for the first 5-10 seconds of the shot clock, then quiet down and watch.

It isn't Krush, folks. It isnt a few kids with their arms crossed. I could hear the students clearly, but that was the problem. I could hear them CLEARLY. Because it was so quiet around me. The fans were genuinely just there to watch. The ratio of active participants to mere observers was less than 1 to 10.

Shout out to the few brave souls around me willing to make some noise and cheer. The vast majority of 200 level had no interest in it whatsoever.
I commented on this very thing in a different thread last week. I know exactly what you are saying about feeling out of place when you’re the only one in your section standing.
 
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