Maryland 88, Illinois 65 Postgame

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#351      
Our style of offensive play, talent, poor defensive fundamentals and mediocre game prep and in game coaching mean this team has a high ceiling and low floor, and we have seen that play out over the past few games. We could very easily get blown out in the first round; if we get the right match up in the second round we could very well take out a high seed. We have the talent to do it, but the makeup of this team makes it difficult to think we can play 3 or more straight good games in the tourney.
 
#352      
Probably the most inconsistent Illini team in recent memory
I’d say the Matthew Mayer team was the most inconsistent in recent memory — you just never knew. Beat Texas and UCLA, lose to Penn State. This team’s inconsistency is more about the extremes. I don’t recall ever wondering if we were going to beat a team by 30 or lose to a team by 30. In that way they’re consistently inconsistent.
 
#353      
I'm with you here. If we win a game in the tourney, that's probably as far as we can go. And I wouldn't be surprised at all if we get pantsed in the first round.

On the whole, this team has been mostly disappointing. There were a few nice moments - beating Miznoz, beating mediocre IU and Iowa teams. But mostly, it's been a season to forget. A lot of potential unrealized, things just never came together. Never could seem to get all five starters clicking at once (counting Riley as the fifth starter here).

I've seen the same things over and over. Poor PnR defense, no adjustments, too much one on one offense. Really need to maintain this level of recruiting but bolster the staff with high basketball IQ assistants on both sides of the ball.
Here's my take on expectations and when people say that this team is a disappointment. They weren't even ranked to start the year given all of their young, inexperienced talent, yet Rutgers was. That should say quite a bit.

He got this team to 20+ wins......again. That's become the baseline.
 
#354      
I think Tomi is "tough" in the sense of what he's been through and playing through all of it.

I wish he was more physical. It's an attitude. We may have seen it throughout the year on occasion, but there were times (before sickness) I felt he could've "dived" for a ball, not avoid blocking some out or get "down and dirty" similar to Morez.

When he hits three-pointers, Illinois does well. However, he should post up more and baby-hook teams to death. He has some good inside moves. Just get in position to score. Inside/out game.
Oh yeah, agree on the toughness part. I was referring to the weight. Dude just looks like he really needs to bulk up, and then throw it around 💪💪💪
 
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