Illinois 99, Rutgers 94 OT POSTGAME

#252      
I got this.

Easy, Wasn't whistled.

Seriously, looked like a good block to me. All ball, block to the baseline.
 
#253      

BillyBob1

Champaign
Any Krush members on this Board? I noticed yesterday several not wearing orange. They are the Orange Krush! Just curious.
 
#255      

Deleted member 29907

D
Guest
How was that "block" by Giorgi at the end of the game on Harper's 'three' not a foul?
Yeah, normally refs are calling that. I think the contact was fairly minor and was after he landed and my guess is the ref thought it was the classic 'flop on the 3 to get a call' play - which so many players tend to do in key circumstances. Hopefully the refs are getting numb to this, but in this case that may have worked against him. I would have expected a call.

Edit: After watching the game highlights again - it looks like at 5:04 Harper actually grabs Giorgi's shoulder and pulls him down - perhaps the ref thought Harper was trying to initiate a foul by grabbing and pulling Giorgi down on him. So I just changed my opinion - no call was appropriate.
 
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#256      
Not sure if Rutgers was playing extra hard for their coach yesterday or not - but it seemed like every tough shot they took went in and up until the end (which took down their percent) seemed to be making 3s at a higher clip than on average. And it really looked more like street ball offense more than anything else. I haven't watched them much this year but the scouting was a slowed down 1/2 court offense - which they completely abandoned yesterday.

They played well - and had a few breakout performances. We played well and had one over the top performance by Giorgi (assisted by RU's refusal to play post D of course - but you take what the D gives you).

And what key pickups both Adonis and Dre were in the off season - absolute homerun additions to this team.
One of the commentators mentioned Pickiell changed the offensive game plan completely due to the Illini defensive style. So it was planned. And did a damn good job of changing it up! Hopefully good tips for the Illini in how to improve on defensively.
 
#258      
POI
Happ freshman 28.1 mins 12.4 pts 7.9 R .538 fg%
Giorgi 26.4 mins 14.2 pts 5.2 R .602 fg%
Gotta improve the rebounding.
 
#259      

sacraig

The desert
POI
Happ freshman 28.1 mins 12.4 pts 7.9 R .538 fg%
Giorgi 26.4 mins 14.2 pts 5.2 R .602 fg%
Gotta improve the rebounding.

Comparison on a per-minute basis:
Happ: 0.441 PPM, 0.281 RPM
Bezhanishvili: 0.538 PPM, 0.197 RPM

Bezhanishvili scores 22% more efficiently than Happ did, and Happ rebounded 43% more efficiently than Bezhanishvili does.
 
#260      

AEX

Danger Zone
Comparison on a per-minute basis:
Happ: 0.441 PPM, 0.281 RPM
Bezhanishvili: 0.538 PPM, 0.197 RPM

Bezhanishvili scores 22% more efficiently than Happ did, and Happ rebounded 43% more efficiently than Bezhanishvili does.

While not responsible for the full difference, by any means, I do wonder how much our defensive approach impacts rebounding numbers. How many rebound opportunities does Giorgi see each game as compared to Happ? It would make sense that Giorgi sees fewer opportunities given our efforts to turn teams over (and the high percentages they get on the shots they do put up) but I wouldn't even know where to begin to find that information.
 
#261      

sacraig

The desert
While not responsible for the full difference, by any means, I do wonder how much our defensive approach impacts rebounding numbers. How many rebound opportunities does Giorgi see each game as compared to Happ? It would make sense that Giorgi sees fewer opportunities given our efforts to turn teams over (and the high percentages they get on the shots they do put up) but I wouldn't even know where to begin to find that information.

That sounds like the level of detail only Ken Pomeroy could provide.
 
