Gameday Central | Illinois 17, Michigan 8; 11:19 First Half | Sports

Follow us all afternoon with beatwriter Scott Richey from East Lansing, Michigan.

*** ***

As Brad Underwood lamented the team’s lack of energy and effort against Rutgers on Wednesday and discussed at Michigan State University how it was needed today, Illinoy’s coach was his. He didn’t plan to change his approach to get rid of it from the team. This is mainly because Irini’s normal settings.

“It’s as spiritual as it is physical,” Underwood said. “Many conversations and unacceptable (lack of effort). RJ (Melendes 0 was great. Coleman (Hawkins) was great. They gave us life and gave us some energy. Trent. (Frager) is very consistent. Damonte (Williams), Jake (Grandison), (Alfonso) Plummer, they need to go up to the level of torrents. I think they are (defensively) exploited. Tired of seeing it.

“Honestly, Coffey (Cockburn) is of no use. He makes heavy use of his double-doubles when his son of guns should get 25 rebounds overnight. He. This team. As a leader and one of the best players in the country, he has to give us more. It’s everyone. It’s not just one. “

*** ***

Coffey Cockburn is unique.

*** ***

Some news and notes prior to today’s match:

— Illinois is 2-3 against the top 25 AP teams this season. Both victories defeated Michigan State University and Wisconsin. Irini also lost to Arizona and Purdue at his home and then re-entered the battle with the boilermaker.

— Illini has lost four games in a row in Michigan and hasn’t beat Sparta at the Breslin Center since 2015.

— Today’s match in Michigan is the first of four Illinois Quad I opportunities in the last five matches. Only the home game with Pennsylvania State University (Quad III) on March 3rd does not meet that criterion.

— Illinois has won one since the 12th Big Ten victory. Irini joins the 1951-53 and 1987-89 stretches and aims to win at least 12 conference games for the third consecutive year in school history.

— Coffey Cockburn is the only player in the country to average at least 21 points and 10 rebounds this season.

—Trent Frazier is one out of 300 career three points, and one out of 200 career steals is shy. (Of course, he spent a full fifth season to accumulate those statistics).

*** ***

I talked a bit with ESPN analyst Jay Williams. Look for some of what he had to say in the Sunday news-Gazette was part of my Game Day coverage. We talked about where Irini stands in the remaining two weeks of the regular season, the big ten races, the chances of Kofi Cockburn at the next level, and what Ayodsomm is doing for the Chicago Bulls.

Williams had interesting insights into Dosunmu’s rookie season. The former Duke Point Guard, along with Jamal Crawford, Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry, was part of the “Baby Bulls” in the early 2000s. Dosunmu is in a different situation than newcomers who have the ability to play (and learn from) next to men like DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.

Check Sunday NG for more information.

*** ***

The length of time Illinois coach Brad Underwood talked about the toughness and edge the team needs to play at Zoom on Friday morning is where his focus is on today’s match in Michigan. I made it pretty clear.

There is a good reason. Irini basically punctured at Rutgers on Wednesday. The Scarlet Knights played with the level of toughness Underwood expected of the team. Irini didn’t.

And today is not a day lacking in toughness. Michigan is known for its style — and these Spartans have to devote themselves further to it without elite-level talents like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Miles Bridges. Max Christie may be at some point, but he’s not there yet.

Then there is the fact that Michigan is in the midst of its own unimpressive basketball stretch. Sparta has lost 3 of the last 4 games and 5 of the last 9 games. Do you think they won’t push for victory?

Throw in the meaning of the Big Ten title — Illinois is still in the middle of things. Michigan isn’t out yet — and today’s games are much more important. Underwood would say that’s the only thing that matters because it’s right in front of his team, but overall, Illini could really stand to leave East Lansing, Michigan.



Gameday Central | Illinois 17, Michigan 8; 11:19 First Half | Sports

Source link Gameday Central | Illinois 17, Michigan 8; 11:19 First Half | Sports

The post Gameday Central | Illinois 17, Michigan 8; 11:19 First Half | Sports appeared first on Illinois News Today.

Author: at
Tags

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)