I know what you meant. You're one of the best we have and you know this is fun versus a personal attack.
Illinois 75, Washington 66 Postgame
- Status
Absolutely, man
My own fault for being short about it
Washington is actually a pretty good rebounding team @ 53.2% total rebounding rate. When we run into teams that take away certain advantages we must find other categories to win (outside shooting, free throws, turnovers, etcetera).
Last edited:
Don't know about that. We only played 7 guys (to 10 for Washington).
Some guys just look like they were born to rule out there on the Floor. With ease and grace, calmness, and confidence of spirit yet possessing the fire of energy, creativity, and unshakable self-assurance. The Floor is just – Their’s. They stand head-and-shoulders above the rest just by their effortless... Presence. Not out of arrogance or ego but just because there is no separation among The-Game/The-Floor/And-The-Player. A One-ness of Totality. Some would call this... 'Being In The Flow'.
It’s almost impossible to work to achieve this. No amount of training or long hours in the gym can bring it to you. You just about have to be born with it.
– OK, that would be the quantum physics/metaphysical explanation.
Now for the other explanation:
THIS GUY IS JUST A FLAT-OUT BALLER...
one game yes, but over all the games so far at least in the first half we are playing 9 (not counting Boz) which is really good depth IMO.
Our guys are comparatively fresh, BT season really takes it out of you
And UW had only 2 really good players IMO while all 7 of ours that you refer to are really good and we were able to play some zone so that kept us fresh as well.
Last edited:
Kinda like The Natural, but in hoops. This part of his makeup (tho not in trash talking) really does remind me a bit of Larry Bird. Neither has/had the athletic talent that just wows you, but always make the right decision, and is deadly both in shooting, in getting to their spot, and in taking what the D is giving.
Good call out. I think that is specifically on the shoulders of the coaches. It is very laissez faire of the staff IMO and something we’ll see in BTT or NCAA tournament that will arise again and unnecessarily extend games or result in a loss. The offense is open with very little restraint, except make a mistake and get yanked. There are very few scripted or designed plays, sets, or off ball motions/screens/cuts not no mention the lack of out of bounds (or out of time out) plans/plays. It’s get to the basket or shoot the three. On both situations you’re talking about, coaches should have been coaching and providing instruction. For it to happen again leads me to believe it wasn’t addressed after the first time and the game/clock situational awareness want practiced.
So many things in Life come with struggle and exertion. It’s a such a refreshing change to watch someone do something with such ease and natural movements.
Like Bird... certain players use their head as much (or more) than they use what God gave them in body... and some rare talents get blessed in both.
And on the downside... many guys are blessed with great physical ability and mess things up because they didn't bring the other thing to the Floor or locker room or their approach in general. Great talents that never came to be fully reached.
I honestly think the problem of Andrej is not just basketball IQ. His handle tends to be loose. He can get to the rim but tends to rely on his big body rather than any hesitation. He is easy to predict. He really needs to shore up his driving skill a bit and let's not even talk about his 3pt%.
We need Andrej to get back to double digits in most games i think.
But just to be clear... He's at 13.5 ppg on 50% shooting, rebounding up to 5 per game, and is our best perimeter defender and option in transition.
I'd be more inclined to critize the decision making if the shooting was down in the like the mid-30s.
But just to be clear... He's at 13.5 ppg on 50% shooting, rebounding up to 5 per game, and is our best perimeter defender and option in transition.
I'd be more inclined to critize the decision making if the shooting was down in the like the mid-30s.
I don't know whether Washington is normally a good rebounding team or not. My point is we cannot rely on offense rebounding back our missses from 3 anymore when we run into good rebounding teams. We have to shoot well to win. But considering there are only two games in the 2nd week before the final four, I think this strategy is good enough. Wish we can defend a little bit better though.
Last edited:
I think his decision making is ok. It’s his skills are at where they are.
You think so? He's far more efficient this year than he's ever been, and a much better defender. In the context of winning, I think we've seen a lot of growth and im hopeful for even more.
I think we'd really be in a bad way defensively without Boswell right now if we didn't have Andrej. I will say, I did hope he could become a Domask level (or slightly below) passer in isolation ball, and while im not giving up totally, I don't think we're gonna reach that point.
I actually think it’s the exact opposite. He’s talented and skilled enough to get to the basket at will. However, he becomes a black hole when he does, which often results to turnovers or missed shots. He has a negative assist to turnover ratio, 0.66, which needs to improve.
The areas of improvement for Andrej seem doable to me. I’m extra interested in his overall career arc knowing what the deficiencies are.
Needs to be a more willing passer. When things collapse on him it’s the difference between a wide open 3 and a rip and a fast break the other way.
I also think adding some more strength would help him not only with defense & rebounding, but the amount of times he just gets the ball taken away is noticeable.
I’m less concerned about the poor shooting as he has a track record of at least being low 30s which is good enough for a slasher archetype.
Trying to imagine Andrej with some passing ability, +10 lbs of muscle and a 35% three point shot. That would be one helluva basketball player (yet these things aren’t going to happen by the end of this season, of course).
Needs to be a more willing passer. When things collapse on him it’s the difference between a wide open 3 and a rip and a fast break the other way.
I also think adding some more strength would help him not only with defense & rebounding, but the amount of times he just gets the ball taken away is noticeable.
I’m less concerned about the poor shooting as he has a track record of at least being low 30s which is good enough for a slasher archetype.
Trying to imagine Andrej with some passing ability, +10 lbs of muscle and a 35% three point shot. That would be one helluva basketball player (yet these things aren’t going to happen by the end of this season, of course).
he seems like the perfect second year jump underwood guy. TSJ took a massive leap year 2. Boswell has been better this year than last year. Andre can be that guy next year
It is a giant jump from 25% to 35%. I will be happy if his 3pt% is 32% next season.
He is a career 31% three point shooter
damonte Williams outlier year coming up... accepted
I honestly do not buy his ACC numbers. Boswell's 3pt% has not regressed back to his Arizona %, either. I hope I am wrong tho.
None of it’s reliable enough sample size wise to really know, it’s just fun to talk about I suppose. I certainly don’t think the ACC automatically gives him 7% though by any means. Have to also take into account he shot that 32% while being the 1A item on every opponents scouting report.
The 59 attempts this year is just what it is. Couple more of em bounce in and he’s nearly right at his average.
I don't think ACC gives a 7% discount but I can see it 3% and then he improves 4% to 32% next season.
- Status