Illinois 93, Michigan 73 Postgame

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#229      
RockfordIllini
Obviously a great win. Thought overall our defense was terrific and we showed real toughness today. And obviously we see what happens when shots go down.

I do still have questions about the mental makeup of this team and whether or not we are tough enough mentally to go on a run. And for that I am really thinking of one one sequence: Ben, who couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn in the first half, gets a steal fronting Goldin and on the very next possession laces a 3. I recognize the injuries and illnesses have taken their toll but that shows me how much of the shooting struggles have been mental.

I’m going with an optimistic take that these defensive adjustments have given us some swagger back which finally spilled over into making some shots in the second half and we will be a force to be reckoned with the rest of the year. But I am curious to see how we respond if we have another clunker half.

Again, great great win. I think we may have overcome whatever mental blocks have been plaguing us. But I would like to see a larger sample size.
 
#230      
Vinegarben
Great effort after the first 5-6 minutes. Need Rez back to help defend against the Bigs of opponents. Get focused and take down the Boilers at home. Don't lay an egg! If the Illini can take down Purdue, I think they may move up to a 6 seed.
 
#231      
WyattEarp
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#234      
Illinifrank67
nyc_illini said:
Are we still throwing Hamer under the bus or it that on pause?
Click to expand...
30 Rock Yes GIF by ADWEEK
 
#236      
TooHot4Tots
Willing to bet a closed door meeting led to Hamer taking a seat and a defensive change implemented. Gotta give BU props, he listened to players, did a hard look in the mirror and grew a sack to agree a change was needed. Says a lot about BU and I hope it continues. Hamer hopefully took good notes
 
#244      
CleverHandle1
I think the team can go far, but they need to bring today's intensity for every game going forward. Even when not hitting their shots, Illinois was in the game because of their defense. That's the key. I guess defense is an attitude. With the right attitude, they can do this.

Just don't force any bad 3s. If open within the flow or a solid step back, then take the damn shot, but let's go for two-pointers first. The offensive rebounding was just phenomenal--and without 'Rez, too! It's attitude.

Two of BH's 1st half three-pointers were horrific. Body language and mentality were horrific. His makes were quite different. It was within the flow of the game, and he was confident and had good form. Attitude! Tomi was off today, and the Da' Beloved still whipped Wolverine's dupa.

I love the swarming-like defense. Yes, Wolverine got to the hole at times, but was then met with blocked shots, strips of the ball and tough defense. The Illini were swarming and aggressive. I think most are OK with missing shots, but have a damn pulse going after it or getting back on defense. Kudos to them today and against the Hawkeyes.

Let's do the same thing against a very beatable PU team in Champaign.
 
#245      
djkirkpatrick22
How should I interpret this? It’s a Shane he lost the locker room or else we would be in contention for the B10 championship? He didn’t really lose it, the haters just made it seem that way? He lost it but got it back now? Or he lost it and it’s gone, they’re just playing better? No harm here, really just curious how you meant that.
 
#249      
thehass
It's always a great day when we kick some Michigan butt. Great 2nd half. Let's remember how we did it.
 
#250      
ILL-Intentions
I’ve been critical of Ben in the past and to start the second half I groaned when he was guarding Goldin. I gotta say though, he played tough and hard nosed ball. Got some good boards and then the shots started to fall. That’s the Ben we need.

Tre and Kylan were phenomenal and KJ finished well too. Getting healthy at the right time of the year.
 
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