UConn 77, Illinois 52 Postgame
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1m4tr
Cliffmas
I love this team full stop. So much joy and excitement. Entertainment value off of the charts. Thanks to everyone on this board it was the most fun season since 2004-5. I’m sad but the journey filled me w so much happiness. The camaraderie of the team was infectious. We saw something special this season. Tonight didn’t diminish a thing for me. I’ll miss all of the seniors. It was a special season. Thank you Fighting Illini MBB!! You guys are a special bunch!!!
Yeah I’ll start. I’m picking Terrence Shannon Jr 1st overall on my fictional squad of illini greats over the past 18 years. I’ll repeat it louder for the folks in the back. Gimme TSJ.
I do. Going to have a ton of talent again
Yep, I thought we were scrued when we had to play IA State just to get the "honor" of playing UCONN. Many thought they'd be a 1 seed.
That was less than 48 hours ago. Our players left it all just to get here today, IMO.
Just not much left in the tank.
Hurts to end a great season with this kind of performance, but proud of all this group accomplished.
Big question....does Hawkins return? Could move his draft stock up a lot with a great year next year...
Big question....does Hawkins return? Could move his draft stock up a lot with a great year next year...
I feel like Terrance has probably, largely been able to block out his upcoming challenges due to his ability to focus on basketball.
I'm hopeful he can find not only peace in with the unfortunate outcome of this game but peace of mind in everything he will be dealing with going forward.
I'm hopeful he can find not only peace in with the unfortunate outcome of this game but peace of mind in everything he will be dealing with going forward.
Let’s get to the tournament next year.
The hardest part is now watching Alabama or Clemson playing for a spot in the final 4. Before the draw came out I said I hope we get unc as our 1 seed and possibly Arizona as our 2. I thought they were most beatable. I figured if you just get to a final 4, anything can happen bc its something about shooting in those football stadiums that change a lot.
DICKnaggie
- Champaign
If Marcus doesn't get his waiver, can we put him on staff to teach post play, footwork, positioning? Would love to have Amani and Rez learn from him.
For all those who poo-poo the Big Ten Tournament, today was a good reminder of why conference tournaments are great. 67 out of 68 NCAA tournament teams end their season with a loss.
So glad we got to enjoy a three game run against conference rivals that ended with cutting of nets and a trophy presentation.
So glad we got to enjoy a three game run against conference rivals that ended with cutting of nets and a trophy presentation.
I felt we kept going after Clingan because he picked up an early foul and we were trying to lose the battle to win the war and get him in foul trouble. That didn't come to fruition, however. He absolutely destroyed us inside and everyone was playing scared to drive it.
We gave up more transition layups in this game that combined the rest of the season. Just a weird game in the second when we couldn't get anything to drop.
We gave up more transition layups in this game that combined the rest of the season. Just a weird game in the second when we couldn't get anything to drop.
Seeing the tears, streaming down the faces of some of the young men on your Illinois players faces was a humbling reminder that this game is more than just a spectator sport. More than just for the fans but that there are emotions and hearts involved. There are the relationships that have been built between Underwood and his players , between the players themselves, between the players and fans, there's legacies, there's expectations , there's graduation and heading to the NBA for some. If it makes you guys feel any better and it might not. I was so nervous before and during the first half that I almost threw up three times. I don't think I've ever been more nervous for a game and that includes any of our national championship or final four games. My wife is impressive. She was breastfeeding our 4-month-old while getting me to do breathing exercises so I didn't pass out. Even knowing the end result of this game. If you were to ask me right now, if I wanted to play Illinois again I'd say no. You guys basically played even for 28 to 30 minutes of the game and that 30 to nothing run is historic and no one saw that coming. I do think clingan single-handedly kept UConn in the game the first half and I think that your team should have been up by 7 to 10 points at halftime. I think you guys loosened up the last 8 or 9 minutes and in between halftime and that point was just the train wreck. UConn is a freight train and maybe they can't be stopped. Maybe they can. We shall see. All of my interactions with Illinois fans have been nothing but awesome. Sending you all love and I hope this is the beginning of a rivalry where we get to see each other in the tournament year and year out. These losses do take a little bit of time to get over but you guys will get over it and you all will be okay, until next time. Peace
I just wanna talk about Deron Williams and the disrespectful way our fanbase remembers him. Best season talk by an Illini and he’s hardly brought up.
Deron didn’t care who got numbers. But, when it mattered. Deron was that dude. No one locked Deron down.
My concern is the best players won’t be multi-year culture leaders like CH & TSJ. I don’t doubt we’ll have talent but I feel like next year will be very bumpy.
Early in the season we beat FAU, I don’t know the +/- of it, but we got their big guy in foul trouble, and I think that was a key to that game.
We are a much better team now than we were then, and FAU is no UCONN, but I’m not sure we beat FAU if their big guy stays in the game.
Once Clingon stopped our drives (and we weren’t getting ANY calls), this was the longest of long shots. Hard to put the game in the hands of the whistles, but really our best hope was to go get Clingon out of the game or go crazy from three.
We tried going off on three on the second half, and look what happened then. Miss threes long, and they get run outs and dunks.
It was a sound strategy by Brad. And I’ve been critical of him as a strategist. I think Brad improved in many ways throughout this season, and that’s what gives me the most hope for the future.
We are a much better team now than we were then, and FAU is no UCONN, but I’m not sure we beat FAU if their big guy stays in the game.
Once Clingon stopped our drives (and we weren’t getting ANY calls), this was the longest of long shots. Hard to put the game in the hands of the whistles, but really our best hope was to go get Clingon out of the game or go crazy from three.
We tried going off on three on the second half, and look what happened then. Miss threes long, and they get run outs and dunks.
It was a sound strategy by Brad. And I’ve been critical of him as a strategist. I think Brad improved in many ways throughout this season, and that’s what gives me the most hope for the future.
That is good to hear, but if I am being honest, I gave one from my couch.
Dain just had nothing on offense today and his defense is better than earlier in the year, but still not anywhere good enough to stop someone like Clingan.
Leave. Just . . . leave.
Yep that had me yelling at my TV a lot today.
It may have already been said, but take heart Illini Nation. This is but a step to the rebuilding of the program. We will keep pounding on the door and will eventually kick it in.
What a great season and accomplishment for this group. Will always have a special place in Illini memories.
What a great season and accomplishment for this group. Will always have a special place in Illini memories.
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