Illinois 76, Nebraska 50 Postgame
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
Hey B1G, guess what…
PizzaHutParkingLot
- McPherson, KS
C̶h̶u̶c̶k̶y̶ ̶H̶e̶p̶b̶u̶r̶n̶ Sam Griesel overheard in the locker room, handing his uniform to team manager:
"Do you have something to get S̶e̶n̶c̶i̶r̶e̶ ̶H̶a̶r̶r̶i̶s̶ Ty Rodgers out of my shorts?"
(joke credit: @skyIdub )
"Do you have something to get S̶e̶n̶c̶i̶r̶e̶ ̶H̶a̶r̶r̶i̶s̶ Ty Rodgers out of my shorts?"
(joke credit: @skyIdub )
Many thoughts after this one…
-Can’t understate what a good one we have in Dainja. Not enough is said about his post defense. He’ll be in Walker’s nightmares. Dain might be the best-equipped guy in the country to defend Edey without help.
-Also re: Dainja, he hasn’t been doing that deep knee dip on his FTs for quite a few games in a row. Tonight was I think his first 2-2 trip to the line where he wasn’t aided by a lane violation giving him an extra chance. Has cut down a lot on all the unnecessary motion. Hope the percentage can tick up a bit going forward.
-Hawkins with a head-scratcher or two but largely looked like the same decisive, highly effective player he was vs. Wisconsin.
-Continuing a comment I made in the last post game thread, TSJ once again is taking it on himself to lead. Not just with his play, but also doing all the little things (someone mentioned it in the game thread). First guy to help teammates up. Organizing on-court huddles. Scouts are going to notice this. A guy who takes charge when his team is (was?) in turmoil? That’s an NBA player.
-Ball movement was pretty good in the first half. It was excellent in the second. Bit of a lull around the middle of the 2H when Nebraska went on an 8-0 run and the ball stopped moving on the offensive end. Dainja ended that with a great bounce pass to Mayer on a cut.
-Felt like an off night for Epps in the first half, but he had other ideas. Ended with double digits and just one turnover. Man.
-Melendez still not quite right, but hasn’t stopped shooting and has found other ways to get involved, including an offensive rebound + bucket after an ill-advised iso stepback three by Mayer. RJ’s stroke looks good. It’ll get there.
-Ty Rodgers!
-Nebraska doubled on the post catch nearly every time. Illinois shredded it by moving the ball. Hoiberg never adjusted.
All in all, team appears to be getting right. You love to see it.
-Can’t understate what a good one we have in Dainja. Not enough is said about his post defense. He’ll be in Walker’s nightmares. Dain might be the best-equipped guy in the country to defend Edey without help.
-Also re: Dainja, he hasn’t been doing that deep knee dip on his FTs for quite a few games in a row. Tonight was I think his first 2-2 trip to the line where he wasn’t aided by a lane violation giving him an extra chance. Has cut down a lot on all the unnecessary motion. Hope the percentage can tick up a bit going forward.
-Hawkins with a head-scratcher or two but largely looked like the same decisive, highly effective player he was vs. Wisconsin.
-Continuing a comment I made in the last post game thread, TSJ once again is taking it on himself to lead. Not just with his play, but also doing all the little things (someone mentioned it in the game thread). First guy to help teammates up. Organizing on-court huddles. Scouts are going to notice this. A guy who takes charge when his team is (was?) in turmoil? That’s an NBA player.
-Ball movement was pretty good in the first half. It was excellent in the second. Bit of a lull around the middle of the 2H when Nebraska went on an 8-0 run and the ball stopped moving on the offensive end. Dainja ended that with a great bounce pass to Mayer on a cut.
-Felt like an off night for Epps in the first half, but he had other ideas. Ended with double digits and just one turnover. Man.
-Melendez still not quite right, but hasn’t stopped shooting and has found other ways to get involved, including an offensive rebound + bucket after an ill-advised iso stepback three by Mayer. RJ’s stroke looks good. It’ll get there.
-Ty Rodgers!
-Nebraska doubled on the post catch nearly every time. Illinois shredded it by moving the ball. Hoiberg never adjusted.
All in all, team appears to be getting right. You love to see it.
GallopingGhost
- Denver, CO
Nice win against a pesky Nebraska. Let’s build on it at home. Both Mich st and us trending up.
This is the best our offense has looked all year
Illini in Indiana
- Indiana
ROADKILL
Big Ten bounty obtained in Nebraska.
There was a point in this game, as Matthew Mayer drained a corner three to put some extra stank on a 10-0 Illinois run (after Nebby had shaved the lead to 5), where I declared out loud “this is who we are.”
We have always been a young team. And perhaps this recent stretch of losses was like our puberty: a turbulent time marked by confusion of identity, emotional volatility, and acts of stupidity. Perhaps that pain was always going to be necessary for our rise into a champion’s manhood.
Ty Rodgers slowly synchronizing with the speed of the college game. TSJ finding consistency as a college star. RJ Melendez shooting with conviction despite severe slumping (and it will pay off, late season).
The 2nd half was a sleeper hold we put on the Huskers. For that road kill.
This is who we are.
Sounds like coach speak but...we played together and trusted the offense and it was glorious.
Brad Underwood loves January.
Brad Underwood loves January.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
This is night and day. The coaching staff has pulled some serious voodoo to get this thing seemingly back on track. Pretty incredible.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
Mr. Rodgers was cold blooded today.
Dainja painted a defensive masterpiece tonight against Walker.
blackdog
- Champaign
Throw Dain in there. His defense has been absolutely MONSTEROUS the last couple games.
hooraybeer
- Pittsburgh, PA
RJ showing energy, scoring, all good.