Illinois 96, Northwestern 66 Postgame
Any athlete who can physically do what he can do can learn to make FTs consistently if they simplify the technique and adhere to the fundamentals. Unfortunately, there are not a plethora of folks who know the combination of physics and physiology required. There is no excuse for DD, SH, and Ty to shoot below 50%....or 70 for that matter. Even MD changes the length and arc of his lift over the course of the game and...IMHO...he should be a 90% guy. It really, really is not that hard.
A sincere, deep bow of respect to Ty Rogers!!!!
Not responding to any one poster in particular, but the complaints about playing time are weak sauce at this level. All these guys know this is big time basketball. We are not striving for participation trophy's here. BU rewards the guys who deserve to play. Every day guys is the motto. Bring it in practice every day and you will play. What message is sent if the hardest workers' minutes are limited just to play somebody off the bench?; I'm not saying the younger guys and Dain don't work, but I trust BU. DGL got some early time, and he did ok. Dain did well in his limited minutes. Would I have liked to see the young guys get some experience, sure, but as many have said I think BU was sending a message to the college basketball world this week. He knows what he's doing.
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The only thing I can think of is that it would have been disingenuous to give him a couple token minutes at the end of the game for a starting caliber player. But, if there's one thing that is frustrating me about Underwood, it is not giving a deserving player like Dain more time when you're already winning by 25-33 pts. He could've had him come into the game within 10 mins left in the 2nd half.
InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
I have been wondering this all season. I thought Dain was pretty good for the Illini last year? Clearly they're doing fine without him playing much though.
And if he just shot the three balls where he is squared up. Awesome. But…. I am still starting to believe in him and hope he stays aggressive offensively. Wow. We’ve been asking for that for a long time.
What can be said, great win. This is a very good team. Beat Pu and we should be top5.
I mean, I get what you're saying, but I doubt this was an oversight by coach Underwood. He probably had his reasons for the minutes in this game.
In a nutshell, we're coming for those titles no matter what.
I am a little torn about Dain and the two Freshmen not seeing more time in this game. It's a grueling season and with TS being out, the Illini need others to step up. BU needs everybody on board. With the Big Ten being a grind as well, I do envision a Hansberry getting a big rebound or a DGL hitting a big shot in one of these games.
Having typed that, I also see basically a seven man rotation. A rotation that is doing wonders right now, and that can be trusted. More playing time equates to more cohesion, more conditioning, and more victories--which is ultimate and obvious goal.
Having typed that, I also see basically a seven man rotation. A rotation that is doing wonders right now, and that can be trusted. More playing time equates to more cohesion, more conditioning, and more victories--which is ultimate and obvious goal.
I don't think anyone is saying Dainja deserves 25 mins per game. He was brought in as a transfer(therefore cannot transfer a 2nd time without having to sit out a year), had a solid season last year, and has clearly gotten lots of run against lower level teams when it comes to matchups. So, this isn't a problem regarding practice and that he isn't bringing it. Underwood even mentioned a few games ago that he needs to find ways to play Hawkins and Dain together. So, why isn't he doing it? If you're a fan of the team, you are also a fan of all these kids having success and getting a fair shot when they deserve a fair shot. I'm not talking about DGL. I'm talking about a former starter who shouldn't be playing 4 mins in a game that was a blowout. I feel for the kid, who by all accounts, is a good kid not getting a fair shake. Underwood can find ways to get him 10-15 mins a game if he really wanted to.
Feel like there was a lot of prep work for Purdue baked into today's gameplan. Unfortunately for him, Dain will hardly see the floor unless Edey goes out
AEX
- Danger Zone
Went back to watch Dain’s minutes in the first half to see if there’s anything that would draw Brad’s ire. Dain does a lot of things well, but, tonight at least, he wasn’t putting a lot of effort into rebounding. Goode is getting minutes right now because of effort on rebounding and D, not because of offense. Offense isn’t an issue right now, and Brad’s been stressing rebounding all season.
Does that mean Dain doesn’t deserve more minutes? Tough call. But Brad’s clearly sending a message.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
We might honestly have the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th best players in the B1G.
Definitely. I think I have said the same thing in the past. He's a likeable guy and doesn't hesitate to give credit where it is due. Honestly, I think he is about as good as Northwestern can do, so hopefully they can keep him happy long term.
Once TJ is back that'll need an adjustment.
You're telling me a small inefficient chucker, who turns the ball over at a decent clip, isn't the player that BTN hypes him as?
