Illinois Post Game Thread

[alphasigko]

After Solo’s quick start, Illinois went all in for a while on defending him with everything they had. The back up guard Lee (#1) was put in essentially just to face guard him and then a second defender would shade his way coming around screens.

Solo made Illinois change their game plan - taking one of their offensive weapons off the floor for a defensive specialist. That’s when it’s time for other guys to step up.

And from Solo’s perspective - sure, he got some clean looks late once Illinois was playing more straight up that he didn’t convert. And he just has to be ready to knock those down - “ok, you cooled me off for a while, but now I’ll make you pay.”

But he had a big part in the win even despite cooling off.

Well observed

 

[KingAG]

Im certainly not arguing with myself. You’re making silly statements out of what I appreciate you self-identifying as petty nitpicking. Why you’re proud of your own nitpicking is beyond me. That same Michigan team beat TCU by 4 and Wake Forest by 1 on overtime. Our dominant ‘24 team beat Villanova by 1. Butler by 7. SJU by 4.

We. Are. Not. Going. To. Coast. To. 40. Point. Victories. Over. Everyone. To whine over the fact that we don’t is just moronic. Don’t act like there’s some “standard” for that. It’s childish bluster.

You are arguing with yourself. I have not once asked for us to beat every team by 40. I’ve echoed Hurley. We lax on our intangibles when we have big leads. It’s the sign of a team still growing. It’s an area we can improve on. If not eventually it will bite us in the ass. It’s not a one off. There is always something to improve on.

Now tell me what I said that was silly?

Did you know not 1 starter scored a fg in the final 15 minutes? Remember “foot on gas”? That’s the next level for this team. And they’re going to get there. And when they do it’s night night.

They closed tonight better than BYU(thank you Malachi). And I expect it to continue to improve

Now I’d love to see exactly what about this you “disagree” with. Or if you just want an argument lmao.

 

[alphasigko]

I really like Stewart. But I am shocked at the many missed opportunities he had todqy to have a breakout performance, and he missed every one of them. SMH... He needs to sit as soon as Mullins is in game shape.

 

[Leebo]

Tangentially related, but the other day I tossed the Illinois radio broadcast of the 2024 elite 8 game on for background noise because I was curious.

My favorite part was when Newton was shooting free throws as the 30-0 run began and the play-by-play guy mentioned Newton was first team All-America.

The color commentator, who could not remember any UConn player names half the time, and couldn't pronounce them correctly the other half, laughed upon hearing that fact. Quite classy.

A fitting moment of hubris for the run that was about to unfold.

 

[AllHusky]

Wondering if Coach Underwood wakes up screaming in the night from 30-0 PTSD?

 

[NJHoops]

Nice picture of Reed and Reibe.

 

[firstnline]

Reibe is no fluke. He's a baller.

And he's also developing a nice jump hook.

 

[bazz&boujee]

Malachi looks like 6thMOY nationally

 

[willie99]

Wondering if Coach Underwood wakes up screaming in the night from 30-0 PTSD?

He is happy we're not in the B10

He's like "bring on Rutgers" baby

 

[dennismenace]

Reibe is no fluke. He's a baller.

Much further along and talented then most think.

 

[dennismenace]

Nice picture of Reed and Reibe.

Sounds like the name of a law firm. And they will be bringing their law to the paint this year.

 

[REB1094]

Underrated story of the night, we shut down 2/3 of their big 3, those guys are excellent scorers, credit to the team defense for really clogging the paint.

I actually didn’t remember anything about Stojakovic. Went back to the box score to see if he was injured or something

Nope. Played 24 minutes and scored 3 points on 1-7. UConn locked him up

 

[MrJoe]

it’s November ; relax . This is when you learn about the team as it is preparing for conference and tournament play. We have significant depth which means their are nights when some players aren’t major contributors but as long as others pick up piece we will be fine ( just need to not have a game where no one plays well - too many negatives in that sentence but you get the point) . What we know 1) point guard situation is a strength 2) lots of wings and we only need two or three to play well 3) Alex and Solo are the main pieces that everything revolves around but they don’t have to dominate ( alex’s 12-9-5 plus blocks good example while solo opens up a lot) 4) reibe way better sooner than expected probably even for coaching staff 5) with a solid seed we will be positioned well going into the second weekend of the tournament 6) 2024 was close to the perfect team don’t expect that but we can still win it all understanding that their will be a couple of 1-2 point games at the 4 minute mark where someone will need to make a play and we got a lot of someones

 

[Rocktheworld]

Now I’d love to see exactly what about this you “disagree” with. Or if you just want an argument lmao.

