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General Category => Fighting Illini Basketball Forum => Topic started by: ILLINICHIEF on February 28, 2024, 11:16:41 AM

Title: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 28, 2024, 11:16:41 AM
Trap Game?

Wisky  Mar 2nd
Purdue Mar 5th

ILLINI favored -11.5, with over/under at 154.5

Control Garcia, no other player can "win" this game for them. ILLINI have no less than 3 that could win it for us.

ILLINI 87 - Minny 81

Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 28, 2024, 03:55:07 PM
The final score sounds about right.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Custard on February 28, 2024, 04:29:41 PM
I think we start to figure some stuff out and throughly beat a mediocre team at home, so I’ll take the Illini to cover.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Lkdog on February 28, 2024, 06:40:52 PM
I think we start to figure some stuff out and throughly beat a mediocre team at home, so I’ll take the Illini to cover.

Agree. We discovered by luck or necessity some possible options and maybe an expanded rotation and the staff finally took charge of a leaderless or slightly complacent group.
I think we win comfortably.
The next three will be tough but good preparation for the NCAA's.

Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 28, 2024, 07:55:55 PM
The gofs have actually been playing fairly well, for being gofs.
They held tPSU to 74 to get a win at tPSU. They beat NU and then Sparty before losing at xxxx by 5.
They got clobbbered at Nebraska, who double teamed when the ball went into the post. We don't handle the post well.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 28, 2024, 08:58:00 PM
See above.
We're going to let the gofs get 50 ?
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 28, 2024, 09:05:42 PM
Cam Christie owning the ILLINI right now...ILLINI simply CANNOT defend anyone.

Realizing 2 of the most improved offenses going at each other, but damn we gave PSU away, almost gave the Maryland game away. We are going to have to finish strong and find a way to defend better overall start to finish.

2nd half worries, Payne gets his back in place...that kid is a load and will be a thorn to us moving forward.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 28, 2024, 09:06:31 PM
"They made shots"

So how about coming up with a defensive adjustment that leads to less made shots, coach?
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 28, 2024, 09:09:36 PM
See above.
We're going to let the gofs get 50 ?

They're only 10 points away from equaling their overall total against Nebraska. Boy we really are the magic fix for struggling offenses.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 28, 2024, 09:10:31 PM
"They made shots"

So how about coming up with a defensive adjustment that leads to less made shots, coach?

Minny will cool off, Christie will get probably 25-27 so 10 more in the 2nd half, this team should not be this close with us at home regardless of shooting %, no turnovers/blocks/steals to speak of. The intangibles will be what wins this for us.

I didn't think that there would be anyway ILLINI covered on this game, seems to be right so far, hope I am wrong at the end.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Illinifan5775 on February 28, 2024, 09:10:53 PM
Refs need to call some fouls on  Gophers #21 when he has the ball, pushing Hawkins or Dainja in the chest with free hand or with the ball in his hands.
Defense still iffy.
Shannon and Hawkins gotta keep petal to the metal.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 28, 2024, 09:11:25 PM
We let them play their game for 20 minutes. Points in the point and make some 3s.
Good game plan on defense.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 28, 2024, 09:11:44 PM
 
Refs need to call some fouls on  Gophers #21 when he has the ball, pushing Hawkins or Dainja in the chest with free hand or with the ball in his hands.
Defense still iffy.
Shannon and Hawkins gotta keep petal to the metal.

We don't need no flower power, way too soft.  ;)
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Illinifan5775 on February 28, 2024, 09:14:08 PM

We don't need no flower power, way too soft.  ;)
Nice catch.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Jrock74 on February 28, 2024, 09:24:01 PM
You almost never see anyone on this team deny the ball.  Lazy ass defense.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 28, 2024, 09:27:14 PM
Gophers look like they aren't cooling off from 3 any time soon. I don't like our chances.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Judge Judy on February 28, 2024, 09:28:52 PM
They can’t miss. Our defense isn’t helping, but man, they’re hot! 9-14 for 3
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Jrock74 on February 28, 2024, 09:29:51 PM
Gophers look like they aren't cooling off from 3 any time soon. I don't like our chances.

They wide the fuck open.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 28, 2024, 09:35:33 PM
If our defense was simply mediocre, we'd be a top 5 team with this offense.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Jrock74 on February 28, 2024, 09:37:22 PM
Need to keep attacking the rim.  They in a bit of foul trouble.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 28, 2024, 09:48:23 PM
At our season avg with 7 min to go .
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 28, 2024, 09:48:39 PM
Domask throws a bad pass, we fail to box out and they hit a three. This team sure knows how to simultaneously entertain and piss us off.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 28, 2024, 09:59:55 PM
Dainja zone!
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 28, 2024, 10:10:07 PM
7 point lead with 48 seconds left. We fouled a 3 point shooter.

