Illinois-Northwestern: Just the facts
What happened
If it's not the Illinois offense that's struggling, it's the defense. If it's not the defense, it's the offense. If it's not shooting, it's turnovers. It's always something with Illinois, which can't seem to put it all together on the same day. Illinois finally made threes (11, tied for a season high) but allowed Northwestern to score on 16 of its final 20 possessions.
What it means
With 2:28 left on the clock, Northwestern had the ball and a 64-61 lead. The Assembly Hall had all the excitement of a free throw contest. It was quiet, really quiet, and there appeared to be roughly 2,000 or 3,000 empty seats as the Illini slipped to 5-3 on Super Bowl Sunday. Tickets and interest continue to slip as Illinois heads toward the bubble.
What the Illini said
"I called it 'Maturity Game No. 2.' We had been through this at Penn State. We barely won up there (in a 57-56 win at Northwestern). We had to have a blocked shot (to win). So you knew it wasn't going to be easy (in the rematch)." — Coach Bruce Weber
What the Wildcats said
"We had two really tough losses (at home) — to Purdue and Illinois. So to get one back and start the second half of conference play with a road win is good. But you can probably enjoy it for the bus ride back to Chicago before you have to get ready for the next game." — Northwestern AD and UI alum Jim Phillips
What's next
America celebrated Super Bowl Sunday. The Illini lamented Super Dud Sunday. Next up are road games at Indiana (Thursday) and Michigan (Sunday). Here's the scary part: the Hoosiers and Wolverines are 26-1 at home this season. The only loss was Indiana's setback to Minnesota. With three home games left, Illinois must steal a road game to finish .500 in Big Ten play.
Everybody quit your anti-WEber talk. THis was Bruce's best coaching of the season by far. Weber avoided a blow out win by Northwestern. Illini lost by less than 10 at home. Hooray!
Thanks to Bruce, that is it for me. Weber's made me not care anymore. Apathy setting in.
Chester Frazier and Crandall Head were smart to get out before team hits rock bottom.
Bruce Weber lost this game....He is the one who should shoulder this blame and feel like a horses rear for doing so....What I seen today was the worst piece of coaching (not what I wanted to say) that I have ever seen....Simple question Bruce.....You knew if you had subbed in just 3 guys with fresh legs in the last 10 minutes of that game Illinois wins....right? Oh wait I guess you didn't know, because you didn't do it...What is wrong with you, with all due respect sir, you have issues...
All year long we have seen you play Griffey until you are blue in the face, but when we absolutely need a sub, because the boys on the floor are sucking wind, Griff is on the pine, along with Ibby, Shaw, Henry, Igwu......If NW was only using 6 guys and they was dead tired, why didn't you just put in 3 fresh players and close this out.....Did you feel bad for Carmondy because he was only using 6 so you decided to do the same? You continue to make one bone headed move after another.....
But out of everything today...You blowing the game for these kids aside...What you did to Leonard is unacceptable. When he got hurt, you gave him a 10 sec breather....What the **** is wrong with you, do you realize when a guy his size lands wrong and comes up lame, you sit him down and don't play him again until the Doctor has said he is ok? This young man has an NBA future, which you have already tried to crush his dreams as you did with Demetri....You say things like: Well all that NBA talk has gone to their heads, or to the team after a big win: "I can't let them get too high I have to bring them back down"....For Gods sake, they are kids , let them enjoy their college experience....Are you jealous...I don't understand you. Did you treat Big Dog Robinson this way? Are you upset that people pay to see them play and not you scream and yell? Please explain it to me so me and the rest of the fan base who is sick of what you have done to our team might understand.....If Meyers was to have had his career ended today from you refusing to sit him, would you fork over some if not all of that 1.7 million they give you to help pay for his moms medical bills? Sir for what it is worth I wish you would do the right thing and step down as head coach, while you can still do it with dignity...Somethings just don't add up, you let the other team dictate your tempo of play, you refuse to change or switch things up no matter who you play.....Do you feel like you may have worn out your welcome....Many of us do, maybe I am the only one who will say it, but you may want to visit the message boards, where the real truth comes out...Not the Yes Men you have around you trying to keep in good with you....For the teams sake ..Please take a minute to reflect, and resign with what dignity you have left, and turn the team over to Coach McClain and Coach Howard, at least we will feel like we have some hope of making the tourney and advancing in it....We have seen you break too many promises to us as fans, how you was going to play 10-11 deep this year and run...right. Every year new kids same results...You say you are good in math...Well what is the common denomanator here.....I am only writing this for myself, but know I speak for the majority out there...Review todays game, look real hard and see if you was a fan if you would want yourself as a coach, and while you are at it ....make sure Meyers is alright before he even practices........Tim
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