The good and the bad

[short ornery norwegian]

Sadly, if the game is close, I sit there wondering, "how are they going to blow the game?" At this point, I have 0 confidence that this team is capable of "turning it around." Watching this team on offense is maddening - no movement, no flow, no reversing the ball for an open look 3 on the back side.

 

[savagerube]

EE switched onto a guard and did not try to switch back and subsequently gave up the winning basket. He didn't flash to the ball to help Trevor on that hard double team with less than one minute in the game. If EE is the 5 for the future, we should be near the bottom of the Big 10. Did you see that wild hook shot down the stretch? Did you see his inability to protect the rim down the stretch with the Illini guards taking the ball to him. I look around the conference and I don't see any teams starting a player of his ability in the mid to upper echelon of the Big 10.

He also hit a key jumper down the stretch as well. If you're going to rip him, at least give him credit it's due. The hook shot wasn't all the wild either. He's the only player on the team that can play a high/low with Mbakwe. Elliason also had a nice block down the stretch where he basically blocked the shot while falling backwards and it resulted into a turnover and a fast break.

 

[WILLBGOPHER]

EE switched onto a guard and did not try to switch back and subsequently gave up the winning basket. He didn't flash to the ball to help Trevor on that hard double team with less than one minute in the game. If EE is the 5 for the future, we should be near the bottom of the Big 10. Did you see that wild hook shot down the stretch? Did you see his inability to protect the rim down the stretch with the Illini guards taking the ball to him. I look around the conference and I don't see any teams starting a player of his ability in the mid to upper echelon of the Big 10.

Did you forget about the 10 rebounds, 4 points, 3 assists, and 2 blocked shots in 28 minutes? You also should watch the replay, the hook shot was a good shot with good touch, it just didn't go. Also on the TM double team, you blame EE for not getting open, what about the 3 guards on the team. Coleman was wide open due to a EE screen, and decided cut to the basket into traffic as he knew he couldn't make the shot anyways.

 

[jumpstop]

He gathered 10 boards and had two blocks against a team with no inside presence which is a reasonable output. This does not change the fact that he should not have permanently switched on a smaller player on that game winning basket. He had plenty of time to switch back to his man. It seems as though he thought that he could contain Bertrand. He gave up multiple layups in the lane and was bailed out on that play against Paul when he grabbed the ball with contact and fell out of bounds. He was terribly off balance on that hook shot with no lift against a much smaller defender. I think if Mo is given his minutes he will be much more productive. Mo has better touch and is a better shooter than EE and is also a decent passer and will provide a true low post presence. Mo should have been given many more minutes in the pre conference season to get ready for the big 10 and should be the future.

 

[WILLBGOPHER]

He gathered 10 boards and had two blocks against a team with no inside presence which is a reasonable output. This does not change the fact that he should not have permanently switched on a smaller player on that game winning basket. He had plenty of time to switch back to his man. It seems as though he thought that he could contain Bertrand. He gave up multiple layups in the lane and was bailed out on that play against Paul when he grabbed the ball with contact and fell out of bounds. He was terribly off balance on that hook shot with no lift against a much smaller defender. I think if Mo is given his minutes he will be much more productive. Mo has better touch and is a better shooter than EE and is also a decent passer and will provide a true low post presence. Mo should have been given many more minutes in the pre conference season to get ready for the big 10 and should be the future.

Are you big Mo Walker? Bashing EE about his defense and then asking for more Big Mo is laughable and flat out dumb.