Based on all the injuries, a lot of us predicted at best 5 or 6 wins in the Big, and it appears we are on course for that. The only solace is that kids like Mav, Finke, JCL and possibly DJ are developing such that they may be counted on for next year. This team just has too little margin for error and is not ready to win unless both Hill and Nunn have big scoring games at the same time. Unfortunately, the other teams know that too and have game planned well enough to stop at least one of them. This year has been painful. I can't wait for it to end so I can start looking forward to next year.
Northwestern 58, Illinois 56 POSTGAME
It's been asserted here that of all of our talented freshmen, DJW has the most upside. I'm not clever enough to differentiate, but I think the light bulb is starting to go off over his head, and that's exciting.
I read on here and often times myself question JG's in game execution etc.
A lot are waiting for him to recruit better. Honestly though, look who he has on the floor that he brought in (not out of desperation).
Juniors -- KN, MH -- 2 very good BIG players.
Soph -- MM -- Developing into a high quality BIG Center
Fresh -- JCL, MF and of late DJW -- Showing huge potential (I truly believe AJ just plays a position that we have HEALTHY veterans ahead of him right now but will be very good over the next few years.)
So who does that leave, the PG position. There's no question with a true scoring PG threat on the floor, this is an entirely different group. He has BIG talent all over the roster.
I believe at this point, most see him coming back next year with no AD in place. Hopefully between Tracy TJL, this program begins to take off again, I think the makeup is already in place.
A lot are waiting for him to recruit better. Honestly though, look who he has on the floor that he brought in (not out of desperation).
Juniors -- KN, MH -- 2 very good BIG players.
Soph -- MM -- Developing into a high quality BIG Center
Fresh -- JCL, MF and of late DJW -- Showing huge potential (I truly believe AJ just plays a position that we have HEALTHY veterans ahead of him right now but will be very good over the next few years.)
So who does that leave, the PG position. There's no question with a true scoring PG threat on the floor, this is an entirely different group. He has BIG talent all over the roster.
I believe at this point, most see him coming back next year with no AD in place. Hopefully between Tracy TJL, this program begins to take off again, I think the makeup is already in place.
Well, I would hope Groce called a special out of bounds play but if you watch the last play - nobody moves from the initial 1-4 formation except MH. And he moves away from the basket with his back turned to catch a tough lob. The probability of him being able to maintain his balance, do a 180 towards the basket to get off a decent shot in 2.4 seconds was pretty low in the first place. Mr. Math should have been peeved if his players completely ignored an out of bounds play with actual picks and cuts to free up players for faceup looks towards the basket....Let's face it, X and O's are not JG's strong suit.
Sad to see how far we have fallen duriing the John Groce era.
Last 30 seconds of officiating disappointing for sure - but how this program got to this point is much more disappointing. I know we've had injuries, but this team should be better than this - time for a change
I don't usually tune into our b-ball much these days (years ugh) but saw it on B1G network tonight and tuned in for a few minutes. Don't know what his name is ... But it looked like Murr from 'Impractical Jokers' was lighting us up tonight from behind the arc
t7nich
- Central IL
Well, the game was tied with a couple seconds left, until it wasn't... Thanks ref. If you told me we would outrebound them and Mcintool would only score a handful of pts in a loss I'd be shocked, I think. VERY Hard to win if both mh and kn have poor/mediocre offensive nights.
Like what I saw from youngins jcl and djw! Mm continues to do his thing as well.
On to the next one.
Like what I saw from youngins jcl and djw! Mm continues to do his thing as well.
On to the next one.
Question....you take both teams and roll the ball out there and let them play with no coaches, which team do you take? The fact that anyone may even consider NOT taking UI tells you everything you need to know about how far we have fallen.
Mystifying calls and no calls at the end, but how do you let Demps go off in the second half? Let me guess, the analytics say that he will miss sooner than later....or something ridiculous.
Last question, does it seem like our players are off balance or falling to the floor way more than others? Seems like Hill and JCL are almost always about to fall down.
Ugh....just can't believe a loss to Northwestern no longer surprises me.
Mystifying calls and no calls at the end, but how do you let Demps go off in the second half? Let me guess, the analytics say that he will miss sooner than later....or something ridiculous.
Last question, does it seem like our players are off balance or falling to the floor way more than others? Seems like Hill and JCL are almost always about to fall down.
Ugh....just can't believe a loss to Northwestern no longer surprises me.
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Tough game that we could have won. At the end NW had a foul to give so I think the refs anticipated it. It was a call that they could have chosen not to make but it was a foul before the shot. At the end, it seemed like MH was trying to get a foul call instead of making a basketball play ... JMHO. Love MH but he just need to play ball.
I really think Demps killed us on this one. He has created fits for us in the past so I guess it was to be expected. The ball just needed to bounce our way to win this one. We just don't have that kind of luck on the road. Had to take it decisively or suffer the consequences.
I really think Demps killed us on this one. He has created fits for us in the past so I guess it was to be expected. The ball just needed to bounce our way to win this one. We just don't have that kind of luck on the road. Had to take it decisively or suffer the consequences.
