This Illinois team reminds me of the Bulls with Michael Jordan - in a way. The Bulls would play around with their opponents and fall behind until it got critical, and then they'd hit the Boost button and blow by the other team for the win. We have the potential to do more but we don't seem to be able to turn it on until we really need it. We'll have to hit the boost button sooner once we get to IA State. Our depth is a huge advantage. We can bring in fresh guys in the second half and hardly skip a beat.
Illinois 85, Morehead State 69 Postgame
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Dra’s mom seems to be getting on board with Illinois!
Wow, I congratulated him but didn’t realize it was this amazing. He looked spectacular today
Fans are fans—but are classy/not classy. No excuse. The band is…an official representation of the university. They aren’t impartial but they do bear the imprimatur of the institution.
That said, I only heard in once over the TV. Was it done repeatedly or were they told to quit? And that said, who told the band that was the “thing to do” anyways?
That said, I only heard in once over the TV. Was it done repeatedly or were they told to quit? And that said, who told the band that was the “thing to do” anyways?
Just remembering too when Terrence dove on the floor for that loose ball and then threw it off the Morehead St player's leg to get the ball possession back had to be one of my favorite plays I've seen in a long time. That's your star player diving and going after the ball like that in the 1st half. If that doesn't get you fired up and wanting to give maximum effort for your teammates, I don't know what does. I don't pretend to know Terrence's personal life and don't want to speculate any further on the allegations but man is he one unselfish player on that basketball court
Goode's D was solid on Minix in the 2nd half. Pretty much held him in check. Best D he's played in some time.
I trash Goode's defense nonstop, but he did great today. He played awesome.
blackdog
- Champaign
That play is going to be on highlight reels for years to come. Just absolutely epic effort to get possession back.
biglug58
- Chicago, IL
My favorite play since Feliz ripping the ball away from Iowa frontcourt stiffs
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
"We made a very good Illinois team play a totally different way than they have played over the past 20-some games to beat us."
That is truly a win-win statement. Now let's go impose our will on Duquesne so we have a night off from adaptation.
Goode was excellent..Minix didn't really know what to do when Goode was on him. He looked like he couldn't decide whether to drive him or shoot over him.
IlliniRunIn07
- Tampa, FL
Just wanted to add that I had the pleasure of meeting a couple of Dain’s cousins immediately after the game and they were both so proud and excited for him, and rightfully so!
Exactly why we look like a second half team. Team is in better shape than opponents
InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
Yes, I could watch this a thousand times:
These highlights aren’t too bad either:
InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
blackdog
- Champaign
That second one needs to be in the hall of fame for big man crossovers. Absolute filth.
TSJ is such a special player. Obviously there are elements of the story which are yet to be settled, but you could write a very compelling book detailing the saga of him coming to and playing for Illinois.
I don't think we, as fans, can fairly claim that the basketball gods still look down on us with disfavor...not with the incredible, unlikely, unprecedented way he was able to return to the team. The impacts of that still-mind-blowing decision have been enormous already, but could prove to be much more so.
What a ride we're on, Illini faithful. Soak it up!
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Illinois tops Morehead State behind Shannon, Dainja in NCAA Tournament first round
Terrence Shannon Jr. and Dain Dainja starred as Illinois used a big second half run to comfortable avoid an upset.
I live in South Carolina so don't get to see many games. Can anyone explain to me how Dain is not more impactful during the season? I don't see many guys that big with as much skill as he has. Very old school talent post moves. Reminds me of Akeem and he can use the glass like Pippen. So confused by him.
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