Where have we seen this before?
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Judge Judy on February 28, 2024, 10:11:33 PM
Just put my cup on. Literally 101 points and still not a secure win yet.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 28, 2024, 10:13:50 PM
Bulls beat the Twolves 105-97.

No wait. That's not right. The Bulls would have gave up way more than 97.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Judge Judy on February 28, 2024, 10:13:52 PM
This offense is elite, but man, our defense is pure shit.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 28, 2024, 10:19:39 PM
Not often you beat a team that shoots 70% from three on 20 attempts.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Judge Judy on February 28, 2024, 10:20:28 PM
On the bright side, they shot 74% from 3 for the game (that’s insane!), and we still won the game.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: ThePAMan on February 28, 2024, 10:23:55 PM
Weber with Ths Kiss of Death saying that the Illini could go deep in The Tournament with that offense.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Illinifan5775 on February 28, 2024, 10:25:28 PM
This offense is elite, but man, our defense is pure shit.
Definitely horrid defense.
Refs let 21 and 3 maul our guys, shoving and pushing when they have the ball down low and setting illegal picks with a leg sticking out.
Amazing that Illinois could win with that lousy Courtney Green reffing.
How the hell does Illinois allow that guard to dribble the length of the court for an uncontested hoop? Didn't even really get in his way.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Judge Judy on February 28, 2024, 10:26:54 PM
Weber with Ths Kiss of Death saying that the Illini could go deep in The Tournament with that offense.

Lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala I didn’t hear that.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: ThePAMan on February 28, 2024, 10:40:01 PM
Does Hawkins have a hot dog and fries in that brown bag?
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 28, 2024, 10:57:13 PM
We scored on 77% of our offensive possessions. 12 offensive rebounds on 24 missed shots.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Custard on February 28, 2024, 11:00:58 PM
Minnesota shoots 74% from 3 on our home floor and loses 105-97 in regulation. I’ve never seen anything like this. Highest scoring big ten game for Illinois since the 90s. Highest scoring big ten game overall in 15 years. We’ve scored 80 or more in 8 straight games for first time since our final 4 team in 89.

Yet somehow started the season top 10 in KenPom defense after 10 games and now look like we are playing an NBA all star game. Trying to enjoy the ride but what in the actual fuck.

For a while I thought teams were playing out of their asses against us. Kinda still think they are. Teams don’t shoot 74% from three in practice. We clearly favor giving up layups over allowing open threes, but we kinda give up open threes too.

I know we have some defensive wrinkles, are we saving them for March?

Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Custard on February 28, 2024, 11:50:41 PM
I missed the first half due to sexual activities, why did the Italian Stallion only get 2 minutes?
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 29, 2024, 12:06:35 AM
We improved to 3rd on Kempon for offense but our defense dropped from 60th to 95th.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Custard on February 29, 2024, 12:11:56 AM
I’m not a doctor so I don’t understand how you drop 30 spots in one game out of 30
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 29, 2024, 12:14:43 AM
I missed the first half due to sexual activities, why did the Italian Stallion only get 2 minutes?

1 Trick Pony?
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 29, 2024, 12:17:19 AM
On the bright side of tonights game (other than the win), we should be getting ALL the elite players here from now.

Selling point is easy, you can score ALOT, "look" as if you are defending, but in reality shoot every 7 seconds. So you only have to stay on this ride almost as long as a bull rider.

Geesh, fun offense, head scratching rest of it.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Lkdog on February 29, 2024, 12:46:56 AM
I missed the first half due to sexual activities, why did the Italian Stallion only get 2 minutes?

Hard to say. Underwood spends most of these games yapping to his kid and they both were shaking their head in exasperation a lot when the camera was on them as if Minny was just hitting tough shots.
Problem is every team is bending us over. This wasn't a one off. There are no wrinkles being kept under wraps.
We are a variant strain of the Garza/Murray Iowa teams.

As for Moretti I think it was maybe a defense decision and possibly they thought Harmon could match up better as their guards were shredding us.

Goode only got three minutes. I think they have realized he is our worst defender.

Glad to see Dainja getting some minutes. We will need him to help.

Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Lkdog on February 29, 2024, 12:59:10 AM
If I understand Torvik correctly- we are 237th in Defense Eff in last 10 games and #1 on Offense.

 https://www.barttorvik.com/team.php?team=Illinois&year=2024   (https://www.barttorvik.com/team.php?team=Illinois&year=2024)

Would have never predicted that back in December when we were lamenting that we had no consistent scorers except TSj but our Defense and Rebounding would keep us in games.

I stand by my prediction that we can make EE, or get knocked out in first round.


Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: ILLove1997 on February 29, 2024, 01:58:06 AM
Hard to say. Underwood spends most of these games yapping to his kid and they both were shaking their head in exasperation a lot when the camera was on them as if Minny was just hitting tough shots.
Problem is every team is bending us over. This wasn't a one off. There are no wrinkles being kept under wraps.
We are a variant strain of the Garza/Murray Iowa teams.

