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Northwestern 45, Illinois 43 Postgame
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<blockquote data-quote="Roundball Sage" data-source="post: 1969463" data-attributes="member: 748116"><p>Three critical Illini fumbles... two of them surrendered.</p><p></p><p>Holding on to the ball. Kind of basic. Something you can try to teach in technique... but you cannot will it from the outside or destine from a distance. And what is the primary responsibility of player who has possession of the ball? To HOLD ON TO IT. </p><p></p><p>You have to hold on to the ball in order to do anything else with it. You know that defenders are going to head-hunt the ball and try to knock it out of you. You know that your fellow players on Offense are counting on you to hold on to the ball and do something useful with it. And you know that your teammates on Defense are trying (if they are doing their job) to hold the other guys down and give you a chance to help your team win.</p><p></p><p>And where does this all begin? By holding... on... to the... ball. Sounds simple in theory. But not so simple in practice. As we saw again today.</p><p></p><p>There are certain players over the years from whom you could not get the ball away from with a stack of crowbars. They held that ball like they were holding precious gems or a load of TNT. Some of them learned how to cradle the ball in front of them with their arms folded like an industrial vice. And some of these guys are long retired and they are STILL holding on to the ball on the couch or in the shower – just out of habit. The wives just got used to this.</p><p></p><p>The Illini had a lot riding on this game. A bowl bid. Momentum for next season. Positive vibes in the Illini fan base. And more. Instead, we now have to listen to all the bleating about how great the Michigan game was. Again. And how awesome a team Michigan is. Endlessly. And watch Northwestern and Iowa and Wisconsin go to bowl games. And we have yet another football season that ends in disappointment and head-shaking. </p><p></p><p>The path to a great season begins with one first step. That might be one small step for a man. But one giant leap for Illini Nation. Please hold on to the...</p><p></p><p>Yes, we’re a Basketball School. But pray the roundballers handle the ball well all season. We just can’t take any more... turnovers.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Roundball Sage, post: 1969463, member: 748116"] Three critical Illini fumbles... two of them surrendered. Holding on to the ball. Kind of basic. Something you can try to teach in technique... but you cannot will it from the outside or destine from a distance. And what is the primary responsibility of player who has possession of the ball? To HOLD ON TO IT. You have to hold on to the ball in order to do anything else with it. You know that defenders are going to head-hunt the ball and try to knock it out of you. You know that your fellow players on Offense are counting on you to hold on to the ball and do something useful with it. And you know that your teammates on Defense are trying (if they are doing their job) to hold the other guys down and give you a chance to help your team win. And where does this all begin? By holding... on... to the... ball. Sounds simple in theory. But not so simple in practice. As we saw again today. There are certain players over the years from whom you could not get the ball away from with a stack of crowbars. They held that ball like they were holding precious gems or a load of TNT. Some of them learned how to cradle the ball in front of them with their arms folded like an industrial vice. And some of these guys are long retired and they are STILL holding on to the ball on the couch or in the shower – just out of habit. The wives just got used to this. The Illini had a lot riding on this game. A bowl bid. Momentum for next season. Positive vibes in the Illini fan base. And more. Instead, we now have to listen to all the bleating about how great the Michigan game was. Again. And how awesome a team Michigan is. Endlessly. And watch Northwestern and Iowa and Wisconsin go to bowl games. And we have yet another football season that ends in disappointment and head-shaking. The path to a great season begins with one first step. That might be one small step for a man. But one giant leap for Illini Nation. Please hold on to the... Yes, we’re a Basketball School. But pray the roundballers handle the ball well all season. We just can’t take any more... turnovers. [/QUOTE]
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Northwestern 45, Illinois 43 Postgame
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