I was disappointed in the behavior of Coach Underwood at the end of the first half of the Iowa game. His line shift in the second half overshadows this, but his conduct at the end of the first half shows one of his weaknesses as a coach, one that could bite him and the Illini in the future. He got into such a rage on the sideline that he could no longer coach the team, steaming up and down the sideline raging to himself and not coaching. Meanwhile, in the remaining second, Iowa steals a basket in a way that should never happen and that a coach focused and under control would not have allowed.
Illinois 95, Iowa 85 Postgame
blackdog
- Champaign
I don't think her location is accurate based on her thoughts...she's outta this world!
DGL’s mom
I'd love to see what he could become here. He has stepped up his D and has been recognized by coach. I also think he has been allowed to play through more mistakes recently and earned a bit more rope.
Brad talking about the maturity of Nico's approach may have been a contrast, that Nico never came and asked Brad what he needed to do to get more PT. He just worked hard every day, double lifts, and prepared for the time his team needed him.
If they are not gassed, then they are coasting and not giving their best effort. There is no way you can play balls out at this level and not need a break. Now there may be coaches that think 70% of one of the starters is better than anyone on their bench. That’s a different problem.
Goillinikobd
- Southeastern US
I watched Nico and two thoughts came to me
1. this is what a healthy Curbelo would have looked like
2. this is what a bona fide portal transfer seasoned PG would have looked like
1. this is what a healthy Curbelo would have looked like
2. this is what a bona fide portal transfer seasoned PG would have looked like
Lol what happened to Kipper Nichols? He dropped 31 on Iowa in the conference tourney as a sophomore. Averaged 10 pts and 4 boards in a pt role and provided some much needed length on the wing. Then just fell out of favor.
Sidenote: that 21 team that was a 1 seed could have really used the length on the wing of someone Griffin or Nichols if played like he did as a sophomore(had a COVID year he could have used).
He's Italian not italian-american.
The answer is that it takes being ready for the big stage, in a big moment and be dependable in the moment. He's not there yet, which is fine, he's a true freshman on a roster of seniors.
I do feel like there's a smoke/fire situation here and this isn't just a random one off from mom ... especially if the commentary is true that he's been less than a stellar teammate recently.
1)A healthy, under control Curbelo would have been an NBA talent. So, I'd say no.
2)Yes and these games wouldn't be taking 5 years off of the back end of my life.
Sorry for the delay.. I am more afraid, with their offense, home crowd, and momentum things could get away from us very quickly. While our offensive scoring is good this year, we have been know to have dry spells.
Spaghetti Moretti?
Lessettior Moretti?
No worries, I’m not worried about being blown out. No one has blown us out. They won’t be more fire up than Purdue was. We’ll be ok
The Italian Stallion....
Curbelo would never have been an nba talent as he never could shoot well enough
Not one of Nico's shots was forced. If DGL makes a basket he starts forcing shots up that aren't there.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Then let’s get a lot of orange in that arena!!
I live in Philly, that one is permanently taken.
Nah man, that kid had other worldly talent handling the ball and getting to his spots on the floor. He was a lottery pick if he didn’t get concussed.
Not a lottery pick, but might’ve found his way onto a roster with the right team. But I suspect Curbelo’s issues are less about concussions and more about his “extra curricular activities.”
I think Moretti was great, let’s pump the brakes on what he means for this team.
We’re a week away from March. Moretti isn’t coming in and running point for major minutes. I think he can be a great secondary option if underwood is willing, but comparing him to curbelo, pre or post concussion, is laughable.
We’re a week away from March. Moretti isn’t coming in and running point for major minutes. I think he can be a great secondary option if underwood is willing, but comparing him to curbelo, pre or post concussion, is laughable.
That’s right. Moretti is a much better shooter.
He was a very talented player, but lacked the discipline to be valuable to a team. I wonder if the concussion had much to do with it.