Illinois 82, Valparaiso 57 POSTGAME

Illinifan533 · Mar 14, 2017

A thought after tonight's NIT results.

Of the games that were played, the only major conference teams that won (barring a California comeback) were Illinois and Ole Miss, and Ole Miss only won by 8 against Monmouth despite putting up 91 points. The posters here are criticizing the coaches here, but you have to wonder if it's becoming more common for players of these larger schools to put in a half-a**ed effort in the NIT, especially if they have to deal with the disappointment of being one of the 4 teams that just missed the Big Dance. Just look at the poor effort that Illinois put into the NIT in 2015. Couple this with the idea that playing in any postseason tournament is a bigger deal for many mid-major schools, and the NIT, while it can be a disappointing consolation prize for schools that won their regular season conference title but failed to win the auto-bid, is still a chance for mid-majors to prove their worth against larger schools.

Deleted member 236589 · Mar 14, 2017

EJ33 said:
Walker was very good in the post game presser. A refreshing new perspective.

I thought he held it together pretty well. It's also apparent that he doesn't want this attention, he is fully aware why he's in this position and that it's at his friend and close colleagues expense and he's holding it together for those kids. He's going to be just as happy when this is done and the next phase of this transition (whatever that will be) starts.

I don't envy Coach Walker at all right now. He gave Coach Groce the credit for the teams resiliency and toughness and continually stresses the "team" approach to coaching. It's obvious that he doesn't personally want to shoulder any of this and I don't blame him. Go out, have fun, enjoy each other, no pressure and whatever happens....Happens.

It's how I would have handled this. I think he knows he's a lame duck and he's been professional throughout.

GallopingGhost · Mar 14, 2017

EfremWinters84 said:
Two observations:

1. I must finally admit it. After 4 months of touting TJL for playing time over Tate, I have to acknowledge that TJL is not an A+ ballhandler. I've known it all year but I've been afraid to admit it. For a 4-star PG, his handles are perhaps a 7 out of 10.

I'll counter by saying

1. He's a freshman, and ball handling can be improved, it is a workable skill.

2. I'd much rather have a 10 out of 10 passer vision than handling. That is something that comes more instinctually and is equally (if not more) important.

3. I feel good to say we're safe at starting PG for the next 3 years

Deleted member 16340 · Mar 14, 2017

I hate ESPN. I wonder what their reasoning was for the switch?

Gunner23 · Mar 14, 2017

Ransom Stoddard said:
It's the NIT. We just fired the coach. Did you really expect people to turn out to watch a beatdown of a short-handed Valpo in the 1st round of the NIT?

First off, after last season's injury issues that the Illini went through, I'm not giving a rat's a$$ about poor little Valpo's short-handed roster... Not many let that excuse work for the Illini last season, so definitely not working in this case either...

Sure, WE just fired a coach. I would think that after getting what WE wanted (Groce fired), that WE (those in position to do so) would go out and support the PLAYERS who have suited up for US over the past several seasons. The lack of attendance is a slap in the face to those who suit up for US every single game. Sends a great message to those who may be deciding to suit up for us in the future. Seems like WE only show up when things are going well... I bleed Orange and Blue. That will never change. My kids were born in Florida and they bleed Illini Orange and Blue. My 15 year old daughter cried watching Malcolm's (her favorite player) Senior night interview, and she has only seen him play live twice in her lifetime (Emerald Coast Classic 2015). If we could have been there tonight, we would have been there to support the kids who have suited up for US over the past few seasons. My son is in 6th grade and wanted us to drive up from PC for tonight's game. Kind of sucks that pansies can't walk through the snow to support the kids and the program for the future. WE are actually in a coaching search...if we show some passion and love for the program right now, maybe we can convince a "homerun hire", that everyone on here feels that we deserve, to come coach our team back into relevance.

Sorry for the rant and not directed at you personally...just seems that now that we have gotten what we wanted (Groce gone), we are just turning our backs on the kids who have gone through much more than we have as fans. I really hope that the turnout is better for game 2, but not expecting it. We should give these players every bit of support and thanks that we can give to them. I know that it is "only the NIT", but these kids care and deserve for us to support them until this season ends.

My passion and love for my Alma Mater is as strong as ever. I am jealous that I don't have the opportunity to attend as many games as those who are closer to campus than I. But, I changed my work schedule to be sure to be home by 6pm to watch tonight's game. That's as much as I could give tonight. I hope that we win the NIT!

GO ILLINI!

:chief:

ballislife17 · Mar 15, 2017

CHI 1086 said:
I hate ESPN. I wonder what their reasoning was for the switch?

We got bumped up a spot after the Syracuse game got postponed.

I can understand the frustration with not getting to see the whole game, but you honestly didn't miss much. Yes, we won and played very well for stretches, but it was a very low intensity game that felt like it was over after the first 5-10 minutes.

Gunner23 · Mar 15, 2017

CHI 1086 said:
I hate ESPN. I wonder what their reasoning was for the switch?

The Syracuse game was rescheduled for tomorrow because of weather. I'm not sure that ESPN is powerful enough to order a Northeast winter storm at this present time...:thumb:

RockyMtnIllini81 · Mar 15, 2017

EfremWinters84 said:
Yep. Not only surprised, I'm totally shocked at the attendance. I probably would have guessed 12,000 to 13,500.

