to think we were actually ranked at one time! what a joke! This team needs to do some soul searching and quick! If you 7 foot tall you shouldnt miss dunks. If i a myers lennard, I am licking my chops and getting in the weight room double time!

Posted by toddalan1975 on December 23, 2009 at 11:49 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Some of the criticism the team is getting after this lost is unjust. We gave it all we had tonight, but some poor protecting of the ball, bad outside shooting and some questionable officiating were the main problem. Our streak was bound to come to an end and it only makes since that it would happen when we rely so heavily on freshman for production. No loss is a good loss, but I'm not nearly as upset about this loss as I am about the other three.

Posted by IlliniMatt on December 24, 2009 at 12:23 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Enjoy it while you can missouri.With Jereme Richmond, Myers Leonard, and Crandal Head on the way youre not likely to beat us for another nine years.

Posted by dave1956 on December 24, 2009 at 2:27 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Davis had an off night and got a hall pass again.

Posted by TotalIlliniFan on December 24, 2009 at 4:19 AM  |  Suggest Removal

This is NOT an NCAA worthy team and perhaps may not be an NIT worthy team if they don't get it together. As Lavin mentioned during the broadcast several times Illinois didn't have a sense of urgency. Missouri was the aggressor throughout they just plain wanted it more and Illinois doesn't have any toughness nor a leader on the floor to push them.

Posted by illini82 on December 24, 2009 at 6:46 AM  |  Suggest Removal

This was supposed to be the start of something great--three experienced and talented juniors leading a prized freshman class. The streak was in no danger. What we saw was lack of leadership, poor shooting, and horrible ball handling resulting in an embarassing loss. A perfect replay of the September football game. Would Missouri be "worthy" of joining the Big Ten? How could they aspire to if it doesn't increase their competition? Illinois is already in the Big Ten and needs to start representing it better. Losing is much easier to take if you at least make a game of it.

Posted by MetroEast91 on December 24, 2009 at 7:52 AM  |  Suggest Removal

No intensity at all. Davis looked like a deer in the headlights most of the night. Tisdale slouched around most of the night and couldn't even convert a slam dunk. You would think it would be the freshman who need to work on intensity. But to me it looks like we have some Juniors who can't seem to get motivated to play. They are not just going to win because it says "ILLINOIS" on their jersey. They need to put a little more effort into it, we saw it against Clemson for 20 minutes; they can do it.

Posted by heyillini on December 24, 2009 at 8:08 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Davis, Tisdale, McCamey shot 15 for 37, turned the ball over and played horrid defense. Leadership? - What leadership? WEber must not have worked on handling the ball against pressure defenses in practice. Hard to simulate that in practice because WEber couldn't get any Illini players to play with that much drive and energy to simulate. Will this Illini team EVER play with the energy, desire and heart that Georgia, Missouri and Bradly have shown? The season is looking a lot more like 2007-08 season when Weber had same issues of motivation.

Posted by RPeterE on December 24, 2009 at 8:21 AM  |  Suggest Removal

I'm taken aback by how amazed and angry everyone is about this loss. What did you expect? You are always going to have turnover issues with two starting freshmen on the court. At one point they showed a graphic for D.J. Richardson, he had 7 points and 10 Turnovers. Certainly the juniors take some of this blame. But don't expect mistake prone basketball to be going away anytime soon, especially with three more freshmen coming in next year who will likely see a lot of playing time because of their highschool careers.

Posted by PeoriaIllini on December 24, 2009 at 8:36 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Much taller Tisdale and Davis should have grabbed 20 rebounds, boxed out, prevented all those Missouri put backs and defended the paint. Though their effort improved slightly they and McCamey show no leadership, heart, desire, hunger, gutty determination or character. Missouri did, so did Georgia and Bradley. This Illini team lacks hunger and drive and does not match much less exceed opponents energy and toughness. Weber is showing again, like in 2007-08 that he can't drive, inspire or motivate these Illini to play their best. Once again an opposing coach, Mike Anderson, shows he can do what Illini coach can not do, get his players playing all out with heart, desire and 110% energy! I applaud and salute you Coach Anderson and Tigers!

Posted by RPeterE on December 24, 2009 at 8:52 AM  |  Suggest Removal

(Chemistry)= Leadership, pride, motivation, passion, energy. Illinois lacks in all areas. This is where the coach earns his dough. You have the talent Mr. Weber, it's time you prove that you can get this unit to play as a TEAM!!!

Posted by booyah1 on December 24, 2009 at 9:04 AM  |  Suggest Removal

It's just amazing how RPeterE, who acknowledges he watched from his TV, can no so much about what is going on inside the hearts and minds of a bunch of kids.

Posted by jjohnson on December 24, 2009 at 10:28 AM  |  Suggest Removal

Illinois didn't play a very good game however I think too many people are buying into what Steve Lavin was saying. At one point he was saying Illinois was being outplayed in every facet. Right after he said that a graph appeared that said Illinois was outrebounding missouri 41-27. This was with about 6 minutes to go and I think Missouri was up about 9 points. Another way to view the game was that Illinois couldn't put it in from about 6 feet ungaurded and Missouri pretty much shot it out their a$$. I seen Missouri

make about a half a dozen circus shots and over 50% from 3 point range while Illinois was missing several unguarded shots within 10 feet and closer. Also did anyone else notice that fat white haired ref on the baseline? He probably made 7 to 10 questionable calls all of them seemed to benefit Missouri. Weber should used whatever pull he has to make sure they don't get him again.

Posted by dshendricks on December 24, 2009 at 5:57 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Whie 6'8" Justin Safford from Bloomington (IL)Central Catholic plays 31 minutes of physical basketball for Mizzou, the Illini fans watch Senrau frozen to the bench for the third year in a row.

Posted by CecilColeman on December 24, 2009 at 7:41 PM  |  Suggest Removal

Ahhh... the leadership question shows its "desireable" head, again. Someone needs to be courageous and get into his teammates' faces and challenge them every minute of the game. It is not a popular job, but somebody's gotta do it. After watching all of the games this season, I am now convinced that BP is the guy. He appeared he hurt his leg or knee early in the game (can someone confirm this?), but you can see the courage he showed by coming back from the trainer's table to hit some key baskets. Yes, I did see BP's critical turnover - but that is to be expected ... with more playing time and more in-game experiences, those drops in concentration will lessen.. Also turning 19, 20, 21 might help.

This was not a bad loss, turnovers were the key - if we can limit those, the outcome would have been different. This was a better loss than the other 3. Something for BW to build upon. I also think Senrau should be given a chance to earn more playing time. MT is getting pushed around too much. I think is it good to start the BT conference play with a recent loss. Time for the kiddies to grow up and take their rightful places on top of the food chain and DM needs to go back to feeding them. Or if DM doesn't want the point position, I say BP should take it. While BP ball-handling is not quite up to par, his court vision is the best on the team and he is the only player who can beat his opponent off the dribble - consistenly.

DJ did not have good games in the last 2 outings, however, when I relook at earlier games when all of the parts were working as designed, I thing BW needs to sit down with DM and get him back into the passing game so the freshmen can go back to being scorers. Everyone had their roles defined, and then game 3 came and the roles were discombobulated.

I know this is a big word to use on Christmas night. I am encuraged that I saw some hunger in their fight against Mizz, however, there is still no urgency on the players' part to win. Someone must stand up (rise up)and refuse to lose.

I'll still take the freshmen for the win Bob.

Posted by DaFuture on December 26, 2009 at 12:24 AM  |  Suggest Removal