#262      
While not responsible for the full difference, by any means, I do wonder how much our defensive approach impacts rebounding numbers. How many rebound opportunities does Giorgi see each game as compared to Happ? It would make sense that Giorgi sees fewer opportunities given our efforts to turn teams over (and the high percentages they get on the shots they do put up) but I wouldn't even know where to begin to find that information.
Could compare defensive rebounds to opponents shots missed (opportunities) and compare the percentage. Giorgi offense rebounds look good and may be because we miss so many shots. Believe a defensive scheme (pack line) that puts you behind the offensive player is an advantage in rebounding but not enough of an expert to judge that. The stats for freshmen only show total rebounds so would have to go to each team website to get defensive and offensive rebounds. Also not sure whether they are coached to keep the block out and let the guards get the rebound. Also not sure how taps to teammates are treated, assume teammate gets credit.
 
#263      
Rebounding percentage is the right stat here. Whether or not the defensive scheme takes Giorgi out of position, there are fewer rebounds available when the other team turns it over on 22% of their possessions (and is allowed a higher percentage on shots they do manage). Unfortunately, those numbers aren't much different. Giorgi in conference is rebounding 11.9% of misses. Happ rebounded 17.7% of misses his freshman year, including a full quarter of available defensive rebounds. Get to work Giorgi!
 
#264      
Should be said, we're not the only team in that game that's on the right track as a program. That was a heck of a performance by a Rutgers team that's even younger than us.

Which is good news because it is decreed by God that Illinois will only ever be exactly as good as Rutgers at basketball.

I was at the 2005 Final Four. No Rutgers there, dude.
 
#265      
To defend those folks, who may or may not include me, he showed zero of what he has in any of the youtube videos that were out there for him, and his offer list reflected that.

I don't understand how a big guy of that skill level wasn't destroying everyone in high school. It's not like Giorgi's a shy kid or something.

The random thing that doesn't make sense has happened in our favor for once, let's savor it.

He only played one year in N. Jersey and was on a really good team. He was no doubt trying to fit in and he told Wood he loves top pass. What a kid! He'll go down in Illini history before it's all over, and not just for this one game!
 
#266      
Rebounding percentage is the right stat here. Whether or not the defensive scheme takes Giorgi out of position, there are fewer rebounds available when the other team turns it over on 22% of their possessions (and is allowed a higher percentage on shots they do manage). Unfortunately, those numbers aren't much different. Giorgi in conference is rebounding 11.9% of misses. Happ rebounded 17.7% of misses his freshman year, including a full quarter of available defensive rebounds. Get to work Giorgi!

I would argue that the offensive schemes may take Giorgi out of position more so than the defensive ones do.
 
#267      
Not sure how much but believe OA deserves a significant amount of credit. LB becomes a huge offensive threat last year after pedestrian previous seasons and Giorgi becomes unstoppable post threat after scoring single digits in HS. Looking for Kofi to dominate in the post and Giorgi to become a matchup nightmare next year. Three threats are significant but four should be awesome in future.
Also believe we may miss AJ more than projected by stats next year.

Da'Monte can fill AJ's role.
 
#269      
How did so many big-time schools whiff on Giorgi? I said some time ago he would be a fan favorite if only for his name and personality. But the guy's a player! So glad he considers U of I his family. What a story! May I buy the movie rights?

He only played one yearn N. Jersey and was on a good team. Obviously he wanted to fit in so he was the #4 scorer. Wood asked him why he didn't score more and Giorgi said he likes to pass!
 
#270      
It was a joy and privilege to be able to attend this game! 20 years from now, when I'm talking to fellow Illini fans about that amazing performance by Giorgi, I can say I was there, but I was just as impressed with the crowd, arena, talent and grit of all the Illini players! It's been awhile since I was able to make a game and I have to give the entire experience an A+. Very impressive showing by the Illini!
 
