College Basketball 2021-2022 season

[gflore34]

 

If they beat IU on Saturday, they would be comfortably in the top 10 if not for the Maryland disaster.

 

If they could ever get their whole team on the court at the same time . . .

 

huge win at IU - this was a trap game for sure and to win by 17 on the road is big.

 

How was that a trap game?

 

Honestly, I expected the Illini to lose, improved Indiana team at home, very good defensively, wouldn't have been shocking. Thought, if they could somehow manage a split on their Indiana road trip, they'd be good shape to win or share the Big Ten regular season title. Well, they've got the split, now on to Purdue, don't expect them to win but, it would sure be sweet.

 

As a side note, saw Edey nail Dickinson with the same elbow with which he smacked Kofi this time, however, he got called for it, I've no doubt he'll do it again on Tuesday. If I'm Brad Underwood I'm working the officials before the game, reminding them of Kofi' concussion and the no call on Edey in Champaign. I believe the bad calls even out over a season, given the missed tripping of Curbelo yesterday and others, the Illini are way overdue to get some beneficial calls.

[pitchcs]

Illini losing @ Indiana wouldn’t have been shocking at all, no. They were 2 point underdogs even.

 

But knowing they have Purdue on deck I just got the sense they really knew they needed that one. If it would have been Penn St or Minnesota then yeah it could have been considered a trap game. But going into a rivals building with B10 title implications doesn't seem trap to me.

[stitchface]

Illini losing @ Indiana wouldn’t have been shocking at all, no. They were 2 point underdogs even.

 

But knowing they have Purdue on deck I just got the sense they really knew they needed that one. If it would have been Penn St or Minnesota then yeah it could have been considered a trap game. But going into a rivals building with B10 title implications doesn't seem trap to me.

 

semantics. Would have been really easy to lose between Wisconsin and Purdue on the road at Indiana.

[gflore34]

Just listened to Brad Underwood preview tomorrow's game, talked quite a bit about Sasha Stefanovic, he was the difference in the game at Champaign. I don't expect the Illini to stop Ivey, stopping Stefanovic is doable and I expect them to remove him from the equation tomorrow. Will it be enough? Maybe. They may also try to get Edey moving, if they do that, they'll get him foul trouble, of course, Purdue is better with Williams on the floor perhaps, its not so good Williams could see more time. Another point is Purdue is vulnerable to a penetrating PG, saw it with Curbelo in Champaign so, if he's healthy enough, Curbelo could be a key to an Illini victory.

[gflore34]

Well, they did remove Stefanovic from the equation but, Ivey and Purdue was just too good. Glad this the only shot for Purdue, couldn't imagine dealing with Ivey for more seasons. While Purdue does look very good, they aren't the greatest defensive team, in fact, they're average to poor. The Illini missed a ton of clean open looks they usually hit. Those defensive liabilities have a way of showing up at the worst times, it didn't hurt them tonight but, all it takes is that one team to take advantage of all the open looks, like say, in the NCAA.

 

On a good note, at times, Curbelo, no one could stay with him, think conditioning, being out such a long time caught up with him. It's coming back, he'll get better, be able to go longer as the rest of season progresses.

[scarey]

Well, they did remove Stefanovic from the equation but, Ivey and Purdue was just too good. Glad this the only shot for Purdue, couldn't imagine dealing with Ivey for more seasons. While Purdue does look very good, they aren't the greatest defensive team, in fact, they're average to poor. The Illini missed a ton of clean open looks they usually hit. Those defensive liabilities have a way of showing up at the worst times, it didn't hurt them tonight but, all it takes is that one team to take advantage of all the open looks, like say, in the NCAA.

 

On a good note, at times, Curbelo, no one could stay with him, think conditioning, being out such a long time caught up with him. It's coming back, he'll get better, be able to go longer as the rest of season progresses.

 

 

Tough loss for the Illini.

 

Cockburn looked like he was trying to put too much of this game on his shoulders. He has some magic moves in the post, but he was not passing out of the double team. He has the talent to overcome a double team, but it's just not a high percentage play even with his skills.