As for Moretti I think it was maybe a defense decision and possibly they thought Harmon could match up better as their guards were shredding us.

Goode only got three minutes. I think they have realized he is our worst defender.

Glad to see Dainja getting some minutes. We will need him to help.

Teams do not have off shooting nights against us and we're still winning so 🤷‍♂️

Sure makes up for the offensive ineptutude over the last 20 years and I don't care
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 29, 2024, 05:22:16 AM
Having to shoot 60% and 48% from 3, and needing 100 points at home to get a win vs the 8-9 gofs just doesn't seem like a good recipe for consistent success.

To each his own tho.  ;D
But it was an entertaining game to watch.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: illinismitty on February 29, 2024, 09:23:05 AM
Imagine if we had just a mediocre defense.....we could actually be leading the Big 10. And be in the top 5.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Lkdog on February 29, 2024, 10:45:22 AM
I guess we will see how this approach works with three tourney level teams in next week.

Definitely more entertaining.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Illinifan5775 on February 29, 2024, 11:08:13 AM
I guess we will see how this approach works with three tourney level teams in next week.

Definitely more entertaining.
Better work on defense when they play Purdue or it could get damn ugly for the Illini. Hope Dainja is prepared.

Anything said as to why Moretti didn't get much time last night?
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Custard on February 29, 2024, 11:15:01 AM
Dain has always been awful against Purdue. But a lot of bigs are. I’m interested to see what defensive looks we throw at them.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: ILLove1997 on February 29, 2024, 11:42:57 AM
https://twitter.com/optastats/status/1763074169434943652?t=sFQ1esZ2sOxJBCUP0CZX3g

Quote
There have been over 300,000 games across the NBA, WNBA & Division I (men/women) in the last 25 seasons.

In only one of those did a team score 95+ points, shoot 70% or better from three & have 5 or fewer turnovers.

That team was the Minnesota Gopher men today. They still lost.

pretty wild stuff
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: illinicalvin on February 29, 2024, 01:41:11 PM
The scoring stats for last night were kind of silly for college ball. Our offense is ridiculous when we're not dead from 3. Not the type of team that generally has a deep run but at least it's fun to watch.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: illinicalvin on February 29, 2024, 02:12:53 PM
I missed the first half due to sexual activities, why did the Italian Stallion only get 2 minutes?
My impression is that he views Moretti as a sub if we need a true 1 on offense or the guard defense is atrocious. Last night was more about them hitting 3s or transition uptempo play which Moretti is not really going to help vs Harmon.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 29, 2024, 05:24:59 PM
I don’t think Brad is playing 4D chess with the defense. We are who we are on that side of the ball at this point. Just have to hope the formula of scoring 80-100+ points and sprinkling enough key defensive stops is just enough to finally break the door down to the second weekend at least.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 29, 2024, 09:57:34 PM
I don’t think Brad is playing 4D chess with the defense. We are who we are on that side of the ball at this point. Just have to hope the formula of scoring 80-100+ points and sprinkling enough key defensive stops is just enough to finally break the door down to the second weekend at least.

Unfortunately I agree, we are who we are on defense. The starters are going to get even further worn down (the bye in the B1G tournament will help), and when we get to the NCAA there are potentially:
 10 teams as of now better than us in scoring offense
 49 with better FG% than us overall
 50+ better teams from the line
 29 better FT attempts per game
 6 with better rebound margins
 50+ teams with better bench production
 21 teams with better scoring margins

Now not all teams in all categories will go to the dance, however most will, and these types of offensive numbers aren't good for us, based on our defense being almost null every game.

We had better not have an off night with more than 1 guy at a time, or we will not go far. I hope I am wrong, rooting for at least an Sweet 16 or better.
Title: Re: FEB 28TH Gophers vs Illinois - ILLINI -11.5 at home BTN 8:00 CTZ
Post by: Custard on February 29, 2024, 10:10:28 PM
I don’t think Brad is playing 4D chess with the defense. We are who we are on that side of the ball at this point. Just have to hope the formula of scoring 80-100+ points and sprinkling enough key defensive stops is just enough to finally break the door down to the second weekend at least.

They ran some blitzes at Maryland to slow them down and it worked. LaTulip basically came out and said they didn’t show too much of it because they wanted to not tip their hand. If that’s true at all it would kind of make sense why we haven’t seen much scheme change, just emphasis on effort and trying to outscore lesser teams. Late game collapses at PSU and MSU and at home versus Nebraska happened so quickly it didn’t even make sense to change a whole lot other than get Goode out of the fn game. I suspect we’ll see defensive adjustments versus Purdue. Whether they actually work and for how long remains to be seen. They shouldn’t be this bad.