Illinois 85, Texas 78 OT Postgame

Godard · Dec 6, 2022

aaeismacgychel said:
They were an absolute abysmal trainwreck tonight. Just inconsistent in what they were calling and then just making blatantly terrible calls with the game up for grabs. That said, I will give them credit for one thing. Those final 5minutes of OT, they just let the kids play and called a fair and consistent game. Almost like they decided, you know what, Texas, we gave you every opportunity to win this game in regulation and you didn't take it, you have to win it on your own now.

Regarding terrible calls: we would have won in regulation if they got the call right on goaltending before review.

amillini#2 · Dec 6, 2022

illinitiger said:
Who called pregame for Mayer with breakout? alot of contributions at key times by many. In end our D and stopping turnovers were key to our game recovery.

Stop the turnovers, make FTs....
and we will compete with anyone.

We ‘will’ compete with anyone? Just took down #2 on a neutral court; think we are there (and haven’t even reached our ceiling to your point).

Fighter of the Nightman · Dec 6, 2022

This performance didn’t even scratch the surface of this team’s potential, with subpar shooting and mental mistakes … and we beat #2 on national TV at The Mecca. Because we are TOUGH!

I love this squad.

TGB · Dec 6, 2022

eas23 said:
Ya'll, we just played like a B- game and beat the #2 ranked team.

Hold on to your butts.

Yep. Not our A game, and we pull it out. Scary what this team could become.

dwpittman · Dec 6, 2022

Manual3for4peat said:
This team man. Here’s what’s scary. I don’t think we are even clicking together yet. This is all talent and heart. Wait until these kids start getting used to playing together.

Absolutely. There are a lot of iso-ball and otherwise lackluster possessions. And we still beat number two on a neutral court. Noice!

DB11Headband · Dec 6, 2022

The staff loved these freshmen from Day 1 and rightfully so. Going to be a special class when it’s all said and done.

Really impressed by TSJ and RJ’s responses to slow starts tonight. Getting those two to play at a high level in tandem takes this team to a new level.

This team is nowhere near its ceiling. What a year ahead this will be.

CleverHandle1 · Dec 6, 2022

DB11Headband said:
The staff loved these freshmen from Day 1 and rightfully so. Going to be a special class when it’s all said and done.

Really impressed by TSJ and RJ’s responses to slow starts tonight. Getting those two to play at a high level in tandem takes this team to a new level.

This team is nowhere near its ceiling. What a year ahead this will be.

View attachment 21977

I made a comment about RJ not being ready against better competition--I am glad he's proving me wrong!

Can't wait 'til Goode gets in the groove, draining key three pointers and outhustling his opponent on the defensive end.

Manual3for4peat · Dec 6, 2022

State of Chicago said:
Seriously? Are we back to slamming Damonte Williams? Come on man. He gave us everything he had for 5 years. I’m so tired of the way our fans treat DMW. He was perfect at his role. Did whatever the team needed and did it selflessly. Not the most talented player we’ve ever had, but hard working and a great teammate. Not to mention that he is the son of one of our all time greats. Can we all just cut it out with the Damonte bashing?

That’s not a slam. It’s a compliment. Good lord.

illini0440 · Dec 6, 2022

Brad is the biggest competitor I’ve ever seen. The players take his attitude. It might not always be pretty but we’re gonna fight cause that’s what Brad is about.

The Galloping Ghost · Dec 6, 2022

TSJ had 0 points in the first half. He had 4 points in the second half. He singlehandedly outscored Texas in overtime with 12 to finish with 16. That's how you keep fighting and make your mark even after a slow start.

bavanga3 · Dec 6, 2022

Chad Fleck said:
So, about that Hawkins goal tend. Here is what I saw:

1. Hawkins missed the ball when trying to block it (I saw no evidence that he touched it, including the ball not changing rotation).
2. His hand then hit the backboard.
3. The ball was on the rim/hitting the backboard at that point.
4. Is this not a goal tend? You can't slap the backboard when the ball is in the air towards the hoop and certainly not when the ball is on the rim/backboard.

I wish they would get on the mic and explain, like football (and now baseball). I suspect that was the final call.

Now, if he hit the ball, then there was no goal tend. But I saw no evidence of that.

You're allowed to hit the backboard trying to block the ball. It was just a blown call, simple as that. If the backboard is hit so belligerently that it affects the shot, the refs can call a tech. Its a weird rule from what I've seen.

GrayGhost77 · Dec 6, 2022

Dan said:
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1600338709814988800

I agree about not eating kids. (punctuation matters)

Illinirog70 · Dec 6, 2022

Orangetool said:
Cool to see how Harris always affects the game when he comes in.

