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General Category => Fighting Illini Basketball Forum => Topic started by: ILLove1997 on February 22, 2025, 11:13:03 AM

Title: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ILLove1997 on February 22, 2025, 11:13:03 AM
Looks like we're 9.5 point dogs

Would be surprised if we even keep it that close.  Guess it depends on how sick our team still is, and if our shooting woes continue or not.  No Morez really sucks, Flagg is going to feast and our interior defense is abysmal without him.

I'll be watching it delayed

Who knows though, college hoops is a crazy sport and we seem to play well in MSG when we have played there
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Custard on February 22, 2025, 11:32:44 AM
Back in Illinois visiting family this weekend, will probably watch this at my brother’s house tonight. One thing we have going for us is that we tend to win big games when I watch them at his house.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 22, 2025, 11:40:31 AM
I hope we're somewhat healthy. It's been too long.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Lkdog on February 22, 2025, 12:00:17 PM
5-7 over last six weeks.

Need to win 2 of last four and possibly even opener in BTT to make tourney.
Win 1 of 4 then the BTT opener is must win.



 
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 22, 2025, 12:32:32 PM
3 of the final 4 are vs currently ranked top 15 teams.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 22, 2025, 12:36:43 PM
Lets just hope Flagg doesn't get 43 on us.
Back in Illinois visiting family this weekend, will probably watch this at my brother’s house tonight. One thing we have going for us is that we tend to win big games when I watch them at his house.

Don't you put that kind of evil on us!!
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 22, 2025, 12:37:11 PM
Lets just hope Flagg doesn't put up 43 on us.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Custard on February 22, 2025, 01:46:43 PM
Let’s just hope Flagg doesn’t get 43 on us.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ILLove1997 on February 22, 2025, 02:04:07 PM
Let’s just hope Flagg doesn’t get 43 on us.

if he does and we win, I don't give a fuck
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 22, 2025, 02:23:15 PM
if he does and we win, I don't give a fuck

He might (new career high-no one to guard him really) and we won't win if he does.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 22, 2025, 02:42:18 PM
Keep it within 15 for the moral victory.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 22, 2025, 03:20:07 PM
Keep it within 15 for the moral victory.
Line is very generous to the ILLINI at 9.5...I really hope I am wrong but I can envision a demoralizing score defeat unless the whole team is finally healthy. Really hope we don't see a woodshed kinda game here.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ThePAMan on February 22, 2025, 03:20:43 PM
Keep it within 15 for the moral victory.

Keeping Flagg within 43 points may  be a moral victory apparently.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ThePAMan on February 22, 2025, 03:29:33 PM
Today is the 45th anniversary of the greatest American sports upset in history. Maybe the corpse of Herb Brooks can speak to the Illini before today's game.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Reacher on February 22, 2025, 04:25:11 PM
Back in Illinois visiting family this weekend, will probably watch this at my brother’s house tonight. One thing we have going for us is that we tend to win big games when I watch them at his house.

Sounds legit.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Gokuwearsorange/blue on February 22, 2025, 07:18:13 PM
I am not sure who is the worse defender relative to their position. Ben H or Alfonso Plummer (21-22 )??
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: wonky73 on February 22, 2025, 07:30:49 PM
Bad team of bad coach play bad
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Reacher on February 22, 2025, 07:34:17 PM
Sit back and enjoy the Golden Era, kids.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Reacher on February 22, 2025, 07:35:11 PM
Are we like 0 for February from 3? They’re barely drawing iron out there.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 22, 2025, 07:36:03 PM
Duke is toying with us
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: wonky73 on February 22, 2025, 07:38:02 PM
Keep chucking up threes
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 22, 2025, 07:43:16 PM
Bring back Ayo and TSJ at the half and put them in somebody's jersey.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: illinicalvin on February 22, 2025, 07:45:54 PM
Cooper Flagg has 2 points and they are scoring at will.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: wonky73 on February 22, 2025, 07:47:36 PM
Bring back Ayo and TSJ at the half and put them in somebody's jersey.
Would the jerseys be upside down
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Custard on February 22, 2025, 07:49:38 PM
Fuck
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 22, 2025, 07:52:49 PM
Would the jerseys be upside down
Put Ayo in Booth's 0 and TSJ in 00. 😆😆
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: wonky73 on February 22, 2025, 07:54:09 PM
0-14 from three
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 22, 2025, 07:56:02 PM
13-16 from 2 and we're only down 21
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 22, 2025, 07:58:29 PM
13-16 from 2 and we're only down 21

Keep chucking threes!
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 22, 2025, 08:01:08 PM
Keep chucking threes!
We're taking what the defense gives us 😂😂
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: illinicalvin on February 22, 2025, 08:04:36 PM
0-16 from 3 at half.

