This would be a huge win. We need one of the next two. I read an article. I think it was in the Gazette about this being Underwood's best team. I still believe that the verdict is still out on that. Ayo's teams were pretty good. Let's see where we are at in January. I like the chemistry this team has. Last year was one on one and helter skelter. This year there seems to be more ball movement and unselfishness. If we can continue to improve and cut down on turnovers, we have a chance to make a run this year. Of course, it goes without saying that we obviously need to stay healthy. I am really impressed with Domask and Gurrier. Goody is playing like I imagined him playing last year. Defensively, they look much better to me than last year.
Pregame: Illinois vs Florida Atlantic, Tuesday, December 5th, 5:30pm CT, ESPN
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altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Pre-FAU thoughts having nothing to do with FAU:
The game at the RAC was the fourth time I've seen BU teams play in six seasons. Saw Ayo's frosh year victory over MD in the Garden in Jan '19, then two losses at MD in Jan and Dec 2022. Then Saturday's complete beatdown of Rutgers.
The team on Saturday was well-oiled. They clearly like each other, they're mature, the ball movement was rapid and mesmerizing, the D was tenacious, and they're simply a solid, big, dominant team. I recall that '19 game, sitting with a Maryland buddy among Terp fans in MSG who sneered at a 5-14 Illinois team pregame playing their #13 team. Then we beat them by nine. That was, IIRC, the first attention-getting victory of the BU era, and we took down #9 MSU 10 days later ("This will not end well.") Bronx native Adonis De La Rosa got in Bruno Fernandez' head early that day, which was huge, Tevian played well, Ayo began to do Ayo things, and I began to have hope again.
Saturday from the tip I simply enjoyed this group, how long our bench is, and sat back and savored it all. I know lots of people bash BU for this and that but he has rebuilt the program sustainably, landed excellent recruits, and used the portal to strong effect. Guerrier, Harmon, Domask, are substantial additions, and each of them is seasoned and mature. Last year he got saddled with three head cases, one of whom was way too old to be that immature and appeared to have demolished the team's chemistry. It's so refreshing to see this team in contrast. I'm also regularly amazed how different it is to watch a game in person v. on TV. I don't know what it is but I seem to see the game differently. In particular, I like watching BU, Tim, Geoff and Chester work with the players and react to the game.
Anyway, whatever happens Tuesday in MSG and Saturday in Knoxville, I really like this team, our coaches, and the program. I'm enjoying these guys and the season, and am anticipating many big wins over the next four months. Am also looking forward to seeing the boys play again @ Maryland in February. Spring will be here before we know it, but as far as I'm concerned it can take its sweet time getting here.
Finally, I was reminded on Saturday afternoon travelling with my Illini brother @Retro62, seeing so many fellow Illini in the bar where we had lunch on the Rutgers campus (an "I-L-L/I-N-I" chant even got going in the bar filled with Rutgers pregamers!), at the RAC, and even at a rest stop on the NJ Turnpike heading home where an Illini elder approached me to talk about the game we'd both just enjoyed, how much I treasure my affiliation with UIUC. It's great to be us.
The game at the RAC was the fourth time I've seen BU teams play in six seasons. Saw Ayo's frosh year victory over MD in the Garden in Jan '19, then two losses at MD in Jan and Dec 2022. Then Saturday's complete beatdown of Rutgers.
The team on Saturday was well-oiled. They clearly like each other, they're mature, the ball movement was rapid and mesmerizing, the D was tenacious, and they're simply a solid, big, dominant team. I recall that '19 game, sitting with a Maryland buddy among Terp fans in MSG who sneered at a 5-14 Illinois team pregame playing their #13 team. Then we beat them by nine. That was, IIRC, the first attention-getting victory of the BU era, and we took down #9 MSU 10 days later ("This will not end well.") Bronx native Adonis De La Rosa got in Bruno Fernandez' head early that day, which was huge, Tevian played well, Ayo began to do Ayo things, and I began to have hope again.
