That's the perfect word to sum it up, engagement is worse despite the program being competitive again. I would say it is the new era of young people but others school's fan bases don't seem to have an issue with fans making their presence known to the opposition. I think the Orange Krush is slacking big time despite the good reputation that they hold. The true Illini fans can see the difference
Marquette 71, Illinois 64 Postgame
Maybe but we have an entirely new group of students who have experienced enough good years of Illini basketball now that the student engagement should be back at pre-Groce levels. But, that's just not the case. Purdue and Michigan St seems to always be the class of the B10 when it comes to student sections. Not quite sure what it will take for the Krush to get to those levels
Because Marquette was forcing switches until they got the matchup they wanted. NBA game is definitely trickling down. Illini did a much better job of hedging and recovering to avoid the mismatches in the 2nd half. But it's tough when you've got Kolek & Jones who are high-level offensive players.
Against a full court press no less ...
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Doesn't help that they are one of the smallest student sections in the B10 and the majority don't even sit in the lower bowl but rather in an upper 200 section behind the basket. But hey, at least some donors can have luxury seats and sometimes even the Orange Krush seats.
Stevegarbs
- Mokena, IL
I did notice that, good observation. I didn't expect him to throw Coleman under the bus, and he did comment on the turnovers, but I was surprised he said "no problem" at all
Rewatched the highlights. Credit to Marquette they were just tougher than us. There was about a 4-5 minute stretch where we took the lead and tried to take control of the game, but they responded to every shot we made and wouldn’t let us extend the lead.
That said, what was frustrating is how many toughness plays they made during that stretch, whether it was batting a ball out or stripping our guy when he thought he had the rebound. We’ve got to get tougher.
That said, what was frustrating is how many toughness plays they made during that stretch, whether it was batting a ball out or stripping our guy when he thought he had the rebound. We’ve got to get tougher.
Overall I enjoyed the game. We are a pretty good team. And we will be alot better by March.
Marquette is a very good team. I think this is as good as they will be this year. Pretty much the same as last year. BTW Brad said Marquette beat UConn twice last year in his pregame presser. Not sure who told him this but no they didn't.
Another post game interview where coach says we told Dain not to do X and he did it anyway. Come on DD! Trust the scout. smh
Also another post game presser where coach says we ask Coleman to do "alot." Well I think it is time to ask Coleman to do a lot less. It isn't working.
Brad said in the post game presser that the staff had a lot of plays to get Marcus in the post. During the game I was thinking we should be running the Wisky offense. So why didn't we run our stuff for Marcus? What are we waiting for? Looking forward to more Marcus post ups.
I agree with others who commented that the Krush was pretty weak last night. They can't seem to sustain the enthusiasm. Or something. Take the phones away? IDK.
Marquette is a very good team. I think this is as good as they will be this year. Pretty much the same as last year. BTW Brad said Marquette beat UConn twice last year in his pregame presser. Not sure who told him this but no they didn't.
Another post game interview where coach says we told Dain not to do X and he did it anyway. Come on DD! Trust the scout. smh
Also another post game presser where coach says we ask Coleman to do "alot." Well I think it is time to ask Coleman to do a lot less. It isn't working.
Brad said in the post game presser that the staff had a lot of plays to get Marcus in the post. During the game I was thinking we should be running the Wisky offense. So why didn't we run our stuff for Marcus? What are we waiting for? Looking forward to more Marcus post ups.
I agree with others who commented that the Krush was pretty weak last night. They can't seem to sustain the enthusiasm. Or something. Take the phones away? IDK.
We need to get us a PG, can't keep this up!
The majority of 6'-10" bigs can not stay in front of a guard or wing. What were you expecting here?If you watch, many of Hawkins blocks are from behind & a major reason for that is how often he gets beat off the dribble & is chasing. I was always taught good defense is staying between your man & the basket...He does have the athleticism & length to often make up for it though, which is a big reason for the number of blocks he gets.
I have to believe the coaching staff has used everything in its arsenal to get Hawkins to play up to his potential. Hawkins showed he care when he returned.
We win that game going away if FrankNitty (the real one) was on the floor.
May be orange colored glasses, but that game had a sorta "Michigan State under Izzo" type of loss. High quality opponent early in the season when we are still figuring out how this team is going to operate, but still kept it close. Obvious moments of frustration, but showed enough that makes me hopeful for the team going forward the rest of the season. While we may not be considered one of the top teams all year, we have a good chance to truly gel by the end of the year, and could make some noise in the tourney.
We have a really talented team, but a lack of continuity. Marquette has a really talented team, and virtually the same squad that finished last season ranked in the top 15.
They played freely and very fluid. We were thinking a lot... and way too much down the stretch. The inbounding confusion is a great indicator of how well defined our roles are at this point...
I think that was the biggest difference.
I get the PG complaints, but there was no PG we could have recruited that is better than Tyler Kolek. There is a reason no one could cover him effectively. He's a special player. (imagine him with two healthy ankles...)
I like our chances to get significantly better.
They played freely and very fluid. We were thinking a lot... and way too much down the stretch. The inbounding confusion is a great indicator of how well defined our roles are at this point...
