Who would have thought that Maverick would be one of our two best players. Just think what they would look like without him
Minnesota 68, Illinois 59 POSTGAME
This is just very sad. This game was at home against a team they should be able to beat. I just don't have much hope moving forward. It is not as bad as after the Nebraska loss with Bruce but pretty darn close. It is kind of like having a death in the family. I know many have written Groce off a long time ago. I wasn't quite there yet but am now. Where do I sign up for my pitchfork?
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I blame that on Groce
MrOizo
- Chicago
I've been plenty "glass half empty". To go the other way for a minute, here's my wish list for the rest of the season:
- Find a way to get these guys to play loose. They're truly playing for nothing other than pride here on out. Try to get that message to them, get them to loosen up and lay it all on the line.
- Play the young guys. Play the vets too, but get those young guys some time. If they bring something unexpected, we already know we need it. There will likely be no surprises from the vets, and we're currently missing something. Take some dang chances.
- I want to see surprise wins, just a few. For everybody's sake. For the coaches, for the seniors, go down swinging. The boxing match is lost, swing for the knockout.
I hope to see us become a "dangerous" team that others still fighting for the NCAAs don't want to play. We have it in us. Let's become the spoiler!
- Find a way to get these guys to play loose. They're truly playing for nothing other than pride here on out. Try to get that message to them, get them to loosen up and lay it all on the line.
- Play the young guys. Play the vets too, but get those young guys some time. If they bring something unexpected, we already know we need it. There will likely be no surprises from the vets, and we're currently missing something. Take some dang chances.
- I want to see surprise wins, just a few. For everybody's sake. For the coaches, for the seniors, go down swinging. The boxing match is lost, swing for the knockout.
I hope to see us become a "dangerous" team that others still fighting for the NCAAs don't want to play. We have it in us. Let's become the spoiler!
MrOizo
- Chicago
Kipper is absolutely NOT an SG!
peace davids
- Colorado
I have tickets for the Rutgers game at Rutgers. I thought that was a safe one.
I went to Winthrop as my only game this year, at least you still have a chance.
How is it telling? He just said the politically correct thing and didn't make any further statement. It was an odd answer to that question but nonetheless, an answer to not create any controversy.
I've reserved comment. This coach is a mess. We can't pass the post. Set a pick. Close out on shooters. Play a switching D. Not only that we go below screens. Just very poor fundamentals. Will not change. Groce sold himself. We bought. We gotta move on. You guys have over rated new class. It don't matter. Gotta get a guy to revive this thing.
I watched the postgame presser. A couple of takeaways:
1. Groce was saying "I don't know" a lot which I think someone else mentioned before and also saying "you know" a lot in between his thoughts. It sounds like he is as confused and dumbfounded with what's going on as the rest and is having a hard time articulating what is going on here.
2. He is trying to keep a positive face for the media but deep down, he knows what the outside chatter is all about, whether he cares to admit it or not. He says he doesn't pay attention, but that's just not true. I'm sure he's been hearing things, seeing things, his family may be hearing/seeing things online or in the media. If Groce isn't feeling the pressure, then something is wrong with him.
3. He's gonna ride and die with who he thinks gives him the best chance to win and is sticking to his substitution patterns whether it means not playing a hot player to start the 2nd half or not. Clearly, what he's trying to do is not working, so he should be more willing to adjust and be flexible.
1. Groce was saying "I don't know" a lot which I think someone else mentioned before and also saying "you know" a lot in between his thoughts. It sounds like he is as confused and dumbfounded with what's going on as the rest and is having a hard time articulating what is going on here.
2. He is trying to keep a positive face for the media but deep down, he knows what the outside chatter is all about, whether he cares to admit it or not. He says he doesn't pay attention, but that's just not true. I'm sure he's been hearing things, seeing things, his family may be hearing/seeing things online or in the media. If Groce isn't feeling the pressure, then something is wrong with him.
3. He's gonna ride and die with who he thinks gives him the best chance to win and is sticking to his substitution patterns whether it means not playing a hot player to start the 2nd half or not. Clearly, what he's trying to do is not working, so he should be more willing to adjust and be flexible.
There's no doubt he will come out on top financially. I've had failures in my career that didn't become OK in my mind just because i still got paid. Everyone wants to succeed regardless of compensation. Coach Groce has fallen way short of succeeding. I just want it to end without some press conference where he publicly wishes he would have recruited different players. Seen that before and it wasn't pleasant. I'd like to see him go out with grace.
Just watched the post-game presser. Groce's reasoning for Kipper being the 4th player off the bench in the 2nd half...
They are trying to play certain groups together, and he was playing out of position at the 3. He doesn't know the 3 as well, but he is working very hard at it. They could have got him in maybe a minute earlier.
Maybe the certain group that should've started the 2nd half was the one with Kipper in it? Idk, just an idea. Maybe Kipper screwed up by making buckets when he should've been passing it to JCL?
I've been a long time lurker, and just started posting in part as an attempt to understand the lineup madness. It appears hopeless. Time to just wait and see what next year holds.
They are trying to play certain groups together, and he was playing out of position at the 3. He doesn't know the 3 as well, but he is working very hard at it. They could have got him in maybe a minute earlier.
Maybe the certain group that should've started the 2nd half was the one with Kipper in it? Idk, just an idea. Maybe Kipper screwed up by making buckets when he should've been passing it to JCL?
I've been a long time lurker, and just started posting in part as an attempt to understand the lineup madness. It appears hopeless. Time to just wait and see what next year holds.
Taking the time to label rungs on a ladder seems a little like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, but I do admire Groce's composure. I am sure he is at a complete loss right now, but he hasn't allowed it to get the best of him (at least outwardly).
The ladder is just a motivational gimmick at this point. I get what he's trying to do with the ladder but that's not going to help you win games. When you're constantly losing games, then you just look completely foolish continuing to use the ladder as a metaphor.
Just watched the game. Same as last week. Malcolm and Lucas were both abysmal. I cant believe Lucas has 4 assists, I could hardly find a pass he made to a shooter or a cutter. I love JCL but my god quit under and over compensating for your shots square up and shoot. But worst of all was the defense to open the second half. Embarassing. I guess its January 35th.
The refs were absolute garbage. We could not get a foul under the basket to save our season.
The refs were absolute garbage. We could not get a foul under the basket to save our season.
The coach is a motivational gimmick. And thats what hes always been. Who won the press conference?
I think you mean the power 5.
I agree. the fact that is is striking when someone makes an intentional pass to someone getting open for a good shot is pathetic.It just probe probe, pick-no-roll-probe isolate-shot-retreat. Morgan is literally the only player around whom any team offense seems to be effectively built, and the occasional kickout to Finke which seems like it hasnt happened in 3 weeks. If Finke or Thorne or Tracy is out there on the floor, do you have a plan to actually use any of them?
I dont care what it looks like, I'd fire the main staff today and see how the kids play with the strength coach out there.
IlliniRon
Illini Basketball Fan Forever
- Ft Worth, Texas
If you just watch the last 3 minutes of a game like this that was kind of close, you can see what's wrong. We don't play tough defense and help when the guards go to the hoop. We can't get a defensive rebound if the offensive team crashes the boards. On offense, we struggle to take a decent shot. We are disorganized as a team. There is some effort, and some players have talent, but we are not a well-coached team overall.
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I was slightly impressed Morgan actually played above the rim a bit tonight. I was beginning to wonder if anyone on the team could dunk on a put back. :tsk:
So this coaching staff is in way over their heads... but how in the heck are you not able to develop players into anywhere near the basketball players they should be. DJW has what looks like an NBA body and athleticism (the only one on the team that looks athletic enough to play in the league) and just let him rot on the bench to the point where he wants to transfer??
Get a freaking clue.
Get a freaking clue.
Pitino's Comment
Yes, coaching is a fraternity and the comment was very telling. It is obvious to all that Groce is a dead man walking. Pitino's comment loosely translated could be 'Groce is a nice guy and I know he will be fired and there for the grace of god go I'
Yes, coaching is a fraternity and the comment was very telling. It is obvious to all that Groce is a dead man walking. Pitino's comment loosely translated could be 'Groce is a nice guy and I know he will be fired and there for the grace of god go I'
It's sad. People that say we don't have the talent to be developed are totally off-base. This coaching staff may be able to recruit but that's about it. I'm telling you guys; Tilmon, Smith, etc. are a pipe dream at this point in time. This will get much darker before the sun will come out.
That speech Groce gave about Illinois "being in a good place" will go down as one of the most infamous moments- not just of the Groce Era- but of the post national championship appearance era. Incredibly embarrassing.