I just watched the replay of the isu vs. wsu game and I have some random thoughts that I thought i would share with my friends here........
Using the eye test in watching the replay , it seems that isu is vulnerable to drives to the bucket down the the paint.....and we have the premier player in TSJ doing just that.......wsu had no one near the talent of TSJ and had minor success doing it.....wsu's star player , Issac Jones , was a complete no show in this game ......I have watched him before and he is talented , but this game he was off the whole game.....
Was it isu's D ?????......hard to say as he had trouble with just the basic stuff , let alone elevated skill actions......Wells had the best game for wsu , but that was only in the first half as isu clamped down on him , so halftime adjustments were made to stop his scoring........
isu's main trait on D was to crowd the ballhandler with their body using their mid section to pressure the ball in a crowding motion and using their hands as a pressure stance, causing numerous errant passes by wsu...........one thing is apparent to me ......we are a lot more talented skill wise on O than wsu even hoped to be........So , are we gonna be sped up by the trapping D that isu uses ??........doubtful in my mind compared to wsu or other less talented teams than the Illini........people tend to forget how much the Illini have improved as far as the number of turnovers committed this year from the beginning of the season until now......
Also at issue is the number of fouls being called in the upcoming game........we have improved so much in our total fouls per game and it is not talked about enough , IMHO..........seems like BU has finally gotten through to the team about moving our feet on D and not using our hands to slow the opponent down......
It was clear to me that we need to monitor the freshman Momcilovic at all times and plan for his fade away shot as it seems that is about 75 % of his shots.....he also is their main 3 pt shooter.........Their guard Gilbert is a penetrator and must have had some serious acting lessons as he is a puke wannabe flopper of the nth degree.......Lipsey is their floor general and does a lot of good things , but still , at times , plays out of control.........
To me , it is going to boil down to ..............
1.........how the game is called ............duh.....
2.........how well we are shooting the 3 ....duh........
3.........can we control the boards..........duh..........
4........limit our turnovers to less than 10 for the game..........duh..........
the above items I listed holds true for most games played , especially in a single elimination tourney ........my best estimation on tomorrow night's game is.......................
Illini 80
isu 73
Probably the best D we will have faced this season .........but , no probably , we are the best O that isu will have faced this year.......we will have the talent advantage on them with our starting 5 stacked up next to their's..........and a lot was made about their bench play......well , welcome to the Illini bench of Dain , Goode , Harmon , DGL and Hansberry................
it should be an entertaining game , and please please please , no d j bald head ref , courtney " no nads " green and especially no white haired eric curry.....finally found his name out and he is a complete blind technical calling idiot......
LETS GO ILLINI !!!!!!!!!!