looks like Ohio State may exit the group of four...
Illinois 93, Michigan 85 Postgame
I would agree, but I'm afraid of the 5 seed juju.
InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
What a great takeaway from a key road win! I’m guessing you don’t get invited to too many weddings…
This is key.
You got “Heidi’ed”!
IlliniRon
Illini Basketball Fan Forever
- Ft Worth, Texas
That's a great road win today, tough game and some really nice performances: Plummer, Kofi, Frazier in particular. Glad to see some big plays from Hawkins and Curbelo as well. The dagger by Frazier seems like a recent trend, he just loves hitting a 3 pointer in key situations like that.
80'sIllini
- Arizona
Other than the late run for Michigan to make it close, an overall efficient game and excellent effort. I do wish we can extend our 8 point leads to 16-20 points. Seems like we rarely blow anyone out.Makes our wins look less impressive which could hurt our seeding and not good for my blood pressure.
Some takeaways:
1. Kofi totally outplayed Dickinson and even contested him at the 3 point line in the second half. Still needs to work on his FT's. It appears like he holds the ball too much in his large palm and not as much in the fingertips to get a softer touch. His development of the left-handed shot is very impressive.
2. Really good contributions from Hawk. When DMW was in the game, Michigan was posting him up every chance they got and they had to go away from that with Hawk in the game. He also needs to work on FT's. His shot overall is very flat- surprised the staff hasn't been correcting that all this time.
3. Belo is coming along. His D is very impressive and against a zone defense and to play up tempo offense- we need his ability to dribble drive to create decent shots.
4. Frazier is an all- time winner. I hope he makes a good living professionally when the time comes. Right now- so glad he is on our team.
5. Payne gives us nothing but bad fouls- when Verdonk is back, the few minutes we need one of them I hope it's him instead of Payne.
6. Couple of careless fouls by Grandison- shouldn't happen with such a veteran player.
7. Goode had a wide-open 3 and instead passed to another shooter less open than him with the shot clock winding down. He needs to be more assertive shooting when has a good shot. Otherwise, I liked his contributions. He was scored on once or twice but played good D- just was better O.
8. Too bad Plummer isn't forcing himself to go over screens and chase hard from behind but then if he was, Belo might not play as much and he provides a totally different look to our opponents. Plummer an incredible shooter. What a weapon!
9. If we can improve our FT's and decrease bad fouls,we can go very far.
Some takeaways:
1. Kofi totally outplayed Dickinson and even contested him at the 3 point line in the second half. Still needs to work on his FT's. It appears like he holds the ball too much in his large palm and not as much in the fingertips to get a softer touch. His development of the left-handed shot is very impressive.
2. Really good contributions from Hawk. When DMW was in the game, Michigan was posting him up every chance they got and they had to go away from that with Hawk in the game. He also needs to work on FT's. His shot overall is very flat- surprised the staff hasn't been correcting that all this time.
3. Belo is coming along. His D is very impressive and against a zone defense and to play up tempo offense- we need his ability to dribble drive to create decent shots.
4. Frazier is an all- time winner. I hope he makes a good living professionally when the time comes. Right now- so glad he is on our team.
5. Payne gives us nothing but bad fouls- when Verdonk is back, the few minutes we need one of them I hope it's him instead of Payne.
6. Couple of careless fouls by Grandison- shouldn't happen with such a veteran player.
7. Goode had a wide-open 3 and instead passed to another shooter less open than him with the shot clock winding down. He needs to be more assertive shooting when has a good shot. Otherwise, I liked his contributions. He was scored on once or twice but played good D- just was better O.
8. Too bad Plummer isn't forcing himself to go over screens and chase hard from behind but then if he was, Belo might not play as much and he provides a totally different look to our opponents. Plummer an incredible shooter. What a weapon!
9. If we can improve our FT's and decrease bad fouls,we can go very far.
Jersey here, near Philly. I didn't miss it, thank goodness. Nice win.
crappy FT shooting, so so rebounding, so so defense, better talent on the other side (on paper only)
and we win by EIGHT! Sign of a good to very good TEAM!
Belo can only make us ever better than very good and I think he will in about 1-2 weeks
That and about 20lbs would not hurt. Diablo or whatever his name from Michigan looks like possible Draft material after next year. He's got an inside game. That said, Co-Hawk stayed with him pretty well. There is something about Co-Hawks jump shot that looks a little awkward. If he can get that right and put on a little weight, he could be dangerous next year. Maybe it's just confidence. Refreshing to see him come around like this.
Lol, I said the same thing “Down Goes Frazier…for 3!” to my cousin who was clearly rooting for Michigan after the bogus traveling call on Kofi.
Agree. And about 24 straight hours at the FT line
I think it is all related. Too much anxiety throws off his release. Fix that, you have a super star. Get him out of his own head. His shot and form are fine.
I agree. Belo needs more minutes. Regardless of what plum or Trent does, he needs to be in the game. He brings intensity and makes penetrational plays in the paint that stresses defenses.
I think Curbelo is better than Plummer on the defensive side. Trent is a hound. Although I agree with some of what you are saying about our guard length, much of what transpired today was not hitting our free throws at clutch moments. We left about 12 points off the board because we never got to the other end of the bonus or just hit 1-2.
Curbelo was very good in pick and roll situations today. The bounce pass to Kofi in the second half was high level execution.
that awesome! But, when it gives up wide open back doors, open 3's it's a problem. He'll get there though the last 10 days he's made massive strides I just hope he quits falling all over the floor I don't want him to hurt his head again. 
. He is a wild man. Love him, especially new hairdo!
Being new to the board and an old kinda guy, I would say just enjoy the games that are enjoyable and feel free to !!!!! when they suck. Don't need to judge anyone's feelings or opinions. The TV doesn't lie. Being worried about seeds and first place and all that stuff is fools gold. Austin Peay, Michigan, and Loyola proves it's a game by game deal. Enjoy the game! Or hate it. We all still love them no matter!!
InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
*and all of them in the next 7-8 years would be nice!
Hawkins needs to believe in himself. Get a consistent jumper, get stronger and get more aggressive.
That is so great we can root like hell for Purdue on Tuesday!
Hey I had a crush on Heidi back then LOL
It just occurred to me... I barely noticed the referees in this game. Refreshing.
Can someone direct me to the link or store where I can get that illinois hoodie Curbelo is wearing? This is a 4 month pursuit since I saw Kofi with one.
We hit our free throws and they don't get back in the game like they did.