 

I saw a lot of step-back 3 pointers from Illini. They have some good shooters, but too many of those step-backs were clangers. Again, not a very high percentage shot.

 

Lastly, between the two games the Boilermakers have played against Illinois, I have seen some VERY physical defense. All it takes is one key guy getting in foul trouble in the tournament to spell disaster. I don't know if Illinois is amping it up against a top 4 team in the country, or if this is how they usually defend, but Purdue shot 50 FTs between the two games. There were WAAAAAAY too many loose ball fouls. Each half Purdue got in the bonus in a hurry. It may be Underwood's game plan, but I don't know that it's the best approach. Purdue is only shooting around 70% at the free throw line, but the volume they got in these two games tend to make that not as problematic. Especially when Jaden Ivey is taking 19 of those 50 FTs.

 

I'm not looking forward to Illinois in the Big 10 tourney and I would much prefer if they do not get seeded in the same bracket with Purdue. I think the perimeter defense is tough for Purdue to deal with. That being said, it's hard to stop a star like Ivey in the tournament. I also don't share your concerns for Purdue's defense.

 

Tough day for Illini fans, but both these teams should be looking ahead to the tournament.

[bukie]

Rebounding was bad, pick and roll defense was bad, couldn't hit shots, Purdue couldn't miss, and this is what happens.

 

However, for a while I was concerned Frazier's career was over, so for some reason I'm not as disappointed as I should be.

[Rex Buckingham]

Jaden Ivey is ridiculously good. Illinois missed a ton of shots they usually make, but it only would have made the game closer because Ivey was just so dominant.

[gflore34]

Well, they did remove Stefanovic from the equation but, Ivey and Purdue was just too good. Glad this the only shot for Purdue, couldn't imagine dealing with Ivey for more seasons. While Purdue does look very good, they aren't the greatest defensive team, in fact, they're average to poor. The Illini missed a ton of clean open looks they usually hit. Those defensive liabilities have a way of showing up at the worst times, it didn't hurt them tonight but, all it takes is that one team to take advantage of all the open looks, like say, in the NCAA.

 

On a good note, at times, Curbelo, no one could stay with him, think conditioning, being out such a long time caught up with him. It's coming back, he'll get better, be able to go longer as the rest of season progresses.

 

 

Tough loss for the Illini.

 

Cockburn looked like he was trying to put too much of this game on his shoulders. He has some magic moves in the post, but he was not passing out of the double team. He has the talent to overcome a double team, but it's just not a high percentage play even with his skills.

 

I saw a lot of step-back 3 pointers from Illini. They have some good shooters, but too many of those step-backs were clangers. Again, not a very high percentage shot.

 

Lastly, between the two games the Boilermakers have played against Illinois, I have seen some VERY physical defense. All it takes is one key guy getting in foul trouble in the tournament to spell disaster. I don't know if Illinois is amping it up against a top 4 team in the country, or if this is how they usually defend, but Purdue shot 50 FTs between the two games. There were WAAAAAAY too many loose ball fouls. Each half Purdue got in the bonus in a hurry. It may be Underwood's game plan, but I don't know that it's the best approach. Purdue is only shooting around 70% at the free throw line, but the volume they got in these two games tend to make that not as problematic. Especially when Jaden Ivey is taking 19 of those 50 FTs.

 

I'm not looking forward to Illinois in the Big 10 tourney and I would much prefer if they do not get seeded in the same bracket with Purdue. I think the perimeter defense is tough for Purdue to deal with. That being said, it's hard to stop a star like Ivey in the tournament. I also don't share your concerns for Purdue's defense.

 

Tough day for Illini fans, but both these teams should be looking ahead to the tournament.

