Pregame: Illinois vs Ohio State, Sunday, February 2nd, 12:00pm CT, CBS

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#128      
This team has already played their way out of the conference title race. The rest of the season is whether they can finish strong and end up in the upper half of the conference or not. They need a makeover quick. The shooting from downtown Urbana isn't working. I am sick of hearing the ball clang off the rim 30+ times a game. Take the damn ball to the basket and draw a foul, then hopefully you can make a free throw.
There are 10 scheduled games left. I don't see any of them to be easy. With the likes of OSU who is playing their best ball, Rutgers who has a spell over us, Minnesota who has figured out how to play, UCLA, MSU, Wisconsin, Duke, Michigan, Iowa and Purdue. It is hard for me to see us winning any of those games the way they are playing. Even though some of those games are in Champaign that doesn't seem to be a strong hold for this team. Then will we see Duke totally destroy us on National TV?
I wonder which team is the real Illini basketball team of 24-25 season. Is it the team that buried Oregon, PSU, Indiana? or is it the team that blew a game against top ranked Tennessee, MSU, blew a 10-point lead against Northwestern, Team who sleepwalked threw USC, Team that was obliterated by Maryland on their home floor and a team that clanged 44-3 pointers at Nebraska and lost by a team that had lost 6 games in a row? I think they are more like the latter rather than the former.
I was looking forward to this year's version of the Illini but frankly the last 6 games turn my stomach watching them dribble into a crowd and get the ball taken away, sloppy pass after sloppy pass, players just running up and down the court contributing nothing but time. The coach walking up and down the sidelines with no particular game plan or any adjustments that might turn the tide like quit shooting from Alaska!
That was one of the least enjoyable posts I've read on this board. As I read it, all I could think of was this phrase immortallzed in Caddy Shack: "Tanks fer Nuttin.'"
 
#129      
This team has already played their way out of the conference title race. The rest of the season is whether they can finish strong and end up in the upper half of the conference or not. They need a makeover quick. The shooting from downtown Urbana isn't working. I am sick of hearing the ball clang off the rim 30+ times a game. Take the damn ball to the basket and draw a foul, then hopefully you can make a free throw.
There are 10 scheduled games left. I don't see any of them to be easy. With the likes of OSU who is playing their best ball, Rutgers who has a spell over us, Minnesota who has figured out how to play, UCLA, MSU, Wisconsin, Duke, Michigan, Iowa and Purdue. It is hard for me to see us winning any of those games the way they are playing. Even though some of those games are in Champaign that doesn't seem to be a strong hold for this team. Then will we see Duke totally destroy us on National TV?
I wonder which team is the real Illini basketball team of 24-25 season. Is it the team that buried Oregon, PSU, Indiana? or is it the team that blew a game against top ranked Tennessee, MSU, blew a 10-point lead against Northwestern, Team who sleepwalked threw USC, Team that was obliterated by Maryland on their home floor and a team that clanged 44-3 pointers at Nebraska and lost by a team that had lost 6 games in a row? I think they are more like the latter rather than the former.
I was looking forward to this year's version of the Illini but frankly the last 6 games turn my stomach watching them dribble into a crowd and get the ball taken away, sloppy pass after sloppy pass, players just running up and down the court contributing nothing but time. The coach walking up and down the sidelines with no particular game plan or any adjustments that might turn the tide like quit shooting from Alaska!

Does this mean you will stop watching the games for the remainder of the year?
If so, that would likely indicate you’ll stop posting your doom and gloom.
Positives all the way around.
 
#132      
Perhaps I am too optimistic, but I think this team and season still have a very good chance to be special.
We are all frustrated with a recent 2 and 4 skid in our last 6 games. However, during that time frame we have been without a combination of a lottery pick in KJ that is a maestro, and/or a terrific big man in TI that can rebound, block shots, shoot, and pass. Other key pieces have suffered set backs from illness. We are a young team filling holes from key personnel with young players.

Prior to illness and injury we were rolling pretty well with new players all learning how to play with one another.

Once the team is back to full health, I will gladly take a combination and rotation of KJ, KB, Dra, Trey, Will, Tomi, Rez, and yes, BH and JD. That healthy and gelled rotation of 9, that includes our superstars, will be very difficult to beat. Enough of the doom and gloom.

We don’t need to win the regular season B1G. If we are firing on all cylinders come the B1G tournament and make a run there, we can still achieve a 3-5 seed, in my opinion.

Yes, it’s frustrating to see lack of adjustments, careless turnovers, horrible shooting, etc. But goodness, factor in the youngest team in the power 4/5, only 1 returning player in the rotation of 9, as well as injury and illness at the 1 and 5 (our two positions lacking the most depth) and there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

When at full strength and healthy, we have been dominant and will be when it matters most.
I believe that is where this team is headed.
I - L - L…….
 
#133      
I’m not trying to be dramatic; I’m merely venting because Illini basketball means so much to me, and this is heartbreaking to say…

… it’s difficult to care. I genuinely regret convincing my parents to drive 4 hours to meet my wife and me to see us play MSU in mid-February. Got my wife to spend Valentine’s Day watching the Illini *maybe* decide to give effort that day. Depressing.