It's like we didn't watch a minute of Duke game footage.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 22, 2025, 08:04:56 PM
Down 4 in rebounds. Just hitting our average from 3 and it's a different game. Only 5 turnovers vs a very good defense
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Beach Bum on February 22, 2025, 08:21:15 PM
Where is Corey Bradford or Sean Harrington when you need them
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Reacher on February 22, 2025, 08:22:42 PM
Simply covering the spread would
be an impressive accomplishment from here.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 22, 2025, 08:26:46 PM
Brad wants us to keep shooting threes. You never when we could make 17 in a row!
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 22, 2025, 08:33:11 PM
Brad wants us to keep shooting threes. You never when we could make 17 in a row!
1 down. 16 to go
Welp
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Beach Bum on February 22, 2025, 08:40:01 PM
Brad wants us to keep shooting threes. You never when we could make 17 in a row!

How else are we going to comeback down 30
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 22, 2025, 08:40:54 PM
How else are we going to comeback down 30

Haha good one
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Reacher on February 22, 2025, 08:41:44 PM
Haha good one

I took it as a serious comment…
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Reacher on February 22, 2025, 08:42:20 PM
Well, semi-serious anyway.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: illiniray on February 22, 2025, 08:47:03 PM
the best of times; the worst of times
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Reacher on February 22, 2025, 08:47:17 PM
We’re getting penetrated in the arse with a golden dildo.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 22, 2025, 08:59:15 PM
Custard, this is for you.
Humrichous has as many points and rebounds as Booth.
0 and 1.
Humrichous with 19 minutes. Booth with 4.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Custard on February 22, 2025, 09:01:56 PM
Bumbrichous. Good take Brad.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 22, 2025, 09:06:54 PM
Keep it within 15 for the moral victory.

By 15, I meant 50.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: illinicalvin on February 22, 2025, 09:07:27 PM
Fellas, going to keep it real here, I think Duke might beat the spread.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Beach Bum on February 22, 2025, 09:11:22 PM
Hopefully we can make a deep run in the nit
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: illinicalvin on February 22, 2025, 09:14:14 PM
This is worse than I expected. Desperately need a W against Iowa and probably in the first round of the B1G. We look like a mid-level Valley team right now.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 22, 2025, 09:18:37 PM
We've got fouls to give if we want to try to keep the deficit under 40.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Reacher on February 22, 2025, 09:20:41 PM
Hopefully we tank so bad the scouts tell our players to go back to school for a year and these guys get the year of college seasoning they desperately need. Yeah, right.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: chimpanzee on February 22, 2025, 09:27:04 PM
"We are our own WORST ENEMY"

Josh Whitman SUCKS..it's on him

He's a worthless "paper pusher" administrator

Stuck with Groce, who doesn't make adjustments. Had to fire him, brought in ANOTHER coach..who doesn't make adjustments. Underachiever one of the top 10 paid BB coaches?? Nepotism -- plays his son Tyler, then retains him as asst coach

Made an AWFUL hire in football, that clown Lovey Smith -- had to fire him

Brought in ANOTHER re-tread -- Brett Bielema. Seems to have worked out -- pure luck

"Even a blind squirrel gets lucky"

FAILED LEADERSHIP

From IlliniHQ.com (when it was still owned by News-Gazette):

Coach Juice box wrote:

Quote
Agreed, but on the outside looking in, I thought MT [ fired Athletic Director Mike Thomas ] had a stellar reputation and I didn't even know about the awards he won. I was actually shocked that anyone was able to convince him to come to Illinois. I really thought that he'd get some quality coaches here. As time goes on, I think the real elephant in the room is the top-level "leadership" we have; it's hot garbage.

For example, my Dad has been offered by the UofI to interview for several high-level positions over the past 4-5 years, including the highest [ President U of Illinois ]. He also was formerly employed at the UofI for 20+ years, before moving on. His reply to the interview offers have always been, while chuckling,

"there's no way I'd ever work there now; the place [ U of Illinois ] is a disaster.”

