Illinois 88, Purdue 82 Postgame

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#654      
WWWWRocU
1. In the beginning of the game, I thought, well, at least one guy is hitting his shots...

2. I thought that TKR was going to keep baiting Mirko with his thuggishness until he got Mirko to foul out by the half. Did not happen, in fact, was very surprised TKR had any fouls called on him in a home game.

3. Those blocks by Big Z on their 7 footer were absolutely awesome, and about time. Thought there would be many more blocks but those annoying half pint PU boys just kept arching their shots over our big guys.

4. That final barrage of threes is exactly what this team is designed to do this season. May it continue to the end. As I took note of who was on the floor for us, I said, there are 5 shooters on the floor. Who are they going to guard?

5. Elite!!
 
#656      
rbse
what an impressive win top to bottom, this team is so poised, confident and unflappable and getting better every game. Keaton Wagler, my man, you are what dreams are made of, cool as ice. Your performance and unselfish and elite skills will provide all Illini fans with a lot of fantastic memories, with more to come. Love, love, and love it!
 
#659      
Justan opinion
HouTexIllini said:
That’s a bit of an overreaction or recency bias.

In the last 20 years alone I’ve got him behind:
Deron, Dee, Ayo, Brian Cook, TSJ, Kofi, Frank Williams, Brandon Paul, Marcus Domask

Eddie Johnson, Derek Harper, Bruce Douglas, Nick Anderson, Lowell Hamilton, Andy Kaufman, Kendall Gill….

That’s not even getting to the 30s and 40s
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I don't think it is an over reaction at all. He won't have the longevity of these guys, but he is has good or better than everyone on this list. A recent comp to me is Cade Cunningham.
 
#660      
illini80
There’s nothing I could say that hasn’t been said, but what a privilege to watch that young man play in the O&B. I’ve been asking myself for a while if we’ve ever had a better freshman. That answer seems clear now. That’s certainly one I’ll never forget.

On the broader note, our defense has gotten way better, but if we ever are able to get that dialed in we are an easy 1 seed. This team is so much fun to watch.
Illinois Fighting Illini GIF by Fighting Illini Athletics

(It’s time for someone to start making the Wagler gifs)
 
#663      
aaeismacgychel
So it's the day after and still feeling the highs of yesterday. The only other game where I recall an Illini doing something similar to what Keaton did was as others have mentioned, the Brandon Paul 2012 game against OSU.

Very similar circumstances against a Top 5 team (OSU was loaded that year and would eventually make the Final 4), aside for that game being at home and Brandon being a junior, and OSU being a much better defensive team (4th in the country). I recalled Brandon going nuclear and looking back that performance was even better than I remembered:

11 for 15 from the field, 8 of 10 from 3, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks, 2 steals, an insanely tough 3 and block of Sullinger to seal it. Just a bonkers performance. The only mark against Brandon and it was a big one was he had 7 turnovers. But man, what a game.

We have had a long incredible history and to see the Brandon Paul game replicated by a freshman on the road and done so smoothly, just amazing. Incredible game yesterday and one we may not see again in our lifetime just wow.
 
#665      
illiniguy24
RabidDawgClassic said:
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My Illini fan fan friend in Springfield Missouri was LIVID when this happened. 😳
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This happened to me twice, I was so annoyed I couldn’t hear the postgame analysis as well because of a weather update

In Cincinnati they at least put the game in a small box at the bottom so you didn’t miss any game action
 
#666      
Illini in Italy
I saw his Airness play against the Pacers back in the '80's when I was stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB. He went off for a quiet 40 that night, and it was almost like he did nothing spectacular, but everything very well. After the first half, I thought Keaton is going to pull a Jordan and rop 50 on these MF'ers!
 
#670      
Brosky
I guess you didn't see the game (about '63) when Downey notched 53 at Indiana. He simply couldn't miss, so he told teammates to keep feeding him the ball. And so they did.
 
#672      
HouTexIllini
I still don’t see the offensive plays. It’s the same play over and over.

When it comes to both offense and defense at Illinois, its players over plays that is helping this team win. Despite the lack of athleticism on this team, the last couple of years the staff has identified players who can overcome their shortcomings to guard, jump, shoot, etc.

I know it sounds like a knock and it is against the schemes and my professionally unprofessional opinion on lineup decisions. However, I thoroughly like the guys on this roster, their effort, and most of all their undeniable personalities.

When Underwood says this team is dialed in and is bonded, it is starting to show it in success in the floor.
 
#674      
Barfolomew
I'd just like to join everyone reminding us fans to enjoy Keaton Wagler while he's playing in orange and blue (and white. And script navy. And 1LL1NO1S base, and fighting illini alternates, and...)

We're a very good team without him. With him, this group has a chance to be really, really special.
He's becoming the star that can take over any game despite being the focus of the scouting report. Teams with success in March and April usually have one of those guys.
 
#675      
201154JC
Great analogy. I remember that game very well.
 
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