It's taken me nearly 24 hours before I could visit this site because it was such a frustrating performance by the team. I think the most disappointing thing was that this game was lost based on heart and hunger....both of which the Illini lost in the 2nd half. I think we missed feliz and AG the most during that game because they could come off the bench and help elevate that drive and crash the boards, get a bucket when we need. Perhaps we'll get it back, but right now, this team has yet to gel appropriately and while we still have a ways to go, we better get to it quickly because we're going to need to prove we belong. Winning 1 game against Duke does not and will not justify the losses against Mizzou and rutgers and I'm sure another team that we'll play.
Pros:
- Played 1st half like we should've and showed what we're capable of
Cons:
- There's no heart/hunger on this team when we think we have it. It's like we have overconfidence and believe that with any lead, we can just come back
- Ace and Curbelo really showed their lack of experience. That was a terrible game for Ace and while Curbelo could really make a difference, he took himself out of that game with those ridiculous fouls under the basket and trying for that 1% chance of success steal for his 5th foul
- Our bench was exposed. Grandison should've been one we could rely on to guard harper jr and not put it on GB to keep up with him when DM got in foul trouble, but he wasn't there nor was anyone else called upon (BBV in particular).
- We are lacking heart and while Ayo and Kofi are studs, there's clearly nobody else (other than maybe Curbelo) that can manufacture a bucket
ARGH! so frustrating and I hope they learn and get it together soon...because if Ayo wants to have Dakich continue to say he's the best guard in the country, then he needs to step up and lift the team. I don't think we'll drop out of the top 25 yet, but we're getting close. One more loss even to a top 25 team will likely spell our doom if we don't at least win the next 4 games.