After the 22/23 season, this year was fabulous. Don’t think we’ll have this success next year do enjoy. Illini are seen as basketball school again.
UConn 77, Illinois 52 Postgame
- Status
Sometimes games don't go the way you want. And some days you just get beat. Both happened today. We lost today but it doesn't tarnish what we accomplished this year. This was a great season and I loved every moment if it, warts and all. Think of where we were last year, think of how we argued back and forth all season on whether we'd be any better than a bubble team this year. This was a special season. And while we of course don't like how it ended, this season brought me so much happiness and I'm truly optimistic for the future.
TSJ, Marcus, Coleman, you all starred this season and will all be missed. Thank you for what you gave to us fans. Brad, thank you as well. Go out and kill this offseason and bring in the killer guards to compliment Ty, Amani, and Morez. Let's compete for a B10 title next year. This one hurts, but we have a bright future. We really do.
TSJ, Marcus, Coleman, you all starred this season and will all be missed. Thank you for what you gave to us fans. Brad, thank you as well. Go out and kill this offseason and bring in the killer guards to compliment Ty, Amani, and Morez. Let's compete for a B10 title next year. This one hurts, but we have a bright future. We really do.
I wish I could put up a poll: What's worse? Being down by 30 and losing by 25 or losing by 1 or 2 or 3 pts/losing on a last second shot? If the Illini had to lose, I prefer the blowout route b/c then we don't have to scrutinize every single play and where it could've gone differently.
But, I do wish they had put up a more respectable performance in the 2nd half. I think had the Illini lost by 10-15 pts, I would've been content with that. This just really leaves a bad taste in our mouths and it's not because of the players, it's b/c of the terrible gameplan that our coaching staff came up with. All due respect to Underwood(still love him as our coach) but if he doesn't take complete blame for this abomination, then he is doing our players a darn shame
But, I do wish they had put up a more respectable performance in the 2nd half. I think had the Illini lost by 10-15 pts, I would've been content with that. This just really leaves a bad taste in our mouths and it's not because of the players, it's b/c of the terrible gameplan that our coaching staff came up with. All due respect to Underwood(still love him as our coach) but if he doesn't take complete blame for this abomination, then he is doing our players a darn shame
My one complaint before I turn the page and appreciate this season is that after the abysmal start of the game, I thought there was no way we would run Ty out there to start the 2nd half. He has to develop at least a midrange jumper for next year or bigs will clog the lane every night. Love his motor and effort, but he has to be somewhat of an offensive threat.
This. Seems like we tweaked our game too much and gave them too much respect, and it made us disjointed. If we played to our normal ability this is a close game. If we played great then we could have definitely beat them.
Cook
- Richmond, VA
I don't understand why we struggle to execute simple concepts. Passing up wide open in rhythm three opportunities for more difficult shots off the dribble, contested, and out of rhythm has been a constant bugaboo.
Different specific recent example, Brad himself said we were supposed to foul right at half court at end of game (OSU I think it was) and they just flat out didn't do it. This was coming right out of a time out, if you can't execute something that simple at coach's direction there is some bigger root cause problem that needs to be corrected.
Different specific recent example, Brad himself said we were supposed to foul right at half court at end of game (OSU I think it was) and they just flat out didn't do it. This was coming right out of a time out, if you can't execute something that simple at coach's direction there is some bigger root cause problem that needs to be corrected.
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You fear that he's going to leave because a special season came to an end and he won't be playing alongside 7 or 8 of those guys ever again and he was crying because of that? If he wasn't upset, I'd be concerned. He cares. If he was smiling, you'd feel better about his return?
He needs to bring some offense with his return.
IlliniRon
Illini Basketball Fan Forever
- Ft Worth, Texas
Great season for the Illini. Brad put together a really nice team and they were so competitive and fun to watch.
Played them close in first half despite refs not calling fouls for Shannon drives as we saw all season. Makes it tough scoring when going against a 7-2 center who doesn’t foul.