Deleted member 16340
D
Guest
Well, when Malcolm was grabbinge right after the tip, I knew that the refs were going to protect the kitty's home court. I just didn't think they would actually take points off the board to do it. Who were those masked men a anyway? I liked what I saw from the young guys. Grove must be reading IL because I don't think JT was more than a few minutes. We let the kids play and saw a few more turn overs than usual. I think that next year will be a much different story.
IlliniRunIn07
- Tampa, FL
Last night was kind of depressing. There was a lot of bad, but there was some good too. Overall, I am far from happy. Let's start with the bad. THOSE REFS. I didn't think it was thaaaaaaat bad for most of the game (that Demps flop was atrocious, though). Those last 3 seconds were seriously inexcusable. First off, there was no foul on Malcolm...the refs had made their mind up to call it before the play even started. Secondly, if there was a foul on Malcolm, I don't see how the basket didn't count. Thirdly, if THAT play was a foul, you absolutely cannot tell me that the last play of the game (with way more contact) was not a foul. In general, I'm good with that last play not being called a foul. Malcolm was somewhat heady on that play I thought. "If that lovetap was a foul, let's see if I can draw even more contact and tie this game up from the line." As unsuccessful as that OOB play was, I like that Malcolm created contact. You can say "it shouldn't have come down to the last play," but there's no excuse for the incompetence that we saw last night. When we cannot catch a break with injuries, it's completely demoralizing to get jobbed by officials like that. I hate ranting about officials like this, because I know how difficult the job is. I am just looking to catch ONE BREAK this season.
The bad. Our freshmen missed so many layups. JCL missed two (one he could've dumped off to Nunn). DJW missed one, and he also missed what would've been an SCTopTen putback. AJ missed one in traffic. Lewis (not a freshman, I know) missed a wide open one. I think Finke missed one as well. If we could've converted one of those easy shots, it's a completely different ballgame. Tre Demps going off was one of the most frustrating things ever.
The good. Even though I just complained about the freshmen, I'm very excited for this group. DJW didn't have a great game last night, but the potential is absolutely there, I'm giddy. JCL looks like he might have his name on a banner by the end of his time here. Finke still might not be 100%, and he might be undersized, and he might be playing out of position, but I love his game. I think he is going to be very productive here going forward. AJ had a rough night, but I still think he will be a solid upperclassman. Honestly, that freshman class is becoming the only reason I want to give Groce another year. It's the only thing he really has to fall back on at this point.
One more positive note...shoutout to Mav!!! He is looking more and more competent every game. Of course there is room for improvement on defense, but I think he's past his "turnstyle" phase. His footwork seems much better, which helps offset his lack of lateral quickness. I still think he needs to make significant strides rebounding the ball, but last night was one of his better efforts in that department as well, against a not too shabby C as well. And his offense has always been alright, but he was borderline automatic last night, and was that his first slam ever?! He has obviously put in some hard work, and it is noticeable!
The bad. Our freshmen missed so many layups. JCL missed two (one he could've dumped off to Nunn). DJW missed one, and he also missed what would've been an SCTopTen putback. AJ missed one in traffic. Lewis (not a freshman, I know) missed a wide open one. I think Finke missed one as well. If we could've converted one of those easy shots, it's a completely different ballgame. Tre Demps going off was one of the most frustrating things ever.
The good. Even though I just complained about the freshmen, I'm very excited for this group. DJW didn't have a great game last night, but the potential is absolutely there, I'm giddy. JCL looks like he might have his name on a banner by the end of his time here. Finke still might not be 100%, and he might be undersized, and he might be playing out of position, but I love his game. I think he is going to be very productive here going forward. AJ had a rough night, but I still think he will be a solid upperclassman. Honestly, that freshman class is becoming the only reason I want to give Groce another year. It's the only thing he really has to fall back on at this point.
One more positive note...shoutout to Mav!!! He is looking more and more competent every game. Of course there is room for improvement on defense, but I think he's past his "turnstyle" phase. His footwork seems much better, which helps offset his lack of lateral quickness. I still think he needs to make significant strides rebounding the ball, but last night was one of his better efforts in that department as well, against a not too shabby C as well. And his offense has always been alright, but he was borderline automatic last night, and was that his first slam ever?! He has obviously put in some hard work, and it is noticeable!
PostersLastStand
- Wayne County, IL
I still don't fully understand why a guard oriented team can't feed the post or get the ball to Morgan, Hill or Finke or as a matter anyone with position on their man. I know we don't have a point guard, but 3 to 4 guards on the floor at a time and none of them can get the ball inside when their team mate has fought for and gained an advantage. Morgan would benefit so much, even on the perimeter you want to get ball to a team mate when open not 2 seconds after, I get so frustrated(of course it is all about me)seeing a player work hard to get position only to have a team mate dribbling around with no clue what to do then try to "make something happen" with 5 seconds on the clock and NO ILLINI PLAYER IN POSITION TO OFFENSIVE REBOUND. AAU Basketball at its best is on display every night.
