pumpfake

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h9nE2spOw_o (Sugar Sugar, by the Archie's.)

Short term, we really need Rob to get right and return. I do fear that he may take a while to get back in the groove when he returns from a conditioning and scoring standpoint. Mid term, need to start giving some of Fitzner and McRoberts minutes to Forrester and Moore. Duty now for the future. Long term, another ball handler and shooter(s). Most importantly, get healthy and stay healthy!

Ah, I guess he just doesn't like "Sugar, Sugar". lol

It just seems like Durham is a good player having a bad game (every game). If he can just take the next step, he could be a really nice player.

Not to mention that Beilein was still transforming the program into his - just as Archie is now.

Single digits!

Smith is slowly becoming a rebounding machine.

Oh Juwan - that wasn't smart. On a related note, apparently the standards for calling a foul on UM are much different than those for IU. Sheesh!

Yea, it's becoming clear that this is a multi-season rebuild. The really frustrating part is that it's difficult to really evaluate the progress. In general, the Crean recruits haven't shown much improvement. Is it the coaching/style of play, or are they just not good players? Same goes with the Miller recruits - so many injuries have made it hard or impossible to know how good they are. All that said, I believe we are markedly better than last year. Just not near where we should (or could) be.

Completely agree. I suspect the coaches were expecting that Green could be molded into a consistent PG, but it just doesn't look like that's going to happen (not for lack of effort). I also have to believe they expected to get more shooting/scoring from Fitzner. Whatever the case, those are glaring weaknesses. Rob is sorely missed, but can't be expected to give us 30+ minutes a game every time. I don't know if there are any plans to look for a 5th year player for next season, but hopefully we're prepared to beat the bushes hard.

Yep. And (predictably) chucking up a 3 at the first opportunity.

Something I've thought about several times this season is how it seems everyone has the green light to heave up a 3 at anytime. Back in the day I remember Knight talking about how you only get so many shots in a game and how you run the offense so the best shooters get those shots. I have to wonder how much better Green would be if he was told that he's not allowed to shoot - just run the offense and play defense. Similarly, despite what we've stated in the past, I'd be fine if McRoberts would decline the shot unless it's a gimme. I think you can measure how much better this team is than last year by McRoberts. Last year he was one of the best players on the court for us and now he's a sub and it shows a dropoff when he comes in for Morgan or Smith (nothing against him - he's a favorite and plays hard every night). In order to step up to the next level we need better shooting and a second quality point guard, IMO.

Smith had a good game. Davis contributed in the time he played.

Illinois is hitting shots they won't make the rest of the year...

I've been pretty impressed with this #15 for Illinois. He's held his own against Morgan and he's only a freshman.

Hey somebody finally hit both fts

Hit FT's and don't turn it over and we should be in pretty good shape.

Juwan having a subpar game so far.

Other than the goaltend (it was), Smith has played pretty solid tonight.

What should Whisky get in coming decades? Lol

Gotta laugh. Erick Suhr predicted these calls about 5 minutes ago.

I wonder if the coaching staff emphasized giving it to Romeo (and told him to drive) at halftime?

Ha! I just missed that.

Good to see Race suited up on the bench. Also I don't think we have anyone in foul trouble.

If a player can't show improvement and consistent play after 2 and 1/2 seasons, a coach has to start making some "decisions". We have some sophs that are heading in that direction as well.