My Dad seriously considered working for UNC [ caught NCAA violations, 2005 NCAA Basketball final between UNC & U of Illinois — NULLED!!! ] at a high-level position, recently. THAT'S how #$%&@!ed up things are at the UofI. 

^^^ This was during the Aug/2015 upheaval:

Chancellor (Dr Phyllis Wise, DEI hire) & Provost (Dr Adesida, DEI hire) RESIGNING after the Dr Steven Salaita SCANDAL. Latter sued U of I, revealed Wise (& other UIUC administrators) using private emails to conduct University business -- violation of Public Disclosure laws

"this university is SO MESSED UP"/Wise
"i agree, this university is MESSED UP"/Adesida

2 weeks later, football coach (AWFUL hire by then AD Mike Thomas, hired by that idiot Wise) was FIRED, after allegations of player abuse. Several months later, Mike Thomas was gone.

^^^ TURMOIL in leadership

Brought in the poser Josh Whitman...
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 22, 2025, 09:28:04 PM
110 points is Duke's season high. Anyone shocked?

Even Seattle U and Incarnate Word held them to under 80.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ThePAMan on February 22, 2025, 09:29:29 PM
Hopefully we tank so bad the scouts tell our players to go back to school for a year and these guys get the year of college seasoning they desperately need. Yeah, right.

Guess what? If that happens they aren't coming back to  Champaign....book it.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: illinicalvin on February 22, 2025, 09:33:02 PM
Woof.

IMO, we should roll out KJ, DGL, Boswell, White, and Ivisic as a primary 5 and no one shoots a damn 3 unless they're open by at least 10 feet.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ThePAMan on February 22, 2025, 09:33:19 PM
The Golden Era includes a 30-0 run in the EE and losing to Duke by 43. And hanging a banner upside down.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Gokuwearsorange/blue on February 22, 2025, 09:33:37 PM
Lost by 43 pts on national TV @ MSG. How embarrassing.

Summary for this season so far
1) Transfers have been a complete bust
2) Ben H starting practically the whole season has been insulting to Will Riley, Ty Rodgers and pretty much anyone else (fan or player)who cares about defense.
3) Underwood convincing the team they are a bunch of 3pt shooters even though they are the worst shooters in the BIG10 has backfired spectacularly
4) International recruits have been good, but not consistent enough to make up for all the flaws.

Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Beach Bum on February 22, 2025, 09:34:20 PM
What was our game plan?  Chuck a bunch of threes and hope for the best and try not to play defense to not tire legs so you could shoot more threes?

Worst game plan I've seen in a long time for such a high profile game.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ThePAMan on February 22, 2025, 09:37:25 PM
What was our game plan?  Chuck a bunch of threes and hope for the best and try not to play defense to not tire legs so you could shoot more threes?

Worst game plan I've seen in a long time for such a high profile game.

It is Underachiever. He's Ray Meyer and just throws the ball out there. There is no game plan other than "just shoot."
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 22, 2025, 09:47:38 PM
What was our game plan?  Chuck a bunch of threes and hope for the best and try not to play defense to not tire legs so you could shoot more threes?

Worst game plan I've seen in a long time for such a high profile game.

Same game plan it's been all year. Toss up a shit ton of threes and pray for offensive rebounds. Brad has to own this failure in every way and I'm not just talking about tonight. He missed on the transfer evals. Seriously, what the fuck did he see in Booth to make him think he was worthy of a spot? The euro kids and Riley were nice gets, but teams know that if you blitz KJ he turns into a turnover machine, Tomi got fucked by mono and hasn't quite been the same since, and Riley tries his hardest but can't hero ball us to victory.

And Humbrickhouse should hit the portal right now and should get a lifetime ban from playing basketball in the state of Illinois. Worst transfer since Aaron Cosby.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Reacher on February 22, 2025, 10:09:01 PM
Does this mean the Golden Era is over?
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ThePAMan on February 22, 2025, 10:10:22 PM
Does this mean the Golden Era is over?

