The Illini knew exactly how to attack Western, having Ty and Domask working inside 10 feet. They took away Western’s shot blocking strength. Western is athletic, but not skilled offensively, so this game went the way it should have.
Illinois 84, Western Illinois 52 Postgame
Could have sworn that was MJ out there tonight.
I think him scoring is kind of key. He really doesn't have to be able to shoot but gotta be a threat to score inside so you can draw help defenders on drives.
Would you rather fight 50 duck-sized Dainjas or one Dainja-sized duck?
Depends on what sets those 50 ducks are running.
DGL and Amani are going to be really good next year. Right now, DGL is a willing defender but just not big enough to punish screens. He also seems to be forcing the outside shot when he has the athleticism and speed to get downhill to the basket at will. I really like his game, just needs a full Fletch-season for the B1G.
Amani has a gorgeous jumper but when he catches it on the block, he looks like he's massively overthinking it. 90% of his low post moves this year look forced and awkward. Defensively and rebounding wise, he's ready. Once his confidence on offense matches his skills, he's going to be a problem.
It was really nice to see the crowd show up tonight, I was not expecting the turnout we got.
Amani has a gorgeous jumper but when he catches it on the block, he looks like he's massively overthinking it. 90% of his low post moves this year look forced and awkward. Defensively and rebounding wise, he's ready. Once his confidence on offense matches his skills, he's going to be a problem.
It was really nice to see the crowd show up tonight, I was not expecting the turnout we got.
[I did not get a chance to watch the game.]
According to the stats, Harmon had the best +/- per minute. What else was happening while Harmon was on the court?
Of the four Illini who shot free throws, Dainja was the best. Is that a good thing or bad?
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
The audio is not as before , to me.....Even sounds like BU's microphone isn't even turned on.......guess my old age is finally catching up with me.............huh , did you say something ???..................
I am..............therefore , I am , I think..........................We are all magnetic ink...................................we really really are...................
Nuns vs. Huns...............................Go Huns.......................I really really mean it...................
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Illinois basketball team coasts by Western Illinois
Terrence Shannon Jr. had 19 points and six made 3s.
blackdog
- Champaign
He played good defense and was his usual junkyard dog self. It's becoming a narrative that he's a bad defender just like Ty isn't a good PG.
Was thinking this yesterday before the game… and this point solidifies it for me: why isn’t Domask playing “point-forward” vs Ty? Domask obviously takes care of the ball, and has tons of experience and bbiq. But more importantly, his game is just fine being primarily outside the arc. Seems to me you could still get your best five on the floor, but make better use of Ty’s strengths by having Marcus run the offense and Ty closer to the hoop.
I also think that when CH is back, Ty should always be on the floor with CH (to compensate for the fact that CH is a big who prefers to play 28 feet from the basket on offense), and then Ty should rest when Dainja is in (because they both don’t need to be defended more than 10 feet from the hoop, and also both can’t shoot FTs).
Great game…love the focus on getting into the lane. Opens up so much.
Question for those in the know: Hansberry has not looked very good this year…doesn’t have athletic explosiveness, plays below the rim, and seems to be overthinking. I know he’s a freshman so a lot of that is to be expected. My question is what should expectations for him be long-term? Does he have the skill-set to be a solid B1G player?
Question for those in the know: Hansberry has not looked very good this year…doesn’t have athletic explosiveness, plays below the rim, and seems to be overthinking. I know he’s a freshman so a lot of that is to be expected. My question is what should expectations for him be long-term? Does he have the skill-set to be a solid B1G player?
We should get nuggets for that!
illini55
- The Villages, FL
I’m not in the know but 100% he will be a solid big ten player. For premium members on 247 Mike LaTulip does film breakdowns (they’re great, worth the $$) and recently did one on how solid Amani has been defensively and how he has instincts you can’t teach.
He will never wind up on sport center top 10, but will stuff the stat sheet. He’s just a little sped up right now but I think as soon as next year you can mark him down for 12 and 7.
Rogers is the best surprise this season so much negativity regarding him as “point forward.” But the narrative hasn’t played out. He reminds me a lot of the “point forward” the Nicks used to have Anthony Mason. Though I’m sure multiple Bulls fans hated him, Mason was a very productive player and was able to cause extreme match up problems for opponents which I think Rogers is doing for the Illini this year and he really is steady with the ball and a good passer. Only complaint is he sometimes doesn’t look before throwing some of his passes, but that is coachable. The skills are there.
I have zero complaints about DGL, and I'm optimistic he will contribute this year. He's currently 8th in minutes, and I can't think of a mistake he's made that I thought was all that bad. I would agree he's taken more 3s than I'd like, but for the most part, they've been in rhythm AFAICT. In this time of older players with the portal and covid year, I think he's shown he can compete for minutes even as a freshman, at least given the situation we have at PG. I keep worrying about the inevitable: close games in conference where we absolutely need a baller that can hit FTs to close it out.
His athleticism is impressive, which is fun to watch as a fan. He and TSJ are really high level athletes. Really hope he's ok with his role and earns his minutes. Another Epps situation would be really disappointing.
Couldn't agree more. He looks like the game is going to fast for him right now --they're probably throwing a lot at him. But the talent is there. Not sure when it will happen, but I think his ceiling is high.
I agree. I thought he was fine last night and his defense wasn’t bad.
DGL looked good on offense but his defense is pretty bad.
I was watching Amani in warmups before the game & he was hitting 3 point shot after 3 point shot. He has a good looking stroke for a big guy. When the confidence in that shot shows up in games, he will be a monster.
While it's great that he has some length on his jumper, I want to see a guy(s) who can/will get into the lane and finish strong(no more missed layups), be able to be consistent from the foul line extended, then be a rim protector on the defensive side. We haven't had a guy like that since.....??
Oh I agree, I think he's going to be spectacular.