I think your on to something there. Very strange, we regressing
Michigan 66, Illinois 57 POSTGAME
- Status
I think your on to something there. Very strange, we regressing
IlliniRon
Illini Basketball Fan Forever
- Ft Worth, Texas
Watched some of the game, but kind of hard to watch this team on the road. Seems like they struggle in most aspects of the game, running an offense, playing defense and rebounding. Will see if coach can get them to figure it out this season.
RedRocksIllini
- Morrison, CO
Feels oddly familiar to me. Where have I seen this before? Oh, yeah...the previous 3 years.
We really underestimated bad offense with Weber, but someh
ow we land Groce and he absolutely outdid himself! Whippieeeeeee
ow we land Groce and he absolutely outdid himself! Whippieeeeeee
Apocalypse Checklist:
President Trump
55 DEGREES and sunny in Chicago Jan 20
Illinois basketball fans miss Bruce Weber
Northwestern basketball > UI bball
How did you leave Cubs winning series off of that list?
We really underestimated bad offense with Weber, but someh
I'll never argue that it was not time for Bruce to go. His time was spent here. But I'm a bit surprised that such a comment is legitimate.
So so bad. Coaching is non-existent. I would put anyone on the floor that plays hard regardless of skill set at this point. This is downright awful basketball and something has to change.
Some thoughts:
1. John Groce emphasized defense but seems to have de-emphasized protecting the basketball and not making dumb and foolish errors. If not for the constant stream of turnovers, this team has a chance to win this game. A sign of an undisciplined basketball team that is ill-prepared in all phases of the game.
2. There was no emphasis on running plays for Finke. Your only consistent shooter in the last 4 games and he is an afterthought in this offense? It boggles the mind.
3. JCL, boy, I like the guy, but geez, he just makes mistake after mistake, whether it is mental lapses in defense or making ridiculous passes, actually that goes for several players. But man, I would expect more consistency for him. It seems like he has regressed as the year has gone on.
4. I think Abrams is shot. He is a shell of himself and I mean a shell of his non-conference self, not even from a few years ago. I hate it for the guy, but he needs to be benched at this point. Give the reigns to Te'Jon because we can do no worse right now.
5. I think this is the final nail in the coffin for John Groce. The late flurry of defense+baskets does not hide how poorly the Illini played this game. I am disgusted.
I was planning on getting tix to see them play Northwestern in Evanston but forget it. This coaching staff is not worth spending money and time on.
1. John Groce emphasized defense but seems to have de-emphasized protecting the basketball and not making dumb and foolish errors. If not for the constant stream of turnovers, this team has a chance to win this game. A sign of an undisciplined basketball team that is ill-prepared in all phases of the game.
2. There was no emphasis on running plays for Finke. Your only consistent shooter in the last 4 games and he is an afterthought in this offense? It boggles the mind.
3. JCL, boy, I like the guy, but geez, he just makes mistake after mistake, whether it is mental lapses in defense or making ridiculous passes, actually that goes for several players. But man, I would expect more consistency for him. It seems like he has regressed as the year has gone on.
4. I think Abrams is shot. He is a shell of himself and I mean a shell of his non-conference self, not even from a few years ago. I hate it for the guy, but he needs to be benched at this point. Give the reigns to Te'Jon because we can do no worse right now.
5. I think this is the final nail in the coffin for John Groce. The late flurry of defense+baskets does not hide how poorly the Illini played this game. I am disgusted.
I was planning on getting tix to see them play Northwestern in Evanston but forget it. This coaching staff is not worth spending money and time on.
What was once reserved for one group of loveable losers now moves to another group of loveable losers. We stinks.
Yes they did. It takes more then 2 guys but they're the future and should get lots of minutes the rest of year
Nichols trying to earn playing time. I don't fault him for playing until the end. He's a frosh. Don't penalize him for that.
I think our players have tuned out Groce. I think Groce cares but he is way in over his head right now, doesn't make proper adjustments, has a below average support staff to hide his own deficiencies, and most of the players are probably tuning him out. I think the only ones who are not tuning him out are Morgan/Hill/Te'Jon/Kipper. Everyone else is tuning him out to some degree although I can't tell if Abrams is just shot or if he is also tuning him out?