Custard isn't going to live that line down.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: bringbackself on February 22, 2025, 10:14:24 PM

Derek Piper
@DPiper247
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Follow
#Illini Underwood: Yeah, Duke's good. If we're just 5-for-16 from three at half, which is 32 percent, it's a 2-point game. I thought we got great shots.
9:55 PM · Feb 22, 2025
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Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Gokuwearsorange/blue on February 22, 2025, 10:16:28 PM
Derek Piper
@DPiper247
·
Follow
#Illini Underwood: Yeah, Duke's good. If we're just 5-for-16 from three at half, which is 32 percent, it's a 2-point game. I thought we got great shots.
9:55 PM · Feb 22, 2025
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Jesus Christ
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ThePAMan on February 22, 2025, 10:17:03 PM
Derek Piper
@DPiper247
·
Follow
#Illini Underwood: Yeah, Duke's good. If we're just 5-for-16 from three at half, which is 32 percent, it's a 2-point game. I thought we got great shots.
9:55 PM · Feb 22, 2025
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He sounds like Beckman who would  always talk about how the score would have been different if only 5 or 6 plays had gone differently.

This is pathetic
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Miles Leonard on February 22, 2025, 10:27:57 PM
Derek Piper
@DPiper247
·
Follow
#Illini Underwood: Yeah, Duke's good. If we're just 5-for-16 from three at half, which is 32 percent, it's a 2-point game. I thought we got great shots.
9:55 PM · Feb 22, 2025
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🤦🤦
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: illinicalvin on February 22, 2025, 10:34:23 PM
Derek Piper
@DPiper247
·
Follow
#Illini Underwood: Yeah, Duke's good. If we're just 5-for-16 from three at half, which is 32 percent, it's a 2-point game. I thought we got great shots.
9:55 PM · Feb 22, 2025
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Holy hell.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Custard on February 22, 2025, 10:45:28 PM
When I made the golden era comment it was on the heels of capping off a 10-3 football season against a good SEC team and then mopping the floor with a top 10 Oregon team in Eugene. National analysts were talking about Illinois as a Final 4 caliber team that was just going to continue to get better. Sleepers said we were the best team in the conference.

Since then:

KJ gets hurt, misses games, has never looked right since.

Ivisic misses multiple games. Gets mono. Gets the flu. Rolls ankle. Hasn’t been the same since.

White gets sick, misses games, disappears.

Humrichous comes in shooting 43% from 3 at Evansville and cannot make anything most nights.

Morez starts to really get comfortable and stack good games then breaks his wrist and is likely out for season.

Will Riley hit a freshman wall that he seems to be working himself out of now.

Boswell just isn’t the kind of guy that can carry a good team when the other good players are out or struggling through injuries and sickness

Jake Davis is puking in any receptacle he can find in the gym

DGL shows some flashes and has had some solid games during this disastrous stretch but he’s still a sophomore often playing against 22-24 year old guys.

Pretty disingenuous to act like this is the same team the last 7 weeks as the one we had at the beginning of January. Can’t remember the last basketball team we had this kind of injury and sickness hit at the same time and completely derail a promising season.

The youth of this team just compounds the issues trying to battle though all this the first time they’ve been through the meat grinder of the B1G.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ILLove1997 on February 22, 2025, 10:54:25 PM
Worst loss in program history... 🤮
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ThePAMan on February 22, 2025, 10:54:58 PM
When I made the golden era comment it was on the heels of capping off a 10-3 football season against a good SEC team and then mopping the floor with a top 10 Oregon team in Eugene. National analysts were talking about Illinois as a Final 4 caliber team that was just going to continue to get better. Sleepers said we were the best team in the conference.

Since then:

KJ gets hurt, misses games, has never looked right since.

Ivisic misses multiple games. Gets mono. Gets the flu. Rolls ankle. Hasn’t been the same since.

White gets sick, misses games, disappears.

Humrichous comes in shooting 43% from 3 at Evansville and cannot make anything most nights.

Morez starts to really get comfortable and stack good games then breaks his wrist and is likely out for season.

Will Riley hit a freshman wall that he seems to be working himself out of now.

Boswell just isn’t the kind of guy that can carry a good team when the other good players are out or struggling through injuries and sickness

Jake Davis is puking in any receptacle he can find in the gym

DGL shows some flashes and has had some solid games during this disastrous stretch but he’s still a sophomore often playing against 22-24 year old guys.

Pretty disingenuous to act like this is the same team the last 7 weeks as the one we had at the beginning of January. Can’t remember the last basketball team we had this kind of injury and sickness hit at the same time and completely derail a promising season.

The youth of this team just compounds the issues trying to battle though all this the first time they’ve been through the meat grinder of the B1G.