#273      
Here’s what has me excited:

1) Giorgi and Ayo playing great and getting much deserved recognition. While we sort of expected Ayo would be great Giorgi has outplayed his rankings. His defense has steadily improved and he’s not AS foul prone as early in the season. He has a great touch for a big and that hook is solid from either hand.
2) Frazier’s shot has really heated up and incuded 5/9 from 3 in the Rutgers game. For those who asked, “Where Is Frazier?” I say he never left. He continued to play solid defense and helped us out in many other ways - when he has his shot going like it was against Rutgers look out!
3) Hopefully we will no longer hear anyone talk about Feliz’ ability at the P5 level. Cassius Winston’s comments were spot on - he never leaves you alone - he hounded him like a junkyard dog. His ability to drive the lane even against bigs is amazing and those floaters have been really critical in the last few games. The guy always seems to know where to be on the court to get rebounds, passes, etc. He is a great piece to have on this team.
4) Jordan seems to be gaining confidence in his shot, continues to be a key rebounder and had a nice block late v Rutgers. It’s great to have his leadership.
5) Give DLR credit for stepping up his game. We need him to be able to provide meaningful minutes in relief of Giorgi and he has been giving better and better minutes! I know many of us were not that impressed with him early but it’s pretty tough to come back from the injury he had, get in shape, and shake off the rust.
6) Damonte has not shot the ball as well as I’d like but he is a very smart player and defends well. He usually steps up and makes some key contributions.
7) Tev and Griffin - I’m really excited about both of these players for next year. We saw what Tev could do at MSG and although I don’t expect him to have that kind of outing all the time he is a very versatile player with great length. His defense is all that’s keeping him from more pt. It would have been nice to see how much further he’d be along without the suspension. Griffin will be an elite shooter on this team - mark my words. He is also long and an excellent rebounder.
8) I thought it was critical that our bench was so solid against Rutgers when we had players in foul trouble.
 
#274      
An interesting fact about that game - Deon was the highest scoring freshman but he wasn't the highest scoring player in that game. Andy Kaufmann scored 46 and he was only the second highest scorer in the game. Some dude from Milwaukee scored 50.
Thanks for that. I had to find the box score. What's crazy is that even beyond those players you mention, two other players combined for over 50 points. And the guy that scored 50 had 44 field goal attempts.
 
#275      
Here’s what has me excited:

1) Giorgi and Ayo playing great and getting much deserved recognition. While we sort of expected Ayo would be great Giorgi has outplayed his rankings. His defense has steadily improved and he’s not AS foul prone as early in the season. He has a great touch for a big and that hook is solid from either hand.
2) Frazier’s shot has really heated up and incuded 5/9 from 3 in the Rutgers game. For those who asked, “Where Is Frazier?” I say he never left. He continued to play solid defense and helped us out in many other ways - when he has his shot going like it was against Rutgers look out!
3) Hopefully we will no longer hear anyone talk about Feliz’ ability at the P5 level. Cassius Winston’s comments were spot on - he never leaves you alone - he hounded him like a junkyard dog. His ability to drive the lane even against bigs is amazing and those floaters have been really critical in the last few games. The guy always seems to know where to be on the court to get rebounds, passes, etc. He is a great piece to have on this team.
4) Jordan seems to be gaining confidence in his shot, continues to be a key rebounder and had a nice block late v Rutgers. It’s great to have his leadership.
5) Give DLR credit for stepping up his game. We need him to be able to provide meaningful minutes in relief of Giorgi and he has been giving better and better minutes! I know many of us were not that impressed with him early but it’s pretty tough to come back from the injury he had, get in shape, and shake off the rust.
6) Damonte has not shot the ball as well as I’d like but he is a very smart player and defends well. He usually steps up and makes some key contributions.
7) Tev and Griffin - I’m really excited about both of these players for next year. We saw what Tev could do at MSG and although I don’t expect him to have that kind of outing all the time he is a very versatile player with great length. His defense is all that’s keeping him from more pt. It would have been nice to see how much further he’d be along without the suspension. Griffin will be an elite shooter on this team - mark my words. He is also long and an excellent rebounder.
8) I thought it was critical that our bench was so solid against Rutgers when we had players in foul trouble.
You left out Kipper. WHEN he hits his potential watch out. Everyone will be as surprised by his performance as they have been Giorgi's. If the Illini miracle happens (Win out) Kipper will be a factor.