PostersLastStand
- Wayne County, IL
If you lack talent or experience, then a team must play as a team, think alike and execute the coaches game plan. I get frustrated with Coach Groce, but how much can he do if the players don't execute the plays or work on defense or work to rebound position. Kentucky players can dribble drive, make something happen, they are all great individual talents, play mostly as a team and if they fail or fall there is someone hungry just as good waiting to take their place. And Coach Cal (not a fan of his at all) will remove anyone not playing defense or executing on offense in a heartbeat.
cool. And no one here knows who that is so I guess it's even?
Illinithad
- Northeast Missouri
I didn't think they played that bad overall.
We out-rebounded them 40-31, played pretty good defense for most of the game, and worked the ball and got good shots the entire game.
What beat us was we couldn't hit wide open shots in the first half and Trey Demps going off for 12 of their 37 second half points during that stretch.
Again, like I say after every game, I think if we had our full team we obviously win this game. Just like Providence, Notre Dame, Ohio State both times, Wisconsin at home, Nebraska at home and Michigan at home. That's eight games I think would have been the other way around. That would have us 19-6 overall and 8-4 in the B10. Maybe we wouldn't have won all of them, but we'd have won most of them. Then all the sudden John Groce is a lot smarter.
The kids haven't quit and I think they are getting better. Just need to play the year out and keep improving. Sorry for some of the positivity.
We out-rebounded them 40-31, played pretty good defense for most of the game, and worked the ball and got good shots the entire game.
What beat us was we couldn't hit wide open shots in the first half and Trey Demps going off for 12 of their 37 second half points during that stretch.
Again, like I say after every game, I think if we had our full team we obviously win this game. Just like Providence, Notre Dame, Ohio State both times, Wisconsin at home, Nebraska at home and Michigan at home. That's eight games I think would have been the other way around. That would have us 19-6 overall and 8-4 in the B10. Maybe we wouldn't have won all of them, but we'd have won most of them. Then all the sudden John Groce is a lot smarter.
The kids haven't quit and I think they are getting better. Just need to play the year out and keep improving. Sorry for some of the positivity.
They're definitely winnable. Gotta stop playing YMCA basketball to win them.If we keep losing them, are they really "winnable", or are we deluding ourselves?
Get real
We are in the tournament if we don't have 3 starters sitting on the bench injured.
Finke playing center out of position. MH playing PF out of position. Not having TA and having to play JT and KL exclusively.
Add in the fatigue (at the end of games especially) because of high minutes played takes the snap out of every one of our guys trying to make it happen to close out winnable games.
That's the reason we aren't winning these games. Groce isn't the problem. We've had plenty of open shots with Groces system. Deep fatigue and getting open and shooting doesn't work.
Give us those three guys and we aren't even thinking of throwing Groce under the bus and dumping him.
We are in the tournament if we don't have 3 starters sitting on the bench injured.
Finke playing center out of position. MH playing PF out of position. Not having TA and having to play JT and KL exclusively.
Add in the fatigue (at the end of games especially) because of high minutes played takes the snap out of every one of our guys trying to make it happen to close out winnable games.
That's the reason we aren't winning these games. Groce isn't the problem. We've had plenty of open shots with Groces system. Deep fatigue and getting open and shooting doesn't work.
Give us those three guys and we aren't even thinking of throwing Groce under the bus and dumping him.
We just have to keep reminding everyone of this after every game, win or lose. Because people continue to forget or just ignore it, I dont know. Granted, I was a little bit happy to see more people complaining about the officiating than trying to fire Groce after this one. A step in the right direction lol.
A reasonable question to ask because of all the injuries this season. "Next man up" only goes as deep as your bench.If we keep losing them, are they really "winnable", or are we deluding ourselves?
Still, need to look at the rosters of the other Big 10 teams. Rutgers is also decimated by injuries. A couple of teams, say Wisky and Ohio Stae, have tons of underclassmen just waiting to be exposed for their lack of college experience by our upper classmen. While Iowa has the all-senior, plus one jr, line up that you would expect to do well.
Trying to be positive! Haven't lost faith in Groce, he's capable for the job and I do not know who would want to take this job in our current situation.
While this team is hard to watch, this team will make noise if they are ever healthy at the same time. Finish this year strong and prepare for our next season. Cannot wait to see the team next year and beyond!
ILL
While this team is hard to watch, this team will make noise if they are ever healthy at the same time. Finish this year strong and prepare for our next season. Cannot wait to see the team next year and beyond!
ILL
So because you don't know who it is means nobody else does? You're basically saying that that his statement doesn't matter because you don't understand the comparison.
IlliniRunIn07
- Tampa, FL
I laughed at his comment as well. I love the show, and I'm assuming OP was talking about Tre Demps looking like Murr. I just don't really think that he does.
Edit: I hate the realization that my comment above is what the post game threads have come down to.
Edit #2: Oh, maybe he was talking about Olah.
I laughed at his comment as well. I love the show, and I'm assuming OP was talking about Tre Demps looking like Murr. I just don't really think that he does.
Edit: I hate the realization that my comment above is what the post game threads have come down to.
Edit #2: Oh, maybe he was talking about Olah.
Well they look somewhat similar due to the balding hair I guess. Really, really off topic convo for a post game thread haha but yes that show is one of the funniest I've seen:thumb: