I think what people are eluding to is his that he tends to get a bit lacksidaisical on defense. If you're a defensive minded person it is a bit frustrating when he doesn't see ball and man or he stands straight up vs. having knees bent ready to jump into a passing lane or stop a cut. Now there are times he's great at it. But times he takes plays off. He can get away with it sometimes b/c he is tall and fairly athletic. But come tournament time he'll need to be fully engaged on the defensive side of the ball 100% of the time. I'm not ripping him. He's been a lot better the past 7-8 games overall. I'd just love to see consistent defensive position from him.
Illinois 76, Nebraska 50 Postgame
Some people have to complain about someone every game.
You two skipped to many classes.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
I don't think we are better without him, but right now it appears we are better without him starting and receiving lots of minutes. If he were to accept a more minor supporting role (he won't) then it would really help this team's depth and certain scenarios like late game press break where you need quality ball handlers.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Agree on everything. Sign of a great leader.
Dee_4_Three_83
- Mahomet, IL
His outside shooting needs a rework to be sure. But, I will say that two of his 6 misses shouldn't really count. The one at the end (great way to end the game when you have the ball with an extra second or so after the shot clock). The other one was the missed dunk on the runout. With the plethora of fouls called in this game, apparently using your body to disrupt a dunk is appropriate behavior for a defender.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
BU's first plan has gone wrong or blown up on him quite a bit here and elsewhere in his career.
But the second plan is always, always, always better than the first. That's the #1 reason I have enormous faith in him. He's Coach MacGuyver. We're witnessing that again right now.
Dee_4_Three_83
- Mahomet, IL
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I've been trying to get a good night's rest before I make up my mind too much about a given Illini result this year ... so, I feel I have that Nebraska win in better perspective now! It seems that many (most?) of us were pleasantly shocked with a dominant road victory after our recent struggles, and another group is possibly worried that we might be overstating the importance of this win because we were THAT low after the Northwestern game?
Well, I present you the #RoadKill victories in Big Ten play under Brad Underwood that had margins of 20+:
2021: W 81-56 at Northwestern (ILL #12)
2021: W 94-63 at Minnesota (ILL #5)
2021: W 76-53 at #2 Michigan (ILL #4)
2022: W 76-53 at Minnesota
2023: W 76-50 at Nebraska
As you can see, even for a (usually) fantastic road program like ours, these are rare ... a 25+ margin like last night is even more rare! Additionally, we were ranked in the top 15 for 80% of the wins before last night (and in the top 5 for 2/3 of them!), and the 2022 win at Minnesota came after we had just won 7 of 8, with the only loss being a heartbreaker to #11 Arizona.
To compare, this year's team had not won a road game all year and had not won back-to-back games since November. To say last night was a bit of a "we're back" statement, regardless of opponent, is probably fair. Let's keep it rolling against MSU!
Well, I present you the #RoadKill victories in Big Ten play under Brad Underwood that had margins of 20+:
2021: W 81-56 at Northwestern (ILL #12)
2021: W 94-63 at Minnesota (ILL #5)
2021: W 76-53 at #2 Michigan (ILL #4)
2022: W 76-53 at Minnesota
2023: W 76-50 at Nebraska
As you can see, even for a (usually) fantastic road program like ours, these are rare ... a 25+ margin like last night is even more rare! Additionally, we were ranked in the top 15 for 80% of the wins before last night (and in the top 5 for 2/3 of them!), and the 2022 win at Minnesota came after we had just won 7 of 8, with the only loss being a heartbreaker to #11 Arizona.
To compare, this year's team had not won a road game all year and had not won back-to-back games since November. To say last night was a bit of a "we're back" statement, regardless of opponent, is probably fair. Let's keep it rolling against MSU!
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Harris moves his feet better than a seasoned veteran and has long arms to get into deflecting passes and making steals from behind......his offense will improve as he slows down on that side of the ball , but he is a Tasmanian Devil on D..........very important to have him disrupting from the beginning of the game .......BU has settled into a distinctive sub pattern with Harris and Epps........usually getting Epps in around the first media timeout......
Things are starting to fall into place and allowing us to get our transition offense going with the elevated defensive posture at the tip off......
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
It's so funny they have to pretend that they were the Big Ten champs
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
It took me so long to process that game, lol ... to absolutely EMBARRASS them on national TV without Ayo for such a hyped up game was just hilarious.
He is just forcing shots. Frosh.
Izzo kinda looks like a male version of nurse Ratched
My man, you are a wealth of information. Like an Illini encyclopedia or something.
Love the kids heart and intensity. Really shows up in his D effort. He can be game changing (eg UCLA). Especially as his offensive game matures.
He basically shot that ball straight up to run the last few seconds off the clock. The announcers even mentioned it!Harris definitely cannot shoot the 3. Horrible wide open shot at the end
Lol
It was a smart play. Also unselfish. Not worried about stats.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Can I just say how much I love that most of us genuinely probably DO see that string of victories as over Texas, Wisconsin, Nebraska, etc …. and then over Boeheim himself.
Meyer is a transfer who had to learn to integrate into the team. He was injured during the summer/fall and only joined the team in August.
I have seen continual improvement in his game and decision-making. We are lucky to have him. Averaging double figures in scoring, 5-8 rebounds, 1-2 blocks, and running the floor will be key to our access going forward. He's a great foil to Shannon and his play.
His personality may clash with Underwood's and that may be good! A little edge can be beneficial for a team.
Our team is poised ready for success, Clark's presence or no! All of our present players are EDGY!
His ability to impact games with effort has really helped set the tone for this team. Strength and conditioning are going to be just as important as fixing his jumper this off season, as he gets knocked around pretty good trying to get to the rim.
He's a keeper, no doubt.
I only recall one instance last night when I thought he took a bad shot. He wasn't making them last night, but the vast majority of them were in rhythm, and catch and shoot, rather than cross-over dribble/pull-up. He is a huge talent and raises the team's ceiling tremendously.
The second half was a joy to watch. The ball movement was by FAR the best we've had all season. When the ball doesn't stick and guys expect to be passed the ball, we get good looks at the rim or wide-open 3's. Glorious.
On offense, I feel like we have a Formula One car that has been stuck in second gear. We still sputter a bit here and there, but we had her opened up for stretches last night, and it was so much fun.
Great job by all last night.
ChazzReinhold
Mom! The Meatloaf!
Mayer and BU looked pretty simpatico in the postgame locker room last night.
I have a feeling that was the 2nd of 11 consecutive wins.
Ayo turned the ball over two or more times in 75% of the games he played here. When you have the ball a lot you're going to turn it over from time to time.