Even though he only scored 8 points, you could argue that Duncan Robinson was today's MVP. We took full advantage of the Illini not helping off Duncan. It's why Caris had room to drive and there was no weak side help on those dump downs to Donnal.
Illinois is an average team, but average teams can beat you by getting hot from three point range, especially if you're turning the ball over too often. That was the story of the first half. Even so, our defense was good for the most part in the first half, and we did a great job on Hill. That was huge. Our second half D was even better. Illinois did not get a lot of good looks. They were forced to take some tough shots. Just as imporantly, we cleaned the glass when they missed and got some second chances of our own.
I thought that the game was not as close as the score. There were probably 10 easy points that we left on the floor, from the goal tend on Donnal's shot to Dawkins double dribble and Irvin's travel on the break. Donnal did finish his chances, rebounded tough, hit a three and blocked several shots. We've been down on him, but today he was exactly what we needed. Catch the ball, make the lay-up, hit free throws, get rebounds. My only gripe, and it's a small one, is that I'd like to see him dunk it when he can. The goal tend was a play where he was coming hard right to the hoop with no defender in his way. He could have easily jammed it.
Caris did what Caris does. Drives, threes, rebounds, defend. Ho hum, eh? His game is in sync. Give him a few feet and he nails the three. Get too close, he blows by you. Help, and he sets up a teammate. I thought that there were a few times when he got stuck in traffic and should have kicked it out. Just nit picking, though.
Derrick played a pretty good game. Took a quick three that was ill advised late in the second half. His shot was not there. But he rebounded well, including the and-one. He defended well, although Nunn got a little too much space at the three point line. Derrick was cool and in control against the press.
Irvin knocking down a couple of threes was heartening. And he was the primary defender on Hill. He did his work on the defensive end. He's as good as anyone at hitting the open man off the ball screens. Blue collar.
Already mentioned Duncan. But a couple of plays stood out. I absolutely loved it when he posted up Coleman-Lands in the paint and swished the little turn around jumper. He also made a great pass to a cutting Dawkins who would have had a lay-up if he had not slipped on a wet spot. Had a strong, contested drive where he missed the shot, but it's a dimension that he's adding to his game. He's going to be a lot to handle before he's done here. BTW, Dawkins has to be our career leader by now in missed put back dunks. Nice to have a guy who, if left open, will drain a three, like he did today to help us pull away.
Ricky and Mo didn't see the floor much with Donnal playing so well. Mo needs to get stronger and more instinctive, but he's only been here 6 months. Ricky just struggles to finish at the rim. Maddening - to him as well as the fans. Donnal is the poster child for keeping at it. So keep at it. As a fan, I don't give up on a player easily. Donnal is just a third of the way through his second season of playing.
It takes time to mesh. Beilein has used different combinations early in the season. Now he has a core of 7 guys. Donnal, Caris, Derrick, Irvin, D3, Dawkins and MAAR. The 8th guy in the rotation is between Doyle and Mo. Maybe that won't be resolved. And we have Wilson and Chatman firmly on the bench. Beilein is always open to someone who seizes an opportunity getting in the mix. No chance for that today.
Nice to see Lou Henson in the crowd. He knew how to recruit Chicago.
Miss the Lou do. I think Trump went to his hair dresser way back when with a photo of Lou and said "make my hair look like this."
Illinois is an average team, but average teams can beat you by getting hot from three point range, especially if you're turning the ball over too often. That was the story of the first half. Even so, our defense was good for the most part in the first half, and we did a great job on Hill. That was huge. Our second half D was even better. Illinois did not get a lot of good looks. They were forced to take some tough shots. Just as imporantly, we cleaned the glass when they missed and got some second chances of our own.
I thought that the game was not as close as the score. There were probably 10 easy points that we left on the floor, from the goal tend on Donnal's shot to Dawkins double dribble and Irvin's travel on the break. Donnal did finish his chances, rebounded tough, hit a three and blocked several shots. We've been down on him, but today he was exactly what we needed. Catch the ball, make the lay-up, hit free throws, get rebounds. My only gripe, and it's a small one, is that I'd like to see him dunk it when he can. The goal tend was a play where he was coming hard right to the hoop with no defender in his way. He could have easily jammed it.
Caris did what Caris does. Drives, threes, rebounds, defend. Ho hum, eh? His game is in sync. Give him a few feet and he nails the three. Get too close, he blows by you. Help, and he sets up a teammate. I thought that there were a few times when he got stuck in traffic and should have kicked it out. Just nit picking, though.
Derrick played a pretty good game. Took a quick three that was ill advised late in the second half. His shot was not there. But he rebounded well, including the and-one. He defended well, although Nunn got a little too much space at the three point line. Derrick was cool and in control against the press.
Irvin knocking down a couple of threes was heartening. And he was the primary defender on Hill. He did his work on the defensive end. He's as good as anyone at hitting the open man off the ball screens. Blue collar.
Already mentioned Duncan. But a couple of plays stood out. I absolutely loved it when he posted up Coleman-Lands in the paint and swished the little turn around jumper. He also made a great pass to a cutting Dawkins who would have had a lay-up if he had not slipped on a wet spot. Had a strong, contested drive where he missed the shot, but it's a dimension that he's adding to his game. He's going to be a lot to handle before he's done here. BTW, Dawkins has to be our career leader by now in missed put back dunks. Nice to have a guy who, if left open, will drain a three, like he did today to help us pull away.
Ricky and Mo didn't see the floor much with Donnal playing so well. Mo needs to get stronger and more instinctive, but he's only been here 6 months. Ricky just struggles to finish at the rim. Maddening - to him as well as the fans. Donnal is the poster child for keeping at it. So keep at it. As a fan, I don't give up on a player easily. Donnal is just a third of the way through his second season of playing.
It takes time to mesh. Beilein has used different combinations early in the season. Now he has a core of 7 guys. Donnal, Caris, Derrick, Irvin, D3, Dawkins and MAAR. The 8th guy in the rotation is between Doyle and Mo. Maybe that won't be resolved. And we have Wilson and Chatman firmly on the bench. Beilein is always open to someone who seizes an opportunity getting in the mix. No chance for that today.
Nice to see Lou Henson in the crowd. He knew how to recruit Chicago.
Miss the Lou do. I think Trump went to his hair dresser way back when with a photo of Lou and said "make my hair look like this."
Last edited:
