haasi
- New York
My wife said to me without any idea what was going on, "man, this commentator is a crazy Illinois homer!" and she was talking about Dakich.
Indiana 74, Illinois 47 POSTGAME
My wife said to me without any idea what was going on, "man, this commentator is a crazy Illinois homer!" and she was talking about Dakich.
Groce is in kind of a double-bind.
He can not blame the players. Weber tried that, and that does not play well.
Blaming himself or the coaches is self-defeating.
What is left, but cliches?
As the loses mount up, pretty difficult to do the post-game presser I would imagine.
Need leadership and fresh legs. Obviously, the fresh legs ain't hapenning with this roster and injuries, but someone in this junior class has to step up and be a vocal leader. I thought it was going to be tate, but somehow he has managed to play himself into non-existence. The few minutes he does get anymore he just looks disinterested. I don't get it. I don't think it's in Malcolm or Mav's personalities, so that leaves Nunn.
The reporters or broadcasters are supposed to tell the story, not be part of the story. Groce fist-bumping Dackich was "bush league."
But I imagine that ESPN realized that the game was likely to another slaughter and it was a desperate attempt to amuse the fans and hold on to viewers.
That's where Abrams comes in next year and helps in the category.
I agree, I also think jcl and aj both could be that guy, but right now they are freshman and probably feel they have to defer to the juniors. There are times where I notice jcl getting vocal at dead balls
I don't get it either. He was the floor general at Simeon and seemed to take on that role here from the get go. I'd love to know what happened. Perhaps it is simply that Groce decided to go with Hill and Lewis the rest of the year and planning on the new guy and Abrams next year. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if Tate is run off after the season.
Deleted member 16340
D
Guest
I am. I remember it well...
I have a feeling that this is what's happening. Between Tracy, Lucas, and even Hill, I don't see where Tate will get meaningful playing time. Just my opinion, but I think it would be in his best interest to take a year off and focus just on shooting.
In fairness to Tate he should really have been a career backup here. He isn't a BIG level PG. You have to be able to knock down the occasional jumper and play defense and he doesn't do either of those things. He was forced into a larger role because of the staff's failure recruiting. Lewis isn't much better but his assist to turnover ratio has been really good of late. Neither of them can make shots which makes it very hard on the rest of the offense. Indiana double teamed Malcolm last night and made it really hard on him. When he did find open guys they missed shots. If Lewis and or Finke knock down a few shots it could change things but neither of them can throw it in the Ocean from the boat right now.
CIIF
- Edwardsville
I think I could have played PG on that team and still win a title.
HoustonIllini
- Houston, TX
<Insert Comment Here>
I was definitely reference next year. I mentioned what I watched tonight in that these guys will be on the team next year with Abrams, Nichols, and Lucas. The team that played last night plus those 3 next year are not an NCAA tournament team.
Foggy Notion
- San Francisco
True, and it says a lot about Abrams that he was a leader and team MVP as a freshman.
It's tough to live in a Big Ten state that's not Illinois. In Pennsylvania, it seems like half the cars have Penn State Nittany Lion/paw print decals on them, and there are almost as many PSU ball caps, jackets, etc. It's certainly something you don't see in Illinois.
I almost didn't go to church the Sunday after the drubbing the Lions gave the Illini in Happy Valley this fall...but I couldn't stay away forever.
I just remind everyone that Illinois has the fourth largest library in the country, behind only the Library of Congress, Harvard, and New York City. It would still be nice to win an occasional ball game.
Maybe if Smith kept you on the bench.
When Tate arrived, he took care of the ball, pushed the pace, had great vision, saw angles and was vocal. He was a decent backup point guard. Seems lost or as illini8507 said "disinterested" out there.
As everyone knows, I've stood up for Tate and have probably made some folks hate me.. so I will revert and throw these out there for everyone to mull over...
Tate has been the whipping boy on this board, singled out for what was wrong with the offense. We scored 47 points last night.
Against Wisconsin at a critical point in the game, we turned the ball over four straight possessions... game over.
Maybe if Smith kept you on the bench.
When Tate arrived, he took care of the ball, pushed the pace, had great vision, saw angles and was vocal. He was a decent backup point guard. Seems lost or as illini8507 said "disinterested" out there.
As everyone knows, I've stood up for Tate and have probably made some folks hate me.. so I will revert and throw these out there for everyone to mull over...
Tate has been the whipping boy on this board, singled out for what was wrong with the offense. We scored 47 points last night.
Against Wisconsin at a critical point in the game, we turned the ball over four straight possessions... game over.
I have also defended Tate since he committed to us and hoped that he would turn out to be a diamond in the rough after getting that commitment from Kendrick. So to me it all came down to how he would progress as he grew in Groce's system, and how his own physical and mental growth as a basketball player. And I have to say that it is really getting harder and harder to defend him because I am not seeing the growth I was hoping for.
Hopefully, you don't have too many other B1G neighbors. Could have darn near the whole conference's logos in your driveway.
Stevegarbs
- Mokena, IL
Hopefully, you don't have too many other B1G neighbors. Could have darn near the whole conference's logos in your driveway.
Oh man that's harsh.
Hopefully, you don't have too many other B1G neighbors. Could have darn near the whole conference's logos in your driveway.
uh oh...