Illinois 86, Kansas City 48 Postgame

#52      
Strongly disagree....Williams could hit a pretty high percentage from the FT line DD MAY SURPASS Williams in offensive contribution before he is done, but he is horrendous at FTs. He could improve overnight if he would square to the basket, get the ball and his eyes stationery before the lift, and start his lift from the chest rather than around the knees. With his touch, a couple of other adjustments and he could be 70 % or more He would be so valuable in crunch time if he could make FTs but he will never see the floor in the last 4 min. of a tight game as every coach in the country would have him shooting FTs and not layups. Hope someone can coach him up on Free Throw shooting...and fast.

But don't mistake what I am saying. DD is as skilled offensively as any frosh big the Illini have had in a long time. What is really good is there is no need to work him into the starting lineup as he needs to be on the floor with the other bench players as he makes that bunch pretty darned good as a unit. He makes them just about as big a threat to score as the starting five as well as being the rim protector on a very good defensive bench team. Those frosh seem to be bonding into a unit and doing their thing very well in giving the starters a blow. You can throw any starter in with them and they would likely be a top 5 B1G team. The balance, effort and attitude they bring really makes this TEAM potentially elite. Love what I have seen so far.

Luke Goode....get well sooner!!!! Zach Perrin come on down!!!
Williams shot 53% from the line his entire career at Purdue. The only reason it was even that high is because he shot 59.7% his senior season which was by far his best season.
 
#56      
Man.......even if dain is gonna give us half this production all year/big10 play that would be a big boost

And to think, we couldhave him 2 more full years after this?
 
#57      
Strongly disagree....Williams could hit a pretty high percentage from the FT line DD MAY SURPASS Williams in offensive contribution before he is done, but he is horrendous at FTs. He could improve overnight if he would square to the basket, get the ball and his eyes stationery before the lift, and start his lift from the chest rather than around the knees. With his touch, a couple of other adjustments and he could be 70 % or more He would be so valuable in crunch time if he could make FTs but he will never see the floor in the last 4 min. of a tight game as every coach in the country would have him shooting FTs and not layups. Hope someone can coach him up on Free Throw shooting...and fast.

But don't mistake what I am saying. DD is as skilled offensively as any frosh big the Illini have had in a long time. What is really good is there is no need to work him into the starting lineup as he needs to be on the floor with the other bench players as he makes that bunch pretty darned good as a unit. He makes them just about as big a threat to score as the starting five as well as being the rim protector on a very good defensive bench team. Those frosh seem to be bonding into a unit and doing their thing very well in giving the starters a blow. You can throw any starter in with them and they would likely be a top 5 B1G team. The balance, effort and attitude they bring really makes this TEAM potentially elite. Love what I have seen so far.

Luke Goode....get well sooner!!!! Zach Perrin come on down!!!

Huh? Williams shot like 50% for his career on fts though ?
 
#58      
I think having coachBB around is improving the quality of the questions asked by our reporters. Great questions to Coach Underwood and legit ,honest, sincere answers. Dain will be here more than 2 years, bigMan will have to find a jumper and free throws. Great upside, my goodness hasn't played in 3 falls.
 
#59      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky

Erik Hall
Former Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball coach Bruce Weber returned to Champaign on Friday night. It was his first time at the State Farm Center since he was the Illini head coach from 2003-12.
Weber, who was back as a broadcaster for Big Ten Network, was introduced to the crowd during a timeout with 11:42 left in the first half.
The Illini crowd gave Weber a standing ovation.

"It's special," Weber said on the Big Ten Network broadcast immediately after the ovation. "Obviously our nine years, the '05 team — one of the best in the history of the NCAA Tournament. No matter where I went, overseas, wherever ... people know it and still talk about it. It's so special to be back, and to be recognized like that, I really appreciate it."
 
#60      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky

Erik Hall
The Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team celebrated its 2021-22 Big Ten championship prior to Friday's game against Kansas City.
Illinois captured the Big Ten regular season championship last season by finishing 15-5 in the conference.
Kofi Cockburn, Trent Frazier, Alfonso Plummer and Da'Monte Williams were the veteran stars of the team, and though they left the program after last season, they all returned Friday night.

