3DegreeIllini
- Chicago,IL
This. The chasm between him and Trent is growing, which I fear is just going to continue to contribute to his confidence issues.
Nebraska 64, Illinois 63 POSTGAME
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This. The chasm between him and Trent is growing, which I fear is just going to continue to contribute to his confidence issues.
We have a YOUNG team playing for a system they were not recruited for. That being said the key word is YOUNG. People don't take into consideration that every team we have played this year is old and experienced. Lots of seniors and juniors on those teams. I think this puts us in a very good position for years to come since we will have one of the most experienced teams in the conference while the other teams are "retooling"
Peoria Illini
- Peoria, IL
Our basketball IQ and decision making is pretty horrendous right now. Da'Monte, who is supposed to have a very high BB IQ is making critical mistakes in crunch time, Trent turns his back on double team, trying to back the dribble out, we continue to go soft to the hoop, Ebo snares a tough offensive rebound and first thought is to go back out top with it, instead of attack the hoop. Mark Smith looks lost playing off the ball defense, doesn't seem to grasp the Ball-U-Man concept.
Ebo and Kipper get subbed out and both have complete blank stares on their faces when BU says something to them.
We don't play very smart basketball. This is what's killing us in the close games. The little things.
Ebo and Kipper get subbed out and both have complete blank stares on their faces when BU says something to them.
We don't play very smart basketball. This is what's killing us in the close games. The little things.
BU is a pressure defense coach at heart. The zone got them reeling and out of rhythm. Come back to the pressure man, maybe you force a couple turnovers, step on their throat, and end it. Also, it’s entirely possible they were confused against our zone BECAUSE we were switching back and forth. Eventually a team will find its rhythm against a zone too. Switching causes them to switch offense which doesn’t necessarily allow them to get settled.
The other thing is, and I’ve watched every game but Grand Canyon, we haven’t shown a 2-3 zone this year. They probably prepped for our 3-2, so they were caught off guard most likely.
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Offensively Alstork has been a complete bust. Smith can't finish and is not getting any foul calls. Damonte is not shooting well but that's understandable. Kipper is streaky but in reality he's only really just starting his sophmore season. He is playing pretty well for a not highly rated sophomore. Overall our 3 pt shooting is killing us.
Every player you mention besides Kipper is a freshman.
Great game for Trent, and our bigs are back, Leron & Finke in scoring and rebounding, 17 more game rebounds than NE. Look for TJL to be back on Friday night in his home state against WI on Friday night - this is the game where we turn it around.
http://fightingillini.com/documents/2018/1/15/G19_ILL_NEB_Box_Score.pdf
http://fightingillini.com/documents/2018/1/15/G19_ILL_NEB_Box_Score.pdf
This. We have such a small margin of error and those mistakes are killing us. The poor outside shooting is tough to take, but worse for me is seeing someone do something good and right away negate it with a mistake. Perfect example was the great offensive rebound (believe it was an offensive rebound) by Alstork but he was pinned on the baseline by a double team when he came down. Standing behind him was Damonte and all he had to do was cut to the corner and yell at Alstork. Or Alstork probably could have just thrown the ball off a Nebby player's leg. Instead Damonte just stands there and Alstork tries to throw it out to someone in the backcourt and it is stolen by Neb.
Right now the only players on the team I have any confidence in are Leron and Frazier (and they have their issues too). Not that others aren't doing good things -- but not consistently enough -- or don't have talent, but it is just hard to watch the mistakes. I don't think I've been able to watch an entire game straight because it is so frustrating I have to walk away or change the channel for a minute. I don't think we'll go winless in the B1G, and I believe we'll be a much better team next year, but it is tough to watch the growing pains. But I'll be in front of the TV for the next game cheering them on. Just hoping I can get through the whole game without changing the channel.
Illiini
- In the land of the Nittany Lion
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=:thumb:
Simple math..
Yes, this exactly. Though as I've said before, good things are happening on the first half that equation. Not exactly the same, but more than enough to make Illini happy. I don't know much more than that. But I'm trusting the process on it.
That said, one less mistake in each of the four OT games, well, do the simple math on that one.
Honestly, I'm very willing to criticize, but I'm pretty happy with this game. Bad shooting night, still some freshman mistakes, and we battle back to a possession, and are close to finishing it for our first win, on the road.
They took it from us, which is a far better way to lose than giving it away.
Lots of things to improve, but there was heart down the stretch, and I like that. Soooo close tonight. I feel for them.
They took it from us, which is a far better way to lose than giving it away.
Lots of things to improve, but there was heart down the stretch, and I like that. Soooo close tonight. I feel for them.
Peoria Illini
- Peoria, IL
I like the heart, but we lack confidence, poise and a bit of nastiness. I'm tired of the Groce era, lay the ball up, instead of slamming it home. I'd rather we miss some dunks instead of missing layups.
Regarding Mark Smith, I hope he is realizing that criticism and failure are part of success. Damonte is playing better than I thought he would coming off a significant knee injury and Trent has exceeded everyone's expectation.
