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General Category => Fighting Illini Basketball Forum => Topic started by: Jrock74 on December 02, 2020, 09:33:04 AM

Title: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Jrock74 on December 02, 2020, 09:33:04 AM
Spread opened at -2.5 now up to -5.5 Baylor.  Probably about right really.  Baylor has been impressive in their first two games, although Washington face planted last night against UC.   

Need to find a way to keep Kofi on the floor this game.  Attack the Bears front line.  Their backcourt maybe be the only one that is better than ours and their defense is on another level than what we are accustomed to seeing. It will be interesting to see how the game is called.  Baylor is a very physical defensive team. 

If we can get out and run I think we can beat them, but if Baylor makes it a half court game it may be a long day. We need to get Kofi the ball low on the block and before Baylor gets back on D. 
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: ILLove1997 on December 02, 2020, 09:53:27 AM
Can't wait, hoping for a competitive game
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Custard on December 02, 2020, 11:47:52 AM
Yep looking forward to this one.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: illinicalvin on December 02, 2020, 07:39:02 PM
Looking forward to it except for it being at 9 o fucking clock.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: ridingthegrange on December 02, 2020, 07:41:48 PM
Should be worth staying up for.  It's 8 for me and that's late by my standards.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Custard on December 02, 2020, 08:48:14 PM
I’m extra tired tonight. Normally I’d be wired for this but already struggling to stay awake.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: frankiew on December 02, 2020, 09:05:02 PM
i'll be out at halftime
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: frankiew on December 02, 2020, 09:10:24 PM
free throws
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: frankiew on December 02, 2020, 09:14:33 PM
Damonte williams got a shot!
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: frankiew on December 02, 2020, 09:17:22 PM
0-3 on free throws
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: frankiew on December 02, 2020, 09:17:47 PM
now 0-4
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Jrock74 on December 02, 2020, 09:24:43 PM
Playing like ass
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: frankiew on December 02, 2020, 09:25:52 PM
1-6
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: frankiew on December 02, 2020, 09:28:45 PM
kofi in foul trouble
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Reacher on December 02, 2020, 09:30:13 PM
You can tell the Cesspool has been around for a long time when people are complaining about being awake at 9:00

Georgie finally in the right role off the bench. Looks like he’s wearing Capri pants.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Custard on December 02, 2020, 09:38:39 PM
Baylor is really good
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Miles Leonard on December 02, 2020, 09:39:00 PM
Still having problems with turnovers.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: frankiew on December 02, 2020, 09:39:34 PM
Ayo forcing it a bit
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: frankiew on December 02, 2020, 09:39:48 PM
GORGI!
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Custard on December 02, 2020, 09:43:41 PM
Baylor is taking away everything ayo wants to do. Their D is everything it was cracked up to be. Feel like we are really lucky to have a lead at this juncture the way they’re making us so us so uncomfortable in the half court. Giorgi’s quickness giving Baylor trouble.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Miles Leonard on December 02, 2020, 09:46:54 PM
Giorgi is keeping us in it
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Miles Leonard on December 02, 2020, 09:48:26 PM
Freshman Giorgi came to play tongiht!
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: frankiew on December 02, 2020, 09:48:39 PM
gorgi for 3
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Jrock74 on December 02, 2020, 09:54:11 PM
Ayo is dead tired. They threw 4 different bodies on him that first half
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Miles Leonard on December 02, 2020, 09:55:13 PM
NCAA tourney-esque defensive battle. Both defenses bought it, even on free throws.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on December 02, 2020, 09:55:27 PM
They're quick. Perimeter defense has us out of sync.
Down 1 and missed opportunities on offense.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: illinismitty on December 02, 2020, 09:56:45 PM
Really bad offensive performance (except for Georgi). Thankful to be down only one. Defensive battle fo sho!. Let's not choke in the second half. We belong!
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Custard on December 02, 2020, 09:56:56 PM
They are going to force someone besides Ayo to beat them. Other guys gotta step up and get to open spots. That last 30 seconds was brutal and felt like a big momentum shift. I hope we make some offensive adjustments in the second half and try to get some better looks.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Custard on December 02, 2020, 10:02:00 PM
They’ve raised 250 million since 1994 or whatever plus tons of other money flowing to cancer research and here we are. Cancer is too big to fail.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: ridingthegrange on December 02, 2020, 10:03:39 PM
Ayo needs to drive and kick back to Miller, Williams, Frazier for 3.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Judge Judy on December 02, 2020, 10:07:49 PM
Ayo needs to drive and kick back to Miller, Williams, Frazier for 3.