Yet it is not disingenuous  because the season didn't end there. Plus teams have scouted them and the coach doesn't make adjustments but instead waxes on about it only being a 2 pont game at half if they only went 5 of 16 from 3.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 22, 2025, 10:57:55 PM
Derek Piper
@DPiper247
·
Follow
#Illini Underwood: Yeah, Duke's good. If we're just 5-for-16 from three at half, which is 32 percent, it's a 2-point game. I thought we got great shots.
9:55 PM · Feb 22, 2025
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I said the same thing at the half about if we shot our average from 3. But I sure didn't say we got great shots. We were only down 4 in rebounds without Morez and we only had 5 turnovers.
0 for everything from 3 is as good as turnovers tho
I will say we got maybe a handful. And we bricked those too.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Custard on February 22, 2025, 11:13:57 PM
Yet it is not disingenuous  because the season didn't end there. Plus teams have scouted them and the coach doesn't make adjustments but instead waxes on about it only being a 2 pont game at half if they only went 5 of 16 from 3.

I don’t really see the big deal about pointing out if we shot our average it’s a different ballgame. Every coach points out stuff like that. We were ice cold all game, well below normal. A lot of them were good looks.

There’s are no magic adjustments to be made when the team is this physically out of whack. Guys not being able to practice, not in game shape, and resulting lack of cohesion clearly shows. Several of our best players are shells of what they were in early January. They are completely out of sync. Conditioning and strength have clearly suffered.

If the team was relatively healthy and regressed this much I’d be shouting from the rooftops right along with you.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Beach Bum on February 22, 2025, 11:20:36 PM
We lost by 45 and Underwood is saying it should have been a 2pt game at half if a couple threes go our way.  Lol

And that's the difference between Illinois and Duke, Underwood and Scheyer. And it's a huge gap.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ThePAMan on February 22, 2025, 11:27:51 PM
I don’t really see the big deal about pointing out if we shot our average it’s a different ballgame. Every coach points out stuff like that. We were ice cold all game, well below normal. A lot of them were good looks.

There’s are no magic adjustments to be made when the team is this physically out of whack. Guys not being able to practice, not in game shape, and resulting lack of cohesion clearly shows. Several of our best players are shells of what they were in early January. They are completely out of sync. Conditioning and strength have clearly suffered.

If the team was relatively healthy and regressed this much I’d be shouting from the rooftops right along with you.

It was just a week ago they were up 16 and rolling until Izzo made adjustments and MSU buried them.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 22, 2025, 11:43:57 PM
I seriously meant Flagg by himself put up 43, not the team beating us by 43?
Duke most pts scored since 2018
ILLINI worst defeat ever

All at the MECCA of basketball, a recruiting opportunity gone bad. Antigua recruiting NY just got harder, and we don't have anyone coming in to speak of next year to help. This team has had issues for sure, but you can't say with a straight face that we were a team built for March when 2 weeks before the actual month of March you are losing on National TV by 43, even if it is to the #3 team in the nation.

We are in trouble as a program, these next 4-8 weeks are going to be very telling long term for us.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Custard on February 23, 2025, 12:01:19 AM
It was just a week ago they were up 16 and rolling until Izzo made adjustments and MSU buried them.

The adjustments were that we had no bench, were completely gassed by the 5 min mark, and Morez broke his wrist.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Custard on February 23, 2025, 12:09:36 AM
I seriously meant Flagg by himself put up 43, not the team beating us by 43?
Duke most pts scored since 2018
ILLINI worst defeat ever

All at the MECCA of basketball, a recruiting opportunity gone bad. Antigua recruiting NY just got harder, and we don't have anyone coming in to speak of next year to help. This team has had issues for sure, but you can't say with a straight face that we were a team built for March when 2 weeks before the actual month of March you are losing on National TV by 43, even if it is to the #3 team in the nation.

We are in trouble as a program, these next 4-8 weeks are going to be very telling long term for us.

This might be a little dramatic. Brad took a program that hadn’t been to a tournament in half a decade and recruited well enough to win some Big Ten titles and get high seeds and make an Elite 8.

Scheyer took over a blue blood that has been at the top of the sport for 30-40 years. He has actually underperformed expectations at times. But the best players line up to go there each and every year. Little different story. Doubt recruits are going to make decisions based off the outcome of a game where we got dismantled after being gutted by injury and sickness. People outside the program have short memories. Teams get their asses kicked every night and no one remembers except their own fans.

Two years ago we underperformed, limped into the tourney, then came back the next year and had one of the best seasons in program history.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 23, 2025, 12:16:49 AM
This might be a little dramatic. Brad took a program that hadn’t been to a tournament in half a decade and recruited well enough to win some Big Ten titles and get high seeds and make an Elite 8.

