Illinois 85, Michigan 69 POSTGAME
From Brad Sturdy re: the last 7 games for Lucas:
I feel a lot better about this team, but I'm even more skeptical of Groce's coaching ability. I don't think he has an intuitive bone in his body. I get the sense he's made all his lineup decisions before tonight off of an Excel spreadsheet full of practice stats.
I feel a lot better about this team, but I'm even more skeptical of Groce's coaching ability. I don't think he has an intuitive bone in his body. I get the sense he's made all his lineup decisions before tonight off of an Excel spreadsheet full of practice stats.
It is just one game. Good progress, but need to clean up lots of things. Michigan won the turnover battle and shot over 50%. That typically leads to a loss.
I'm a Kipper fan. He's a junkyard dog with skills
Iowa has a worse defense. Michigan and Indiana are comparable. I think everyone is understating how we took a good offensive team out of rhythm early and just kept pushing it. Particularly following the foul and technical foul.
I agree with everyone that Lucas adds so much to the offense and we always knew that Groce needed a point guard. As much as I hope he stays, don't forget that he was/has been unable to recruit point guards and centers. Until he consistently lands some, we are still a bubble team
Took him long enough. We've been clamoring for more TJL and less Tate since literally game two or three.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
Not by any measure.
We didn't take them out of rhythm until the T, which was at 3:18 remaining in the first half. The lead was back and forth several times before that.
Seriously makes no sense
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
Best ball movement I've seen from the Illini in . . . well, I can't remember how long. That's how long that has been.
Saw multiple people moving at the same time regularly. That, too, was refreshing.
Good aggressiveness. It led to a few mistakes, but it led to more buckets.
Did we shoot better (lots better !) because we played harder or did we just have "that game"? We'll have a better idea on that issue soon.
A fairly quiet game for MH offensively, but he never seemed to let that affect him.
A little surprised that Thorne didn't get any minutes. I wanted him to play less, but 0 minutes is not the goal. We'll need him.
Can't wait for the students to come back. Hate watching the Krush sit on those seats. They are only there for spacing, not for sitting.
Saw multiple people moving at the same time regularly. That, too, was refreshing.
Good aggressiveness. It led to a few mistakes, but it led to more buckets.
Did we shoot better (lots better !) because we played harder or did we just have "that game"? We'll have a better idea on that issue soon.
A fairly quiet game for MH offensively, but he never seemed to let that affect him.
A little surprised that Thorne didn't get any minutes. I wanted him to play less, but 0 minutes is not the goal. We'll need him.
Can't wait for the students to come back. Hate watching the Krush sit on those seats. They are only there for spacing, not for sitting.
What an enjoyable game to watch! I know we were hot from 3, but this was a nice effort. Better movement, better defense, better sense of urgency, and better run floor between TJL and TA.
I hope this is a pivot for the team. 1 game does not make a trend --we need to see if these guys grow together when they get punched in the jaw.
I hope this is a pivot for the team. 1 game does not make a trend --we need to see if these guys grow together when they get punched in the jaw.
I remember the fans going thru this with Nunn and Hill their freshman year
They still shot 52%!!! I am not trying to discount the moves Groce made or the win...I am thrilled, but we didn't shut them down. Most of the time you lose if a team shoots that well.
Legion had a few good games with us
I'm a Groce fan and always have been. But it is definitely a trend with him playing seniority over talent - especially in the first half of a season.
Looks to me like guys are getting the chance to play when they've proven they're ready to play.
The 2 times I saw him in HS, that's the way he played. Just has a nose for scoring. I wasn't even surprised by the 3 tonight as he has that potential, too.
sacraig
- The desert
I believe he had 8, according to ESPN.
MrOizo
- Chicago
Well said, agreed.
Deleted member 4960
D
Guest
Nice to see JCL really getting into his groove like las year. If we could get Abrams to pick it up offensively and continue to improve on defense we could make it this year.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
I think you are right about that. When they have proven it.
But if he had taken the chance and given them time earlier in the year, they would be even better now. Just another example of the contrast between Izzo and JG. Izzo will play anyone in the non-con and his teams are better for it in March. JG won't play anyone until they force him to and we don't have the same pace of improvement.
And I in no way mean to imply that you were thinking that JG's style on this point is correct or incorrect. Just my observation.
Hot shooting Illini: FG%=64.2%, 3FG%=64.3%. Led in all stats except steals, them=6, us=3; tied for FT%=80%
Now, keep it up and win 2 B1G games in a row!
http://www.fightingillini.com/documents/2017/1/11/GM17_Illinois_Michigan_Box.pdf
Now, keep it up and win 2 B1G games in a row!
http://www.fightingillini.com/documents/2017/1/11/GM17_Illinois_Michigan_Box.pdf
Great game by our guys. Hopefully we can string together some good performances. Unfortunately we aren't going to shoot like that most of the time. Let's go get Maryland!
What??? Groce was backed into a corner by the blowouts and had to play Kipper and Lucas. That's crystal clear.