Players and staff received championship rings handed out by Illini head coach Brad Underwood. At the end of the ring ceremony, an orange banner was unveiled celebrating the Big Ten title.
 
#61      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky

By Anderson Kimball Decatur (Ill.) Herald & Review
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois had a rough offensive start, but Dain Dainja came in with a spark.
Dainja had 20 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks off the bench, and despite starting 1-for-18 from the field, Illinois beat Kansas City 86-48 on Friday.
The rough start meant the Roos got off to an early 9-5 lead, but then Dainja emerged off the bench. He had five rebounds in his first three minutes, and an offensive board and an and-1 put the Illini within one with 12:04 left in the first.

Matthew Mayer hit a 3 soon after, and Illinois never trailed from then on.
Dainja has been active on the glass to start the season with 25 boards in 39 minutes so far.
He played the fifth-most minutes on the team with 23. Dainja and Jayden Epps were on the floor for the majority of a 34-14 run to end the half that saw the Illini go up 16 at the break. Illinois finished that half making 11-of-16 after the rough start from the field.
Dainja offered rim protection as well with five blocks, punctuating a sequence where Coleman Hawkins had a breakaway dunk before Dainja swatted away a layup on the other end. Dainja had a team-high 13 points in the second half while the Illini held on comfortably to the finish and gave freshmen a good chunk of minutes.
 
#62      
As someone already posted, we’ve yet to play a team that has the same type of talent we do, so hard to draw too many conclusions. I will say that a shooting stretch like we had the first 10 minutes or so against a lalentrd team would have led to a 15 point deficit rather than a 2 point lead.

Positive highlights for me were that Daun continues to impress. Hasn’t done it against a BIG-caliber big yet so stats might not remain as dazzling, but I think he will be just fine. Liked that RJ was more aggressive on O and used the other parts of his game to get going. Never fully got there, but headed in right direction. And Epps played much better.

As to people on here thinking Weber did a good job, I guess what they mean is he spent 70% of broadcast talking about Illini history and last year or saying positive things about the current squad. He gets a pass because it was his first game back in Champaign in that role and BIG listeners don’t care about Kansas City. But otherwise he was mediocre at best. And if he gives that performance in a broadcast against another BIG team or other talented opponent, it will be a notch or two below mediocre. Could you imagine the comments on here if say Robbie Hummel spent as much time talking about Purdue history during an Illini-Purdue game?
 
#63      
This of course is the proper take on the team to date. They have not faced any team with equal size, athleticism, or talent and will lose the battle at the free throw line with good teams.

But, it is a terrific foundation from which to build. It has also been comforting and entertaining to see this team of newcomers work together and show their skills and team play....and they do have that. Some great match-up games are coming soon enough and then we will see if the superlatives and praise are as abundant. Meanwhile, learn to make free throws!!!!!!
Agree that ft shooting is a concern
 
#64      
Dain showed great skills as a HS player. What he didn’t show in the video I’ve seen is a motor or defense. May be a Fletch retrofit as a result of his conditioning. Also read somewhere that he has a 7’8” wingspan. Not Kofi’s height but has his reach.
Really think it going to be nine men rotating but will vary from game to game. May be difficult to reach individual awards with different hero’s night to night.
 
#65      
Dain showed great skills as a HS player. What he didn’t show in the video I’ve seen is a motor or defense. May be a Fletch retrofit as a result of his conditioning. Also read somewhere that he has a 7’8” wingspan. Not Kofi’s height but has his reach.
Really think it going to be nine men rotating but will vary from game to game. May be difficult to reach individual awards with different hero’s night to night.
7'6" wingspan
 
#67      

illini80

Forgottonia
Dain showed great skills as a HS player. What he didn’t show in the video I’ve seen is a motor or defense. May be a Fletch retrofit as a result of his conditioning. Also read somewhere that he has a 7’8” wingspan. Not Kofi’s height but has his reach.
Really think it going to be nine men rotating but will vary from game to game. May be difficult to reach individual awards with different hero’s night to night.
I’ve been impressed with his effort also. As with everyone, until we face tougher competition it’s hard to know what these guys really are, but we certainly get after it. TSJ seems to be the guy who sets the tone and is the leader of this team.
 