Scheyer took over a blue blood that has been at the top of the sport for 30-40 years. He has actually underperformed expectations at times. But the best players line up to go there each and every year. Little different story. Doubt recruits are going to make decisions based off the outcome of a game where we got dismantled after being gutted by injury and sickness. People outside the program have short memories. Teams get their asses kicked every night and no one remembers except their own fans.

Two years ago we underperformed, limped into the tourney, then came back the next year and had one of the best seasons in program history.

Yes the very first and last part is 100% accurate, but this game serves no purpose EXCEPT make the program look bad, makes recruiting harder (especially in NY-Antigua love s to recuit there) and let's be honest. IF BU had lost out on Shannon, what would be the narrative right now? If KJ hadn't come along, what would the narrative be?

Granted give the staff credit for both of these wins, but Domask balled and bailed the program out with Shannon, lets not kid ourselves and think that anyone saw that level of success coming from that kid.

so BU has Domask, Shannon, KJ to really hang his hat on? Riley I suppose you could add, but that kid IS NOT Top 15 NBA caliber has suggested, good player, not NBA ready.

Doubt recruits put much stock into sickness or injury over getting dismantled on national TV.

Who are the players that BU will succeed with next year? None on the recruiting front to speak of.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: illiniray on February 23, 2025, 12:17:29 AM
Duke guys looked more muscular than ours, but they somehow managed to shoot well.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: illiniray on February 23, 2025, 12:30:37 AM
https://x.com/ChrisTa61322387/status/1893341955708297650?t=baDw9FtuNrwE8d6u468vRg&s=19
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Custard on February 23, 2025, 12:50:01 AM
Yes the very first and last part is 100% accurate, but this game serves no purpose EXCEPT make the program look bad, makes recruiting harder (especially in NY-Antigua love s to recuit there) and let's be honest. IF BU had lost out on Shannon, what would be the narrative right now? If KJ hadn't come along, what would the narrative be?

Granted give the staff credit for both of these wins, but Domask balled and bailed the program out with Shannon, lets not kid ourselves and think that anyone saw that level of success coming from that kid.

so BU has Domask, Shannon, KJ to really hang his hat on? Riley I suppose you could add, but that kid IS NOT Top 15 NBA caliber has suggested, good player, not NBA ready.

Doubt recruits put much stock into sickness or injury over getting dismantled on national TV.

Who are the players that BU will succeed with next year? None on the recruiting front to speak of.

Ayo? Kofi?

I mean, if he can’t take credit for the All Americans he identified, recruited, developed and coached, what can he take credit for?

Since we are playing the what if game…if Shannon doesn’t get charged with BS rape and miss a bunch of games we likely would have ended up as a high 2 seed and avoid Purdue and UConn’s region. Possibly even a 1 seed. Should be more upset about that than giving up a big run to a historically dominant team.

Not sure what percentage of elite prep recruits spent their Saturday night watching this matchup, but I guarantee you the ones we are talking to know what we’ve been dealing with the last 6/7 weeks.

I’m guessing that at this time last year you’d never heard of KJ, Ivisic, or Will Riley.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 23, 2025, 01:02:53 AM
Burn the tape. It's not the end of the world yet. The sun will come up tomorrow.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ILLove1997 on February 23, 2025, 01:03:49 AM
most elite prep stars were watching the lakers vs nuggets game
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Lkdog on February 23, 2025, 04:36:43 AM
https://x.com/ChrisTa61322387/status/1893341955708297650?t=baDw9FtuNrwE8d6u468vRg&s=19

Looks like nice pickup but since when are players ranked #150 nationally considered 4 star recruits?
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 23, 2025, 07:36:26 AM
Ayo? Kofi?

I mean, if he can’t take credit for the All Americans he identified, recruited, developed and coached, what can he take credit for?

Since we are playing the what if game…if Shannon doesn’t get charged with BS rape and miss a bunch of games we likely would have ended up as a high 2 seed and avoid Purdue and UConn’s region. Possibly even a 1 seed. Should be more upset about that than giving up a big run to a historically dominant team.

Not sure what percentage of elite prep recruits spent their Saturday night watching this matchup, but I guarantee you the ones we are talking to know what we’ve been dealing with the last 6/7 weeks.

I’m guessing that at this time last year you’d never heard of KJ, Ivisic, or Will Riley.

