Maryland 84, Illinois 59 POSTGAME
At least we dodged a bullet in that Maryland wasn't at full strength.
Yeah... think about it... in 2 weeks, their bigs could be back... Then we'll really have a chance ....
Just a few thoughts:
1.) Just a week ago many people were on cloud nine and discussing our great talent and good coaching and thus after one loss in Big Ten play the ship has sunk? Negative Nancy! Maybe just a leak on the lower deck.
2.) It's hard to remember that these are 18-24 year old guys doing their best to play for the Orange and Blue. When you shoot 20-30% it just isn't your day..ever.
3.) Maryland came ready to play. Usually that team wins. From the first couple minutes, we lost sight and control in this game. That happens to everyone.
4.) Life will go on.....this is game one......
5.) People from all over read this forum and it doesn't do any justice to bash Coach Groce or Tate or anyone for that matter when things aren't working for us. More good comes from support and positivity than it does from bashing and bench coaching. Trust in the leadership both coach and AD.
6.) The season is long, Hill is a beast and a pleasure to watch and we have great guys on this team. Stay positive Illini Nation. I'm proud to be an Illini fan win or lose.
1.) Just a week ago many people were on cloud nine and discussing our great talent and good coaching and thus after one loss in Big Ten play the ship has sunk? Negative Nancy! Maybe just a leak on the lower deck.
2.) It's hard to remember that these are 18-24 year old guys doing their best to play for the Orange and Blue. When you shoot 20-30% it just isn't your day..ever.
3.) Maryland came ready to play. Usually that team wins. From the first couple minutes, we lost sight and control in this game. That happens to everyone.
4.) Life will go on.....this is game one......
5.) People from all over read this forum and it doesn't do any justice to bash Coach Groce or Tate or anyone for that matter when things aren't working for us. More good comes from support and positivity than it does from bashing and bench coaching. Trust in the leadership both coach and AD.
6.) The season is long, Hill is a beast and a pleasure to watch and we have great guys on this team. Stay positive Illini Nation. I'm proud to be an Illini fan win or lose.
Athletes
Our better athletes are on the bench. I would have rather struggled in the non-conference and go through some growing pains with our better athletes than have to depend on shooting over 50% to win games. We have to be the least athletic team in Div. I. You can't teach athleticism but you can teach the rest of the game!!!!:noidea:
Our better athletes are on the bench. I would have rather struggled in the non-conference and go through some growing pains with our better athletes than have to depend on shooting over 50% to win games. We have to be the least athletic team in Div. I. You can't teach athleticism but you can teach the rest of the game!!!!:noidea:
GallopingGhost
- Denver, CO
Yeesh. I said before the game I would have been ok with anything more than a 20 point loss. This was pretty bad. Worst part is, we have to hear from Groce haters for probably the next month based on our BIG schedule.
While that is true, we couldn't stop them in the half court either. Simple high screen, which we run all the time, and we couldn't defend it.
Win Sunday and it won't hurt so much, but the bad defense is going to make it tough to win many B1G games.
I'm not a Tate hater and respect his heart. Lucas is faster and plays at a better pace. He provides things Tate does not. He should get Tate's minutes going Sunday.
What was with Tracy's shot today? He did not start and was locked on the front of the rim with his 3 point shot. If he makes a third of his shots we only lose by 10. If he shoots like that Sunday we are in big trouble.
Nichols did not do anything to earn Sunday minutes.
What was with Tracy's shot today? He did not start and was locked on the front of the rim with his 3 point shot. If he makes a third of his shots we only lose by 10. If he shoots like that Sunday we are in big trouble.
Nichols did not do anything to earn Sunday minutes.
Because they aren't coached to do that. They are coached to chuck up a shot as soon as possible. Contested or not. Or to get the ball to Malcolm so he can try to play one-on-one with his guy.
You and I both know that's wrong. Groce has emphasized how much they want to work the ball inside. He said it in the beiginning of the year media day, that working it inside is a big difference. He also said after byu and mizzou that they stopped going inside for a while when they got bogged down offensively. That is on the players and their willingness to pass inside. They look at an open big with position and don't make the pass, they call him out for a pick and roll. That is not on John Groce.
Seeing TJL, Black, Kipper, DJW and AJ on the floor at the end of the game, I would nominate them as the Flying Illini look-a-like contest winners, hands down. Now, if they can get a little time in practice and in games to show a big difference in look and feel for how we can play.
What ?.... If the players don't do what the coach teaches them to do, and he continues to allow it, it's NOT on the coach ? ? ? I don't get that part ....
Yes it is, that's the whole point of coaching.
Edit: Give it to Greene said it right above this post too...
Of course not... No one is saying that.... He can demand that they do what he's been teaching them or they can sit down..... You sit them and make a point... Either do it my way, or sit on this bench with me....
Edit: Didn't you see the movie Hoosiers when coach had them play 4 against 5... 'My team is on the floor'....
2nd Edit: The fact that he won't do this, shows that he has no control over this team....
Last edited:
No, but after 4 years of coaching some of these kids he should be able to get them to do basic basketball fundamentals.
Because the other teams are packing in the paint and taking that pass away, because they don't have to guard our point guard for 30 mins a game...
It's the same reason we struggle to get open shots while other teams seem to get open looks with ease. Every payer on our team has to beat 1.2 defenders to get open, except for one of them obviously
It's almost comical at this point. I like JG, but if he continues to try to play this way it will cost him his job, and if it gets to that point I'll help him pack, because he will deserve to have been fired