Saturday from the tip I simply enjoyed this group, how long our bench is, and sat back and savored it all. I know lots of people bash BU for this and that but he has rebuilt the program sustainably, landed excellent recruits, and used the portal to strong effect. Guerrier, Harmon, Domask, are substantial additions, and each of them is seasoned and mature. Last year he got saddled with three head cases, one of whom was way too old to be that immature and appeared to have demolished the team's chemistry. It's so refreshing to see this team in contrast. I'm also regularly amazed how different it is to watch a game in person v. on TV. I don't know what it is but I seem to see the game differently. In particular, I like watching BU, Tim, Geoff and Chester work with the players and react to the game.
Anyway, whatever happens Tuesday in MSG and Saturday in Knoxville, I really like this team, our coaches, and the program. I'm enjoying these guys and the season, and am anticipating many big wins over the next four months. Am also looking forward to seeing the boys play again @ Maryland in February. Spring will be here before we know it, but as far as I'm concerned it can take its sweet time getting here.
Finally, I was reminded on Saturday afternoon travelling with my Illini brother @Retro62, seeing so many fellow Illini in the bar where we had lunch on the Rutgers campus (an "I-L-L/I-N-I" chant even got going in the bar filled with Rutgers pregamers!), at the RAC, and even at a rest stop on the NJ Turnpike heading home where an Illini elder approached me to talk about the game we'd both just enjoyed, how much I treasure my affiliation with UIUC. It's great to be us.
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I don't see the comparisons between Justin and Damonte, just two very different players in my opinion outside of a team first attitude and willingness to show effort on the court. It was fantastic seeing Justin have a good game against Rutgers, but from what we've seen thus far out I'd still have him in the deep sub category (3rd or 4th off the bench depending on foul situation) though if he starts stringing performances together like he did at Rutgers, he does have room to move up.
I do agree with your DGL take though- to get time he's going to have to earn it, and thus far he hasn't really done that in his opportunities. He'll get a few more chances, but it has always been difficult for freshman to break into the B10 and show themselves capable of playing anything outside of spot minutes in conference play without being bullied. Really, Griffiths of Rutgers is in similar shape right now though he's an even more dynamic a scorer. B10 upperclassmen will just go at you, pick you apart, and take your lunch money.
Based on what?
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
Pre-FAU thoughts having nothing to do with FAU:
The game at the RAC was the fourth time I've seen BU teams play in six seasons. Saw Ayo's frosh year victory over MD in the Garden in Jan '19, then two losses at MD in Jan and Dec 2022. Then Saturday's complete beatdown of Rutgers.
The team on Saturday was well-oiled. They clearly like each other, they're mature, the ball movement was rapid and mesmerizing, the D was tenacious, and they're simply a solid, big, dominant team. I recall that '19 game, sitting with a Maryland buddy among Terp fans in MSG who sneered at a 5-14 Illinois team pregame playing their #13 team. Then we beat them by nine. That was, IIRC, the first attention-getting victory of the BU era, and we took down #9 MSU 10 days later ("This will not end well.") Bronx native Adonis De La Rosa got in Bruno Fernandez' head early that day, which was huge, Tevian played well, Ayo began to do Ayo things, and I began to have hope again.
Saturday from the tip I simply enjoyed this group, how long our bench is, and sat back and savored it all. I know lots of people bash BU for this and that but he has rebuilt the program sustainably, landed excellent recruits, and used the portal to strong effect. Guerrier, Harmon, Domask, are substantial additions, and each of them is seasoned and mature. Last year he got saddled with three head cases, one of whom was way too old to be that immature and appeared to have demolished the team's chemistry. It's so refreshing to see this team in contrast. I'm also regularly amazed how different it is to watch a game in person v. on TV. I don't know what it is but I seem to see the game differently. In particular, I like watching BU, Tim, Geoff and Chester work with the players and react to the game.
Anyway, whatever happens Tuesday in MSG and Saturday in Knoxville, I really like this team, our coaches, and the program. I'm enjoying these guys and the season, and am anticipating many big wins over the next four months. Am also looking forward to seeing the boys play again @ Maryland in February. Spring will be here before we know it, but as far as I'm concerned it can take its sweet time getting here.
