Illinois Post Game Thread

[thekollieman]

I am so shocked we got that miracle Smith shot back. What was the rationale?

I just went back and rewatched that possession from the beginning. The ultimate explanation from the announcers was not true. In the original shot clock, Smith missed a layup off the rim and they reset the clock properly. Then Karaban’s shot didn’t hit the rim, but they improperly reset the clock.

In my opinion, they handled it incorrectly: it should have been UConn possession on the baseline with about 3 second on the shot clock. The basket should not have counted because it was released after the shot clock would have expired. However, it should not have been a turnover to Illinois because the reality on the floor was a reset shot clock, and the players responded to the live ruling. So, in my opinion, they made the wrong determination to count the basket and also offered a factually untrue explanation for that decision.

 

[AllHusky]

Solo shot is broken. 2-9 from three.

Mechanics
Hips push back, almost like he is jumping back not straight up. Hips and feet should line up.

 

[KingAG]

I’m not sure why but the offense ran much better with Smith running point rather than Demary.

In the second half yes. Silas had the offense humming in the first.

 

[superjohn]

Solo carried us offensively early and then went ice cold. AK only had 12 points and still put the ball down and drove which is always a disaster but he played a great game. Malachi was the player of the game. Big Eric was awesome, we had no reason to believe he would be this good this early.

Tarris wasn't even close to healthy, he didn't move well at all and couldn't jump. If he was healthy we would've totally blasted them. This game should've been a blowout but Hurley took Malachi out of the game and he did the stall ball thing again.

It looked like we should've blown them out with Tarris at like 20% (2 pts, 5 rebs) Silas in foul trouble all game, and Braylon not integrated at all yet. It shows just how good we are. We are deep especially at the right places, this is a great team.

The crowd was all UConn.

 

[Hunt for 7]

That was just a huge win.

Someone said in the chat that Ball is a much better player this year could not agree more.

Reibe what can you say about how quickly he is developing. He already looks like a different player than early in the year. Once Reed is healthy wow what a two headed monster at center.

Also you can see Mullins is strong enough to play good defense. Once he gets a little more court time he will make us harder to defend.

Malachi became the player we played against in HI last year. He was critical at the point guard. It was needed because Silas needs to learn to play defense without fouling.

Ross and Stewart played their roles could use a little more out of them but it was enough to win today. Stewart can rebound

Alex is a better defender at the rim than I think most of us give him credit for.

In all this team seems to be one where the sum of the parts is the secret ingredient.

Also Hurley we are so much better coached than Illinois.

The better team won this game. They did not play their best but neither did we. I don’t care if we win ugly as long as we win.

 

[HailUConn]

Are there any Malachi non-believers left?

you know nothing, John Snow! this is the Yard!

 

[RuffRuff]

Eric, with his back to the basket, spun to his right along the baseline and laid in with his left hand. He's going to be quite the player for us.

Reibe played like a star today - a full A+ game. Was a dog on the glass, converted elegantly, had presence in the paint.

AK did the little things today, a lot.

Malachi was the best defender and catalyst on the floor, in lieu of a really rough game from Silas. Love having insurance policies.

 

[storrsroars]

The Fox postgame was odd...all of them basically trashing the good guys saying how ugly a win it was, and then declaring it was completely out of character for Illini to play how they did. If I didn't catch the end of the game and saw it, I'd think they won

Meh. UConn did play a pretty poor 2nd half, which is what the announcers focused on. They said our first half was solid. And Illinois didn't shoot well, especially from 3 in 2nd half. So it's not like they were wrong.

 

[bendm]

I am so shocked we got that miracle Smith shot back. What was the rationale?

There were 2 offensive rebounds during the possession. After the first The clock should have reset to 20 seconds because the ball touched the rim but the clock did not reset. After The second rebound the clock did reset but it should not have because the ball didn’t touch the rim. The refs correctly ruled that Smiths 3 and foul should be upheld because it happened within 20 Seconds of the first offensive rebound.

 

[Hi-Low]

Let’s be 100% clear. The shot clock call was 100% correct. Karaban rebounded the ball as the clock went from 2:30 to 2:29. On the whistle, there was 2:10 left. He got it off in time.

The FOX studio guys on the postgame all criticized the call..... said it should have been a shot clock violation. Someone needs to whisper in their ears they are completely wrong.

 

[cellocgg]

Boise called, they want their smurf turf back

 

[Chin Diesel]

Eric, with his back to the basket, spun to his right along the baseline and laid in with his left hand. He's going to be quite the player for us.

Yeah. That was smoooooth.

 

[Excalibur]

The FOX studio guys on the postgame all criticized the call..... said it should have been a shot clock violation...someone needs to whisper in their ears they are completely wrong.

Math is not their strong suit.

 

[GHSWolverines]

Smith and Reibe were awesome. It is nice to have depth. Great quality win.

 

[blkknight1]

We have an excellent 1/2 punch at the 5.

Smith is a big time player. He was huge vs Arz we got the lead with him on the floor, if he stays in who knows. We extended the lead a couple of times today with him on the floor.

The depth is great guys can dominate for a half and then disappear but someone else steps up.

Couple of things a couple of breaks where Stewart got the ball and was determined to get to basket should have given it up it was 2 on 1 the first time and 3 on 1 the second.
Think we have to be more aggressive when we go through these lulls in shooting to many settled for jumpers.

Very good win now it’s on to Lawrence and slaying the dragon that is Kansas.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

The Fox postgame was odd...all of them basically trashing the good guys saying how ugly a win it was, and then declaring it was completely out of character for Illini to play how they did. If I didn't catch the end of the game and saw it, I'd think they won

How's that any different than here?

Smith and Reibe were the stories of the game. Reibe's progression game to game is fun to watch. He's turning into a weapon.

James Breeding continues to be the worst.

 

[Palatine]

It's getting to the point where Ross is quietly effective. No real splash plays today but he made a difference.

Reed tried to force things today. Not his game. Don't blame him but he will learn from this.

 

[sledog]

Perhaps enter that Smith shot into the Husky Classics?

 

[Hurleyman216]

Credit to our coaching staff that were screaming from the bench for Malachi to shoot it. If not for that, could’ve been more of a nail biter

 

[Scottobot]

Yes the clock wasn't reset when it should've been so they could ignore it resetting when it shouldn't have... Easy peasy

The clock operation screwed up twice on same possession and once earlier in the game. Really can’t find a higher quality clock operator in NYC? Also a bush league officiating crew too.

 

[NHUConnfan]

Nah we have to figure that snit out. Can’t keep giving up leads.

Weird comment considering that we led the whole game.

 

[TroyHall98]

Solo shot is broken. 2-9 from three.

He looked good in the 1st half. He stopped running around curls and getting into the paint for the middie. It was a lack of execution in the second half.

 

[storrsroars]

Eric, with his back to the basket, spun to his right along the baseline and laid in with his left hand. He's going to be quite the player for us.

off the glass, even. I don't recall any of our 5s doing that.

 

[superjohn]

Ross isn't getting a fair whistle, I was very happy for him when he hit the three.

 

[Old Man UConn]

Player of this Game is Malachi Smith 14 pts and 9 dimes. Sneaky star REIBLE.