#68      
Everyone keeps discounting how good the Roo's are, they have Hakeem the Dream's son and he never got of the bench. That's depth, but seriously not sure how many teams will be able to keep up with our defensive pressure as we continue to play control chaos.
 
#69      
Nice win - we’re seeing what Dainja and Eposncsn do which is great

I’ll admit when I heard Weber was doing the game I cringed- both about hearing his annoying voice but also anticipating a brutal commentary - but I was wrong. It was great having him back and the incredible memories he and his teams gave us- it was all goodness and he did great as a commentator to boot- well done BAM!
 
#70      
I know I couldn't believe it but he was.

To be honest I have no idea how what we've done these past couple of games, in which we've played pretty unconventional basketball with unconventional lineups, will play against real teams, but man Underwood has really assembled an Avengers squad of different types of guys its hard to play against. By hook or by crook we're going to cause conundrums for opponents.
yeah we lost 86% of our scoring from last season (the most out of all Big Ten teams) and Underwood went all Tony Montana this offseason and was like "OKAY I'M RELOADED!!!"
tenor.gif
 
#71      
Nice win - we’re seeing what Dainja and Eposncsn do which is great

I’ll admit when I heard Weber was doing the game I cringed- both about hearing his annoying voice but also anticipating a brutal commentary - but I was wrong. It was great having him back and the incredible memories he and his teams gave us- it was all goodness and he did great as a commentator to boot- well done BAM!
Bruce did a good job and was all class. I wish him all the best. Also glad the crowd gave him a standing ovation. Just an all around great night for the University of Illinois. :ah::chief::illinois:
 
#72      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
Everyone knows BU tends to go overboard with praise on recruits ( comparing charmin to Jason Kidd ,. etc ) but i remember he was very effusive with his praise on Dain and i think i remember Tim A. also singing his praises...........Well , after 2 games I think we have a suitable replacement for King Kofi with more mobility and the ability to change his shot with better footwork........I know 2 games is a short case study , but it looks very good so far as he has 2 double doubles against lower level competition for sure.....

I really think we have a squad where anyone of the main rotation players are capable of leading the team in scoring on any given game.......And the defense has been amazing in their ability to slow down the opponents flow on offense WITHOUT a lot of fouls being called .....The Illini are applying pressure D being 2-3 feet away from the opponent and drawing closer when the opponent stops dribbling ..............Some times even with them double teaming the opponent.........

The true eye test is coming up with the games against ucla and baylor / uva , with a later game against texas.....we should then have a clearer idea of where the Illini stand in the college BB realm.........JMHO...
 
#73      

Captain 14

The Last Best Place
As someone already posted, we’ve yet to play a team that has the same type of talent we do, so hard to draw too many conclusions. I will say that a shooting stretch like we had the first 10 minutes or so against a lalentrd team would have led to a 15 point deficit rather than a 2 point lead.

Positive highlights for me were that Daun continues to impress. Hasn’t done it against a BIG-caliber big yet so stats might not remain as dazzling, but I think he will be just fine. Liked that RJ was more aggressive on O and used the other parts of his game to get going. Never fully got there, but headed in right direction. And Epps played much better.

As to people on here thinking Weber did a good job, I guess what they mean is he spent 70% of broadcast talking about Illini history and last year or saying positive things about the current squad. He gets a pass because it was his first game back in Champaign in that role and BIG listeners don’t care about Kansas City. But otherwise he was mediocre at best. And if he gives that performance in a broadcast against another BIG team or other talented opponent, it will be a notch or two below mediocre. Could you imagine the comments on here if say Robbie Hummel spent as much time talking about Purdue history during an Illini-Purdue game?
Yeah but there were only 7 KC fans watching
 
#74      

GallopingGhost

Denver, CO
Everyone keeps discounting how good the Roo's are, they have Hakeem the Dream's son and he never got of the bench. That's depth, but seriously not sure how many teams will be able to keep up with our defensive pressure as we continue to play control chaos.
Hold On What GIF by A Little Late With Lilly Singh


Let’s not pretend UMKC is anything more than a sub 300 team in the country. And Dreams son or not, if he didn’t play, then he must really suck.