He can’t beat his man off the dribble. They keep rotating guys on him.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on December 02, 2020, 10:08:42 PM
Shooting is equal. 1-6 at the line. Up 8 in boards. Up 8-4 in assists. Down 6-9 in fouls. 8 turnovers.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Miles Leonard on December 02, 2020, 10:13:02 PM
why is there a broad calling the game now?

EDIT: Technical difficulties.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Miles Leonard on December 02, 2020, 10:19:25 PM
Maybe Ayo's coming alive
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Custard on December 02, 2020, 10:20:11 PM
He can’t beat his defender and when he forces it they double and strip him when he tries to pass.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Miles Leonard on December 02, 2020, 10:23:20 PM
Hawkins looks like a player.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Custard on December 02, 2020, 10:24:13 PM
Yeah he kinda disappears for stretches then all of a sudden does something cool
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Judge Judy on December 02, 2020, 10:24:29 PM
Need Miller to step up here the next 14 minutes.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Custard on December 02, 2020, 10:25:40 PM
Yeah Miller has pretty much disappeared against this kind of defense pressure. I don’t think he’s had a single open look, has forced some shots and not done much of anything else.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: frankiew on December 02, 2020, 10:28:22 PM
do not foul, kofi
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Judge Judy on December 02, 2020, 10:31:33 PM
Throw Curbelo out there more
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Miles Leonard on December 02, 2020, 10:31:59 PM
Gotta finish that, Miller
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Custard on December 02, 2020, 10:32:40 PM
Stop the bleeding
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Judge Judy on December 02, 2020, 10:36:42 PM
Deeeeeee for 3!!!!



Wait....
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: dwc13 on December 02, 2020, 10:37:50 PM
Get Coburn a touch on offense.

Bilas, you're wrong about the B1G Ten football Championship Game eligibility. Stick with basketball.

Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Miles Leonard on December 02, 2020, 10:38:17 PM
Game slipping away
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: frankiew on December 02, 2020, 10:40:09 PM
kofi 4 point 4 fouls ouch
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Miles Leonard on December 02, 2020, 10:41:58 PM
Think that's dagger. Team looks done.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: ILLove1997 on December 02, 2020, 10:42:54 PM
Finally caught up to live TV and we are shittin the bed... having kofi out the entire game has been kinda shit too
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Custard on December 02, 2020, 10:43:10 PM
Just hoping it doesn’t turn into a blowout at this point. 12 point deficit in this game is like 20
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Judge Judy on December 02, 2020, 10:45:00 PM
Let’s get a run of our own going. C’mon!
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Miles Leonard on December 02, 2020, 10:46:10 PM
We just look a few steps slow now. Baylor is taking it to us.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: illinicalvin on December 02, 2020, 10:46:45 PM
For our depth we have limited stamina. Defense not sharp at all this half.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: dwc13 on December 02, 2020, 10:47:30 PM
2nd half Baylor has killed Illinois on getting 2nd shots.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Reacher on December 02, 2020, 10:47:50 PM
They look way more energetic than we do.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Judge Judy on December 02, 2020, 10:47:59 PM
Drew is a coaching genius. The defense he’s drawn up this game is unbelievable.

Butler starting to hit shots and wanting it more right now.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Reacher on December 02, 2020, 10:49:50 PM
I’d be happy with a John Groce fake comeback at this point. This team clearly has potential but just couldn’t put together a strong run.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: ILLove1997 on December 02, 2020, 10:51:47 PM
I’d be happy with a John Groce fake comeback at this point. This team clearly has potential but just couldn’t put together a strong run.

Baylor is really talented and playing some pretty epic defense right now, reason they are #2, but yeah sucks to look so bad but with no production from kofi it is rough going... they were killing us on the boards
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Reacher on December 02, 2020, 10:52:01 PM
Kofi is a monster. Would have been nice to have had him more tonight. Not quite over yet.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Judge Judy on December 02, 2020, 10:53:20 PM
Baylor is really talented and playing some pretty epic defense right now, reason they are #2, but yeah sucks to look so bad but with no production from kofi it is rough going... they were killing us on the boards

Yeah they’re the better team right now
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: illinicalvin on December 02, 2020, 10:54:26 PM
Baylor is in mid-season form. Hopefully this preps us for what Michigan State is going to do in conference.

Hopefully Miller and Kofi will be motivated by this.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Miles Leonard on December 02, 2020, 10:54:31 PM
Ayo simply can't operate. Baylor's thrown body after body on him. They're good. Really damn good.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on December 02, 2020, 10:56:26 PM
Can't practice against this kind of quickness.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Reacher on December 02, 2020, 10:59:35 PM
Well that missed 3 at 2:02 probably does it. No comeback tonight. Looking forward to seeing how this team progresses.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Miles Leonard on December 02, 2020, 11:02:10 PM
Let's see what we learn from this going forward.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: ThePAMan on December 02, 2020, 11:03:15 PM
Let's see what we learn from this going forward.

