I'll buy what you're selling. I was too young to see Deon play but yeah, obviously he is an all time great. I also wasn't sure how good that team was since they never appeared in the ap poll and of course couldn't participate in the tournament.
Illinois 81, Rutgers 55 Postgame
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chiefini
- Rockford, Illinois
And Deon remains a class act and a great representative of the University of Illinois in every single respect. He was and still is a wonderful human being who rose above being subjected to some horrible actions by some absolutely despicable people, especially Satan/BP.
MCD all american. illinois mr basketball and still stayed commiteed to the U of I after all that crap. Yea. One of the best to put on a jersey.
One of my favorite Braggin Rights memories was Deon's first year 1990, with the Illini storming back to beat Mizzou, 84-81. Deon and Andy Kaufmann (maybe my favorite Illini gunslinger) outscored Doug Smith and Jamal Coleman, 56-50.
One key ingredient of Illini ball over the many decades has been to establish a foundation of integrity and people of character in the program. This sets up the Illini as something special in the history of college ball... and this is not something (as we know) that be honestly said about certain other programs.
I have always said that I would rather lose and retain my integrity instead of trading that for winning without any. But I'll take winning WITH integrity, too...
I think the offense is pretty great and the numbers speak for itself, but even id concede, matchup hunting on possessions it doesn’t work, never looks great. And I think this leads to harsh statements on the offense sometimes not really rooted in fact.
Personally, I think there’s a lot more actual strategy that goes into getting certain matchups that we want than a lot of fans give credit for.
For example, our baseline out of bounds lobs to T or Merk, while I think don’t look pretty, get labeled old, unoriginal. But pretty much always empty the side of the court we want for a matchup we just go hunt.
Personally, I think there’s a lot more actual strategy that goes into getting certain matchups that we want than a lot of fans give credit for.
For example, our baseline out of bounds lobs to T or Merk, while I think don’t look pretty, get labeled old, unoriginal. But pretty much always empty the side of the court we want for a matchup we just go hunt.
Agree. He was thrilled when Giorgi broke his freshman scoring record.
This is what it takes to become a final four team/championship contender. If you want to be the best, you cannot let bad habits creep in. Next thing you know it happens against Loyola. Brad knows there is enough talent on this team and he wants to bring it to us. Enjoy the ride. I’ve talked about it in the past but what did Duke do to us when they got the lead….its in their culture and expected!
Duke? The same team/program that couldn’t build a large lead vs a bad Florida St team a few days ago and barely won by 4?
This idea that some programs just go undefeated every season and never relinquish any lead is silly.
Nothing is guaranteed but I’m sure it wasn’t because of the effort. FSU was playing above their grade from what I saw of the game. Evans was money too. I’m no Duke fan but I’m a fan of successful programs/coaching. How’s all that talent work for coach Cal. Undefeated LOL.
That's funny, in the post game after FSU Scheyer stated: "the defensive performance was not good enough, its taken a big step back, and that is all effort and focus"
After the Louisville game (their most recent game), he called out his team's defense: "not good enough, we need big time effort, big time toughness, physicality".
A video of a halftime speech he gave vs Michigan State this year that circulated shows Scheyer telling his players: "We haven't done sh1t yet, they still think they're tough"
Following a loss in 2023 vs Arkansas, Scheyer said his team "lacked collective toughness and gave up too many easy shots inside, due to (lack of) effort"
In the 2024 season, Scheyer described his team's effort vs Southern Indiana as "disappointing and unacceptable"
After another loss to North Carolina in 2024, Scheyer ripped into his team for its "lack of hustle and effort" and said that UNC was "hungrier to get loose balls"
Yet another loss in 2024 to Pitt, he apologized to the fans and highlighted rebounding and effort as the deciding factor: "Rebounding, a lot of the time, comes down to pure will and mindset."
These are just a few quotes I found rather easily via Google search.
Good for you!!!
Any common opponents between Illinois and Duke we can look at this year?
Good for you!!!
Someone posted earlier in this thread about the negative stuff pretty much always being “low effort”.
We thank you for your service
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Texas Tech
You obviously have all the free time. Look up how Duke put it on us with a big lead 110-67. Let me know how many final fours and National Championship Duke has. I’m watching the Indiana Oregon game! Every coach will tell you that a team doesn’t meet expectations when they LOSE. Even Brad said he wasn’t happy about the second half and in public he chose to stay positive about the first half. Back to the game.
Someone posted earlier in this thread about the negative stuff pretty much always being “low effort”.
We thank you for your service
Michigan, Michigan State also
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Why, when I read this board, does it feel like our record must be 6-9 or something like that?
Now that we’ve uncovered the answer to the mystery of whether or not Jon Scheyer or Brad Underwood enjoy seeing their teams lack effort, are we just left with your gargantuan mic drop that Duke has more Final Fours? (which has absolutely nothing to do with your original comment)
That’s low effort. As for the original comment….expectations + culture + effort = a chance…no guarantees. There is your learning exercise for the day. Who cares I-L-L
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Oh, the irony
At some point in your life you will eat an edible and think it isn’t working. It is very important you do not eat a second one.
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