When we go dismantled from Houston a few years ago- I was literally hopeful- I thought Brad saw the winning recipe and that he would emulate that in his recruiting. A bunch of hard nose, athletic, dawgs that play tough as nails from the point the ball tips to the point the buzzer goes off. I've yet to watch any team win a NCAA championship with just skill. The teams that make runs are ALWAYS tough as nails, ALWAYS. Shoot- Bama played some of the most undiscipline offensive and at times, defensive basketball I've watched. Literally times where I'm yelling at them for how bad their shot selection was (even though I wanted to beat the living daylights out of them). BUT BUT BUT- they were dogs, they played their tails off, they were tougher, scrappier, nastier, and more confident then us.. and they won.. I honestly don't give two craps what our "scheme" is- pick whatever you want- it doesn't matter if your dudes don't go out and play with their hair on fire. I'm so tired of watching people that play for my team that don't seem to take it personal when they are scored on. Trent Frazier took that crap personally- you score a point on me- ima be PISSED.. Who do you watch on our team and think- that kid is a warrior?
Nebraska 83, Illinois 80 Postgame
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Is the language barrier being underestimated? It can’t be easy to play basketball at a high level while perfecting a second language. The communication is clearly not there on defense. I’ve attributed it to missing out on time playing together in the offseason but the breakdowns are consistent enough that it feels like more than that.
Maybe instead of Fletch photos, get some cardio for Andrej. A 21 year old tapping out after 3 minutes of game action? [That included 6 stops in game action]
| 12:42 |
| Andrej Stojakovic subbing in for Illinois |
| 11:38 | Official TV Timeout |
| 8:12 |
| Andrej Stojakovic subbing out for Illinois |
We got pretty good games from Wagler, Boswell, and Stojakovic but not much from anyone else. Some nights thats good enough, but not when you allow 52% from the field. Tomi needs to be better.
Teams just seem way too comfortable on offense against us. It’s the same story of a team shooting lights out. At this point it’s not being unlucky, it’s because our defense is horrid.
Teams just seem way too comfortable on offense against us. It’s the same story of a team shooting lights out. At this point it’s not being unlucky, it’s because our defense is horrid.
Games like this are why I've never gotten on Underwood's side. They happen every year. Bill Self lost 1 home game in 3 years, and that was to #12 Michigan State. Underwood has lost 8 in the last 3 seasons alone, and we're only 11 games into that 3rd season. Losing 3 or 4 home games a season won't cut it.
I just absolutely hate this offense that shoots roughly 50% of their total shots from 3. Yet we don't recruit elite shooters. If you want to just put a ring around the 3 pt line and chuck shots, well then recruit those types of players.
Are we shocked that we don't start seasons strong when we have so much roster turnover every year? These guys have never played together. We're not working in a Fr or 2, we're starting from square 1 trying to install everything. In what word is that a good idea. I've always said, if you are going to take away the ability for fans to love a 4 year player, you better win. If you're going to bring in a bunch of Euros that no one has any association with at all, you better win. Well, we're not off to a great start. They need to figure it out quick.
I just absolutely hate this offense that shoots roughly 50% of their total shots from 3. Yet we don't recruit elite shooters. If you want to just put a ring around the 3 pt line and chuck shots, well then recruit those types of players.
Are we shocked that we don't start seasons strong when we have so much roster turnover every year? These guys have never played together. We're not working in a Fr or 2, we're starting from square 1 trying to install everything. In what word is that a good idea. I've always said, if you are going to take away the ability for fans to love a 4 year player, you better win. If you're going to bring in a bunch of Euros that no one has any association with at all, you better win. Well, we're not off to a great start. They need to figure it out quick.
We need a Chester Frazier pre-game introduction.
Battle89
- Cary-Grove, the better Trojan team
Your statement could turn out to be 100% true, or 100% false. But in neither situation would it make this Board chill.
You think the football forums are any less riled up as we all endure the renaissance of Indiana football? No, it is a chorus of ‘why not us?’.
Nailed it
Not surprised by the loss at all. Obviously disappointed but not at all surprised. I've come to expect this with Underwood. I appreciate where BU has brought this program since he got here. However, this isn't good enough or as far as I want this program to go. I want more than a hopeful win in 1st weekend. Right now this team is just that, a hopeful 1 win in tourney team. Yeah thats better than it was the last yrs of Bruce and with Groce, but it isnt good enough.
Disagree…. looking like a typical loyalty over the too critical guy. We played a very good team and fell a little short. relax a little! They had a dude on a heater! not worried!
Serious question- why on the last possession is Andrej on Hoiberg? And it appeared Kylan is on Sandfort? And why did Keaton help like he did, literally almost under the basket helping OFF his guy.
I think an ALL CAPS Keeping Up With The Joneses mentality is a non-optimal way to experience both programs at the moment given the zip codes in which we currently find ourselves living.
Illini in Italy
- Illini HQ, Florida Panhandle
Kinda glad I missed most of this one. But BOY, the hot takes are ablaze. Idjits gonna idjit.
Ryllini
- Lombard
Congrats, Nebraska. That is a good team that runs a lot of fun stuff and they play really hard on defense. Their movement without the ball was fantastic.
I blame this loss on the players. Clear as day lack of attention to detail. I don’t see a leader on this team. I think it is Kylan, but I’d like to see Tomi get in more people’s asses. Problem is, he has to be present at all times. TJ, Ayo, Will, Trent, and Da’Monte were on the floor constantly and with purpose. These boys go to floor as a window dressing. I’d give no Heldman points for the effort put towards 50/50 balls.
And yet, we were still right there. Free throws. Make them. It was a weak T on Z, but don’t do it.
I blame this loss on the players. Clear as day lack of attention to detail. I don’t see a leader on this team. I think it is Kylan, but I’d like to see Tomi get in more people’s asses. Problem is, he has to be present at all times. TJ, Ayo, Will, Trent, and Da’Monte were on the floor constantly and with purpose. These boys go to floor as a window dressing. I’d give no Heldman points for the effort put towards 50/50 balls.
And yet, we were still right there. Free throws. Make them. It was a weak T on Z, but don’t do it.
Agree. I thought we were going that route, but we have pivoted to recruit to offense. While his son is offensive coordinator. I truly hope we aren’t roster building to pad Tyler’s resume. I truly hope that. But it at least gives the appearance that we are prioritizing offense at the expense of overall success.
Ryllini
- Lombard
I don’t have a terrible problem with those matchups. Keaton got a little too deep with his help. I was surprised how easy Hoiberg got the paint in that situation. That was unacceptable.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
. "It's the same fans, who have nothing else to bring to the table from a technical game standpoint, that fall back on lazy comments."
Oh, you don't say?
9 layups in the second half. LAYUPS and most were uncontested.
I mean- Hoiberg is the fastest player on the floor- is Andrej the fastest guy on our team to stick to him? Much rather have Keaton or Bam on him
Sometimes our offense feels too NBA and our defense follows suit. We need to press, be aggressive and set the tone. Instead we lag, lazy switch and a random Joe goes for 30.
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