I don't know about you those guys should be sitting let's find out what we got. I tired of the defense bit nobody's playing defense
No excuse for not playing hard. Game in and game out we're losing the hustle part of the game.
Our freshman were fighting along with Hill. No one else fought in my estimation.
Apocalypse Checklist:
President Trump
55 DEGREES and sunny in Chicago Jan 20
Illinois basketball fans miss Bruce Weber
Northwestern basketball > UI bball
I am happy that someone in this state is playing good ball. I used to root for DePaul in the early 00's, SIU in the early 00's. I've paid attention to Northwestern for the last few years hoping they'd make the turn. This may be the year. If they do, good for them. I'll be rooting for them. I hate NU football but I am a fan of their basketball team.
I'm a loyal person, an alumnus, and think Groce is a great person. My concerns over his schemes from the first season is his downfall. His inability to change his schemes over the years is the reason I think he will be replaced.
I remember watching Henson describe his defense so it allows for better rebounding. He was so detailed regarding how every player would be boxed out. Today I saw one defender boxingout the wrong guy and allowing the taller and closer player score. It went uncorrected, play after play.
I also continue see our upperclassmen give up on plays and not provide help defense. I've played and seen enough basketball to know when players are looking out more for their own stats than the victory.
I want to keep our recruits but they may request a release anyway with our without a coaching change. Also we need a coach in place who can teach better fundamentals. Right now we get beat by superior and lesser talented teams. The games we win are the ones in which we have much superior talent.
I remember watching Henson describe his defense so it allows for better rebounding. He was so detailed regarding how every player would be boxed out. Today I saw one defender boxingout the wrong guy and allowing the taller and closer player score. It went uncorrected, play after play.
I also continue see our upperclassmen give up on plays and not provide help defense. I've played and seen enough basketball to know when players are looking out more for their own stats than the victory.
I want to keep our recruits but they may request a release anyway with our without a coaching change. Also we need a coach in place who can teach better fundamentals. Right now we get beat by superior and lesser talented teams. The games we win are the ones in which we have much superior talent.
cmrfrd7
- Olympia, WA
The biggest factor in good team defense is coaching. The past 3-4 Illini squads have been some of the worst defensive teams in the history of the program. This is the most glaring indictment of the staff. Sure we've had some tough recruiting losses and injuries the past few years but if Groce had been able to get at least something out of his team on the defensive end the seniors most likely wouldn't be graduating without even sniffing the bubble. It's time to move on regardless of the '17 recruiting class.
Yeah it's familiar. This was no xcuse year I cut him some slack for injuries. Time for change.
Deleted member 342779
D
Guest
Fundamentals
I DVRed this game and watched the first half slowly, possession by possession. It's astonishing how often they are out of position, don't communicate, make the proper switch, or are out of defensive posture and position. It's like theyve never been drilled on team defense concepts and the fundamentals of defense. This isn't the most athletic team, but that has nothing to do with how poorly they execute.
Today, they looked like the WTH attitude prevailed, ...there was very little mental toughness and urgency to compete to win an almost must game to stay on track for the post season.
6th game this year theyve been comletely dismantled. It's broke, and Groce is at a loss on how to fix.
I DVRed this game and watched the first half slowly, possession by possession. It's astonishing how often they are out of position, don't communicate, make the proper switch, or are out of defensive posture and position. It's like theyve never been drilled on team defense concepts and the fundamentals of defense. This isn't the most athletic team, but that has nothing to do with how poorly they execute.
Today, they looked like the WTH attitude prevailed, ...there was very little mental toughness and urgency to compete to win an almost must game to stay on track for the post season.
6th game this year theyve been comletely dismantled. It's broke, and Groce is at a loss on how to fix.
Not the stats needed to win an away-game:
http://www.fightingillini.com/documents/2017/1/21/GM20_Illinois_Michigan_Box.pdf
http://www.fightingillini.com/documents/2017/1/21/GM20_Illinois_Michigan_Box.pdf
- Status