Finally, I was reminded on Saturday afternoon travelling with my Illini brother @Retro62, seeing so many fellow Illini in the bar where we had lunch on the Rutgers campus (an "I-L-L/I-N-I" chant even got going in the bar filled with Rutgers pregamers!), at the RAC, and even at a rest stop on the NJ Turnpike heading home where an Illini elder approached me to talk about the game we'd both just enjoyed, how much I treasure my affiliation with UIUC. It's great to be us.
Outstanding!
(from the game thread lol)https://www.illinoisloyalty.com/post/game-thread-illinois-at-rutgers.32941/post-1972216blackdog
- Champaign
The freshman guard who isn't a natural PG is going to improve the turnover numbers against a team that plays a high pressure defense designed to force turnover?
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DGL is a good player, but to think that a freshman in his first ever college road game (in conference, at the RAC) is going to reduce turnovers compared to the guys that played is a heck of a take. And he would’ve given up more baskets on defense than whoever he replaced.
Huh?
Rutgers is a top 5 team in defensive efficiency, and top 10 in turnovers forced. (They average ...17 a game...)
You saw the part where we only gave up 22 points in the 2nd half, right? This team will win on defense. Rutgers couldn't score and they gave up.
DGL isn't where we need him to be on that end yet. Give them a few layups and they might have gotten a spark.
We could have 34 TO's a game and I wouldn't care if we're winning by 18
I can't imagine being this way... where you HAVE to find a negative narrative somewhere. Enjoy the win, man.
We played Rutgers better than any other team has yet this season, including the mighty Georgetown Hoyas. Beat them at home, controlled the entire game except for a 1 minute span where Rutgers made 3 threes in a row (one a banked in prayer and another off of a broken play).
As another person above mentioned, Rutgers is a top 5 defensive team in the country and top 10 in forced turnovers. Our Rodgers-led offense was absolutely humming, putting up 76 points against a defense that was allowing well over 20 points less than that per game.
I think we are currently not only 1st in the country in field goal percentage allowed but also 4th in the country in rebounding differential. We play like that again tomorrow night, I have zero worries. Likely win by double digits.
As another person above mentioned, Rutgers is a top 5 defensive team in the country and top 10 in forced turnovers. Our Rodgers-led offense was absolutely humming, putting up 76 points against a defense that was allowing well over 20 points less than that per game.
I think we are currently not only 1st in the country in field goal percentage allowed but also 4th in the country in rebounding differential. We play like that again tomorrow night, I have zero worries. Likely win by double digits.
sacraig
- The desert
If we play up to the level we did against Rutgers the rest of the year we will get a top 4 seed
Okay then. What is the carrot to be offered for next year's tournament trip? I couldn't make it work this season for various reasons, but I would have liked to have negotiated a MGC BB tournment in conjunction with a Broadway show for somebody else. Where we going next year?
Don't want to get ahead of myself but I think they played like a top 10 team in the country against Rutgers. Top 4 seed might be underselling it.
I think theyre length and athleticism will allow them bully a lot of teams and Shannon is capable carrying an offense any given night.
illini55
- The Villages, FL
Complete nonsense. Glad Brad is coaching and you are sitting on your couch.
The only reason we had that many TO’s is because we got sloppy and more relaxed up 20 … So if we have that many turnovers again … I bet we don’t get beat by 20 …
If we play every team like we played against Rutgers defensively … We won’t lose many games …
And I think every game on the schedule besides Purdue we will have the best player on the court …
Looks like 7 guys play 22+ mins with 6 of those being 25+. An 8th plays 15.5 and a 9th being 9.5. Very balanced scoring with 8 guys averaging 7 pts. or more.
We are leading the nation in FG% against at 33.9% and in rebounding with 49.3/game.
They shoot the ball very, very good at 50.7% overall and 38.4% from 3.
Stats per ESPN
Joel Goodson
- ties will be resolved
illini55
- The Villages, FL
I was trying to be charitable—-it is the Christmas season…
Agreed.
And when a team is down 20 at home....they tend to gamble and up the pressure, especially this Rutgers team. They had to pull the press off periodically because of open looks off it. If TOs were that big of an issue, Pikiell would have upped the pressure...not taken the press off. Enjoy the wins people!
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