Future Walk-On
- Peoria, IL
Illinois 84, Purdue 70 POSTGAME
ChazzReinhold
Mom! The Meatloaf!
Just stop. This was a great win and if you can't understand how these results aren't consistent with the injuries sustained I suggest you examine your cognitive reasoning.
Huge game obviously. Bigger game from a RPI/KenPom standpoint. UI goes from 126 yesterday to 97. Many have talked about the PU defense rating. It is not #1 anymore. Also PU drops from 4 to 13. For all the talk about this team you have to remember they have played the 31st SOS which is stronger than any other B1G team and stronger than most power conference teams. They have fought throw a gauntlet so far this season and are still fighting. This schedule wasn't built for a team with the injury concerns they have had to deal with. I think they have generally fought very well given the circumstance (probably with the exception of a few games).
The one thing I really like that I don't think was evident in previous seasons is that this truly feels like a team. I don't watch them and think the team is all about getting player X stats. As long as they keep playing like a team and giving good effort they can turn the season around. Closing it out with a 10-5 run is not outside the realm of possibility.
The one thing I really like that I don't think was evident in previous seasons is that this truly feels like a team. I don't watch them and think the team is all about getting player X stats. As long as they keep playing like a team and giving good effort they can turn the season around. Closing it out with a 10-5 run is not outside the realm of possibility.
Malcolm's best all-around game, all facets, and the new-Daddy wasn't far behind. Superb defensive game plan. Finke and Mav hitting their shots was a big deal, helping to draw out their bigs and opening things up for drives by Nunn and Hill. Nunn's start to the 2nd half was huge, and though I thought we collectively had the mental state this game not to give up the lead, I breathed a sigh of relief when they made that late call on DJW and not KN (both fouled I think, but DJ fouled first). Liked seeing AJ get a start and DJW getting PT and Lewis' play too. Good experience for Finke to defend PU's monsters, though he certainly needed the doubles and triples we threw at them. Starting to think Nunn and Hill are getting that veteran we're-not-losing-at-our house mentality. Kudos to Groce and the lads for an excellent win.
First game I've been able to attend all year. Looks like I picked the right one.
Purdue just didn't have the athletes to guard both Hill and Nunn. They could shut down one for a bit, but the other would go off. They had to double one or the other, but couldn't double both. Purdue had a lot of size, but not much else.
Hill had it going on, on the left baseline. If they cut him off, he either pulled up a drilled a mid-ranger, or dribbled to his right and bounced passed to Mav coming down the lane.
Nunn had that vicious slam, but my favorite play from him was when Hill was taking a breather. Purdue was in man. The other four Illini went to the four corners and Nunn just took his man one-on-one, making a layup like he wasn't guarded.
Purdue just didn't have the athletes to guard both Hill and Nunn. They could shut down one for a bit, but the other would go off. They had to double one or the other, but couldn't double both. Purdue had a lot of size, but not much else.
Hill had it going on, on the left baseline. If they cut him off, he either pulled up a drilled a mid-ranger, or dribbled to his right and bounced passed to Mav coming down the lane.
Nunn had that vicious slam, but my favorite play from him was when Hill was taking a breather. Purdue was in man. The other four Illini went to the four corners and Nunn just took his man one-on-one, making a layup like he wasn't guarded.
[YOUTUBE]55KYLLzbSK4[/YOUTUBE]
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
I still think Black should redshirt this year unless he's due to come back in one of the next few games. He would be stronger as a 5th year by far than a hobbled part year as a sophomore.
illinitrav
- NW Suburbs
If you're gonna redshirt one of them I'd rather it be Thorne.
Great game. Upset I did not make the trip to see the game in person today. Hopefully that will boost the boys' confidence.
All starts with defensive energy and effort. I'll be there for Nebraska!
All starts with defensive energy and effort. I'll be there for Nebraska!
IlliniDent
- Chicago, IL
Black is a sure thing, Thorne isn't however.
I had this chalked up as a W, still predicting a 14 win campaign but i like how this team is gaining confidence. You can tell they're working hard between games and trying to get better, were still not a good team because of various issues, but there's hope that the future is not lost.
HoopCity
- Huntsville, AL
I would redshirt Black if that is what you want to do. I want both back this year,
Thorne would use up a scholarship for next year if he stays and we need that for Harry Froling, Black will be using one no matter if he plays or not.
HoopCity
- Huntsville, AL
All I can say is WOW! Nunn and Hill that's the best scoring guard combo the Illini have ever had. ������️
Bite your tongue !!
Deleted member 11241
D
Guest
Great effort and great win!!! This team needed that. I think the fanbase did too!! Keep it up boys. Of all the positives to take from this game, I am especially glad to see DJW getting valuable experience. He seems to be getting better. Still making freshmen mistakes, but that drive and dunk was a thing of beauty. This freshmen class has the potential to do something great. Anyone that thinks the future doesn't look bright is crazy. I feel better about the future of this program than I have in a long time. Go Illini
Kipper Nichols looks like a man!!!
Define campaign...is that 14 wins for season...or B10 campaign?
(which would be far from " tempered expectations"
Very proud of the way the boys came to play tonight. The way they came out of the locker room to start the 2nd half was awesome. Hill and Nunn are an unreal duo. If they can get Black and or Thorne healthy this team could really improve as the season goes on. Wasn't expecting a W tonight. Really happy the hard work tonight got rewarded with a victory. Loved seeing Hill run point a bit tonight. Hopefully this will be the start of a midseason winning streak and props to Groce. Waiting this time for Black to be fully healthy and not pushing Thorne to get back early could really pay off late and also the freshman are getting really quality minutes and getting better. Much better feeling after tonights game than Thursday. Week off for practice then go shuck some Corn!
ILLINIWEK86
Dick Vitale walks into a bar..
- Fisher
What a great game to watch in person. It was even sweeter considering there was an entire family of Boilermaker fans sitting behind me and a fellow poster. We were on our feet most of the night, and they ended up moving a few seats down so they could watch their Boilermakers get owned. I'll be thirty at the end of the month, but when they guys kid behind us said "Dad, who is Lou Henson?" I felt pretty aged.
Go Illini!
Go Illini!
I loved the fact we actually tried fronting the post instead of just letting guys catch and back us down and shoot over us. Great move because most college players I have watched are not good at throwing the lob pass. Wrong technique is almost always used on the pass, unfortunately by our guys as well. Great move by the staff!
Jabber Jabber
- Champaign, IL
College basketball is a guard's game, and Illinois certainly has much better guards than Purdue. I thought Illinois could hang with Purdue just from the sheer fact of the three-point advantage. Would have never guessed a double-digit win!