Ayo and Kofi, yes. I think Ayo was coming all along, but credit due...Kofi was indeed a Antigua guy and NY guy which is to my point. Had this happened when we were recruiting him, not sure we would have had him.

KJ I had heard of along with Demin and a few other Euro's, there actually are sites to track the best Euro's. Ivisic, no and Riley yes as well. That won't happen again with BU has our coach I would bet on it. again the next 4-8 weeks are going to be telling.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ThePAMan on February 23, 2025, 07:44:57 AM
The adjustments were that we had no bench, were completely gassed by the 5 min mark, and Morez broke his wrist.

Now this is disingenuous ignoring that if it comes down to coaching Underachiever usually gets pantsed.  And that was an example.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ThePAMan on February 23, 2025, 07:51:13 AM
Ayo and Kofi, yes. I think Ayo was coming all along, but credit due...Kofi was indeed a Antigua guy and NY guy which is to my point. Had this happened when we were recruiting him, not sure we would have had him.

KJ I had heard of along with Demin and a few other Euro's, there actually are sites to track the best Euro's. Ivisic, no and Riley yes as well. That won't happen again with BU has our coach I would bet on it. again the next 4-8 weeks are going to be telling.

It is all about identifying and/or outbidding. They have done well identifying. He just isn't an x and o guy it appears.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Reacher on February 23, 2025, 08:10:30 AM
I was promised a coaching advantage when Underwood was hired!
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Reacher on February 23, 2025, 08:10:50 AM
Meaning Xs and Os. And just the right amount of redassery.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: bringbackself on February 23, 2025, 08:18:09 AM
Just remember if hadn't been for Shannon beating Ucla and texas we would have missed the tourney that year.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 23, 2025, 08:34:24 AM
Both are true.

(https://i.ibb.co/gbQy38Nb/Screenshot-20250223-042839-Chrome.jpg) (https://ibb.co/35V17b25)
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Custard on February 23, 2025, 09:34:00 AM
Ayo and Kofi, yes. I think Ayo was coming all along, but credit due...Kofi was indeed a Antigua guy and NY guy which is to my point. Had this happened when we were recruiting him, not sure we would have had him.

KJ I had heard of along with Demin and a few other Euro's, there actually are sites to track the best Euro's. Ivisic, no and Riley yes as well.
Quote
That won't happen again with BU has our coach I would bet on it. again the next 4-8 weeks are going to be telling.


Quote
When Kofi Cockburn made his official visit to Champaign as a high school senior, he watched the Illini lose to Florida Atlantic. A week later, on the day he committed, Illinois blew a second half lead to Northwestern and fell to 4-11 on the season. Brad Underwood was 18-29 at Illinois, and the future of the program looked bleak.

Illinois Basketball hadn’t given him much to believe in, but Kofi Cockburn believed anyway.

Fast-forward a year and a half, and Brad Underwood has turned the program around. The Illini are ranked 8th in the country after a resurgent season. And Kofi Cockburn earned himself the title of Big Ten Freshman of the Year after averaging 13.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.


https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2020/11/22/21572894/illinois-basketball-player-preview-kofi-cockburn-brad-underwood-fighting-illini-big-ten
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Lkdog on February 23, 2025, 10:13:02 AM
Not sure last night or one game means anything for recruiting either way.
With the transfer portal and money and rosters turning over each year it's a new world.

That said, even with the success that is indisputable to certain level, I am also not convinced that Underwood is ever going to be able to get the program beyond this second tier good we are at.

Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ILLove1997 on February 23, 2025, 10:24:08 AM
Duke is also really really good, according to kenpom 2nd highest ever rating at the moment only below 1999 duke, which is pretty nuts when you think about all the great teams since then
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Lkdog on February 23, 2025, 11:15:10 AM
They definitely are impressive and well coached.
Not sure who on our team would be in heavy rotation besides KJ or Ivisic.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ThePAMan on February 23, 2025, 12:08:50 PM
Duke is also really really good, according to kenpom 2nd highest ever rating at the moment only below 1999 duke, which is pretty nuts when you think about all the great teams since then

Winning by 43 over an alleged Kenpom top 25 doesn't hurt....
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 23, 2025, 12:39:39 PM
Not sure last night or one game means anything for recruiting either way.
With the transfer portal and money and rosters turning over each year it's a new world.

That said, even with the success that is indisputable to certain level, I am also not convinced that Underwood is ever going to be able to get the program beyond this second tier good we are at.



