blackdog
- Champaign
Its not #1 with 100% fg percentage and 0 turnovers
Illinois 90, Southern 55 Postgame
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Its not #1 with 100% fg percentage and 0 turnovers
People just don’t like the style so it’s not good.
Ryllini
- Lombard
People don’t understand what they are watching.
True, but we're heading into the grind of the schedule now, where every coach knows the other's tendencies, every team is physical and they'll be playing in some pretty daunting environments, which is where fatigue sets in. Fatigue causes a lot of problems that come in the form of turnovers, missed assignments, getting beat in transition, missed free throws and..........silly fouls, generally of the slap variety.
Boswell, I trust. Wagler, I don't. It simply comes down to experience.
We haven't had a game yet where the backcourt, as a unit, picked up early foul trouble. If we were to get into a situation where Boswell gets 2 and Wagler gets 2 with 5 minutes to go in the first half of a road game.....where do you go? Rolled ankles happen. Taking an elbow to the face playing MSU happens(frequently).
You can't run these guys out there 35+ minutes a night and think that it's not going to come back and cause issues on multiple occasions.
You're taking the "so far, so good" approach, which isn't a good take. Somebody needs to step up and be able to suck up some meaningful minutes in the backcourt. I think that this ship has sailed and we're going to have to default to Lee and try and survive offensively? It looks like that's the way Brad is leaning.
We have a very unique roster in which 2 thru 5 are interchangeable. There's an answer on the roster for a multitude of occurrences. At the 1.....it's the complete opposite.
In the grand scheme of things, I trust Boswell to know how to fully navigate a game, in all aspects, in all situations because he's done it a 60+ times at the highest of levels. He was flat out phenomenal for us the second half of last year.
Wagler hasn't earned that trust yet and no rational human should expect him to be at that level of having that cool, calm, composed demeanor in the midst of chaos. If we're asking him to haul 35+ minutes a night for the next 2 1/2 months and produce at a level where we're expecting him to bring us home in games....it's an irrational and unreasonable ask.
I think that most looked at the roster before the season started and saw trouble at the 1. Petrovic completely flaming out was never really a consideration. Now that it's becoming a reality....every coach in the conference is going to have a game plan of going right at the guards because if there's foul trouble, as of now, we don't have an obvious choice to turn to.
I get the humor regarding the extreme views, but let’s not forget where we came from to get to this point.
We all, we being fans, want to achieve as much as possible this season and we certainly have the personnel to do it.
My trauma comes from 1989 semi finals and 2005 final games. One block out and one extra plus defender out for a broken wrist could have changed everything.
We all, we being fans, want to achieve as much as possible this season and we certainly have the personnel to do it.
My trauma comes from 1989 semi finals and 2005 final games. One block out and one extra plus defender out for a broken wrist could have changed everything.
Agree with the bolded. Now, what if both pick up two first half fouls or God forbid a third? How does Brad navigate what was once 35+ minutes per game to 25 on that particular night?
There is a large fall off of expectation and reliability from Wagler, Boswell........and everyone else when it comes to being a primary ball handler and the responsibilities that come with it.
Too many 3s nevermind we rebound 39.4% of them (one of best nationally, compare to Michigan at 34.5%) … that’s scheme lol
Not too many kids have made the physical transformation in a year as we have seen JJ do. He also has some skills and quickness for his size. I hope he can turn into a B1G warrior next year and surprise thousands. All it takes is some hard work on footwork and cleverness around the hoop...and those things can be taught and developed. I believe he already had a pretty dependable jumper out to the arc but not likely beyond. If the game slows down and he can dictate rather than react, he could be a great contributor. Big "ifs" though but time will tell. If the brothers come back along with Mirk, there are not many minutes for him next year, but we will see what the future brings. Glad he is an Illini.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
Is there another staff in the country that could take a team that plays Jake Davis and Ben Humrichous 40+ minutes a game, along with two true freshman who play 60+ minutes a game and turn it into the #2 offense in the country?
Tyler Underwood is one of the top offensive minds in college basketball.
I am beginning to see why MP is sitting and not playing.
1. A guard at his size has to be able to take care of the ball and score at a high %age....but his consistent turnovers and mundane scoring ability have dug him a big hole out of which to climb. Quick opposing guards make his penetration difficult at times.
2. His lack of defensive effectiveness has become more and more noticeable while he lacks elite quickness with the ball. As his highlight videos showed, he can be effective in the open court on offense, but has a difficult time in the half court at both ends.
He is fun to watch when he makes the occasional flashy play, but at his age and compared to Lee, which one is more likely to contribute over the next couple of years? He may be trying hard to get attention, but if so, that effort has led to too many unfortunate moments to date. I was glad to see him get the opportunity when KB went down, but his ensuing play did not impress anyone. Bottom line is that I am doubtful that he can overcome his limitations to the point where his strengths can prove a plus.
I hate to see a coach give up on any player who is needed, albeit in a bench role, but I think that is likely the case this year for MP. So far, this second Curbelo experiment is a replay.
16-3 should be the goal. This years team has too high of a floor to lose @Northwestern & if we are already penciling a loss @Iowa than we should no longer have discussions about a B1G title or anything beyond the sweet 16. This group is too good to not expect more.
Tacomallini
- Washington State
Replies to this ought to be fun…
Ball movement and player movement. This team is built for the motion offense. Better looks from three and open lanes to drive. This is the offense I was hoping for.
We all respect the scouting ability of the staff so we are always looking for the signs in these players, especially with his hype.
We saw signs. Now we are seeing anti-signs.
I hope this isn’t a Matic situation but would not be shocked if it is given his age and experience.
Still holding out hope.
I agree with the overuse. KB can probably handle it, but Wagler is not built like KB and hasn't ever played a college schedule, much less a B1G schedule. Getting him down to 28-30/game seems like the right number.
We did this to Trent and Damonte one year and they were definitely fatigued by the end of the season. Just bring Lee in and let him take 5-7 a game and let him just be a menace defensively.
I say this with very few complaints about our current team. I think we as solid as we've been for a long time heading into January.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
And who is complaining about our defensive effort since the Nebraska game?? Expect complaints when we are performing poorly, lol … I for one am ecstatic that our defense looks so much better!
You just worry about the football uniforms man!
No one. Maybe complaints about a single play or two but we’ve seemed to improve on the defensive side based on the drubbing of a very bad, limited Mizzou squad. Only time will tell…PSU
Ya. But then some fans wouldn’t be happy with that because it means Brad wasn’t able to make in game adjustments
lol hopefully nobody which was the point of his comment
The improvement in defensive metrics has coincided with us playing lesser competition, so I hope it holds
People just don't know ball (to put it politely).
Serious question: Can we not read kenpom?
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After that turnover in the first half Petro had a chance to run back and try to contest. He just jogged back and chose not to. It was so obvious he was going to get pulled after that. Wtf was he thinking? How can he not know by now he has to hustle on defense?
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