Illinois 86, Kansas City 48 Postgame

#76      
I'll be that guy I guess. These are the worst teams we'll play all year. It is easy to look great when the talent isn't there to oppose you. I'll be happy with the wins and optimistic about what I see, but won't throw around any accolades until our guys perform against real competition.

Just want to echo this. 5-10 years ago, we'd be happy fans, watching an early season crushing. But I think Underwood has the program back, and we're looking at these games with a more critical eye, thinking about how they stack up against the best teams in the nation.

I think about how well the 2005 team played, and those guys played with each other for years. This team is trying to come together in such a short time span, I'm wondering how much progress they'll make. In some ways, this will be a huge challenge for the staff and players. I'm happy they're getting a few of these under their belt before facing tough games. I see some great signs, and some things to worry about.

I will say this is a fun group to watch. I think they'll face adversity well during the season, and I'm going to enjoy the ride.
 
#77      
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?
So Weber is too much of an Illini homer on broadcasts.
Bardo is too neutral.
Which prodigious former Illini will meet the demands of Illini Nation and achieve super duper rare Goldilocks status?
 
#78      
Best thing I saw last night was Dain’s ability to run the floor and switch onto a guard and defend at a high level. Those feet, hands and hips are special. After such a brutal start, it’s hard to imagine this team not giving themselves a chance, in every game, based on effort and defense.
 
#79      
So Weber is too much of an Illini homer on broadcasts.
Bardo is too neutral.
Which prodigious former Illini will meet the demands of Illini Nation and achieve super duper rare Goldilocks status?
I actually think Bardo is fine. And like I said, willing to give Bruce a pass being first time back. That’s exactly why they gave him this game. Turns out for Loyalty announcers are like ref. When getting the calls, refs are just fine; when not, they suck.
 
#80      
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?
Fair to wonder, but I don't think there were a ton of KC fans watching. [edit, Cap beat me to it.]
 
#81      
I actually think Bardo is fine. And like I said, willing to give Bruce a pass being first time back. That’s exactly why they gave him this game. Turns out for Loyalty announcers are like ref. When getting the calls, refs are just fine; when not, they suck.
I don’t understand this criticism of Weber at all. In an uninteresting blowout, announcers have to talk about something. It’s on the Big Ten Network, they’re going to talk about the Big Ten team more than the Summit League team thats getting blown out. I’m sure in a game that’s close down the stretch, especially with 2 B1G teams facing each other, Weber isn’t going to roll out his Illini history bonafides. I guess we’ll see soon enough.
 
#82      
Fair to wonder, but I don't think there were a ton of KC fans watching. [edit, Cap beat me to it.]
And that’s why I gave him a pass and said BIG fans don’t care about KC. He might be much better now that he has his walk down memory lane out of his system. I sure as hell hope so or keep him in the studio.
 
#83      
Best thing I saw last night was Dain’s ability to run the floor and switch onto a guard and defend at a high level. Those feet, hands and hips are special. After such a brutal start, it’s hard to imagine this team not giving themselves a chance, in every game, based on effort and defense.
"That's what she said". ;) :D :cool:
 
#84      
So the thing with this team so far is that they have some many different combos and ways to win. I am starting to think the depth is a real thing with this group. Normally teams have like 7 guys when the games are tight. I really think they have 9-10 deep on most nights and Underwood can just ride the hot hand. That is helpful so you don't get into a situation like last season when Plummer is cold and Trent is hurt so everything relied on Kofi.

On this team you have guys that can play bully ball and get to the line, slashers, post up, stretch, and once Goode is back a couple of shooters (although this is probably the weakness). They don't really have a shooter at the level of Frazier or Plummer right now. Harris has probably the best looking shot and we know Goode can hit from 3. Everyone else is going to be streaky by the looks of it. Good new is with the length of this team missed 3s are offensive rebounds waiting to happen.
 
#85      
So the thing with this team so far is that they have some many different combos and ways to win. I am starting to think the depth is a real thing with this group. Normally teams have like 7 guys when the games are tight. I really think they have 9-10 deep on most nights and Underwood can just ride the hot hand. That is helpful so you don't get into a situation like last season when Plummer is cold and Trent is hurt so everything relied on Kofi.

On this team you have guys that can play bully ball and get to the line, slashers, post up, stretch, and once Goode is back a couple of shooters (although this is probably the weakness). They don't really have a shooter at the level of Frazier or Plummer right now. Harris has probably the best looking shot and we know Goode can hit from 3. Everyone else is going to be streaky by the looks of it. Good new is with the length of this team missed 3s are offensive rebounds waiting to happen.

Think the consistent shooter may be Epps. The rest capable but not consistent which was true of Frazier.
 
#86      
Best thing I saw last night was Dain’s ability to run the floor and switch onto a guard and defend at a high level. Those feet, hands and hips are special. After such a brutal start, it’s hard to imagine this team not giving themselves a chance, in every game, based on effort and defense.
Cedric The Entertainer Reaction GIF by CBS
Hips Dont Lie GIF by Shakira
 
#93      
Pretty incredible what we've been able to do with little impact from Skyy, RJ, or Mayer.

We debate every offseason about how deep will we be, and it almost never pans out. This year, we are actually deep and it's so fun to watch.

That said, deeper doesn't necessarily mean better. I'm ready for a legit opponent.
 
#94      
Does anyone have a link to the special video of Trent just before he got his ring?
 
#97      
Dain is like...high skill and IQ... i would not say that he is some huge leaper, but he is so good with everything else...great footwork, knows spacing really well, great anticipation and timing and can look at the game a few steps ahead of everyone else.

He has to have like a 7'5 wingspan...his wingspan is insane.
7'7"
 
#99      
Have been keeping expectations low for Dain( 4-6 pts, 4-6 rebs a game) just wanted to see him be a good defender/rebounder, but his ability to play with back to the basket/fall away jumpers/passing/blocking has been very impressive(even against lower level competition).
 
#100      
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.
My opinion was based on what I saw from him and not the stats which I should/could have checked but did not. I watched Purdue a handful of times last year and was impressed that Williams SEEMED to be money from the line and was fundamentally sound. Even at 50%, he was superior to what we are seeing from DD. But DD quite likely (and I hope it proves true) will exceed what we saw from Williams. What truly disappoints me is that a few quick changes and he could improve dramatically from the line...and soon. If he can become a 70% guy, which is quite achievable, he is likely to enjoy a solid NBA career barring injury and given steady growth.

Bottom line, we are lucky he suits up for the Illini!!