VCU wasn't missing any players. Lewis was injured during the game but still played 20 minutes and wasn't that effective prior to getting hurt.
Did you borrow that last line from Tim Beckman?
Pregame: Illinois vs IUPUI, Tuesday, December 6th, 7:00pm CT, ESPN3
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VCU wasn't missing any players. Lewis was injured during the game but still played 20 minutes and wasn't that effective prior to getting hurt.
Did you borrow that last line from Tim Beckman?
VCU wasn't missing any players. Lewis was injured during the game but still played 20 minutes and wasn't that effective prior to getting hurt.
Did you borrow that last line from Tim Beckman?
Are you sure I'm not Timmy Lasagna? Good catch though made me laugh, my group of buddies would always use lines like this in regular conversation eluding to TB. Maybe my sarcasm has bleed into my sincerity.
Ignoring the Beckmanism, my comment was more directed towards the NCSU game. They were missing a few key guys due to various reason. But in regards to the VCU game, yeah I think Lewis' injury played a big part in their collapse. VCU seems to be a very weak offensive team, meaning they rely on him for their three pt shooting. he wasn't able to hit a few that could've change the direction of the game, therefore causing them to panic and collapse. I thought we did a good job forcing them to take bad shots though, so I won't blame it on them being unlucky, more or less just trying to say the game never felt like it was out of reach, they just went ice cold which allowed us to pull away.
I agree with you on NCSU and that win should look better by the end of the season.
As for VCU, we had a cold stretch to open both halves, so I can't really put too much stock into when their cold run took place. If we hit a few shots early 2nd half, the game may have not ever been close.
Given the way we've tended to finish some games, that last 6 min or so was great to see.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
KenPom projects 75-65 UI, so Vegas seems about right to get the Illinois money.
OTOH, favored by only 10 against a 3-5 Summit League opponent is rather humbling.
I always like to look at it as did we do what we're supposed to do? We dropped NC State without some of their best guys by a mid teens margin. Exactly what we're supposed to do in that situation. We dropped a (recent) historically solid midmajor not playing well by almost 20 on a neutral floor. Exactly what we were supposed to do. The week before, doing what we're supposed to means beat winthrop(obviously not), be competitive with WVU and FSU(obviously not). I feel like we're gelling a little bit. Still more to go but headed in the right direction. I think doing what we're supposed to do vs iupui is 18+, despite the early line.
This is very good point, to be completely honest this might be the best way to judge a game, i.e. micro-analysis of in game streaks and tendencies can always be pointed to, whether or Kentucky or Rutgers, but beating game expectations is very binary (in a good way) way of determining if a team did good. It's not like we just squeaked by either of these teams. Sure games were close occasionally, but we ended these games by scores above what we even should've. 18 pt win against a team like VCU is impressive. A 14 pt win against a NCSU team is great, even considering their lack of a complete roster.
Not the end all stat but beating the spread should always be viewed as a positive, especially if you shift it from a loss to a win. Vegas is good at setting lines because they make money if they are right. Its that simple; prove them wrong (in a good way) and our team probably performed better than expected. Which is a way to be a tourney team come March.
Keep in mind that KenPom has IUPUI in the top 150 so being favored by 10 is pretty much expected considering our ranking.
WiscIllini
- Madison, WI
I really don't see how this game isn't at least a 15-point win given the last two games. We've solidified our lineup and defense seems to have improved. I would bet hard on the Illini if the line stays at 10-11 points.
In watching soccer out of necessity, I realized the best defenders have these traits. 1. Positioning 2. Reaction 3. Closing speed 4. On ball decision
From watching our games, especially our losses our interior defense was very bad on positioning and anticipating help. We were slow to get there and don't have the ability to block shots (Thorne has some). I think there is a role for another "4" Kipper or DJ to team with Black against smaller teams.
From watching our games, especially our losses our interior defense was very bad on positioning and anticipating help. We were slow to get there and don't have the ability to block shots (Thorne has some). I think there is a role for another "4" Kipper or DJ to team with Black against smaller teams.
Yeah we have some guys with below average athleticism and lateral quickness and it's been showing the past couple of seasons without a shot blocker to clean things up. Luckily we've been recruiting some better athletes but still, it's no excuse for so many uncontested lay-ups. Part of it is the lack of athleticism but a big part is also the poor reaction when we're challenging shots.
From the thumbnails of these videos I've realized Malcolm's neck is 2" longer than anyone else on the team
Deleted member 29907
D
Guest
With or without shoes?
Thus shoulder height is what matters.Leron is filling the points hole left by KN.
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
When you look at our season as a whole, 11 points makes sense. If you only look at the recent trend, you'd take the Illini to cover.
Key here is to keep focused and use this game as an opportunity to get better (coach speak, I know). Our ball movement especially can get a lot better, but I'm happy to see Groce addressing it as a point of emphasis.
blackdog
- Champaign
You can get by as a good interior defender without great quickness or athleticism. Tons of guys do it. The most important thing for a big defensively is anticipation. Being able to read the play and be in the right spot to cut off drives is so huge especially from the 5 spot.
Its been so noticeable since Egwu left that there are so many drives where the offensive guy gets all the way to the rim and the only person challenging the shot is the guy guarding him. If as a big you are reacting to a play you are already too late.
You nailed it Newman
Wish I had a dollar everytime I've jumped up and shouted at the tv "Pass the ball already!" " Cut to the basket!" or "They're in your face..... Drive around them!!"
Sad part is, you can't teach/coach what should be naturally instinct driven
I agree with many of the posts on our recent wins showing very little. Our offense is horrible and showing no signs of progress. No ball movement and players stand still. I have been happy with the intensity of LB but he shoots 90% of the time he gets the ball. Unless the offense changes we will continue to be a bottom feeder in the big ten.
You left off the single most important and it is what we are really lacking. It is foot quickness.
But he is hitting 50%
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