@ Penn St

Let the meltdown begin....




Actually, I take that back. Since I got lazy and didn't post a single syllable after the last two games, I feel the need to at least mention them.


vs. MINNESOTA
Too long ago really. We won. Should've won. Good to get a win back from them. Now to start another 20 game streak against the Gophers.

vs. MICHIGAN ST.
Not too long ago, but long enough to where I don't care. It's a game that should've been won. Except we spotted Sparty a 7-0 lead at the start of the game, let them increase it to 11 at the start of the second half, battled back to take a lead, and then went on a 6 minute drought. Not to mention a horrible and uncharacteristic asst/to ratio (13/17). It's actually sad that the team was in the game with those numbers and a drought like that. It proves that the team needs a guard that can drive and finish. Bottom line: We weren't supposed to win this game (technically), so the loss didn't hurt other than the fact we were out of contention for the Big10 title.


Now for the good stuff.

I guess I'll start with the positives:

1- Chester Frazier played a tremendous first half. Defense was typical against a player like Battle...nothing super, but he held him in check. The best part was his 3-4 shooting to have 8pts going into halftime. Nothing like having nearly twice your season average by halftime.
2- Everyone was active. The motion had motion. Tisdale was getting touches. Open shots were being taken with the extra pass. Things that are supposed to happen for good teams, were happening.
3- We shot free throws
4- There are probably more positives, but I'm clouded by the negatives too much to continue.


And that brings me to the negatives:

1- We lost
2- Trent Meachum was absent the whole game. What I mean by that is that the Illini were playing 4 on 5 when he was in the game. His defense vs. Pringle = not there. His offense = makes me think I could've made one of those attempts he had. That's saying a lot because I'm terrible. Trent is obviously a defensive liability. His Achilles heel is that he's slow. It killed him tonight against a much faster Pringle. What typically makes up for his poor D is his offense. Well, tonight, that was as empty as the bottle of Jack sitting next to me now. I'm not saying he forced shots or took some that were of ill decision. He was just cold. If I wanted to, I'd link the Outkast song "Hey Ya" to the chorus. You know it, don't try to lie...you even have the NOW CD that it was on.
3- That awesome 5:10 at the end of the game where the Illini scored 3 points. In nearly all of the losses, droughts of that magnitude happen. I refuse the blame the opponents defense. This team lulls itself to sleep when it has a lead in the final minutes of a game. Too much perimeter passing, weaving above the 3-pt line, dribble/drive and turn right around. It's ugly, but we as fans have grown accustomed to it (I highly doubt anyone likes it, even Bruce).


That's all I have for now. As previously stated, I've got an empty bottle next to me and the game's only been over for nearly 45minutes. You know what that means. I do hope that future posts will be a total rant of whatever irks me. I had numerous topics in the past few days, but was simply too damn lazy to post on them.