Ohio State 74
Illinois 64
Mark it down, my friend: on February 16th you will no longer regret having done this.

Chin up. And take solace that Valentine's Day is the preceding day. It will be a fab weekend.

:illinois: 🏀
 
#134      
Let's call it what it is - if this team makes an Elite Eight or a Final Four run, it's going to be from a lower seeded spot. Runs like what Michigan State did in 2015 from a 7 seed, what South Carolina did in 2017 as a 7 seed, or what North Carolina did in 2022 as an 8 seed.

It will be a run from a 5 to 7 seed or so. It can be done and has, but this team will have to battle to stick it out as a 5, 6, or 7 seed.
 
#135      
The energy should always start on the floor, not in the stands. If our players need a boost from the crowd to get going then we got the wrong dudes playing for us. Believe me, if our guys play with energy, the crowd will take it to another level.

Absolutely spot on.
 
#136      
Let's call it what it is - if this team makes an Elite Eight or a Final Four run, it's going to be from a lower seeded spot. Runs like what Michigan State did in 2015 from a 7 seed, what South Carolina did in 2017 as a 7 seed, or what North Carolina did in 2022 as an 8 seed.

It will be a run from a 5 to 7 seed or so. It can be done and has, but this team will have to battle to stick it out as a 5, 6, or 7 seed.
Or Tomi will get healthy, we'll jell during March, make it to the BTT final, and nab a 3 or 4.

February through the conference tourneys is a long stretch in CBB and it began today. I am not Pangloss but nor am I Chicken Little. This is not '23 and there's no Matthew Mayer / Epps / Skyy toxicity from what I can tell. The Humrichous matter is puzzling, I'll grant you. But The Illini's Got Talent.

IMO we all need to chill TFO.
 
#137      
no one forced ty to abandon the team, he made that decision last minute in the days leading up to the season opener.

lol..really?
You should probably look up that word.
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#139      
Tennessee up 12 in the 2nd half on Kentucky.

They don’t have Zeigler or Milicic. I’d say those are pretty important pieces.

No more excuses about not having Tomi. Figure it out and go beat OSU.
 
#140      
KJ
DGL
Boswell
Riley
Morez

3 guards, all can push the ball. Riley and Morez can run. Play fast and try to get out in transition to get some easy baskets. I think these 5 would be the most fun team we can put out there for right now.
I like this idea but would rather White start over Bam. Right now, KJ and Bam and their decision making on the floor at the same time scares the crap out of me.
 
#141      
It feels like DGL and KJ co-exist better than KJ and Bam. DGL being purely that off-guard, can drive it, get his shot, complement KJ... Boswell has just really struggled at times.
 
#143      
I think it's something about games too and it's probably a big part of why Brad still believes they are elite shooters. In a practice environment they are probably not rushing the shot as much and these guys absolutely CAN shoot the cover off it.
I was thinking the same thing as you guys. Some 3 point attempts look like we’re just flinging them immediately without even fully gripping the ball. We’re not able to get the same spacing as earlier in the year where we had a little more time to shoot, ie Oregon game.
 
#145      
Let's call it what it is - if this team makes an Elite Eight or a Final Four run, it's going to be from a lower seeded spot. Runs like what Michigan State did in 2015 from a 7 seed, what South Carolina did in 2017 as a 7 seed, or what North Carolina did in 2022 as an 8 seed.

It will be a run from a 5 to 7 seed or so. It can be done and has, but this team will have to battle to stick it out as a 5, 6, or 7 seed.
Not sure any of those teams you cite made a run while shooting 35+ 3 pointers per game. That is the elephant in the room, the facet of this team that makes any sustained run in the season, in the BTT tournament, or in the NCAA a really looooong shot, like a rush, contested launch from the mid court logo.
 
#147      
On Plummer....oh man could this team use Plummer!!!
I will never understand how he didn't take the final shot against OSU in 22'. He was on fire the whole game!
I took a friend to that game. Lets just say I don't offer tickets to him anymore, due to bad luck and all :ROFLMAO:
 
#148      
I’m not trying to be dramatic; I’m merely venting because Illini basketball means so much to me, and this is heartbreaking to say…

… it’s difficult to care. I genuinely regret convincing my parents to drive 4 hours to meet my wife and me to see us play MSU in mid-February. Got my wife to spend Valentine’s Day watching the Illini *maybe* decide to give effort that day. Depressing.

Ohio State 74
Illinois 64
I will be in attendance. We at least get the TSJ jersey ceremony and a free t-shirt. So there's that at least
 
#149      
“He may change the starting lineup”. He damn well better. Losing a starter due to illness, and it’s not working out with Ben H, make an adjustment. Change the look of the offense. Insert your most consistent and productive player for the last few weeks.

This level of stubbornness is irritating.
 
#150      
No to say I told you so but one week ago . . . "A lot of co-eds miss a whole semester when they get it. Sleep 16-18 hours a day, loss of appetite and guaranteed weight loss."
I just don't get why, if he is sleeping 16 hours a day, he is traveling with the team and shooting half-courters before the game. No way he is getting his 16 hours of sleep on travel days.
 
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