Agree on Underwood, recruiting was meant towards HS mostly. That said the NIL always has the capability to even things as well.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 23, 2025, 12:49:54 PM
I watched it so you don't have to.

Guys, we shoot it really well in practice. I am the most pro-3 point shot guy. I thought we would shoot in the upper 30's. We made 15 a game several times.
Vs EIU, SIUE, Arkansas, Chicago St, and Oregon.
Oregon was over a month and a half ago. Arkansas was 3 months ago.

https://youtu.be/GCK8-ICqgGY
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Lkdog on February 23, 2025, 04:15:59 PM
So we lit it up against three shitty low major teams and a couple of very mediocre P6 teams.
Got it.

Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 23, 2025, 09:00:13 PM
So we lit it up against three shitty low major teams and a couple of very mediocre P6 teams.
Got it.


Exactly. And it's been a while since we've done it.
He also talked about Duke's excellent 2 point defense. So we put up 16 from 3 in the 1st half while going 15-18 from 2.
Duke makes halftime adjustments to stop the 2 and we decide to go 8-27 from 2 in the 2nd half but reduce our 3 point attempts to 10 and go 2-10. 🤷
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: illinicalvin on February 23, 2025, 09:19:42 PM
Per ESPN we are 340th out of 350 D1 teams in 3 pt shooting. We are the 5th worst high-major behind Wake, TCU, MSU, and St. Johns. They all shoot between 19-21/game. We shoot 30. It's an inexplicable strategy for a team that looks and shoots like ours.

Mathematically, 55% x 2 > 30% x 3.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Somewhere in Mn on February 23, 2025, 10:59:52 PM
Per ESPN we are 340th out of 350 D1 teams in 3 pt shooting. We are the 5th worst high-major behind Wake, TCU, MSU, and St. Johns. They all shoot between 19-21/game. We shoot 30. It's an inexplicable strategy for a team that looks and shoots like ours.

Mathematically, 55% x 2 > 30% x 3.
But we rebound the missed 3's well and get the opportunity to miss another.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ILLove1997 on February 24, 2025, 12:56:23 AM
But we rebound the missed 3's well and get the opportunity to miss another.

our best offensive rebounder has a broken wrist and isn't playing anymore
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: illinicalvin on February 24, 2025, 01:21:54 PM
Our offensive rebound percentage is fantastic at like 35%, giving us a solid egde to get another -.2 expected points launching another 3 instead of doing anything else short of a turnover.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Reacher on February 24, 2025, 02:45:58 PM
I don’t think offensive rebounding is what’s killing this team.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 24, 2025, 03:03:25 PM
I don’t think offensive rebounding is what’s killing this team.

I will give you 3 guesses what is actually, can you get maybe 7.7% of the answers right at least?
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: illiniray on February 24, 2025, 09:05:55 PM
Injuries and illness.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: Lkdog on February 24, 2025, 09:20:28 PM
Certainly agree that we have had our share of injuries and illnesses (all teams deal with this at times), but honestly we brought in quite a few guys who really appear overmatched at this level and have made minimal adjustments in game plans with the various personnel.
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: ILLINICHIEF on February 24, 2025, 09:39:29 PM
Certainly accurate on guys and talent. Great fits are one thing, loving to compete and making each other better, great locker room only goes so far. Our recruiting this year was 2 Top 15 NBA caliber (Riley???) is far to weak though so far. KJ is for sure, Ivisic was a lucky last minute draw. Humrichous was a stretch imo, and Boswell as been Meh so far.

And that was AFTER a complete roster turnover, how lucky we going to be in a few games from now?
Title: Re: Try not to Puke @ MSG today @ 7pm CST
Post by: illiniray on February 24, 2025, 10:18:37 PM
The only one that has been overmatched all season is Carry Booth. They had talked about him as a long athletic prospect with potential to be a rim protector. ND used him as a stretch 4. Maybe an off season with Fletch and some work with OA can transform him into a useful post player if that is what he wants.

Jake Davis has exceeded my expectations. He has been sick too..

Ben Humrichous has been abused by posters at loyalty. He is shooting 34% from three despite a few terrible games. He is overmatched with Tomi hobbled, Johnson out, and whatever happened to White.

Tre White certainly looked like he belonged before he got sick.

Boswell? At least he is taking the ball to the basket and getting to the line. There is chatter he is playing through injuries.

I am not sure there are quite a few who don't belong at this level. Injuries and illness might have some being asked to do too much.