* I never missed a football or basketball game in 4-1/2 years of school. (Well maybe just 1 because of an exam).
* Our fraternity block couldn't get any closer than (the old) section B behind the basket.
* I recall when a local Champaign singer/song writer wrote an original song about our participation in the NIT......"All The Way to NYC".

I guess I'm just too absorbed in my alma mater's sports teams. Old School I guess.

Sounds like 1980 - I was there for 3 games at a packed Assembly Hall. We camped out for tickets. We crushed Loyola, beat ISU decisively and won a close one against Murray State to advance to NYC. It is a favorite sports memory after all these years, right up there with being in the stands in Chicago and St. Louis in 2005! :chief:

Poe's Law · Mar 15, 2017

champaignchris said:
That was a pretty depleted Valpo team. If anything, they might be mor deflated by how their season ended than the Illini were. Not surprised by the result.

Malcolm Hill has a real good chance to pass Dee for third on the all-time scoring list. Think he needs 12 or 13.

Good to see big Mike Thorne have a nice game.

8 to tie.

Deleted member 4960 · Mar 15, 2017

It was nice to see Thorne have a good game. I'm of the mind that Thorne should've had a few more minutes in the last eight games. No I'm not saying we should have played it but to not play at all and 8 games?

bleedsorangenblue · Mar 15, 2017

Good to have a fun game with some success. The players deserve to go out with some success. Echo the sentiments about how Walker has handled himself. Despite the poor turn out, the Hall looked pretty full on TV. Looks like the redesign has accomplished that goal. You could tell that it wasn't particularly loud. I can see how if some fans were expecting a repeat of our 2015 NIT performance that they might not bother to show. Unfortunately, the history has more chance of repeating itself than not. Once the team consistently competes and wins, the fans will return.

Deleted member 16340 · Mar 15, 2017

Gunner23 said:
The Syracuse game was rescheduled for tomorrow because of weather. I'm not sure that ESPN is powerful enough to order a Northeast winter storm at this present time...:thumb:

ESPN changed channels only. The game was at the same time. I guess that the main ESPN channel has more exposure, I'm guessing that the numbers weren't appreciably different. It's just another ESPN irritant.

Foggy Notion · Mar 15, 2017

Gunner23 said:
The Syracuse game was rescheduled for tomorrow because of weather. I'm not sure that ESPN is powerful enough to order a Northeast winter storm at this present time...:thumb:

They have enough power to choose not to switch the game to their other channel at the last minute.

IlliniinIowa · Mar 15, 2017

Gunner23 said:
First off, after last season's injury issues that the Illini went through, I'm not giving a rat's a$$ about poor little Valpo's short-handed roster... Not many let that excuse work for the Illini last season, so definitely not working in this case either...

Sure, WE just fired a coach. I would think that after getting what WE wanted (Groce fired), that WE (those in position to do so) would go out and support the PLAYERS who have suited up for US over the past several seasons. The lack of attendance is a slap in the face to those who suit up for US every single game. Sends a great message to those who may be deciding to suit up for us in the future. Seems like WE only show up when things are going well... I bleed Orange and Blue. That will never change. My kids were born in Florida and they bleed Illini Orange and Blue. My 15 year old daughter cried watching Malcolm's (her favorite player) Senior night interview, and she has only seen him play live twice in her lifetime (Emerald Coast Classic 2015). If we could have been there tonight, we would have been there to support the kids who have suited up for US over the past few seasons. My son is in 6th grade and wanted us to drive up from PC for tonight's game. Kind of sucks that pansies can't walk through the snow to support the kids and the program for the future. WE are actually in a coaching search...if we show some passion and love for the program right now, maybe we can convince a "homerun hire", that everyone on here feels that we deserve, to come coach our team back into relevance.

Sorry for the rant and not directed at you personally...just seems that now that we have gotten what we wanted (Groce gone), we are just turning our backs on the kids who have gone through much more than we have as fans. I really hope that the turnout is better for game 2, but not expecting it. We should give these players every bit of support and thanks that we can give to them. I know that it is "only the NIT", but these kids care and deserve for us to support them until this season ends.

My passion and love for my Alma Mater is as strong as ever. I am jealous that I don't have the opportunity to attend as many games as those who are closer to campus than I. But, I changed my work schedule to be sure to be home by 6pm to watch tonight's game. That's as much as I could give tonight. I hope that we win the NIT! GO ILLINI!

:congrats::congrats::congrats::congrats::congrats::congrats:

ray::congrats::congrats:

jmilt7 · Mar 17, 2017

EfremWinters84 said:
Two observations:

2. 4,700 people at SFC. Are you kidding me? What has our University become? 45,000 students on campus + season ticket holders + others in the surrounding area. Really??? 4700!?!?!? Is it spring break in C-U?

You might also notice that there are only 3 pages of comments for this game whereas there are usually at least 3 times that for regular season Big Ten games.

Illinois 82, Valparaiso 57 POSTGAME

Illinifan533

Deleted member 236589

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GallopingGhost

Deleted member 16340

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Gunner23

ballislife17

Gunner23

RockyMtnIllini81

Poe's Law

Deleted member 4960

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bleedsorangenblue

Deleted member 16340

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Foggy Notion

IlliniinIowa

jmilt7