 

Should they play again and I think they will, probably for the Big Ten Tournament Championship, a different outcome for the Illini may hinge on how close Curbelo is to 100%. Yes, Ivey is nearly unstoppable, on the flip side, Boilers do not have anyone who can keep Curbelo in front of them, liked when he outran the whole team before the half. Also, was good to see Kofi beat Edey down the floor for an easy layup, provided someone else can get a rebound, that's a big ask I know, it's always there, Edey will never be able to keep up with Kofi in a foot race.

Edited February 9, 2022 by gflore34

[pitchcs]

Illini losing @ Indiana wouldn’t have been shocking at all, no. They were 2 point underdogs even.

 

But knowing they have Purdue on deck I just got the sense they really knew they needed that one. If it would have been Penn St or Minnesota then yeah it could have been considered a trap game. But going into a rivals building with B10 title implications doesn't seem trap to me.

 

semantics. Would have been really easy to lose between Wisconsin and Purdue on the road at Indiana.

 

Well, yeah, because winning at Indiana is really hard.

[gflore34]

Guess Underwood was told by the one of the officials Sunday they could call a foul every time Kofi has the ball. Why the horsefeathers don't they? I do not understand why other teams are allowed grab, hold, push a guy just because he's big and strong. Northwestern got Kofi to turn over the ball on several occasions, some were good defense forcing the bad pass, on the other hand, some were surround Kofi and hack the horsefeathers out of him until they knock the ball out of his hands. Underwood' has got to bitch load and often at Rutgers on Wednesday, it's almost certain they're going to take the same approach to Kofi. They've done it before and gotten away with it, I can recall that Mulcahy, amongst other things, literally hanging on Kofi' arm and of course, no foul calls.

[Sosa21MVP]

Another IU collapse in February, how fun! Been 6 long years since they participated in the NCAA tournament. Looking like that streak will continue. :|

[raw]

Another IU collapse in February, how fun! Been 6 long years since they participated in the NCAA tournament. Looking like that streak will continue. :|

 

It's been like 3 different coaches, completely different teams, but like clockwork they lose all February long which always include a couple blown 2nd half leads, a Wisconsin loss, and somehow always a loss to a bad Northwestern, Rutgers or Nebraska team.

[Tryptamine]

Another IU collapse in February, how fun! Been 6 long years since they participated in the NCAA tournament. Looking like that streak will continue. :|

 

It's been like 3 different coaches, completely different teams, but like clockwork they lose all February long which always include a couple blown 2nd half leads, a Wisconsin loss, and somehow always a loss to a bad Northwestern, Rutgers or Nebraska team.

 

Rutgers is a good squad and honestly I'm pretty nervous with them facing Illinois. No argument on the other two, but Northwestern does seem to at least keep it close the majority of the time.

[gflore34]

Another IU collapse in February, how fun! Been 6 long years since they participated in the NCAA tournament. Looking like that streak will continue. :|

 

It's been like 3 different coaches, completely different teams, but like clockwork they lose all February long which always include a couple blown 2nd half leads, a Wisconsin loss, and somehow always a loss to a bad Northwestern, Rutgers or Nebraska team.

 

Thought they were going to win last night, defensively they're very good, offense is just a mess. Xavier Johnson sure, he's fearless but, he also can't shoot, his terrible shot selection is basically a turn over. When Wisconsin packed it in why couldn't Stewart or Thompson get a nice open look? You'd sure feel better about your chances with those guys shooting than Johnson trying to create or shooting a three.

[Rex Buckingham]

Another IU collapse in February, how fun! Been 6 long years since they participated in the NCAA tournament. Looking like that streak will continue. :|

 

It's been like 3 different coaches, completely different teams, but like clockwork they lose all February long which always include a couple blown 2nd half leads, a Wisconsin loss, and somehow always a loss to a bad Northwestern, Rutgers or Nebraska team.

 

Thought they were going to win last night, defensively they're very good, offense is just a mess. Xavier Johnson sure, he's fearless but, he also can't shoot, his terrible shot selection is basically a turn over. When Wisconsin packed it in why couldn't Stewart or Thompson get a nice open look? You'd sure feel better about your chances with those guys shooting than Johnson trying to create or shooting a three.