We will be glad he plays for us in coming years, just glovelike defense.

not being able to play in the Maryland game probably cost us the win. Two steals would have won that one too. Every freshman brings an A game every night. Every one contributed...

jumpingjack · Dec 6, 2022

This was a special win. And as a fanbase, we've been inundated with them for the last few years under Coach.
Appreciate these moments!

illinifreak30 · Dec 6, 2022

State of Chicago said:
Seriously? Are we back to slamming Damonte Williams? Come on man. He gave us everything he had for 5 years. I’m so tired of the way our fans treat DMW. He was perfect at his role. Did whatever the team needed and did it selflessly. Not the most talented player we’ve ever had, but hard working and a great teammate. Not to mention that he is the son of one of our all time greats. Can we all just cut it out with the Damonte bashing?

That wasn’t bashing

Orangetool · Dec 6, 2022

Epps is just deadly.

The icewater is Ayoesque.

Manual3for4peat · Dec 6, 2022

illinifreak30 said:
That wasn’t bashing

For real. Kid could shoot the ball. He was unselfish and more than willing to play an important role for a two time B1G champion. How would you think that was an insult?

InDaAZ · Dec 6, 2022

List of 6’10” guys who can play all over the court for 42 productive minutes:

1. Coleman Hawkins, Illinois

Manual3for4peat · Dec 6, 2022

InDaAZ said:
List of 6’10” guys who can play all over the court for 42 productive minutes:
1. Coleman Hawkins, Illinois

This is why he’s an NBA player imo. Insane motor and skills at that size.

jumpingjack · Dec 6, 2022

illini0440 said:
Brad is the biggest competitor I’ve ever seen. The players take his attitude. It might not always be pretty but we’re gonna fight cause that’s what Brad is about.

That's what I love about him. You don't have to be a bunch of five stars but you will work your @ss off on defense. Total junkyard dog mentality paired with great talent evaluation, recruiting, hiring, motivation, and building to the future.
Kudos to Josh for the hire but damn, Brad is a star.

Rich · Dec 6, 2022

aaeismacgychel said:
I don't agree with this. His defense alone is as clutch as it comes in late game situations. Yes, he definitely makes very frustrating decisions on offense at times, but throughout all of the 2000s, he would probably be on my list of the 5 players I'd want on the court if we need a defensive stop in the final minute of a one-possession game. His defense was huge in getting us to OT and a big reason why we won in OT. The question for him will be can he get past the mental lapses that blow possession or put three point shooters at the line.

You're right. His defense is solid and I won't disagree there.

InDaAZ said:
A look at this dude’s past posts shows his anti-CoHawk flag flies proudly.
To each his own, I guess…
Some people see an entirely different game than I do.

I just get frustrated with his offensive decision making often at very specific times (clutch times) in my personal opinion.

But I guess I'm nitpicking at a win vs #2 team in the country so I should just be happy.

Manual3for4peat · Dec 6, 2022

Rich said:
You're right. His defense is solid and I won't disagree there.

I just get frustrated with his offensive decision making often at very specific times (clutch times) in my personal opinion.

But I guess I'm nitpicking at a win vs #2 team in the country so I should just be happy.

You gotta look at how many teams would kill to have a 6 foot 10 kid that can initiate the offense, guard the other teams best player, and not get tired. Coleman is a monster.

1970 John · Dec 6, 2022

Did I hear one of the announcer guys say when Texas had a ten point lead, Brad told the team we have them right where we want them?

hoopsfan47 · Dec 6, 2022

jumpingjack said:
He hit it as close to contemporaneous to it hitting the backboard as it gets. If the officials hadn't initially called it a goal tend, it would've never been overturn. Just a bad initial instinct by the ref but understandable in real time I guess.

Agree. Can't really fault the official on that call...none of us could really tell anything different one way or another while watching video replay in slow motion. As tough of a call as there ever will be in real time...and slo-mo proved just as difficult.

Bbuck21 · Dec 6, 2022

Chad Fleck said:
So, about that Hawkins goal tend. Here is what I saw:

1. Hawkins missed the ball when trying to block it (I saw no evidence that he touched it, including the ball not changing rotation).
2. His hand then hit the backboard.
3. The ball was on the rim/hitting the backboard at that point.
4. Is this not a goal tend? You can't slap the backboard when the ball is in the air towards the hoop and certainly not when the ball is on the rim/backboard.

I wish they would get on the mic and explain, like football (and now baseball). I suspect that was the final call.

Now, if he hit the ball, then there was no goal tend. But I saw no evidence of that.

Every replay I saw showed he touched/blocked that shot. Bilas said he blocked it. I'm not sure what happened after, but he got that ball before it hit the backboard.