Iowa 77, Illinois 65 POSTGAME

#1      

Dan

Admin
[YOUTUBE]O_GMlJGt-XE[/YOUTUBE]
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:illinois:
 
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#2      
Great energy! Never quit! Never say die! More generic terms to show were okay with double digit losses on our home floor to Iowa. Oh how the fallen have fallen.

That Iowa team happens to be one of the best teams in the country. If you thought we were going to win you are delusional. I'm happy with how they fought and almost beat the line. This was never going to be a win.
 
#3      
Really think this game is different if we have Leron or Thorne. We get killed on the boards. If we didn't get so out rebounded this would be a different game.

Nunn has hit a cold patch the last few games. Obviously something is bother him.
 
#4      

illynifan34

That's a winner!!
OH
That Iowa team happens to be one of the best teams in the country. If you thought we were going to win you are delusional. I'm happy with how they fought and almost beat the line. This was never going to be a win.

The problem is it was decided that this wouldn't be a win about 3 years ago. We are just headed in the wrong direction.
 
#5      
Great energy! Never quit! Never say die! More generic terms to show were okay with double digit losses on our home floor to Iowa. Oh how the fallen have fallen.

A loss to a top 5 team when you are down 3 starters and your second leading scorer can't throw it is the ocean... I am not happy but I am not surprised. I am not sure what you expected. I did like the fact that DJW seems ready to contribute. It is nice to see his progression.
 
#6      
TCTORNADO said:
He will get DJRich, Keene and Jamar, though
Oh, easily. I recall Richardson having a sophomore slump, but I think JCL's shown a bit more variety to his game despite his obvious status as the best sharpshooter on the team.

As for today's game, it's true value lies in quality minutes for the freshman. Especially DJ Williams. It's been said many times that this is a special group of freshman (including Finke). They really ought to be the new core of the team moving forwards. If you get them lots of PT on the court together, we may just see a team as cohesive as Iowa in a couple of years. :hand:
 
#7      
Really think this game is different if we have Leron or Thorne. We get killed on the boards. If we didn't get so out rebounded this would be a different game.

Nunn has hit a cold patch the last few games. Obviously something is bother him.

26-2 second chance points. Inability to rebound is the difference in this team being an avg B1G team and a bottom feeder. Unfortunately our 2 best are in street clothes.

I know people want to point to pg play, and I'll agree with that, but I think rebounding is more important in the grand scheme.
 
#8      
Glad to see DJW feel a part of the game, and a few positive flashes from MM and MF. At least the game was interesting to the odd-makers. These minutes for the young guys will really help the team next year.
 
#9      

Chris Yates

Recruiting Correspondent
Michigan
Can't win without an inside game. The difference was second-chance points. We can't compete on the boards with anyone.

We'll almost certainly be playing one of the graveyard games on Wednesday in the Big Ten tournament.
 
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#10      

Illiniaaron

Geneseo, IL
That Iowa team happens to be one of the best teams in the country. If you thought we were going to win you are delusional. I'm happy with how they fought and almost beat the line. This was never going to be a win.

I didn't think Illinois would win this game but upsets happen quite often. If people are excited that the Illini kept it within twenty then I really don't get what the point of any of this is.
 
#11      
Would have been a much closer game with MT and LB healthy and playing. Their inside presence was too much for us without those two on the floor; we just don't have enough talent to defend and rebound down low right now, and JG will have to find another fifth-year transfer for next year who can help provide those things. KN's off game didn't help, and our lack of a starting quality PG is frustrating. KL would be ideal as a 12-15 mpg guy off the bench but is being forced into a major role.

On the plus side, JCL's 3-point shooting is a beauty to watch. Next offseason he'll hopefully expand his game to put the ball on the deck more and use shot fakes to create driving opportunities. DJW showed a glimpse of his potential, too. His length and athleticism will come in handy the next 3 years. MM has become a reliable scorer for us. I just wish he could defend. Wow.
 
#12      
Sorry, but, we got our butts kicked in the paint. We don't want the ball bad enough to rebound or to get loose balls. Lots of standing around and getting out rebounded either by one guy when we have numbers or they have numbers and poor Morgan is by himself. He is the only one that blocks out. The three that Finke took near the end showed it all. Follows his shot, he has the board. Didn't, they get the ball.

Not all bad though. We look like we are set on the perimeter for four years at least. Still would like to see us try JCL or DW at point. Why not? Morgan is getting better and better. Maybe if we had one more big so we could play a true PF there, it might be different. DW came in and did all the little things to spark the team. Maybe JG sent a message by playing him the rest of the game.
 
#13      
26-2 second chance points. Inability to rebound is the difference in this team being an avg B1G team and a bottom feeder. Unfortunately our 2 best are in street clothes.

I know people want to point to pg play, and I'll agree with that, but I think rebounding is more important in the grand scheme.

