The one good thing about this game for me is that there are bigger things than Illini hoops. As much as I love our Illini. I am very thankful that Jaden Epps is ok and I do think we miss him more than we may realize. He is second in the team in Plus Minus when he is on the floor. I’m glad he is ok.
Penn State 79, Illinois 76 Postgame
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Yeah a few months ago someone posted a link to a run down of the spread and how to beat it and I didn’t love what I saw.
AyoDos11
- Southern Illinois
Sometimes you just have to let them jump
Agree 100%. Need a PG/Floor General. Hard to believe we can make a run no matter what seed we are. No PG and no leadership. Wish Rogers and Harris would've played more to be honest. They bring EFFORT. Next year is a lot more exciting with those guys having experience under their belt having played together. I feel like Rogers, Harris, and Goode can be leaders and will build chemistry. I sure hope we make a run. But I don't have much for expectations at this point.
Did anyone else notice that Underwood wasn't typical Underwood? Wasn't in people's face, yelling, super pissed off. He sat down a lot. He chewed his gum. Wondering what's on his mind. Don't get me wrong, I really like him as our coach. Just wondering what's up.
Chad Fleck
- Eureka, IL
As a fan of basketball, I love watching Andrew Funk shoot. That's a heck of a good looking shot.
I've gotten hammered on here for saying it before, but my opinion is that the order of importance is:
1. Personnel
2. Execution
3. System
When you're ok but have some flaws on #1 and horrible on #2, #3 won't move the needle much.
This team is so under performing, they do not deserve to be in the big Dance. There are many others at even Mid Major teams that have better records and would beat this Illinois team. I will now wait for our football season this fall.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
That would definitely spruce up the game threads.
Harris and Rodgers are no offensive threat whatsoever. Defense and rebound can keep you close but you have to score points to win
Coach says this team is March ready...any idea which March he's talking about??
We just blue ourselves.
We honestly played today much better than I thought we would. PSU is a team that takes advantage of our biggest weaknesses on defense which is our off the ball defense of 3pt shooters and defensive awareness. Most metrics and stats leaned towards PSU so not really surprising we lost. Unfortunately we just are what we are as a team. We go on terrible stretches where we have sloppy turnovers, poor offense and shot selection, and soft defense leading to 10+pt runs every game. Hard to win games against good teams when you do that. Here's to hoping we rest up and get healed and play a good tourney game. Not much to say other than that.
Normally I’d be upset about this loss. But with this season and team I’m indifferent. Don’t care where we get seeded for the big dance. Got to beat good teams no matter the seed and I don’t see us making it out of the first weekend. I’ll be watching but not with much expectation.
I already replied above but the extra possessions and stops that lineup provides more than makes up for the worse offense per possession and has a better point differential. Our regular lineups don’t have great offense anyway.
I think part of the issue with our roster construction and ability to go ISO is we don’t space the floor well enough and don’t have the same shooting threat that they do. Guys like Ty, Harris and RJ just aren’t serious threats from range, and you can sag off and double the post without putting yourself in real danger. Also, having Dain AND Hawkins in at the same time kind of takes away from the true ISO advantage that Hawkins had at the end of the first half. I don’t think Illinois should have them on the floor at the same time. PSU was able to collapse on Hawkins and make his shots tough in the final 12 or so minutes because Dain is kinda just there in the painted area. On the flip side, you go through Dain in the post, and Hawkins is kind of in no-man’s land and not really a threat from the outside. Pick your poison. Not having guards and not being even a decent three point shooting team has KILLED us.
Coach says this team is March ready...any idea which March he's talking about??
Hey, at least they made it to the second round
The nice thing is we have been conditioned as fans this year. It’s unfortunate that it’s expected, but I don’t have the high hopes I did at the beginning of the season.
This team might actually miss a healthy (in mind and spirit) Skyy Clark.
Might have been some drama unbeknownst to me, but lack of depth at the guard position really hurts.
Might have been some drama unbeknownst to me, but lack of depth at the guard position really hurts.
Whoever said that must have had caffeine poisoning or a neverending concussion.
Dread, Funk, Pickett, Wynter, Henn - none of whom would be eligible but for Covid exemption - 25 years of college basketball experience between them. Shrewsberry may have put together a team that could beat us and eek into the tourney this year, but he is going to have to find a whole new team for next year.
Lose 6 of our last 10. 0/3 against Penn State. Total fan meltdown.
Watch this team now go to the Elite 8.
Watch this team now go to the Elite 8.
Illini in Indiana
- Indiana
Dain's technical changed the game (not blaming him- freak celebration technical). It just doesn't seem to our year. Funk also hit everything, I think Goode is our best shooter, we will need him in the dance. I hoping for a 10 seed.
Dr Copejam
- The Rock
Deon Thomas on the postgame show is usually the eternal optimist. He has no explanation for this play from the Illini.
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