Trent is in rare air, only the likes of Garris, Dee, and maybe Bruce Douglas had this type of freshmen year at the guard spot. Damonte is having a freshmen year similar to Luther Head. Mark Smith is at a points production similar to Deron and McCamey in their freshmen year.
Everyone with the exception of Alstork is having improved numbers from last year (Black, Finke, Kipper, AJ). Hoping for continued improvement next year.
Trent is in rare air, only the likes of Garris, Dee, and maybe Bruce Douglas had this type of freshmen year at the guard spot. Damonte is having a freshmen year similar to Luther Head. Mark Smith is at a points production similar to Deron and McCamey in their freshmen year.
Everyone with the exception of Alstork is having improved numbers from last year (Black, Finke, Kipper, AJ). Hoping for continued improvement next year.
illiniCA
- DC Area
Mark Smith is a freshman. Frazier is playing so well it raises the expectation level for others and because the older players are not playing consistently well as a group smith is receiving a lot of focus. IMO, consistent play from finke kipper AJ and alstork will open things up for Smith and Williams to gain confidence. We really need those guy every night.
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If Alstork throws one more lazy, lobbed, over the top pass that gets to its destination in the Horizon League but doesn't in the Big 10....I'm gonna lose it. I know he came here to showcase his talent for the NBA, but the only play I've seen him make all year which made me think "That guy is an NBAer" is the infamous TJL lob to him that should have sealed the deal in the Maryland Game where it looked like his head was rim high. Yes, he's played better defense than I expected....but I expected a calming Senior influence and some consistent production offensively. Not someone who looks like they are gonna pop a blood vessel in their head every time a call goes the other way.
As for Mark Smith, I think he'll be fine. Outside of his elbow injury which curtailed his baseball career, I'm not sure he's had to experience too much failure. I just want him to quit turning his head on defense so much and using his peripheral vision to see the ball and his man. I've never seen anyone turn their head as much as him in all my years....drives me up a wall. Can no one on the coaching staff see that is why he loses his man so much?
AJ has disappeared. Sure he gets a hustle play a game, but the only time he was going to catch the ball with any space was the fast break where he fumbled the pass from Smith in the first half. If he catches that cleanly and sinks it....the momentum is vastly different. Great kid....proud of how he has worked....but he should be thought of as Sean Harrington type weapon. He's gonna come in in situations, get a 3 to stretch the D, and have sick "per 40" stats because he takes 3 shots in 2 minutes and then gets subbed out before his other weaknesses are exposed. There's nothing wrong with being that type of player..there is a place for them on a good team, but expecting more from him than what he is will disappoint everyone.
Still though....I'm watching and can't wait for the next game.
As for Mark Smith, I think he'll be fine. Outside of his elbow injury which curtailed his baseball career, I'm not sure he's had to experience too much failure. I just want him to quit turning his head on defense so much and using his peripheral vision to see the ball and his man. I've never seen anyone turn their head as much as him in all my years....drives me up a wall. Can no one on the coaching staff see that is why he loses his man so much?
AJ has disappeared. Sure he gets a hustle play a game, but the only time he was going to catch the ball with any space was the fast break where he fumbled the pass from Smith in the first half. If he catches that cleanly and sinks it....the momentum is vastly different. Great kid....proud of how he has worked....but he should be thought of as Sean Harrington type weapon. He's gonna come in in situations, get a 3 to stretch the D, and have sick "per 40" stats because he takes 3 shots in 2 minutes and then gets subbed out before his other weaknesses are exposed. There's nothing wrong with being that type of player..there is a place for them on a good team, but expecting more from him than what he is will disappoint everyone.
Still though....I'm watching and can't wait for the next game.
Aren't going to win many games with 4 guys going 1-20. We've seen these kind of numbers all to often from any given 3 or 4 players. And Williams and Smith being freshmen I think is a poor excuse for bad play. You have to want the ball and some confidence on offense, which is lacking in a few players.
Why was Black on the shooter at the end. Smith, switched but why Leron at the outset.
So, tired of teams celebrating on Illini at end of games.
Why was Black on the shooter at the end. Smith, switched but why Leron at the outset.
So, tired of teams celebrating on Illini at end of games.
I believe we will be better but not to the extent others on this board think we we will. Same talent add Ayo. The talent on roster should be close to a tourney team with experience but I am not sure they will make it. I see a 17-18 win team next year.
The questions of whether or not we will be better next year are foolish IMO. We bring back everyone (minus Alstork which hurts some defensively) and add Ayo who is likely a top 25 talent/ possible McDonalds All American who's strength is getting to the rim (one of our many weaknesses on this current team). We will also have another year for the players to get use to Underwood's system and have the potential to add a grad transfer big that could do wonders for this current team. We will unequivocally be better. I think the right question to ask is how much better? Better enough to make the NCAA tournament? Better enough to finish in the top half of the Big Ten? Those questions I don't have an answer to, but we will be better.
We need a center.
This system with it's intensity and defense with 1 more year of practice and game play with virtually everyone (transfer outs) and in theory Ayo and other talent brought in which might surpass (transfers out talent)...
No way this team is not Top 1/3 of B1G and ranked with 22+ wins!
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