JCL stats this year are unique---shoots better from 3 pt (40.2%) than 2 pt. (35.4%).
 
#14      
Nunn has hit a cold patch the last few games. Obviously something is bother him.[/QUOTE]

Nunn is a hot/cold shooter. He has been that way since HS. He usually gives a good effort, but he is a very streaky shooter. If we were a little more balanced it would help him.
 
#17      

AeroIllini

3rd Floor talbot lab
Going to be an unpopular opinion, but after today somebody (maybe DJ??) should start ahead of Nunn. Court side he had zero energy. I don't know if he needs a nanny or what but he's not playing very good, especially on the offensive end.
 
#18      
If Thorne doesn't get into another game does the staff pursue a medical redshirt? Is there any precedent where the guy tried to come back, and played in a game but couldn't continue the rest of the season after that?

I know his case was iffy before he played in the iu game anyway. If he's healthy and playing next year we would look really good, but I am much more comfortable with Mav getting serious minutes at the 5 next year than I was 2 months ago
 
#19      
26-2 second chance points. Inability to rebound is the difference in this team being an avg B1G team and a bottom feeder. Unfortunately our 2 best are in street clothes.

I know people want to point to pg play, and I'll agree with that, but I think rebounding is more important in the grand scheme.

They're both glaring weaknesses right now. I'm concerned that they'll still be glaring weaknesses next year, too. TA can't be expected to be as quick or sharp next year as he was in 2014, and he wasn't a very good PG back then, either. TJL will be a frosh. Can't expect him to come in and be a B1G-quality starter from the get-go. And MM and MF will hopefully make incremental improvement as defenders and rebounders, but MF is not a natural C, and MM has obvious limitations. JG will probably again pound the pavement for another 5th-year transfer at the 5. We'll need one for sure. Our C play is sub-standard.
 
#21      
Oh what could've been if everyone was healthy

Thinking back to how we looked against UAB and the first half of ISU before Thorne got hurt, and Black was clearly not 100% in those games either. Couple that with Tracy playing too and it's very depressing to think of how much better we were going to be this season.
 
#22      
Would have been a much closer game with MT and LB healthy and playing. Their inside presence was too much for us without those two on the floor; we just don't have enough talent to defend and rebound down low right now, and JG will have to find another fifth-year transfer for next year who can help provide those things. KN's off game didn't help, and our lack of a starting quality PG is frustrating. KL would be ideal as a 12-15 mpg guy off the bench but is being forced into a major role.

On the plus side, JCL's 3-point shooting is a beauty to watch. Next offseason he'll hopefully expand his game to put the ball on the deck more and use shot fakes to create driving opportunities. DJW showed a glimpse of his potential, too. His length and athleticism will come in handy the next 3 years. MM has become a reliable scorer for us. I just wish he could defend. Wow.

Agree with all of this. What I don't understand is why we do not play Mav and Finke in the same lineup for extended periods of time. I understand that Finke may not be 100% but he seems to be the only one who can effectively make the entry pass. It was painful to watch all five guys just wandering the perimeter when Mav was not in there.

Good game for DJW, that part was fun to watch.
 
#23      
I am starting to believe that Mav could have one of those senior years we remember next year. He really does have a low post game. Many !!!!! about his defense and rebounding, but, he has no help there. I think his numbers would be better if he had Black or Finke playing full time there and Hill was at SF. Next years team all comes down to pg play, assuming we are healthy. Another big is needed though and it needs to be somebody solid.

Also want to make one more point. I think TA will be much better for us next year than what we currently have. Couple of reasons. His soph year he led us to the tourney with a couple of seniors back there with him. His junior year, yeah, it was bad. But, so was that team. He will have more than a year of recovery when the season starts next fall. He will have a lot of help next year and he has sat for two years watching this team. It was not a question of talent his jr year but decision making and sitting back for two years should improve that watching what he has been watching. People forget that he has put this team on his back and won games for us. No way KL or JT do that. He should never have to do that next year, but, he has made game winning shots for us. Every one should hope he comes in ready to go and plays like a SR.
 
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#24      
Sorry, but, we got our butts kicked in the paint. We don't want the ball bad enough to rebound or to get loose balls. Lots of standing around and getting out rebounded either by one guy when we have numbers or they have numbers and poor Morgan is by himself. He is the only one that blocks out. The three that Finke took near the end showed it all. Follows his shot, he has the board. Didn't, they get the ball.

Not all bad though. We look like we are set on the perimeter for four years at least. Still would like to see us try JCL or DW at point. Why not? Morgan is getting better and better. Maybe if we had one more big so we could play a true PF there, it might be different. DW came in and did all the little things to spark the team. Maybe JG sent a message by playing him the rest of the game.

The encouraging thing re DJ today is that Groce left him in there. Stopped the reflexive frosh-yank; hopefully that continues, even though DJ is bound to still make a few mistakes.