How to defend the pick and roll?
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Miles Leonard on December 02, 2020, 11:06:33 PM
How to defend the pick and roll?

That would be a start
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: illinismitty on December 02, 2020, 11:17:17 PM
I hate to say it - this is not a final four team at this point in time. It sickens me to see us ranked this high and let the game to shit. Ayo a non factor, and Kofi in foul trouble the first half. We just don't final four depth.

Positive notes: geogi, and freshman play

Beat dook and mizzoo and I will forget about this one
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Miles Leonard on December 02, 2020, 11:27:23 PM
I never believed this was a Final Four team to begin with. Hell I thought our initial #8 ranking was too high. Don't think we're quite there but I still believe we have the firepower to get us there. Still early.

I loved what I saw from Curbelo tonight. He played more in control and made some nice passes. Think we're all gonna be less and less frustrated with him as the year progresses.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Custard on December 02, 2020, 11:31:12 PM
Baylor is just better right now. I expect them to beat Gonzaga. I think the Illini will improve as the freshman and everyone else jell.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: fucking on December 02, 2020, 11:42:31 PM
Gel?
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: ThePAMan on December 02, 2020, 11:49:26 PM
Baylor is just better right now. I expect them to beat Gonzaga. I think the Illini will improve as the freshman and everyone else jell.

Defensive coaching can use a ton of improvement.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Custard on December 03, 2020, 12:44:07 AM
Gel?

Jell
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Lkdog on December 03, 2020, 01:58:11 AM
Agree with what has been said. Lots of work to do on both sides of the ball. Again out coached by large margin.


We looked like complete a$$ on offense. Ayo is good in open floor- can't beat a good defender off the dribble. A wing guard better off the ball trying to play lead guard. Forcing shots and poor judgement. Never kicks out with guys draped all over him. Looked every bit like the the late second rounder/FA he showed last year early and we simply look bad when he tries to do too much.
Needs a ball screen and off the ball screens and we apparently do not run that in whatever the he11 Underwood calls an offense.
We do not get anybody else involved in the offense. All shts and grins versus Little Sisters AT&T.

Baylor is Final Four caliber team and if their bigs develop at all in conversation for title. That defense and perimeter players will keep them in every game against anyone.
We really looked over matched and were sluggish as he11 in second half.
Kofi is a not a good defender. Leaves his feet constantly and has bad footwork.
Pretty disappointing TBH.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on December 03, 2020, 07:50:25 AM
Baylor was better than us in the first half, and cranked it up in the 2nd half to a level we cant match. They just looked way too quick and athletic for us, at every position.
We can learn from this, but we're not going to get quicker or more athletic.
We're going to have to learn to play some zone to protect Kofi
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Custard on December 03, 2020, 08:47:23 AM
We probably would have had a better game if Curbelo played more and Kofi played even less than he did.

I still think by March Illinois is a Final 4 caliber team. But Baylor and Gonzaga are a notch better than everyone else and a are the national championship favorites.

The game felt a little like the third round game against Duhon’s Rib and the rest of Duke in 2004.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: ThePAMan on December 03, 2020, 08:54:59 AM
We probably would have had a better game if Curbelo played more and Kofi played even less than he did.

I still think by March Illinois is a Final 4 caliber team. But Baylor and Gonzaga are a notch better than everyone else and a are the national championship favorites.

The game felt a little like the third round game against Duhon’s Rib and the rest of Duke in 2004.

You have a lot of faith in a coach who looks like he buys his clothes at Walmart and Men's Warehouse! I miss ChicagoFan....
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Lkdog on December 03, 2020, 09:13:53 AM
We have a lot of talent, but we look uncoached on both sides of the ball. Not a one off. Ohio made us look silly.
We did nothing different in second half other than run out of gas (no excuse for that), and watch Ayo ballhog even more.
We will need to make adjustments to our off/def systems rather than just roll the balls out.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Custard on December 03, 2020, 09:36:42 AM
Or it could be that Baylor has an insanely good group of guards who can defend at the highest level in the sport. Ayo just isn’t quick enough in the half court against elite defenders and Baylor has several elite defenders. He’s always been better in transition.

When Ayo tried to use his size, as he often does when he can’t blow past a defender, he was met on the second level and stripped/rejected, or at least had his shot contested enough it didn’t go in mostly.

