My section was noticed and was rooting really hard for him. He’s going to be a fan favorite if he can make a shot (lol).
Illinois 112, Eastern Illinois 67 Postgame
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
Ok after looking at the box score I take back everything I said about Ty’s decision to redshirt. Can’t imagine he plays more than a few minutes a game with this roster
Joel Goodson
- dawgville
this is Moneyball:
LOL, sleepers guys were saying he will be the 10th guy and won't play at all
MDchicago
- Lake Norman NC
In a similar but different way, reminds me off Jens Kujawa not returning for the 89 Illini season (his senior year) unleashing the run/jump offensive game of the Flying Illini. Lowell took over his starting spot and his minutes were absorbed by much better offensive players (mostly Lowell and Marcus Liberty).
Not the same team in 1989 if Jens had stayed and started (28/33 games) and played more minutes than Lowell (22 vs. 19) like he did the prior season. Probably paid a defensive price in both cases, but overall net positive.
From the look at of all the weapons in last night's game the Illini seem well situated to beat the teams they are expected to beat.
Govoner Vaugn Fan
- New Orleans
I think people assume he is 17 because he reclassified and finished HS a year early. However Canada has essentially a K-13 system so even with the reclass he is the same age as most freshman from the US.
I’m not talking about the EIUs or MD-Eastern Shores. I’m talking about teams in the mid and lower portions of the BIG when the talent disparities aren’t as large and those teams have the physical tools to play tough D. We had the same weapons against Ole Miss. You can chalk up something like Riley’s 2-8 shooting and looking a bit frustrated and loose with his dribble against Ole Miss to first “game” and on the road. I’d say it had more to do with playing a good P4 team who could play D.
We have some stinkers each year when we lose to a team(s) we shouldn’t. I don’t expect this year to be different with the relative youth and inexperience playing together — despite the weapons.
Not to mention that Giorgi pulled an all-time unselfish move that may never be seen again in NCAA basketball when he lost his starting gig, and rather than transfer, stayed and helped train up his replacement. Illini legend.
At first I was like: That. Was. Awesome.
Then I was like: Yeah but it was EIU.
But then I was like: True but 112 points in 40 minutes is a lot no matter who you're playing.
The defense is going to be a work in progress for a while but I thought the offensive execution was night and day compared to Ole Miss. Really fun to watch when we space the floor and move the ball around.
Then I was like: Yeah but it was EIU.
But then I was like: True but 112 points in 40 minutes is a lot no matter who you're playing.
The defense is going to be a work in progress for a while but I thought the offensive execution was night and day compared to Ole Miss. Really fun to watch when we space the floor and move the ball around.
sacraig
- The desert
Canada uses SI units. Metric years (sometimes known as yeares).
Great offensive performance obviously. But what had me most encouraged was the defensive bite the group of frosh/sophs showed in the mid to late second half. Think it was Morez, Booth, Will, DGL and Kasparas maybe? At a minimum it looked like they gave a **** on that end of the floor up 35. And you can do a lot with players who give a **** defensively.
skyIdub
Winged Warrior
It was either flashed on screen or said by a student commentator during broadcast.
The broadcast yesterday said he was 17
Jens paid a physical price for playing more minutes than Lowell that year. Like Pizza Hut parking lot price.
I totally agree. But I will add that we could have used Kujawa in the FF against Michigan when Lowell had to leave the game and Battle was also playing hurt.
Lots of times when a game gets lopsided, a team just starts to freelance. Very impressed that the Illini continued to run the offense the same in minute 38 as the rest of the game. Looks to me like this particular group is trying very hard to play the style that Brad wants (up tempo, lots of 3's, layups and FTs...not many hard 2's), no matter who is on the floor. They seem very coachable, and not all ultra-talented players are coachable. The ball seldom sticks and that usually results in the right players taking the right shots. Fun to watch, and it seems like it's a fun style for the players. And in defense of those saying Riley is 17, he is at least 17...and plays like he's 22.
I award you an A+ for the day, simply for making a Jens Kujawa reference.
More than a flash, it was the yellow bottom line displayed below his game stats. Was on-screen for a little while.
blackdog
- Champaign
I was taking another look at how he got his points (very efficient catch and shoot off movement, multiple putbacks, in transition) and I noticed the play he got the 2nd 4 point opportunity was really nice. He sets a pindown for KJ to come up and run a PNR then Morez screens Wills man as he rolls and Will is reversing direction back up top. KJ and Morez's defenders are worried about the on ball pick and roll and then Wills guy is screened with no help for a wide open shot. Beautifully drawn up and executed with lots of counters that can come from it.