Bryant Post game thread

[gsmooth]

actually think the Illini faithful will show out pretty well at MSG and it won’t be as massive as we hope.

The Illini faithful showed up well in Boston during the Sweet 16 in 2024 and they were loud and raucous in the concourse after their Sweet 16 win against Iowa State and yelling "we want UConn". I remember being concerned that they would almost create a 50-50 split in the Elite 8, but it was basically between 90-10 or 95-5 split in the Elite 8. Hopefully that occurs again this Friday in MSG.

 

[KingAG]

The AK and and Solo “have been bad” narrative is over stated. They haven’t been

 

[Palatine]

You must have missed the first 5 games of the season where he was shooting over 60% from three. He was bound to come back to earth.

What's with all the negative hot takes from people?

I'm not negative on Alex at all. But I was surprised by his choice of shots. He was taking NBA three pointers than let then let the game come to him.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I’d like to see Reibe be more physical in his finishing, but he’s shooting 65% so far, hard to ask for 70+ from someone who doesn’t dunk all their shot attempts.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Reibe is at 65% from the field. Has he missed some easy ones? Yes. But it’s not the glaring issue some seem to think it is.

He can both have performed admirably and still be a big drop-off from Tarris. The biggest issue IMO is that Tarris draws help a lot more and that opens things up for the rest of the offense. Combine that with the decrease in rebounding and the fact that Koroma is now playing backup minutes instead of Reibe and it is definitely a major drop-off for the team. But agreed, Reibe has played great in the opportunities he’s had.

 

[Son of Robert]

I can't remember exactly how he said it but Hurley basically said there would be more improvisation with this team.

He talked about letting his players play more 'off script'

 

[HW611]

I think at least a couple, he probably got fouled. A couple, he anticipated contact, maybe didn't get as much, and it threw his shot off.

I think the more he attacks, the more he'll make some better decisions.

He had one play last night in the 2nd half where he got the ball in the left corner. He pump faked, went by the defender, and got to a 8-10ft. midrange zone that I really wish he would have just pulled up for a bankshot jumper. He hesitated for a brief fraction of a second, and ended up kicking it out to the top of the key.

Was very encouraged by the aggressiveness Ross showed in the first half to just attack. Wish he kept it up in the 2nd.

It’s Bryant, that’s what these games are for.

In general, not tripping about a game against a 1 win team sandwiched in between 2 top 10 games and another big test on Friday.

Sunday was a human nature game.

 

[HW611]

I’m an eye test kind of guy. I see improvement in Ross and maybe some in Stewart as well. I see both of them as excellent role players with once again the opportunity to improve. Athleticism is not in question with Ross at all but he still has a ways to go to be a primary contributor both on offense and defense. Somebody said that Reibe has slow feet. I don’t see that at all. For a 7 footer, I think that as a freshman he is showing that he can contribute. Clingan came in to his own as a sophomore, I think that this kid is ahead of him. Don’t get me wrong, when it comes to defense, I don’t think he is ever going to be where Clingan was and is. I don’t think that he has the length for it but on offense I just see this kid getting better and better with minutes played. It will be fun watching this group come along when they are healthy.

Reibe’s play as of late has been encouraging. Need this growth from him.

But Clingan won the Nike tournament MVP. Really hard to say Reibe is ahead of him.

 

[CL82]

I would have them practice layups …inside of 1 foot

While being shoved with a blocking pad.

 

[Scottobot]

Did you watch him last year? He missed a free throw against Nova and couldn’t throw a ball in the ocean the rest of the year.

He shot 35% from 3P last year and 82% from FT. Both of those are acceptable for a 3rd option. This year he is currently shooting 50% from 3p and you are complaining. Alex has always been a streaky shooter. Just need to accept that.

He shouldn’t be the guy taking the most shots on the team. That honor belongs to Solo Ball, but Solo is really struggling this year.

In a void he is the guy that should step up and try to make the big shots when everyone else is hurt or slumping.

He more than anyone else on the team is just trying to win.

 

[Scottobot]

Reibe’s play as of late has been encouraging. Need this growth from him.

But Clingan won the Nike tournament MVP. Really hard to say Reibe is ahead of him.

He is doing really well for a freshman. Center is a tough transition for freshman because you go up against guys with 3 to 4 years of extra weight training. I loved that dunk he did to complete Demary’s triple double. Would like to see him dunk more finishes.

 

[Scrutineer]

You've made a bunch of odd comments about Solo in this thread. You don't consider him a "plus" player, and apparently you don't think he's worthy of being a starter or playing big minutes?

Perhaps it's a good time for a quick reminder that he averaged over 14 a game last year, shot 41% from 3, and he was our best player against Oklahoma in the tourney.

Do you really think he wouldn't be starting or playing a lot for other top CBB programs this year? He's in a bad shooting slump, it happens. He will snap out of it, it's only November. People really need to chill.

You have to admit he had a brutal game against Florida and, along with McNeeley and AK, cost us a very winnable game with horrible shooting. It's carried over to this year and if it continues he wouldn't be starting for CCSU.
Hopefully it's minor issue and he'll be out of the slump soon. And, hopefully, it's not compounding lately due to him looking over his shoulder worrying about playing time when Mullins is back.

 

[Stinger92860]

Uh, no, he is not "earning extended minutes" because to do so would be at the expense of Reed Jr. and that isn't happening unless he's in foul trouble.

What is your opinion now? How do you tell Reibe that he sits when Reed returns. His agent will be on the phone. This kid has earned minutes and Dan Hurley needs to figure it out. Whatever his NIL is now, it has gone up in value.

 

[UCLJ0211]

I thought someone posted on the wrong postgame thread. I asked myself, “when did we play Bryant?”