For the Fans

YOUR thoughts and mine on the Illinois-Penn St. game

Posted by: Tom Young

Friday, March 6, 2009 7:26 AM

PENN STATE 64 #23 ILLINOIS 63

Now we know how Northwestern felt after we did this to them.

It was tough to see us lose the way we did, with a Taylor Battle bucket with .3 seconds left, but after letting out some early frustrations, I was able to sit back and reflect. Actually, I shouldn’t use the word frustrating. Illinois played pretty well. Unfortunately, Penn State also played well.

There were times when we could have shut the door on this game, but Penn State wouldn’t let that happen. They were able to execute on some clutch plays when they needed them, and we were not. That is the only difference. Illinois did all they needed to, but they just didn’t capitalize. They got to the free throw line, which was nice since the last time we didn’t attempt a single free throw against this team, but we missed five of seven, including twice missing on the front end of a one and one.

McCamey had a nice game with 16 points and seven assists. I also liked how he drove the lane at times to get that high percentage shot. Boy I wish he would do this more often, because he is good when he does it. I loved watching Mike Tisdale yesterday! I think he is playing stronger and stronger. His rebound totals are starting to climb, he’s blocking shots, and he is fighting better for those loose balls. the best news is that he is just a sophomore! He has two more years to get better. Can’t wait to see him continue to develop over time.

There is one thing I would like to see changed. This is something that isn’t going to happen, so it’s almost pointless to bring it up. I would like to see Trent Meacham come in off the bench. It’s obvious to me he needs a change, and maybe something like this could get him straightened out. His shot is pretty off right now, as you can see by the 0-7 effort last night. He is missing threes that a three-point shooter shouldn’t miss, and this has happened quite a bit of late. I don’t care with one of our three subs you replace him with. I think Keller, Brock, or Jordan would be a nice addition to the lineup for different reasons.

Keller in the lineup would give us another big guy to try to get the ball two. It would help us focus more on getting the ball inside for those high percentage shots, and it could also help us out a bit in rebounding. Brock is probably my least favorite of the three to start, but it isn’t because I don’t like him. I think his energy off the bench is awesome, and I don’t want that changed. I love the way he isn’t afraid to take it inside, and isn’t afraid to fight for the ball. He’s the kind of guy who can snatch momentum away from the opponent when you least expect it. Jordan in the lineup wouldn’t change too much of anything. You have another guy who would look to pass first and shoot second, and if he has to shoot he can make it. He hasn’t shot much from three-point land, but I find this to be a good thing. The minute Illinois realizes that they are not a three point shooting team, the better off they will be.

Once again, I would like to know what you guys thought about this game. Unfortunately not great news with it being a loss, but it was still a great effort last night from the Illini, and someone had to lose. Plus, Talor Battle is good.

I-L-L…

Comments

Id use the word frustration. I heard you talking! I was so ticked I couldnt even talk bout the game last night. IDK why im even reading this, I jsut wanna forget bout it.

Is it me or is it seeming like we are reverting back to last years team in terms of shoot free throws? 2-7 come on guys I can do that with my left hand.

I agree with the Meachem to the bench, I do believe we need to put Legion in the starting Lineup. Hes the only one that makes since to me. Let me explain..

Keller-- Hes the only real backup big man we have. Who would sub in if Tisdale needs out?

Brock-- He definatly has his role perfectly right now, no need to change that since hes actually playing extremely well now.

Jordan-- What sounds better than playing 2 guards who hate to shot that ball? What could be more fun than watching Frazier and Jordan play hot potatoe with the ball? I mean if I was teams and saw them 2 on the court I drop down and let them shot and help with Davis and Tisdale.

Legion-- at least hes not affraid to shot the ball. heck if he hits couple of jumpers and gets some confidence that would be such a huge huge addition for the team.

Note-- What you going to blog about between football and basketball??

Posted by Jshaw on March 6, 2009 at 8:25 AM

Your thoughts with Keller in the starting lineup make since, so maybe he isn't the right fit.

I don't know for a fact that Jeff Jordan wouldn't shoot the ball more often if he were to get some more PT. Right now he is playing the way a backup PG should play.

You and I agree on Brock.

Legion?? Have you watched him play this year? I don't want a guy who isn't afraid to shoot the ball, I want a guy who isn't afraid to shoot the ball and MAKE IT. It's one thing to shoot the ball, it's another to just throw it up there when the shot isn't there. Give Legion the rest of the year off, and hope some more work with Weber in company will get him straightened out for next year.

I guess in the end Meacham starts by default, lol.

Posted by try122583 on March 6, 2009 at 9:02 AM

I just think 3 big men is a bad idea for us on the floor at one time. I think Jordan has been under the wing of Frazier the last few years, they play so smilarly. The only way to get outta a shotting slump is to keep shooting... too bad its taken half a year for meachem to attempt to get outta it

Posted by Jshaw on March 6, 2009 at 10:57 AM

I don't know where you get "they did all they needed to do". No they didn't. They lost the game. They needed to make a free throw, they didn't. They needed to get the ball inside when the PSU big men were on the sidelines, they didn't. They needed to make a three down the stretch, they didn't. They needed to get the ball into the hands of someone with game winning shot experience (Trent, Demetri)

I am also concerned about Bruce's inability to bring Alex along somehow. I understand that Alex has to rise up, but if the staff wants a reputation of developing players, Alex's lack of progress/playing time doesn't helpl. It's not like he is some converted soccer player. He was a four/five star recruit. I hope potential recruits aren't watching this too closely.

Posted by jturner on March 6, 2009 at 3:47 PM

hey tom what are you going to blog about after the college year is done? maybe you should do an area softball blog or something. that would be fun to read. you could pull standings from dodds and wendl's ( now that they will have a website) Im sure a lot of people would like to keep in touch with their friends teams or tournaments upcoming.

Posted by jweeks on March 9, 2009 at 2:42 PM

jturner whats wrong with soccer players? also why would you put in a player that obviously doesn't work in our system right now... we are having very crucial games and he installed no confidence in me. He couldn't run our offence right now.

now you may say by putting him in will bring him confidence? at what cost? the team chemistry and fluidity of the offence? that hurts the team. The best thing for legion is an offseason trip with a traveling team (like the big ten tour in europe in the summer). This will get him the playing experience again and he will gain his confidence and come back 09-10 ready to live up to that 4/5 star status. Its hard for any athlete to take a year off of real game action and be expected to perform at high standards.

im done rambling now.

Posted by jweeks on March 9, 2009 at 2:48 PM

Dont get me started bout how week soccar players are! LOL Joking... I believe he was commenting that Legion is a solid high recruited basketball player, not a athelete from a differant sport that needs time to adjust. Whats wrong with having a shooter on the court his misses are the same as Meachems?! are they not? hes not going to be good unless you let him play again

Posted by Jshaw on March 9, 2009 at 3:09 PM

I don't buy the explanation that Legion hasn't played in a year. How is that different than being a redshirt and college hoops are full of redshirt freshmen that step in and become productive - not necessarily stars, but productive. In fact he should be better off than a typical redshirt since he had actually playing experience at Kentucky and thus should know way more than the typical redshirt about what the college game is about.

Posted by jturner on March 10, 2009 at 3:24 PM