Illinois 68, Alabama A&M 47 Postgame

#127      
ChiefGritty
illini0440 said:
No one had a problem with it the last 3 years?
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He very noticeably chilled out starting in 2020-21.

I don't love making a big show of laying into players when the cameras are rolling. It's a spice to be used sparingly and carefully, if at all.

But the frustration has been building with Brad all year, it has been very obvious to see. This team is not delivering on the things he wants them to execute, even when they succeed. He's not going to scream this team to the second weekend, something's gotta fall into place here.
 
#130      
pruman91
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Abundant is the snarkyness in this thread.......................

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the purveyors of such snark................................

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Sad , it makes me.......................

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........................................................................................................Goodnight sweet Yoda......goodnight........
 
#132      
Dfresh33
Anybody got a clip of the BU/Mayer convo? Hoping the press on this brings them closer together. Mayer wants to win. Brad wants to win. Sit down, realize that, and put the goal above both egos.

I have never been a fan of the histrionics, but I know somebody who played for Izzo, described him as worse than any drill sergeant you've ever seen, and yet still loves him to death. The approach can work, as long as its layered in with the appropriate level of encouragement, love, and respect, which I have always thought Brad does a great job of (obviously from an outsiders perspective).

This has been a rough stretch for the group and working through these hiccups will be key to success in the season. He doesn't demand perfection, he demands your best, and that has been noticeably lacking in the last few games. I'm not worried about it, but would we truly be feeling better as a fan base if he was just sitting on his hands right now? He is demanding accountability, and also holding himself accountable. I still have high hopes things are going to gel because the pieces are here.
 
#133      
willillini
interesting press conference. matt is a kid who voices his issues openly. Coach/team would probably rather those things stay in the locker. (terrance said something to the effect). maybe a blow up or two will help bring these kids together a little. winning solves everything. after the 10 minute mark matt went on a roll. he might need a kick in the !!!. some kids need that, others a pat on the back. shots will be made and missed, but you can get consistent effort every night.
that's what coach is looking for
 
#136      
InDaAZ
Mambo said:
Here’s my uniformed take based on what both Mayer and BU said in the post game.

Sounds like Mayer isn’t used to “hard”practices leading up to a game based on his 4 years at Baylor. Not what he is used to and likely voiced that to BU. Sounded like he prefers to have it a bit easier leading up to the game to rest his body/issues a bit.

Difference in how those two were looking at that and obviously, what the coach says is gonna have to be the way.

End of the day , don’t think it’s that big of a deal. Adjustment period for the transfer.
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Good post.

I took it as MM is managing some injury issues (back?), and was worried the intensity level of recent practices might be detrimental to him, especially leading up to what was essentially a tuneup game in his view.

BU’s position is that he has a whole team to account for, and that said practices were needed to build mental toughness in certain guys, primarily the younger ones.

It doesn’t come off to me as a serious rift, just differing objectives that can be worked out. If not, there’s only one boss - college hoops is not a democracy.
 
#137      
jumpingjack
the juiceman cometh said:
There does seem to be a major leadership void on this squad, which shouldn't be a huge surprise. Trent and DMW had that personality from the outset and then had 5 years of maturation on top of it. I was hoping Hawkins would step into that role but maybe that's just not who he is.
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It is certainly an odd dynamic when the two senior-most, talented and experienced players on the team are transfers.
I think Matt and Brad are going to be fine.
ETA - I do think Hawkins is considerably more vocal of a leader this year than in the past. But he's also clearly more comfortable right now as a facilitator on offense, which is REALLY good. But we're still not decisive at the right times in stretches. I think someone will assert themselves in that 1A role over the next month but no frigging idea who it will be.
 
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#141      
Bigtex
Wow what a hot mess right now. Couple of observations

We saw in previous years - it was a challenge to score with 4 vs 5. Repeating the same scenario when Rodgers and/or Harris are in the half court.

Understand the team is still trying to figure things out. Leadership, rotations, coaching, and teamwork….

Defense was better with less switching of every player.

Hawkins seemed to make the extra pass and many times forced passes vs taking a shot

Missing Free throws has become contagious and a problem

Glad to get the W but need to start to show improvement and consistency
 
#144      
21ChampaignSt
Brad yelled a lot his first couple years because he didn't have an established culture. Then, the players bought in and he didn't have to yell as much (publicly). Now, practically his entire roster is new to the program- new to the culture. So he yells.

Which brings me to my next point. This year is an experiment. How important is team chemistry. How quickly can a coach install his systems and his culture? How much can a team of rental players and freshman reasonably be expected to accomplish?

Find out the answers to these questions and more at the conclusion of this year's season.
 
#145      
illini0440
USAFILLINI said:
I respect your inside info but cursing out people constantly isn’t it. Perhaps this is why his teams have historically had mental collapses when the pressure was high (never seen a sweet 16/4-6 in the tournament). Not doubting he’s a good coach but starting to question his leadership.

Not sure there’s ever a time to motherf@@ grown men when you’re trying to motivate them, even more disturbing when he’s proud of it.
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Those things go hand in hand….do ever look and see when he’s taking to the kids on the bench? Coaching them up? Do we forget the post game celebrations? Y’all are way more worried about it than the kids are. Also a lot of you would fold in major athletics.
 
#147      
logjam
jumpingjack said:
It is certainly an odd dynamic when the two senior-most, talented and experienced players on the team are transfers.
I think Matt and Brad are going to be fine.
ETA - I do think Hawkins is considerably more vocal of a leader this year than in the past. But he's also clearly more comfortable right now as a facilitator on offense, which is REALLY good. But we're still not decisive at the right times in stretches. I think someone will assert themselves in that 1A role over the next month but no frigging idea who it will be.
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Might be Goode....
 
#148      
Thaillini22
I find it amusing/confusing, the florid post-game fan frustration after wins like these. It’s as if it has been forgotten that we are supporting amateurs and that we live in the age of #16 beating #1 (by 20 pts.).

I mean, with this game coming on the heels of what must have been an uneasy week of practice after the last game, during (I think) final exams, coming up on Xmas -- if one were so inclined, one probably could argue that a 21-point win is an encouraging result and that the way it was earned puts hair on players’ chests.

#growth
 
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