Big Jack
- Decatur
Nah it was glaringly obvious after winning the exhibition against Kansas. I still want to see CoHawk and Dain on the court together. A
Illinois 98, Florida Atlantic 89 Postgame
I have been reading through the 23 pages of comments and I don’t know if anyone commented on this or if I was a little dillusional. Did TSJ have a hand with shutting down a different FAU player in each half My observation was that whoever he was guarding you just didn’t hear their name much during that half. Didn’t hear much from Alijah Martin in the 1st half and then heard very little from Johnell Davis in the 2nd. I do understand they had 19 and 13 points respectfully but the majority of their points came when TSJ was not guarding the other person.
Agreed. The team seems to be pulling together light years ahead of last season. Plus, we have a potentially true point guard in Moretti but he's on the CBB equivalent to the IR list. WIthout knowing what goes on behind closed practice doors, let's hope D G-L is working on the things he needs to see meaningful PT. Certainly showed some flashes in the early window. Best case, Rodgers looks like he could be a terror at SF.
Highly unlikely
InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
You spelled Ray’s name wrong…It's who he is and it likely won't change. As Nietzsche noted: "Be careful, lest in casting out your demon you exorcise the best thing in you." I've grown to understand the wisdom in that maxim over the years.
I'll miss the guy when he's gone (CoHawk, not Nietzsche)
"The Illini matter, and when they do, college basketball feels a little stronger."
That says it all for me. Back at the big boys' table.
sacraig
- The desert
Well, last year's team seemingly pulled apart, not together.
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
It's your lucky day. I'm a Nigerian prince but my family locked up my riches. I have 20 hours to send paperwork assigning you my kingdom. Just send your back account info and I'll make you rich.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Nitschke had plenty of uncast-out demons that demonstrated Nietzsche's maxim. Would bet you'd find more than a few guys who didn't relish lining up opposite him before a snap.Goillinikobd
- Southeastern US
As I said, CoHawk continues to be an enigma, but he is our enigma for the entire season, so we take the good with the bad and hope that the one continues to exceed the other.
And
as always
ILL
Question for those with stronger basketball minds than myself. Last night we really shut down the transition opportunities for them. Was this a product primarily of shooting at such a high clip or was there a big scheme change compared to the Marquette game? I know Marquette appears to be better with their outstanding PG play but FAU seemed like a team that could really run and keeping them in the half court was huge.
I don't have a strong mind, just to clarify that! I think our productive scoring had something to do with it, for sure. But I also think Brad has this team completely bought in to playing hard and following the game plan. I would absolutely think FAU's break was a focus. So, in short, a combination of both. I'm happy about it!
Making 60%+ on field goals helps as well. Reduces the number of potential transition opportunities for the opponent.
And TJ has been a tremendous defender the last few games. His mentality on that end just looks completely locked in.
I see both Harmon and Goode each having at least one game this season where they get on a heater and score between 20-25 in completely different ways. But they are both capable of getting hot and this team is showing they will feed the heater and the team seems to enjoy feeding it and watching as much as the guy feelin it. Oh what a difference a year makes.
As Nitschke noted, “The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work.”
Noblesville Illini
- Nappanee, IN
Bigtex
- DFW
Seemed like Shannon was guarding and shutting down Davis much more in 2nd half when picking up fouls was less of a concern.
1st half Davis had too many switches to Harmon and scoring buckets.
I believe that was what I was saying. Last year's team splintered into many pieces.
If you watch this and aren’t immediately a Justin Harmon fan, maybe college basketball isn’t for you. He‘s got a look on his face in the opening sequence like he knows a secret everyone else is about to find out. Dude is bought in 100% from the bench, let alone the effort on the court.
Says a lot about this team.
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