Maryland 62, Illinois 56 POSTGAME

Ken · Jan 17, 2017

kcib8130 said:
You mean kind of like the Indiana game where we down by 20+ (not sure the actual deficit, but it was borderline insurmountable) and Malcolm single-handedly lead the team back to a 9 point difference and the game was very much in play?

Not sure what your "Real world" is, but everyone and there dog knows that Malcolm is the best player we have and our best chance to win is with him on the floor as much as possible.

I mean like the Indiana game where we shouldve never been down 20+ to begin with ?

The fact that you point to one great game as game as somehow nullifying the many games where he or the other seniors don't show up or show up for half . That pretty much you are not living in reality but instead sipping strong kool-aid .

Now for the record reading is fundamental because I at no point said that Malcolm wasnt important to the team or that he shouldnt play at all. My point all along was that for us to have so many seniors they make too many mental mistakes and they dont get held accountable enough for their play on a game by game basis. If we are a "deep team" then if a player is struggling they should be able to sit for a few minutes clear their head and re-enter the game and hopefully play better.

The claims that some of you seem to be making that Malcolm cant be on the floor seems to be in denial that things have fallen apart many times with Malcolm on the floor .

But I wasnt just talking about just Malcolm but a team with 6 seniors on it getting clowned at home by a freshmen from Maryland ,losing to Winthrop at home,struggling offensively against zone defenses , or panicking against fullcourt pressure.

A team with this many seniors on it should not be beating themselves whether its lethargic play or mental focus and if Groce treats them the way you our record comes really as no surprise

alaskaillini · Jan 17, 2017

Ken said:
If we are a "deep team" then if a player is struggling they should be able to sit for a few minutes clear their head and re-enter the game and hopefully play better.

Did Malcom play all 40 in those games you reference? I am just going to assume that Malcom did get to sit for a few minutes to clear his head at some point in those games, but I could be mistaken.

ejam21 · Jan 17, 2017

Ken said:
I mean like the Indiana game where we shouldve never been down 20+ to begin with ?

The fact that you point to one great game as game as somehow nullifying the many games where he or the other seniors don't show up or show up for half . That pretty much you are not living in reality but instead sipping strong kool-aid .

Now for the record reading is fundamental because I at no point said that Malcolm wasnt important to the team or that he shouldnt play at all. My point all along was that for us to have so many seniors they make too many mental mistakes and they dont get held accountable enough for their play on a game by game basis. If we are a "deep team" then if a player is struggling they should be able to sit for a few minutes clear their head and re-enter the game and hopefully play better.

The claims that some of you seem to be making that Malcolm cant be on the floor seems to be in denial that things have fallen apart many times with Malcolm on the floor .

But I wasnt just talking about just Malcolm but a team with 6 seniors on it getting clowned at home by a freshmen from Maryland ,losing to Winthrop at home,struggling offensively against zone defenses , or panicking against fullcourt pressure.

A team with this many seniors on it should not be beating themselves whether its lethargic play or mental focus and if Groce treats them the way you our record comes really as no surprise

Hill "not showing up" is so overblown IMO...you started this by cherry picking some bad shooting nights as evidence (who cares about 1-7 vs mckendree when you win teh game by 37 for instance). YOu can likely do that for every top scoring perimeter player in the big 10.

Peter JOk: 22% against NW, 20% against rutgers, 20% against ND, 35% against uva, 20% against stetson, 27% against North dakota, 27% against purdue, 33% against savanah state

Melo trimble has been under 35% shooting in his 4/5 big 10 games, plus 31% vs pitt, 33% vs Ok st, 27% against towson

Watson: 18% vs NW, 33% vs MD,11% vs LA tech, 9% vs vatech, 33% vs KU,27% vs creighton,

That was easy...and its the funniest thing..all those guys weren't benched bc they were missing some shots like you want to do to hill, and certainly not benched in favor of ppl who havent even showed they can replace his output

It's completely possible to shoot poorly and have shown up. He didnt take 14 shots last game by just chilling, he forced some stuff and missed some shots and yes had an awful TO. He also busted his arse on the boards, getting us 9 there. This kid is one of the most undeservedly torn down players ive seen for the illini. He's been asked to be a premier go-to player, which sad to say he really isnt based on limited ball skills/athleticism, but he's also asked to get on the boards, be among our assist leaders (last year),etc. And he's been put into positions unlikely to succeed by poor coaching/recruiting (having to play the 4, playing the 1, running iso plays at end of half/game vs more athletic players which leaves him destined to fail and get roasted by armchair QBs on this site, etc).

Hill has played well above his ranking and what any reasonable person should expect IMHO.

Illini1221 · Jan 17, 2017

ejam21 said:
Hill "not showing up" is so overblown IMO...you started this by cherry picking some bad shooting nights as evidence (who cares about 1-7 vs mckendree when you win teh game by 37 for instance). YOu can likely do that for every top scoring perimeter player in the big 10.

Peter JOk: 22% against NW, 20% against rutgers, 20% against ND, 35% against uva, 20% against stetson, 27% against North dakota, 27% against purdue, 33% against savanah state

Melo trimble has been under 35% shooting in his 4/5 big 10 games, plus 31% vs pitt, 33% vs Ok st, 27% against towson

Watson: 18% vs NW, 33% vs MD,11% vs LA tech, 9% vs vatech, 33% vs KU,27% vs creighton,

That was easy...and its the funniest thing..all those guys weren't benched bc they were missing some shots like you want to do to hill, and certainly not benched in favor of ppl who havent even showed they can replace his output

It's completely possible to shoot poorly and have shown up. He didnt take 14 shots last game by just chilling, he forced some stuff and missed some shots and yes had an awful TO. He also busted his arse on the boards, getting us 9 there. This kid is one of the most undeservedly torn down players ive seen for the illini. He's been asked to be a premier go-to player, which sad to say he really isnt based on limited ball skills/athleticism, but he's also asked to get on the boards, be among our assist leaders (last year),etc. And he's been put into positions unlikely to succeed by poor coaching/recruiting (having to play the 4, playing the 1, running iso plays at end of half/game vs more athletic players which leaves him destined to fail and get roasted by armchair QBs on this site, etc).

Hill has played well above his ranking and what any reasonable person should expect IMHO.

Plus, people don't realize when other guys aren't contributing, like JCL on Saturday, then that makes teams take Hill out of the game. It's simple. Its up to the other guys to make plays, so the floor is opened up for Malcolm.

Maryland 62, Illinois 56 POSTGAME

Ken

alaskaillini

ejam21

Illini1221

Peru,IL