Guys, we were a one seed last year. It’s been a decade. It’s time to let the Bruce hate go. That said, let’s beat his !!! tonight.
Pregame: Illinois vs Kansas State, Tuesday, November 23rd, 6:00pm CT, ESPNews
- Status
Shane Walsh
aka "Captain Oblivious"
- Cynthiana, Kentucky
Not wasting my time on this one tonight. Let me know how it turns out.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
Okay, how about a little cathartic therapy for Illini fans here? Lol.
1) Last night was the most gut-wrenchingly disappointing performance by an Illini basketball team since...?
For me, this is the probably the most unexpectedly deflating performance for a game that we should have been ready for since the 2011-12 season when we came out ranked #19 and got absolutely worked by UNLV in front of 15,000+ at the United Center.
2) Something you are really hoping to specifically see tonight that would get you feeling a bit better about this team being able to move forward and right the ship?
I really will feel better about this team if I see Trent respond. This is JMO, but I feel like this team will live and die with Trent's ability to pick up some of Ayo's leadership. If he can play with the same energy he did vs. Marquette, I am hoping Andre can settle into a similar groove he was in last season, Plummer can just worry about shooting, some pressure is taken off Kofi, etc. I really think Trent is the key to everyone else getting back to "playing their games."
1) Last night was the most gut-wrenchingly disappointing performance by an Illini basketball team since...?
For me, this is the probably the most unexpectedly deflating performance for a game that we should have been ready for since the 2011-12 season when we came out ranked #19 and got absolutely worked by UNLV in front of 15,000+ at the United Center.
2) Something you are really hoping to specifically see tonight that would get you feeling a bit better about this team being able to move forward and right the ship?
I really will feel better about this team if I see Trent respond. This is JMO, but I feel like this team will live and die with Trent's ability to pick up some of Ayo's leadership. If he can play with the same energy he did vs. Marquette, I am hoping Andre can settle into a similar groove he was in last season, Plummer can just worry about shooting, some pressure is taken off Kofi, etc. I really think Trent is the key to everyone else getting back to "playing their games."
My worry is that BU wants a POY and will do everything to make sure we get it instead of a NATTY, or right now, just a tourney team.
We don't need a POY, we need a TEAM.
Homecoming 2019
- Chicago
This team is playing too serious right now. Show some emotion (that isn't directed at the other teams bench), have some fun, everyone looks so scared out there like they'll get fired if they miss an open 3. This isn't a job, just be ballers. Is there anyone that wants to be the guy to knock down a tough shot? Because it was sad how many guys passed up open shots because they didn't want to screw it up.
I have to laugh a bit every time I see someone posting that Kofi needs to pass out of the double team. Yes, it would help and I think he did it at least once last night, but if you’re hoping for him to start passing like Krutwig or something you will be disappointed all season. It is just not in his arsenal and as much as we’d like for it to be, I’m not expecting it to be. However, what he needs to be mindful of when teams start double and triple teaming is making quick moves. Too often he lets the helping players get the double on him. And the players making the entry pass have to understand that and get him the ball in a position to make a quick move. I’d love for Kofi to be able to recognize right away in those situations that “I can’t make a quick move from here, get the ball back out now.” He’s just not there yet and I really don’t think it will happen this year.
Tacomallini
- Washington State
Back spasms...not sure if he'll play today though
Tacomallini
- Washington State
Fellas, sorry. This game is on me. Careful what you wish for scenario. While most wanted to see us beat Arkansas in a statement game, I was in the minority rooting for K-State. A chance for Trent and DMFW to get one last crack at Mark Smith.
But. Not. Like. This.
Don't blame the coach or the players. I'll own up to this one.
I-L-L
But. Not. Like. This.
Don't blame the coach or the players. I'll own up to this one.
I-L-L
You want the Super Senior to step up but, not step on Belo's confidence? Belo controls the ball. For TF to step up, either TF steps on his confidence or BU does.
Timely passing would have helped them.
Watching the game last night, there point guard was way better than Curbelo or Trent. He made shots, drove under control and pretty much shut us down.
This is what I saw as well. I know this is a terribly depressing thought, but is it possible that Curbelo isn't a great point guard?
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
My (non-basketball-expert) opinion is that Curbelo is a great PG when he has offensive weapons all around him. When you have Kofi, Ayo and a plethora of passable third-fourth options, you can thrive playing like Curbelo does. That is why I think it's absolutely essential for Trent to get it going offensively. If Frazier is our "leading scoring guard," Kofi is Kofi and we can surround all of that with an occasional Plummer 3, Grandison putback or other secondary scoring options, Curbelo will once again shine. He cannot take on this team's offensive demand load, period.
Not everyone. I know at least one coach who says he didn’t watch it.
Zorak
- Naperville
Never.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
What? The guy with the ball doesn't have to be the default leader because he's the PG. I'm not talking about taking the ball or PG spot away from him, I'm talking about leadership.
If this is an attempted slam at Underwood, he said before the season that he has now watched that game. It is true he said for quite awhile that he couldn't stomach it.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
I miss that, as well.
What is depressing now is that I have had tickets to the Arizona game for my birthday for a while now, and I got SO much more hyped for it after Arizona entered the top 25, thinking that could even be a top 10 matchup. Now I am just depressed that we might be unranked and get smoked.It's hard to overstate just how deflating the effort and performance was last night, all around. I would love nothing more than for these guys to respond with how we LITERALLY KNOW they're capable of playing tonight, but they honestly looked lost and broken yesterday. It was frankly bizarre.
Pretty simple goal this evening:
Podz-Goode-Hutch-Melendez-Kofi wins this game by 15.
At this point, please, please, please win.
I really hope the guys come out with energy and sustain it for the full game. There is no way we should lose this, but I said that about the last two as well.
I really hope the guys come out with energy and sustain it for the full game. There is no way we should lose this, but I said that about the last two as well.
Back spasms
Bring in Hutch at the 3 and move DMW to the rotation. You can't have starters bringing absolutely no offensive threat to the table.
Also, it was a bad night for everyone. Hopefully we turn it around tonight.
BBV should be backup 5.
Also, it was a bad night for everyone. Hopefully we turn it around tonight.
BBV should be backup 5.
- Status