Your notion that we need to wring our hands over 20 point leads turning into 10 point leads, in a game of runs and high variability, played by 18-22 year olds, while invoking a team beating others by 40, while suggesting our “standard” is high; whatever exactly you meant by that. Do you have difficulty keeping up with your own posts like another person I dealt with in last post-game thread?

 

[OceanDoggie]

It's been remarkable improvement.

I know Hurley is saying it's mental, and it most likely is, but I am left wondering how the extra bulk may have affected his shot. Watching him live at MSG it's clear that the new guns and boulder shoulders are giving him confidence and power to finish near/at the rim--last year he missed so many layups it was comical.

 

[UCSouth]

When you post 500 takes a week you're bound to have some good ones and some bad ones. But just by the sheer number of posts he makes there are a relatively large number of bad ones and that's what stands out to many people.

The funny thing about @RuffRuff is that, even with him on ignore, the flow of the threads aren't impacted by missing his takes and opinions. I believe that more people should try it.

 

[REB1094]

it’s November ; relax . This is when you learn about the team as it is preparing for conference and tournament play. We have significant depth which means their are nights when some players aren’t major contributors but as long as others pick up piece we will be fine ( just need to not have a game where no one plays well - too many negatives in that sentence but you get the point)

Game 1 high scorer: Karaban, 19
Game 2: Reed, 20
Game 3: Solo, 23
Game 4: Karaban/Reed/Silas, 21
Game 5: Reibe, 15
Game 6: Reibe, 16
Game 7: Solo, 15

The scoring can come from anywhere. We have 4 guys that average 12+ PPG. And 1 of the guys that doesn’t has led us in scoring twice (Reibe). And all that is without Braylon

Team is DEEP

 

[TheShot1990]

My take is if the shot clock shows 18 seconds, that is what the players on the floor are going to rely on. It would hardly be fair to UConn to show that they have 18 seconds left and then call them for a shot clock violation

Spot on. In fact, maybe this should be the rule.
I recall last year the shot clock was wrong and the refs blew the whistle and told UConn to give the ball to the other team because THEY the officials had the wrong shot clock. Reeked of unfairness.

Currently the rule is (I believe) We accidentally tricked the players on UConn into thinking they had more time than they actually did with a phony shot clock that WE got wrong, so we hereby order them to turn the ball back to the other team.

 

[TheShot1990]

Underrated story of the night, we shut down 2/3 of their big 3, those guys are excellent scorers, credit to the team defense for really clogging the paint.

I was at the game and said to my wife "I'll bet Eric isn't use to constantly shooting over 7' 1" guys" By the end of the game I was saying "It looked like those 7' 1" guys aren't used to shooting over a guy like Eric."

 

[SixRings]

Question for the non-casuals; Is Solo being tasked with taking harder outside shots this year? Perhaps it’s only in my mind but I remember him taking more set three pointers last year where he had great form. This year he seems to be curling around a pick, catching, and shooting a lot more. That is a much harder shot to make and he’s off balance, kicking, chucking, etc. more than I remember in the past. Is this the progression a shooter has to make? Anyway, he’s a great player and has certainly has improved on his drive-dribble and pull-up shots. He also looks like a great teammate to be around. Hopefully he can work out his mechanics beyond the arc. Very happy he is on our team.

 

[willie99]

We used to be Wing U, I like that offense. Spinkled in with all our movement are pro curls, with guys coming off of screens and drilling 12 foot jumpers

Ray, Rip, Caron were three of the best

 

[ucp990411]

Game 1 high scorer: Karaban, 19
Game 2: Reed, 20
Game 3: Solo, 23
Game 4: Karaban/Reed/Silas, 21
Game 5: Reibe, 15
Game 6: Reibe, 16
Game 7: Solo, 15

The scoring can come from anywhere. We have 4 guys that average 12+ PPG. And 1 of the guys that doesn’t has led us in scoring twice (Reibe). And all that is without Braylon

Team is DEEP

And perhaps our best scorer has 2 points so far for the season

 

[freshler40]

I predict that our bench will become our identity, and a story line in every game. Quite honestly things get more exciting when our bench players subs in.

This may be our deepest team ever, we'll see.

Nine (9) UConn players had at least 10 minutes of play during this game. Nice depth!