Illinois 95, Minnesota 68 POSTGAME

#151      

ILL in IA

Iowa City
THT is #19, but sure.
THT played out of his mind against us and is going to be a really good player. Based on a few of the recent ISU games I have seen and hearing from several ISU fans who are close friends of mine, Ayo is completely outplaying him right now.
 
#152      

ILL in IA

Iowa City
That ESPN list does not seem accurate to what the draft will end up at. I think we need to step back and appreciate what Ayo is doing right now, but also understand how NBA teams will evaluate him, and know that a lot of international talent will jump into the first round that isn't listed in the ESPN rankings. I am nowhere close to a basketball scout and I didn't say at a Holiday Inn Express last night. But that list seems fun to talk about now, but not close to what will happen in real life.
 
#153      
It's amazing what an Illini win will do for an old fan. Taped the game, ( I go to bed early ), woke up for my bathroom break at 3 am, checked the score on ESPN and then couldn't go back to bed. Watched the game, went back to bed, and felt 10 years younger this morning. If we keep winning I'll be back to my crazy teen years before you know it.
 
#154      

Deleted member 643761

D
Guest
The numbers you post are a not the predominant factor in your draft position. Physical measurables are important. I really don't know where Ayo stands in that regard. Height is obviously good for a guard. But what looks great in college can be nonexistent in the NBA against elite athletes.
 
#156      

Deleted member 645583

D
Guest
Maybe you are the reason!! Just kidding. :)
I wasn't able to watch or listen to the game either. But the Illini I saw in highlights are not the Illini I've seen all season. Night and day difference. Keep it up.
Is the "system" finally working?
 
#158      

ChiefGritty

Chicago, IL
That ESPN list does not seem accurate to what the draft will end up at. I think we need to step back and appreciate what Ayo is doing right now, but also understand how NBA teams will evaluate him, and know that a lot of international talent will jump into the first round that isn't listed in the ESPN rankings. I am nowhere close to a basketball scout and I didn't say at a Holiday Inn Express last night. But that list seems fun to talk about now, but not close to what will happen in real life.

Note that international players are included among that list. It's not regarded as a strong international class.

Things can definitely change, that much is true. But at this moment in time Ayo's got a late first round grade, and rising. He's got scouts' attention.
 
#160      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
Finally got to watch the game today after listening and celebrating last nite....

My thoughts added to others here are :

1. the weakside or help defense was outstanding last nite....I focused on what happened when minny got the ball down low or even tried to look down low and on probably 85 % of the time we either helped out and stopped the penetration or forced them to reverse the ball to the other side....

2...How many shot clock violations did we force ? at least 3 I counted in the first half.\

3. I noticed a calmer BU throughout the game , not just after we got a big lead...I'm sure it helped but as I watched his demeanor in the first half I sensed
a mellower BU and more coaching instead of yelling.

4. Yes they did let them play and yes we got some home cooking....So What ! It's about time if you ask me....

Will we win Sunday against the morans ? If we play like last nite , then yes we will....

That is the question we all have...What Illini team shows up.....

I know I'll be in front of the tv with my tunein app going with Brian B. and whoever , rootin on my team...My victorious Illini !!!!!
 
#161      

BananaShampoo

Captain 'Paign
Phoenix, AZ
Of course the first game this season I can’t watch is by far the best one. Happy for the team, they needed it.

This is the type of game that makes me remember we still have the potential to win the B1G tourney.
So, yeah... if you could just keep on not watching the rest of the season...that'd be great.

1s7y17.jpg
 
#162      

Deleted member 645583

D
Guest
Just catching up on all these posts.

My best to our ailing fellow ILLINI fans. It's so easy to say, but hang in there! You've got a lot of support from all of us.

The panacea.: Minnesota - the best prescription for what ails ILLINI football and basketball. Sorry, Gophers.

Get well, all of you.
 
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#165      
not sure if it was a calmer BU, but that was the first game I thought he let Jones and Griffin play through their mistakes instead of pulling them early. Both had some freshman moments but both did some great things! That Jones up and under was great to see.
 
#166      
also with all the Ayo talk, Kofi seems to really think they will play together next year and if I was him would have talked to Ayo about what he’s thinking of doing. Bullet to my head I vote he comes back and we win a lot of games next year
 
#167      

Deleted member 645583

D
Guest
Plus Brad's hair is getting darker every game. Let Lovie grow that beard and let Brad use Grecian Formula if it means victory.
 
#168      

UncleBob

San Clemente, CA
not sure if it was a calmer BU, but that was the first game I thought he let Jones and Griffin play through their mistakes instead of pulling them early. Both had some freshman moments but both did some great things! That Jones up and under was great to see.

Aw! He shoulda dunked it.
 
#169      
Looking strictly at the W/L record lately, this seems like an anomaly, but it's not. We have to write off that FL Atlantic game. Last night was the culmination of momentum that has been building. A number of factors are all coming together at the same time. Ayo needed a little time to get used to the college game and he has now. He's shown over the last five games that his great play is sustainable. Same thing for Giorgi. He's developed some moves and an aggression that we can reasonably expect to continue. Trent has obviously struggled but he's starting to find a way to have great games without having to rely on hitting 5 three's in a game. His current game is more sustainable. Most importantly, the whole team has bought in. Even after loosing a number of games in a row, they are still coming out every game and fighting. We won't win the BTT and we won't make the big dance, but now they've tasted success and they'll like it, and want more. We'll be fun to watch and will surprise a number of teams during the rest of the season.
 
#171      
If Ayo left for the NBA after this year, he would be the first one-and-done in Illinois history, correct?

That would at least be of some help with recruiting by showing that a 5-star player, even on a bad team, would still have the ability to see their NBA dreams come true with this current staff. I would think that could help with players like Whitney going forward.
Jereme Richmond......he just didn't get drafted

but if you mean first successful one and done, yep I think so
 
#174      

illini80

Forgottonia
Haven't seen it discussed much, but we are driving to the basket much harder than earlier in the season. Not only are some of the shots starting to drop, we are getting foul calls and open kick outs we were missing a month ago. Huge development if you ask me.
 
#175      

Joel Goodson

respect my decision™
What I liked is that the freshman got some minutes very early on before we were up by much, or at all. I think Tevian replaced Kipper something like 90 seconds into the game.

Nichols didn't block out his man. Good call by Underwood.