This should be pinned to the bracketology post with no additional comments allowed. The seeding is moot right now. If we can't guard, our exit will be quick.
Illinois 95, Iowa 85 Postgame
DReq
Always Illini
- Central Illinois
I really enjoyed the complete lineup change. That has to screw with the opposing team's game planning that could never have expected that five to show up together. In addition, that second team came out to play and really set an example for the first team to get nasty and play hard. I would not mind seeing that team show up again to spell the starters. I don't want to see it again because the starters are playing so poorly. I think BU made his point and the players got it. Nice win over what has been a problematic team for us.
Let's go get the rest of them and get momentum going into tournament season.
Let's go get the rest of them and get momentum going into tournament season.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
I needed this win more than anyone here .........lol.......I'm too old to see another meltdown and loss.....................I really really am...
Cohawk with a great game ...............New career high of 30 points.......It doesn't erase the mistakes of the last game for me , but it soothes my savage breast somewhat right now............
What can you say about Moretti today , other than he played great , moving the bb and the Illini offense to continue to score......
The Illini won by 10 points and Moretti had 2 important 3's along with 9 total points.......
With that hockey line change I hope it stops a lot of the " BU doesn't make in game adjustments " chatter........If you are going to cri-tic his non moves , then praise his moves today......I know I am ......................
Harmon had 12 points , but more important he played with a fire that had subsided somewhat.....I would bet he was upset with the hockey line change and he was still on the bench...........................
Ty was on the bench in the second half longer than I thought he would be , but then he has been there in the second half a lot this season.....
TSJ with 12 points and great defense once he came back in the game....................
Domask was not very good today and the long pass in bounds that was a turnover didn't impress BU at all.........had his double points game streak stopped with 8 pts....
pru , I am so glad we won this game and turned the page on the meltdown game........call you later babe.......I really really will....
ok babe , we will be waiting for your call.........................
hey pru , it's TR.....................it really really is..............
OK doll..........ain't she special ??...........she really really is......................
Cheers Illini Nation.................Illini's 1,000th B$G win........................Illini's 5th straight 20 win season...........Hells yeah !!!!!
BU post game radio presser..................
Just play hard and the bench did that today............sometimes you have to make stupid decisions to get crazy results.......
cohawk is great when he is dialed in........................
idiots are big , so we needed to have Dain perform and he did....he was 0-3 on Ft's or I would have played him later on......
you can tell Moretti's dad is a coach and loved his two 3's..........
Amani was awesome on both ends....................
20 wins is the norm we expect here at Illinois.................
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I'm as happy for Nico as the next guy, but you have to give most of the credit to the other four players on the court, IMO. And that four changed back and forth a little.
It's not like Nico was fighting off double teams or heck even being guarded that closely. Glad we have him but tap the brakes a little.
I think there exists a universe where that lineup can certainly work as an alternative to booty ball…and everything bogging down at times…I love Domask. But he’s like the overworked plow-horse. I’d sub more liberally overall. Get Marcus a blow and get him back in there.To answer your question
Nico
Harmon
Shannon
Ty Rodgers
Coleman Hawkins
You could sub Marcus back in for Nico, Harmon, or Ty…most likely. I dunno? It would depend on circumstances.
If Harmon is having a crummy game…next outing…Marcus goes back in for him. Nothing says we can’t rotate starters relative to our opponent. Boooty ball can certainly be a second unit type thing….similar to what we did successfully with Curbelo for a time.
Nico, Domask, Shannon, Ty, and Coleman on the floor at the same time sounds damn interesting too.
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Didn’t see DGL, coach’s decision?
They have a good coaching staff.
I think our defense is more flawed from a philosophical standpoint versus personnel. I think we let teams turn the corner on us and get downhill too easily which essentially leads to the other team taking high percentage shots - even if they are long 2s that the opposing player can easily step into towards the goal. The difference in the second half was us basically forcing them to take shots moving away and to the side of the basket.
Iowa is a great offensive team. Tough to keep their scoring down in the 70’s. Better Defense the last 10 minutes and especially the last 5 or so. Rebounding still needs a little help. We are pretty good Offensively, just hope we can pick up our defense and do something here in March. Good bounce back for Hawkins. Moretti, Harmon & Dain with some good contributions. Dain is a rebounding machine if they would leave him in.
Iowa Boards are full of “Fire Fran”. Sounds just like this board after Penn State loss!
I know! Lol.
It's the honest truth though. Those Penn State and MSU losses are going to hang with me for a while. Letting up 85 today didn't help my confidence.
If Nico can play game in and game out like that he should be playing. That said, it does greatly help to play against a team that doesn't know how to defend. When Nico has played against stronger more physical defenders, he has struggled this season. That said, it is small sample size. I do like what Nico brings, but the whole bench Ty for Nico contingent I feel is the incorrect conclusion and feels a lot more like Bears start the 3rd string QB syndrome. And in this case it's blaming Ty for our PG and inbounding woes late in games when in reality he hasn't even been on the court.
I'm all for playing our best 5 players. If that's Moretti, great. But for those thinking Ty hasn't been one of those 5 best players this year, I'm not sure what they've been watching. As I've said, our late game issues are a personnel problem, not a Ty problem.
We won this one, yes, but if people truly think we're going to be a better team with Ty on the bench, I think they're kidding themselves and creating a false narrative.
Better Defense late, but you’re right it’s still a concern. Always tough though to keep an Iowa team from scoring. Fran knows offense.
Not by himself, but he might be a chunk of an answer. The halfcourt attack had more control, more passing, more discipline, and got better looks with him in. I wouldn't say make him the starting PG but he might be an option to try when the offense is breaking down. And he might deserve more minutes in general.
A couple days ago I asked if fatigue might be a factor in our late-game breakdowns. If it is, then one way to address it would be to add a guy to the rotation. It's only one game but Mico might be the guy.
Fun game to attend! Crowd was great. Finally saw a great coach do some game coaching. Love Moretti! Maybe we do have a point guard? Do wish we could defend better. Much better after that 5 man substitution. Go Illini!
biglug58
- Chicago, IL
100% on Ty. His athleticism (especially rebounding) shouldn’t be on the bench most of 2nd half.
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
Could not be more excited to watch him grow as a player over the next several seasons.
I don't think that he's the ultimate answer long term? Brad will need to address that in the off-season. Obviously, Fears in 2025 helps. Nico could be a band-aid to get us through this year.....late in games.
THANK YOU!
