We really gave a wide open, uncontested layup for the win. Still baffling
UCLA 95, Illinois 94 OT Postgame
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blackdog
- Champaign
From the post game quotes it sounds the players didnt execute what the coaches asked them to do. Cant imagine they said give Dent an unimpeded run all the way down the court to the rim.
Goillinikobd
- Southeastern US
For the nth time, he is 18 years old, it’s not his job to be Trent or Ayo
Goillinikobd
- Southeastern US
We all would really like to know what the coaches told the players to do or not do
I’m still pissed we lost but I thought for a minute we might have lost Keaton to a serious injury when he went down. The B1G title was still a long shot needing someone besides us to beat Michigan. Get a 2/3 seed, ideally in St. Louis and keep getting healthier for a run. This team needs a Big Ten Tourney title or at minimum an appearance in the second weekend to be remembered for.
Anybody else have major problems sleeping last night?
I really did. Something about this loss more than MSU and Wisky really cut deep. We were full strength. Blasted a USC bubble team. And were up 23 on the road.
We even had a chance to win it with 5 sec left where 99% probability favored us.
Hurts man.
Still was probably a soft call, but it was on Ben. There might have been some body contact, but not more than happens on every single play
Lots of appropriate comments about the defense.
But what I found frustrating is why we went away from driving the lane. Keaton was routinely finding a cutter for layups or dunks. With UCLA in so much foul trouble and us in the bonus so early into the half, we needed to put more pressure on them to play defense.
This is how you can offset a bad 3 pt shooting night. We don't value the 2 pt basket enough and it isn't the first time this year.
But what I found frustrating is why we went away from driving the lane. Keaton was routinely finding a cutter for layups or dunks. With UCLA in so much foul trouble and us in the bonus so early into the half, we needed to put more pressure on them to play defense.
This is how you can offset a bad 3 pt shooting night. We don't value the 2 pt basket enough and it isn't the first time this year.
"Wildly inefficient" is a humongous stretch. Inefficient? Yes, but can definitely do lot worse.
Donovan Dent for reference had 14pts on 15 shots (yes, I understand he had 15 assists to no turnovers).
I personally thought without Keaton we're probably getting blown out. His rebounding was enormous, and was very effective getting downhill (and getting fouled). Also had 6 assists.
He had two bad shots early in 2H which people will pick on.
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Even his "off" nights are excellent. I'll just leave this GIF for you...
Illinois does not have good defensive guards. Wagler is a freshman so that's understandable while Boswell has slipped quite a bit from last year. Probably because of injuries. We could have used Rogers in some of our losses but it looks like he's not playing at all this year. Illinois might lose the 3 vs 6 seed game in the NCAA tournament.
I don't see how this loss changes anything in that respect. We should expect a difficult 1 seed in the Elite Eight no no matter what.
This loss makes me a bit less confident about reaching that round, but it doesn't change the challenge once we get there.
IMO we needed both Ivisic brothers in there. Tomi on the ball, Z to protect the rim. Having no one on the ball is the mistake - allows the casual inbound, Dent to catch and go unimpeded.
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I think they could still get the 4th seed--assuming they lose to Michigan.
I see it as this:
1. Michigan
2. Purdue
3. Nebraska
4. Illinois
5. MSU
6. Wisconsin
Still can't get over KB on that final play. Impossible to believe really. Dude immediately gave up on Dent after allowing free release. C'mon man. One change of direction, one forced pass and they're throwing up a much much more difficult shot.
Dent and his quickness was getting around KB with ease much of the night but figured we'd get some sort of effort here. Plenty of blame to go around on the play, including the staff, but expected more from KB there.
Dent and his quickness was getting around KB with ease much of the night but figured we'd get some sort of effort here. Plenty of blame to go around on the play, including the staff, but expected more from KB there.
Upon further reflection there needed to be a foul committed someplace between the foul line and the basket.
What I really don't understand is how they just let the dude drive all the way down the court, and in less than 5 seconds. They offered basically no resistance as the dude just rolled all the way down to the basket. I don't get how they didn't just pack the dang paint or pack the half-court. That was literally a repeat of the TN game from last year. It's like they learned nothing from that disaster, which makes me fear that we'll learn nothing from this one as well, which will lead to a similar game in 2027.
As soon as I saw him hoist it up, I knew it was going in.
I'd much rather they just completely block the paint and dare them to shoot a 3. At least that would have been some kind of strategy.
As soon as I saw him hoist it up, I knew it was going in.
I'd much rather they just completely block the paint and dare them to shoot a 3. At least that would have been some kind of strategy.
Agreed. You HAVE to put a big man on the guy inbounding the ball, and you have to prevent Dent from getting an unimpeded, running start.
This comment is purely off emotion and zero research. The top4 teams are (in whichever order):
Michigan
Illinois
Purdue
Nebraska
Next in line would be:
Michigan State, who has 4 losses and games remaining @Purdue, @Michigan, @Indiana. Very likely they finish with at least 6 Ls.
Wisconsin, who has 5 losses and a game remaining @Purdue (not to mention west coast trips of Oregon and Washington). They’re also very likely to finish with at least 6 Ls.
Illinois only has 4 losses, with the remaining schedule of Michigan, Oregon, @Maryland.
So your comment — “will be lucky to finish top 4” — is invalid UNLESS you think we’re also losing to Oregon / Maryland.
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According to the B1G Bracket Generator, if the Illini win at least 2 of their 3 games, the worst they will finish is fourth…unless MSU wins out, including road games at Purdue, Indiana and Michigan…and Wisconsin also wins out, including at Purdue.
And Nebraska also would have to win out, including at UCLA and USC and home against Iowa.
And Nebraska also would have to win out, including at UCLA and USC and home against Iowa.
I am all in favor of seeing what the bracket generator says after we beat Michigan Friday.
It’s just another example of being inflexible. It’s like “we do what we do”, even if something different might be a good idea agaisnt a certain team or a certain player.
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