As good as Ayo is, this game shows why he isn’t getting the NBA interest he wants. You’d think a PG with his size would be a shoo-in but he has some flaws that show up against guards and forwards who are great defensively, and Baylor has several of them.

We won’t play a backcourt like this again all year.  Unless we get Baylor again in the tournament. It’s not the end of the world.

The Only Thing More Impressive Than Baylor Last Night Was This Dude On Their Bench Mob Flexing And Holding People Back https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3139652/the-only-thing-more-impressive-than-baylor-last-night-was-this-dude-on-their-bench-mob-flexing-and-holding-people-back
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: ridingthegrange on December 03, 2020, 09:44:34 AM
It's 1 game against maybe the best team in country.  I agree that second half adjustments were subpar.  Hitting more 3's could be only way to beat Baylor.  Also agree that Curbelo needs more minutes.  His development could be the key to team improving as season goes on.  Miller needed another bloody nose to get his head in the game.  Looking forward to the next game, and the next game, and the next game.....
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Lkdog on December 03, 2020, 09:46:44 AM
Or it could be that Baylor has an insanely good group of guards who can defend at the highest level in the sport. Ayo just isn’t quick enough in the half court against elite defenders and Baylor has several elite defenders. He’s always been better in transition.

When Ayo tried to use his size, as he often does when he can’t blow past a defender, he was met on the second level and stripped/rejected, or at least had his shot contested enough it didn’t go in mostly.

As good as Ayo is, this game shows why he isn’t getting the NBA interest he wants. You’d think a PG with his size would be a shoo-in but he has some flaws that show up against guards and forwards who are great defensively, and Baylor has several of them.

We won’t play a backcourt like this again all year.  Unless we get Baylor again in the tournament. It’s not the end of the world.

The Only Thing More Impressive Than Baylor Last Night Was This Dude On Their Bench Mob Flexing And Holding People Back https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3139652/the-only-thing-more-impressive-than-baylor-last-night-was-this-dude-on-their-bench-mob-flexing-and-holding-people-back

Agree they are good defenders. We needed to make adjustments to counter their ball pressure on top. We didn't try anything different. Curbelo actually was better breaking them down than Ayo. AYo is not a PG. Never will be. We improved last year when we got him off the ball more. It is like Underwood forgot about that.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Breal31 on December 03, 2020, 10:25:59 AM
Baylor is very good. 1 and 2 in the nation look the part this year.

Illinois was ranked too high. Something like 10-15 was more appropriate. It will take time for those freshman to get better.

Frazier is brutal. I honestly thought he was a star in the making as a freshman....ughhh no.

This Kofi regression is worth monitoring.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Lkdog on December 03, 2020, 11:17:10 AM
Baylor is very good. 1 and 2 in the nation look the part this year.

Illinois was ranked too high. Something like 10-15 was more appropriate. It will take time for those freshman to get better.

Frazier is brutal. I honestly thought he was a star in the making as a freshman....ughhh no.

This Kofi regression is worth monitoring.

I am a big Frazier fan, but he has to have a lot of shots and touches to shine. You will get a fair amount of mistakes, but a ton of positives.
With Ayo the designated featured guard he has struggled and he will not get the volume reps he thrives upon. The effort to remake as a defender,glue guy, quasi-distributor helped him and team as season went on last year, but Feliz was really our best PG.
This group of guards needs to figure out roles. I see more Curbelo as season progresses and less Trent. Kind of like a starting four.
Need little less Ayo centric offense and build other options. Teams will easily make him give it up more, or gladly watch him chuck prayers up at the rim like he did last night. They will force others to score. They will be happy to have him score his 18 ppg on 6-18 shooting, with more TOs, and us not getting other better shots.


Kofi looks pretty bad. Period.
Staff have done awful job getting him the ball in paint, and using him effectively as backstop on defense. Need to use him in a man with zone principles. Leaves his feet too often like the big guy at the Y trying to block everything.

Probably need to rotate in Georgio/Hawkins/Grandison for Damonte depending on match ups. DaMonte has been very good but lacks size or range we could use to create mismatches at the 4.
We have options.
Staff need to figure this out.



Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Custard on December 03, 2020, 01:45:34 PM
I just don’t think Kofi likes playing basketball that much. At least not right now, in empty stadiums, for this team. Something is off.
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: frankiew on December 03, 2020, 05:53:30 PM
I love AYo but he tried to take over last night and it did not work
Title: Re: Illinois vs. Baylor
Post by: Cinimod on December 06, 2020, 12:30:00 AM
Underwhelm completely outclassed in strategy and personnel. Illinois will be in the 8/9 game and bounced in second round if not first.