 

Thompson's last jumper was about a foot short, which is about as good as Johnson's which were about a foot too far to the left.

[champaignchris]

Another IU collapse in February, how fun! Been 6 long years since they participated in the NCAA tournament. Looking like that streak will continue. :|

 

It's been like 3 different coaches, completely different teams, but like clockwork they lose all February long which always include a couple blown 2nd half leads, a Wisconsin loss, and somehow always a loss to a bad Northwestern, Rutgers or Nebraska team.

 

Rutgers is a good squad and honestly I'm pretty nervous with them facing Illinois. No argument on the other two, but Northwestern does seem to at least keep it close the majority of the time.

 

Pikiell doesn’t get enough credit for the job he’s done at Rutgers.

[gflore34]

 

It's been like 3 different coaches, completely different teams, but like clockwork they lose all February long which always include a couple blown 2nd half leads, a Wisconsin loss, and somehow always a loss to a bad Northwestern, Rutgers or Nebraska team.

 

Rutgers is a good squad and honestly I'm pretty nervous with them facing Illinois. No argument on the other two, but Northwestern does seem to at least keep it close the majority of the time.

 

Pikiell doesn’t get enough credit for the job he’s done at Rutgers.

 

I agree, he's done a great job at Rutgers. As for tonight, is the officiating going to allow the hack-a-Shaq treatment of Kofi? I know every Illini fan here likes to bitch about the officiating however, its a legitimate concern and could give Rutgers the edge. All they have to do is call a few earlier fouls and it'll temper Rutgers attempts to pound on Kofi.

[raw]

Oh yeah, Rutgers is legit this year. I meant in a typical year. IU will certainly lose to one of those 3 teams when they are next to last in the conference and it usually sets off a tailspin that leads to watching in March.

[raw]

Another IU collapse in February, how fun! Been 6 long years since they participated in the NCAA tournament. Looking like that streak will continue. :|

 

It's been like 3 different coaches, completely different teams, but like clockwork they lose all February long which always include a couple blown 2nd half leads, a Wisconsin loss, and somehow always a loss to a bad Northwestern, Rutgers or Nebraska team.

 

Thought they were going to win last night, defensively they're very good, offense is just a mess. Xavier Johnson sure, he's fearless but, he also can't shoot, his terrible shot selection is basically a turn over. When Wisconsin packed it in why couldn't Stewart or Thompson get a nice open look? You'd sure feel better about your chances with those guys shooting than Johnson trying to create or shooting a three.

 

Russell Westbrook, in that he wants to put the team on his back but isn't capable and doesn't let that fact stop him. I don't like the makeup of a team with a star player who isn't even an option outside of the paint. Love TJD, but he doesn't elevate the team. It's not his fault, but is what it is.

[Old Style]

So Juwan Howard lost his GD mind (and possibly his job)…

 

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

End of the Badgers-Wolverines got testy. Badgers had the game in hand, and landed a 3 with a little over a minute remaining, and that annoyed Juwan Howard. So he put on the full-court press when the scrubs came in to close the game out. Wisconsin almost turned it over, and one of their players lost a shoe. So Wisconsin called a timeout, which further infuriated Howard, who then had this team foul on the in-bound. Game ends with little else of note, but Howard took his time getting in the handshake line. He then said something to Gard (Wisconsin coach), and Gard stopped Howard, and then things got heated, with Howard slapping/grabbing a Wisconsin assistant coach in the face, and a few players threw a few haymakers in the scrum. I was entertained.

 

[soccer10k]

So Juwan Howard lost his GD mind (and possibly his job)…

 

 

Unless someone on the Wisconsin side said something racist to provoke Howard, yeah, he’s probably gone.

[UMFan83]

What an embarrassment. I want him gone

[Thurman Merman]

I'm chatting with a couple of Michigan fans who think they'll still make the tournament. At 14-11 with 5 games left against teams that are better than them, I find it hard to believe they even stand a small chance.