Illinois 94, UT Rio Grande Valley 85 Postgame
No problem with that being our first option. Teams in the B1G are going to deny us that option though and we need to be prepared to have another focus on some occasions. As a whole though, we keep forgetting that the other team came in with a reputation as a very good offensive team with a couple of great O weapons. The comparisons of us as opposed to AZ are not valid. Every team has strengths and weaknesses that are different from other teams. These young men were playing out of position tonight and have, every day, worked at another position intensely. Even if they spent a few minutes in the look that we saw tonight. I do think that BU is over-emphasizing, rightly or wrongly, getting the ball to Kofi every time down the floor. They look hesitant to do anything else.
If this team, of mostly upperclassmen don't know how to play defense yet, I don't hold out much hope of them figuring it out this year. UTRGV is picked to finish 9th in their conference. Arizona beat them by 52 points earlier this year. We nearly lost to a mediocre mid-major team! That should have been a cake-walk even without Belo, Jake, and Trent. I thought we had a deep, talented team, but the last three games have been very disappointing!
Nicely done.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
BU giving props to Kofi ,DMW , Plummer and Goode.....................
Talking about no flow to our offense.......still scored 94 points with Belo , Trent and Jake out and Podz limited.......
After reading the game thread I'm so glad we have an ignore button....................................
Talking about no flow to our offense.......still scored 94 points with Belo , Trent and Jake out and Podz limited.......
After reading the game thread I'm so glad we have an ignore button....................................
blackdog
- Champaign
I was there and not only where there all the things you described but an absolutely dead silent arena for most of the game. It was a pretty bizarre experience.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Yeah man, a team will never improve 6 games into the season. Especially a team missing 2 of their best defenders
Good win because a win is better then a loss. Beat ND.
Sick
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Hey Log.....I got my Black Illini hoodie today...It fits great and looks AWESOME......................
Go Illini !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not sure how gritty you can call us giving up 85pts...
LOL....I see what you did there.... No doubt that when (and if) we can play with greater than half of our typical starting lineup all at the same time, we should be better al the way around. My point was that for the majority of the game, the majority of our guys looked like cones that UTRGV were blowing by on the way to making layups. Trent is our best defender, no doubt. But, the other guys need to be able to keep their guy in front of them! AND.....this wasn't a top-tier team that we were playing against! I wish I could just drink the orange kool-aid and believe that everything is going to turn out great. But, until I see a team that plays defense and doesn't look lost 1/2 the time on offense, I will reserve my optimism.
Me too...tried it on already it does look awesome!
... to a team that is picked to finish in the bottom half of the 27th ranked conference in D1 basketball.
JFGsCoffeeMug
BU:1 Trash cans:0
- Chicago
Why? Its way more fun to be optimistic
26 minutes and 2 points for Hutch. This is the kind of night we could have used him living up to the preseason hype.
Well, I actually enjoyed this game. Nearly every player was thrown into a new role and each had highlights:
1) Melendez giving Hutcherson a spell when Hutch was struggling. And hitting a buzzer beater to end the first half.
2) Kofi with clutch free throws, and another assist.
3) Hawkins responding to getting benched in first half, and playing more under control in second, and coming up with a big block late.
4) Plummer with some clutch free throws and obviously the big first half as a starter. I thought he had better defensive energy than the first few games.
5) Damonte taking care of the ball, big offensive rebound late. 8 assists and 0 turnovers.
6) Goode hitting a big 3 with the assist from Kofi. He also brought good energy and a great close out to block a late 3 and seal the game.
7) Hutcherson settling down in the second half and scoring a nifty, driving left hand layup.
8) Bosmans-Verdonk with 6 assists against only one turnover.
Were they sloppy at times and mistake prone? Yes, they were. Do our guards struggle to keep opposing guards out of the paint? Yes, they do. But they won, and many contributed to the win.
1) Melendez giving Hutcherson a spell when Hutch was struggling. And hitting a buzzer beater to end the first half.
2) Kofi with clutch free throws, and another assist.
3) Hawkins responding to getting benched in first half, and playing more under control in second, and coming up with a big block late.
4) Plummer with some clutch free throws and obviously the big first half as a starter. I thought he had better defensive energy than the first few games.
5) Damonte taking care of the ball, big offensive rebound late. 8 assists and 0 turnovers.
6) Goode hitting a big 3 with the assist from Kofi. He also brought good energy and a great close out to block a late 3 and seal the game.
7) Hutcherson settling down in the second half and scoring a nifty, driving left hand layup.
8) Bosmans-Verdonk with 6 assists against only one turnover.
Were they sloppy at times and mistake prone? Yes, they were. Do our guards struggle to keep opposing guards out of the paint? Yes, they do. But they won, and many contributed to the win.
Scoring 94 on them without three starters makes my brain feel good.