Clearly we were overrated to start the season. We look like a 23 or 24 ranking at best right now. The coaches have to find a way to right the ship, get guys to play 40 minutes, and make them understand that Rutgers and Mizzou were lost by the slightest of margins, and dumb mistakes matter.
Rutgers 91, Illinois 88 Postgame
We couldn't adjust when the refs started calling it tighter in the 2nd half. Some of it was bogus, but we need to be smarter.
Some of you are awful first reaction fans... we lost by 3, to a ranked team in the big ten, and they shot 20(!!!) more free throws than us. Look at the team stat sheet and they out-blocked and Offensive rebounded us. This was made exponentially worse by the foul calls making our guys scared to play defense and get on the boards.
when you play a ranked team on the road in the big ten and only lose by 3 after they shoot 20 more free throws. That’s a good result to ask for. Now if most of you would’ve been complaining even if we won, I would respect these first reactions because we did not play anywhere near our best, but for all these fans acting like we played like garbage. Please be realistic that with even just moving it down to a 10 free throw advantage, we would’ve won the game.
when you play a ranked team on the road in the big ten and only lose by 3 after they shoot 20 more free throws. That’s a good result to ask for. Now if most of you would’ve been complaining even if we won, I would respect these first reactions because we did not play anywhere near our best, but for all these fans acting like we played like garbage. Please be realistic that with even just moving it down to a 10 free throw advantage, we would’ve won the game.
I do believe we have the talent. We just aren't there mentally. After the awful flagrant call, the game got away from us until our desperation comeback at the end.
You simply can't continue to get beat on the boards like that. We had our two biggest guys right there to grab a board and let Rutgers take it from us. Utterly inexcusable, and it points to effort IMO.
Not a bad loss. This Rutgers group is dang good and well coached. Happy to see them succeed, just not against us. I am starting to really dislike that Mulcahy kid though.
You simply can't continue to get beat on the boards like that. We had our two biggest guys right there to grab a board and let Rutgers take it from us. Utterly inexcusable, and it points to effort IMO.
Not a bad loss. This Rutgers group is dang good and well coached. Happy to see them succeed, just not against us. I am starting to really dislike that Mulcahy kid though.
DB11Headband
- Chicago Burbs
Rutgers is a very good, experienced team. Schedule softens up big time, winning streak starts on Wednesday
Miller has a long way to go. So does officiating. I think it undermines how much of it impacts the tone and momentum of the game. We get called for bs and Kofi gets body checked a lot on shots so it makes you play more passive - hence the reticence for fighting for rebounds and lose balls. I thibk Rutgers is a legit top 20 team but they had to have a lot of other factors fall in their favor.
Also, we force trying to use Kofi at times and takes our guards out of the game. Frazier in particular. We had our guard play working and got away from it.
Also, we force trying to use Kofi at times and takes our guards out of the game. Frazier in particular. We had our guard play working and got away from it.
TheFameProtector
- Champaign
I can't stand a "comeback" that happens solely because you are suddenly playing with the urgency that was absent the rest of the game. There are substantial things we need to solve on the court, but the biggest hurdle this team has to get over is sitting between everybody's ears.
SuperMetroid
- Evanston
Final margin was (of course) the 4 extra points they got on the nonsense flagrant call. But we had no answer for Darryl Jenks and couldn't get a rebound or loose ball to save our life in the second half.
This just goes to show how good the Big Ten is this year. It's like the 80's all over again.
This just goes to show how good the Big Ten is this year. It's like the 80's all over again.
Shooting free throws makes it a different game
This team HAD a lot of promise but has suffered exposure and learning curves to be climbed. Kofi has disappointed with his inability to hold onto the ball and figure out how to operate in the post and when to dish out quickly or finish. Free throws and turnovers have been huge problems. Grandison has to gain experience and confidence and the absence of Hutcherson and BBV have hurt. But the pieces are still there and can be put together with hard work and coaching. These same guys have shown they can do that and all we can do is sit back, support, and watch...maybe we will all be rewarded, maybe not. Personally, I love seeing kids learn to play the game, become B1G warriors, and gain the skills and confidence to become winners. Reflect, work harder, learn, get better, get mentally stronger, believe in yourself and each other, and play the game right.
Yeah this was a repeat of the Mizzou game. Out-toughed. Out worked. Someone said it in the game thread but this team really misses Feliz. We need some dogs out there. And we don't have any.
I think this team is just overrated in general unfortunately. We have zero identity, the defense doesn’t work and we play hard for about 3/4 of the game. Once they get punched in the mouth it’s over.
Deleted member 11228
D
Guest
One of the few reasonable posts. Some people on feel like the calender just turned March and we're 15-13. So much basketball left. See Wisconsin and Michigan State last season.
You're giving Rutgers way too much respect IMO.
Come on Blue Rutgers is a solid team (better than Illinois right now), but we have to face facts we probably should be 4-4 right now. All the “punch in the mouth” stuff is nothing more than coach speak. We have more than been punched in the mouth. We are getting a standing 8 count right now in our corner. The problem is our best 3 point shooter is DW. Miller is not ready for big time BIG basketball yet and Curbello can’t stay on the floor. So what does that leave you? Last year, solid team, tourney team in the range of a 6-8 seed. Not a national championship team.
we all thought the transfers and freshman would put us over the top, and at least at this moment they are not.
getting zero out of either transfer (many thought they would be BIG ready)
Is BBV still on the team?
Miller is a freshman and looks like one.
Curbello showa
GB is simply not a 4 and still can’t play with Kofi
DMW and Ayo have clearly gotten better and Trent is playing well. Kofi is not playing poorly either it is just pretty much same team as last year?
Observations:
- Can't let good teams hang around
- have to get more production from Miller/Grandison
- control emotions
- adjust to how the game is being called
Silver lining: Miller ain’t jumping pro after this year. He has a lot of growing up to do.
- Can't let good teams hang around
- have to get more production from Miller/Grandison
- control emotions
- adjust to how the game is being called
Silver lining: Miller ain’t jumping pro after this year. He has a lot of growing up to do.
Officials as much as I hate saying it allowed them "Rutgers or People Flailing and Flopping " to stay close!!
I dont understand why Flopping is not more harshly dealt with or not tolerated??
Confused with that and why B1G dont deal with Officials dealing with it !! Frustration I guess , rant over ..
I dont understand why Flopping is not more harshly dealt with or not tolerated??
Confused with that and why B1G dont deal with Officials dealing with it !! Frustration I guess , rant over ..
Hard to win in Big without any athletic forwards. Need perfect game planning and execution. Miller's learning curve and Mulcahey's maturity a big difference. .Decent game just no answer for the time Williams had to sit after the flagrant drawn by Mulcahey.
I could not agree more. I guess my point is I am tired of the “we needed this punch in the mouth” - total coach speak. We have had that either start winning these games or we are what we are a middle of the road BIG team in a tough conference.
Retro62
- North Bethesda, Maryland
I agree that it’s not doom and gloom, but we also have to acknowledge that if anyone said we would be 5-3 in our first 8 games, it would be cause for concern based on our hopes after the return of Ayo and Kofi.