Illinois Post Game Thread

[UCan3]

I think their strategy was highly dependent on getting help from the stripes. Let’s run at Clingan and do what we can to get 2 fouls on him early.

When they didn’t get bailed out from the refs, and Clingan was having none of it they fell apart. Also they highly underestimated Johnson when he came in.

I knew we would be okay when I saw Illinois not really playing as team - trying to go ”one of one” and when that didn’t work, launching 3s.

One thing I know for sure is that will never beat us in a neutral court (without home cooking from refs) is the strategy Illinois came with tonight.

 

[storrsroars]

Illinois plays by the analytics, thev analytics said that game plan should have worked. Analytics don't mean a damn thing when you got Kling Kong anchoring the D.

I didn't watch either Illinois-Purdue game, but Underwood's game plan must've worked against Edey to some degree, otherwise why would he do it vs DC?

 

[Huskybass]

Special, special TEAM. The pass from Clingan to Spencer was executed perfectly. I'll be sad to see this group play their last game, even if it's a huge W. This 2 year run of lopsided wins is unprecedented. It's like we have a 6th starter in Diarra, he has been that good.

 

[tjhusky]

Illini Reddit understands now

 

[caw]

I didn't watch either Illinois-Purdue game, but Underwood's game plan must've worked against Edey to some degree, otherwise why would he do it vs DC?

Edey is slow. Strong but slow. Clingan is not. It’s a huge difference in how they play defense. Clingan is a bit susceptible to guys like say Sanogo. Edey to guys who drive and have speed.

 

[HailUConn]

Speaking of the record/history that this team keeps writing or breaking:

 

[Umami Zen]

.Boyz to Men. Clingan and Castle tonite

 

[caw]

Illini Reddit understands now


View attachment 98553

Poor Aztecs just can’t catch a break

 

[JMick]

Illini Reddit understands now


View attachment 98553

I'm not usually a board lurker but I couldn't resist tonight. Their fans are on their main board are delusional

 

[Verne]

I think for me the biggest difference in the season and particularly the last 6 weeks is the absolute total buy in from Steph Castle.

Taking a one and done prospect and getting him to buy in to his role like they have is amazing. He's tasked with the best offensive player every night and shuts them down. He's not asked to play on the ball much. He's not asked to score much. He's a 5 star recruit with an NBA check waiting in his mail box at home and they've gotten him to buy in to a role you'd struggle to get 3rd and 4th year players to do.

Big props to Castle and the coaching staff. As one and dones go there's not many who've done it the way he has. The kid is a winner, plays as hard as any kid on the floor and he's a freshman with way bigger basketball aspirations than what he can accomplish in one year at uconn.

I'd also contend as far as on ball defenders go he's the best in the country right now and potentially maybe the best to ever play at uconn.

 

[auror]

I love that this was the second game this tournament where "the opposition had the best player on the floor" and Clingan wound up being, by far, the best player. Second Big Ten star we completely shut down. That league has been overrated for 20+ years. I hope we see Purdue in the championship game.

People underestimate defense unless it's REALLY loud. Like tonight. I imagine this will be the last time he's underrated.

 

[jostar1]

View attachment 98546

Spoiled and arrogant.

 

[CL82]

 

[Lefty2one]

I think for me the biggest difference in the season and particularly the last 6 weeks is the absolute total buy in from Steph Castle.

I don't know how much of it was the buy in. I think Castle and Clingan's injuries really set them back. Once they both got healthy and into proper shape we saw who they really are.

 

[Umami Zen]

Spencer dominating the backboards with12.. Thought he couldn't jump? LOL

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Absolutely not. But his body language and decisions he makes in game does not seem like a player who particularly cares. I hope I’m wrong.

Please don't.

 

[Vowelguy]

High probability none of us will ever see this again in our lives. 30-0 run in an E8 game.

It's that incredible.

A 30-0 run period. Think I’ve only seen it watching the UConn women.

 

[AllHusky]

You’ve all pretty much said it all
So happy about and for Samson, really played well. Disciplined heads up ball.
Regarding Solo, he realizes games over when he gets in, and plays that way. Hope he can tighten up toughen up, in Storrs

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

Please don't.

Blame it on the guy who made a post directed at one person lol

 

[Huskyforlife]

Absolutely not. But his body language and decisions he makes in game does not seem like a player who particularly cares. I hope I’m wrong.

It’s impossible to know how bought in he is from the bench on TV.

 

[blkknight1]

 

[EZPass]

 

[Umami Zen]

Ponder this-- Newton/Castle score 7 points and we win by 25

 

[HuskyHawk]

To Quote a UConn Legend “They thought they could win. They could not”

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Ponder this-- Newton/Castle score 7 points and we win by 25

Here's another one:

I was on the phone with my son after the game. He asked if we're playing our best, if everything's working and I said "no, we still aren't shooting close to what we should from three. If we were, we'd have won each of these games by 15-20 more than we did."