Frustrating that we don’t have a better plan to stop big physical 5s like Edey and Clingan. Coleman gave a nice effort but he is not big enough.
Cold shooting, turnovers, stopping defending caused the second half blowout.
Let’s reload for next season.
Played them close in first half despite refs not calling fouls for Shannon drives as we saw all season. Makes it tough scoring when going against a 7-2 center who doesn’t foul.
Frustrating that we don’t have a better plan to stop big physical 5s like Edey and Clingan. Coleman gave a nice effort but he is not big enough.
Cold shooting, turnovers, stopping defending caused the second half blowout.
Let’s reload for next season.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
And you aren't going to believe this......proof that mother @#cker Bezos is listening and monitoring us.
They just delivered it. Bezos is mocking me.
7:31 pm.
Delivered today
Your package was left near the front door or porch.
We played this entire season without a point guard and our coaches get a lot of credit for pulling that off. Ty, for all the negative comments made tonight towards him, also deserves a ton of credit. He did everything he could to become what we needed him to be. He was out of position all year and we ended the year with 29 wins with a non-shooting, out of position point guard.
Ryllini
- Lombard
-I proclaimed we would win at half and I really believed that. I quickly realized when a clear out of bounds on big guy went against us and then an over the back discard and they get an offensive rebound, we might be f'd. Suddenly we are down 10 and stunned. TJ has a nice drive and a no call, but still our ball. I could see the body language...it wasn't good.
-I thought the lessons of playing Edey would pay off, they certainly did not.
-My resolve is stronger than ever in my 41 years for Illini MBB.
-In my eyes, this is the first time we were just beat. Uconn is money, they are a beast. We had a blueprint and were right there. Unfortunately, we will be made fun of and probably most by people who didn't even watch this game let alone any of our season. F em.
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***Illini for life!!!
-I thought the lessons of playing Edey would pay off, they certainly did not.
-My resolve is stronger than ever in my 41 years for Illini MBB.
-In my eyes, this is the first time we were just beat. Uconn is money, they are a beast. We had a blueprint and were right there. Unfortunately, we will be made fun of and probably most by people who didn't even watch this game let alone any of our season. F em.
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***Illini for life!!!
Ignatius Shang
5th year PhD, school of Information Sciences
- Champaign, IL
When Harmon made that layup, ending UConn's 30-0 run, the folks at the local bar in Campustown Champaign cheered as if we were winning the game.
So proud of the team and our fans. It is the last year of my PhD program. What a season it has been for our basketball team.
So proud of the team and our fans. It is the last year of my PhD program. What a season it has been for our basketball team.
Yep. Gut wrenching way to go out. This team deserved respect and sadly that wasn’t what we earned tonight.
But BTT champs and Elite 8 is a hell of a season. Let’s hope Brad can reload sometime soon. I-L-L
Agreed and great takeaway.
Amen. 71 yo.
No it's not. Coach had it correct. Referees were not calling him for 2, 3, 4 ,or 5 fouls. 1st half should have been up 10 with all his and Uconn fouls at rim. Just horrible the way game was officiated that 20 minutes. 2nd half we simply got blitzed.
If I told you before the game they shoot 17% form 3……
You are 71 years young, brother.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Thank you for saving me typing that. It’s exactly how it occurred to me, too. No recognition and adjustment. Absolutely bewildering. Can’t recall seeing anything like it.
Love these guys and am grateful for the wonderful ride. For all but one team this evening inevitably arrives at some point in March. As @The Galloping Ghost noted, am grateful it’s Easter tomorrow and will be sunny and 70 here.
Life renews. Our team will renew. We’ve got a lot to look forward to.
We love no other.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
That first half UConn shooting slump was the break we needed.
A real shame to not just lose but get destroyed despite that gift, that's what really hurts.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
most obvious missed call this season.......no Illini within 5 feet of the ball and ball clearly went off the Klingon...........................
Bronx cheer?
Ignatius Shang
5th year PhD, school of Information Sciences
- Champaign, IL
- Status