sacraig
- The desert
Youd think that energy drink would mean his defenses play with more energy.
Maryland 88, Illinois 65 Postgame
- Status
I have not read all the posts. I apologize if I am repititious. Around the 14:30 mark of the second half Illinois played some zone.
Retro62
- North Bethesda, Maryland
I’m beginning to question the culture of our program. You look at the football program and you see videos of guys crying after the bowl win and saying they would die for Illinois. And then Gabe Jacas saying no amount of NIL would get him to transfer, and you see a definite culture that Bret has established.
Brad benefitted from guys like Trent, Damonte, and especially Ayo to buy in to our program. I do think Brad is enough of a general to get guys to buy in, but I’m wondering if a big problem is that he hasn’t settled on an identity himself. This Jekyll and Hyde product reeks of someone who’s still deciding how to move forward after the challenge of resurrecting the program. He may be a victim of his own success, trying to one-up himself.
There is one guy…one…who seems to be the centerpiece of our identity moving forward, and that is Morez Johnson. I’m not saying I wouldn’t love to have Kylan, Tre, Dre, or Tomi back, I just think he is the linchpin.
Brad benefitted from guys like Trent, Damonte, and especially Ayo to buy in to our program. I do think Brad is enough of a general to get guys to buy in, but I’m wondering if a big problem is that he hasn’t settled on an identity himself. This Jekyll and Hyde product reeks of someone who’s still deciding how to move forward after the challenge of resurrecting the program. He may be a victim of his own success, trying to one-up himself.
There is one guy…one…who seems to be the centerpiece of our identity moving forward, and that is Morez Johnson. I’m not saying I wouldn’t love to have Kylan, Tre, Dre, or Tomi back, I just think he is the linchpin.
How? We won the half! Success!
I felt last year the defense was above average but limited because we didn’t have a true 5.
This year has been a serious regression. It’s 100% scheme. Kylan is really the only bright spot. Everyone else tries really hard but it feels like they are just lost. Like for example, KJ tries really hard and I know he puts in the work but man he looks totally lost out there on the defensive end.
Maryland was really good. We were really bad. Rest up and get ready for next week.
St Mary's or Mizzou. Potentially UConn depending on how they finish their tournament(argument could be made for Creighton if they win the Big East tourney too).
Louisville and BYU are fellow 6s in that have already jumped ahead which would put Illinois in the last 6th spot without any of the teams I mentioned above and I think at least one jumps.
I feel like they will be a 7 though an 8 isn't impossible with teams like Mississippi state and Kansas being in that area.
Two thoughts:
Now it's plainly clear why Fran got canned today.
The day after this season ends, there needs to be multiple changes to the staff.
Now it's plainly clear why Fran got canned today.
The day after this season ends, there needs to be multiple changes to the staff.
4 seed 79%rnd2 47% sweet 16
5 seed 65% rnd2 34% sweet 16
6 seed 62% rnd 2 29% sweet 16
Not a huge difference between a 5/6. I would take a 4 seed any year but give me a 6 seed over a 5 seed
History of Records By Seed in the NCAA Tournament
Odds, records, and history by seeding for March Madness tournament to help find upsets in this year's bracket.
www.betfirm.com
Would be pretty cool if we had another “Come to Jesus” like after the Duke game where we play great for the next couple
As I said in the game thread, if this game isn't bad enough to punch Hamer's one-way ticket out of Champaign, there is no hope for this program to get past the second weekend in the NCAA tourney.
Idk man our program doesn't exactly have a great history with energy drinks...
Noblesville Illini
- Nappanee, IN
Indy, you answered your own question, see #95.
Is that guy even tough enough to out tough a HS freshman? NOPE!!! Add the fact that our defense has plummeted since he took over, what else do I have to say? If he isn’t gone and an experienced X’s and O’s coach isn’t purchased at top dollar, and Tyler doesn’t get relegated, the AD has a decision to make. Period.It seemed like this was essentially the role he was filling when both he and Morez were starting before Morez broke his wrist. And if we manage to keep both Tomi and Morez for next year, then presumably the plan will be to start them both next year too. But yes we still need to find a solid backup big as well for next year it seems.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
That team did show up. The one that played virtually no defense against a team with a 7-13 conference record and the #170 D in the nation. Try that against the Terps and then try to score against the #6 D in the nation.
We're too young, too soft and our defense is awful (again.) Could get away with it last season with TSJ and Marcus. To a point. Tomi needs 30 lbs more muscle on him and another couple years in the trenches. Reese has been out there for four years and Queen is a first-round pick. Just schooled us. KJ was just all over the place and Will disappeared. That happens when you're 18/19 and getting your a$$ kicked by older, bigger boys.
BTW, why is a virtual child running our defensive scheme? Sorry. I'm pi$$ed.
I feel confident that Kylan, Jake, Morez, and Tomi will be back. Everyone else not named KJ or Will could leave.
KJ was close to triple double! Do they count turnovers?
I think those early turnovers set the tone for the direction of the game. The group just came out with a lackluster and unfocused effort. Maryland is clearly a superior team and has our number but it would've been nice to see a more competitive game. I don't see this team making it past the Round of 32/Sweet 16 unless the matchups work out in their favor. I think we'd do well if we get Kentucky/Iowa St in our bracket/maybe Texas A&M too. Beyond that, I'm not sure they match up well with any of the other projected 1/2/3 seeds
- Status