Hamlin understands better than that guy.
Illinois 92, Minnesota 65 Postgame
Some days you’re the dog. Other days you’re the fire hydrant. Today [impregnated pause] we were the dog.
We do. And it actually comes in a soft part of the schedule on the back half. They have the 5 game stretch between January 23rd and February 11th where we play at Michigan State, host Iowa, play at Indiana, host Wisconsin, and play at Michigan. Then they're next 3 are home vs. Northwestern, at Minnesota, and home vs. Nebraska.
We needed a win like that. Great conference opener. Someone mentioned that they were not sure if this was a top ten team. My thought is there will be lots of juggling throughout the season, if it continues. What I would like to see is this team continues to grow and gets hot towards tournament play. Of course I would love to see Ayo’s projection come to forition, big ten champs and nation championship. However, I am fine with them growing more into a consistent team. We can have a dominant inside game with Kofi if he hustles, gets position, and attacks the boards. Now, if we can have opponents respect our shooters as well. Not every shot needs to be a three. If we can develop a great inside out game, dominate the glass, get out on transition and have Trent and Damonte play great lockdown defense, this team will be a handful in big ten play. What makes Iowa great is their inside out game and they make fre throws. I think we are quicker but aren’t quite there yet with that consistent outside shot.
Anyway you look at it, this is going to be a fun season to watch. Proud of these young men bouncing back after a tough loss at Missou.
Now back on the road. These next three games will be a great test. I am with Ayo. Let’s continue the goal of raising a big ten champions banner and continue to get better and balanced as a TEAM.
Go Illini!!!!
Anyway you look at it, this is going to be a fun season to watch. Proud of these young men bouncing back after a tough loss at Missou.
Now back on the road. These next three games will be a great test. I am with Ayo. Let’s continue the goal of raising a big ten champions banner and continue to get better and balanced as a TEAM.
Go Illini!!!!
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Cockburn leads Illini to blowout victory
Big man has 33 points and 13 rebounds in win over Minnesota.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Andre Curbelo’s pass landed in the hands of Kofi Cockburn, serving up the perfect dish for the Illinois sophomore to cook up his 30-burger. It was the main course on a night that Cockburn feasted.
Illinois’ 7-foot mass of humanity ripped the ball around Minnesota defender Both Gach, left his feet and hammered home a two-handed dunk for his 31st point of the night. On the next trip down the court, Cockburn got fouled and hit both of his free throws to end his night with a 33-point, 13-rebound game, the former a new career high as No. 13 Illinois’ thoroughly dominated Minnesota 92-65 at the State Farm Center on Thursday in the Big Ten opener for both teams.
“We had three words tonight: Communicate, walls and stick,” Underwood said. “It was about communicating constantly. We talk and it brings energy. We wanted to have walls where Marcus Carr saw nothing but bodies and walls of us in front of him. The other was stick and rebound.”
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Feels good to be dancing again....WOW
I've come around a lot on Dakich. He is one of my favorite color guys now that regularly gets Illinois games. He's a little over the top at times, but he has a lot more knowledge and can break things down better than a lot of other guys.
I have as well. He called himself out for his "not going to end well" comment a few years ago, and also appreciated what he had to say about Jimmy Collins. Went beyond just crediting him for recruiting at Illinois but also his coaching at UIC and his personality.
ChiefIlliniwek
- Omaha, Nebraska
All that was fine, but his repeatedly calling Indiana the "Harvard of the Midwest" got old before he finished mentioning it the first time. I did get a chuckle out of him thinking West Virginia was in the SEC though.
Deleted member 747671
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Just an absolute beat down. That was great. Kofi was unstoppable. Is Kofi the most physically imposing player we have ever had? He looks like a man amongst boys.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Dunno. Love Kofi but, as I recall, Ken Norman and Kenny Battle (to name two that leap to mind) were absolute beasts and much more seasoned basketball players, though much shorter than Kofi. Norman was just a monster. And I recall Doug Altenberger saying long ago that after Battle transferred from Northern he had never seen a player so maniacally competitive in practice. I think of both of them as quite physically imposing players.
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Deleted member 747671
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Yeah. I don't go back as far. Really only started following Illinois basketball around middle school and high school (late 90s/early 00s). And I agree that he's not the most seasoned/polished player. I'm thinking strictly on his physical size and appearance. He's huge, jacked, athletic, just an absolute beast. They don't make very many humans like that lol.
One thing I was happy to see was the Illini getting Kofi the ball more through “traditional” post feeds — him on the blocks and passing over the D. I think Kofi is more comfortable receiving the ball this way rather when guard drives and dishes to him. In MO game it seemed the latter was the only way he was getting the ball. And that is when he can sometimes be in a bad position to catch the ball and make a play. And when they use the former way early, he seems to handle the latter passes better.
I’d also say this was Curbelo’s best game overall. Seemed to be getting everyone involved rather than just driving and shooting or dishing to Kofi. Still had some of the splashy plays that are so fun to see, but just seemed to be playing a bit more within himself and the team offense overall.
I’d also say this was Curbelo’s best game overall. Seemed to be getting everyone involved rather than just driving and shooting or dishing to Kofi. Still had some of the splashy plays that are so fun to see, but just seemed to be playing a bit more within himself and the team offense overall.
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altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Agreed. To be fair, having seen the two I mentioned play in person, that does rather affect my sense of their imposing nature. Buy I take your point. I can't offhand recall when we had a true center of Kofi's size and bulk.
I feel the same way. These guys who get in at the end of games are devoted to the Illini. If they played one tier down on other teams they could be stars. So I wish they would get more recognition when they do get in.
9 dimes...I'll take that. The running into the middle of traffic, I can do without. He is learning and it's good to see growth
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
My biggest concern from last night, pointed out by Dakish, Jr Pitino took off his mask to yell at the refs. I want this season to go all the way through. I hope that he is fined, significantly, so that neither he, nor others are so careless. I know BU pulls down, up his face covering a lot too. I don't recall him doing it while getting in the face of the refs.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
I agree. I've said for years that the only people left watching in garbage time are those that care about this game.
So, why do the announcers talk about anything but this game?
Its apparent that they are bored and they are more committed to entertaining themselves than the job of calling the game that we tuned in to see.
Weird.
Curbelo was great last night. He did have a couple bad moments. But Ayo has a couple of bad moments every game too (along with every other player ever).
9 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 turnovers. I'll take that every game from him.
9 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 turnovers. I'll take that every game from him.