I think that was the biggest difference.
I get the PG complaints, but there was no PG we could have recruited that is better than Tyler Kolek. There is a reason no one could cover him effectively. He's a special player. (imagine him with two healthy ankles...)
I like our chances to get significantly better.
Maybe he knows that Coleman's confidence has been a bit shaky to start the year off and is not trying to throw him to the wolves via the media. But, deep down, I'm sure he is not happy with Coleman's play so far this season.
What does he lack at 6'6", very good hall handling and hand eye coordination, is strong and can easily dunk. Folks said similar about Podz before he jumped 37 inch vertical and was drafted.. Lol he isn't Shannon speed wise but Domask has enough physical gifts and the mental game we need down the stretch. Maybe he has a little Thunder Dan in him come tourney time.lol
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My take on the team's potential relates to what I have stated prior to the past two seasons. With the depth of talent available and the various levels of experience, BU has a myriad of paths, lineups, and usages of the many talents available from which to choose. That problem is not easy to solve, but the solution becomes less varied as one observes the performances on the floor. When looking at the skills that the two frosh bring, it is even more difficult to see a clear path.
For that reason, even though we can all see the potential ceiling, it will always be difficult on any night to establish who should be doing what on either end and getting it right. Only five can play, and no one has the complete skill-set at both ends to be what they need to be every night. Brad sees what is happening in practice, what problems the opponents provide, and uses the skills of all eleven to make a plan. But not all players max their strengths at both ends when needed. That said, they will all get better as play on the floor gives confidence and experience to combat and improve errors. That process is never quick enough for Illini fans. My only criticism of this team is that there has been no improvement from the FT line and big turnover numbers are still a huge problem. Not sure the staff knows what to do about FTs, but the turns have to be and should be improved. It would astonish me if our guys would keep them to 8 or even less against Mizzou, a team that wants to run all night and play with emotion....but that should be a goal...and maybe out of reach. Regardless, it will be riveting to see if the Illini can get to an avg of 10 or less by the middle of the B1G schedule.
For that reason, even though we can all see the potential ceiling, it will always be difficult on any night to establish who should be doing what on either end and getting it right. Only five can play, and no one has the complete skill-set at both ends to be what they need to be every night. Brad sees what is happening in practice, what problems the opponents provide, and uses the skills of all eleven to make a plan. But not all players max their strengths at both ends when needed. That said, they will all get better as play on the floor gives confidence and experience to combat and improve errors. That process is never quick enough for Illini fans. My only criticism of this team is that there has been no improvement from the FT line and big turnover numbers are still a huge problem. Not sure the staff knows what to do about FTs, but the turns have to be and should be improved. It would astonish me if our guys would keep them to 8 or even less against Mizzou, a team that wants to run all night and play with emotion....but that should be a goal...and maybe out of reach. Regardless, it will be riveting to see if the Illini can get to an avg of 10 or less by the middle of the B1G schedule.
Brad Underwood said his biggest frustration is lack of second-chance points (5). "I'm literally going to play anyone who offensive rebounds. ...We're just not very consistent with it."
Gee coach, maybe don't play Coleman at point 30 feet away from THE FREAKING BASKET FOR MOST OF THE NIGHT?!?!?!?!?
I'd put a "I feel like I'm taking crazy pills" GIF in but I'm too depressed. Coleman's performance was... disappointing. Some people go out and take their opponent to the wood shed. Some folks gets taken out to the shed. Coleman is still out wandering behind the shed wondering what happened. *sigh* And it's not all his fault. Coach put him in a position to fail imho. I hope he bounces back and gets a little angry tbh.
Gee coach, maybe don't play Coleman at point 30 feet away from THE FREAKING BASKET FOR MOST OF THE NIGHT?!?!?!?!?
I'd put a "I feel like I'm taking crazy pills" GIF in but I'm too depressed. Coleman's performance was... disappointing. Some people go out and take their opponent to the wood shed. Some folks gets taken out to the shed. Coleman is still out wandering behind the shed wondering what happened. *sigh* And it's not all his fault. Coach put him in a position to fail imho. I hope he bounces back and gets a little angry tbh.
Yes they did. Once in regular season and once in Big East tournament.
When's the trade deadline?
I agree. We were at the game last night and it is disgusting how quiet fans are. We live in Lafayette and I hate to admit it but boiler fans are better at Mackey hands down. if I had a dollar for every time the people behind me last night told me to sit down, we could have paid for our tickets and had some left over. A fellow illini fan in front of my wife even told her to shut up and stop yelling as she was too busy scrolling through her tick tock and my wife must have interrupted.
I still remember a game against Seton Hall when I was a little kid and I thought my ears were going to explode. boy those were the days. At least Buck came to visit after the game like always. What a great kid 
Also look at the great picture I found on my kindergartner's homework. Don't miss the crossed out P.
Attachments
Suspect that this mistake by him will be a teachable moment. He looked great taking it to the hole last night. Betting on him being a fan favorite by the time he leaves
Tacomallini
- Washington State
If I were a much richer man I’d try and subsidize Krush tix to make them dirt cheap - with the caveat that phones must be surrendered at the gates.