A discouraging game for the Illini tonight, featured poor field goal shooting (33%) for the game, poor free throw shooting, defensive lapses and weak rebounding in the second half. Pruitt, Randle and Frazier had horrible games, yet the Illini found themselves down by only 2 points, 62-60 with 1:15 left in the game. Pruitt missed a dunk, was fouled, missed the free throws, and the game got away from them.
In the first half, Brian Randle got into early foul trouble and sat down most of the half. Shaun Pruitt struggled the entire game, and was only able to convert 4 of 16 shots for the game. Pruitt was triple-teamed at times, and rarely thought about passing the ball to teammates. Meanwhile, Frazier was apparently nervous due to being back home in Maryland, going scoreless for the game, with some bad turnovers.
Rodney Alexander, Calvin Brock, Trent Meacham and Demetri McCamey had fairly solid games for the Illni, and Brock was the leading scorer for the game. Rodney Alexander looked good most of the game, but was benched the last 10 minutes of the game, after allowing freshman Cliff Tucker to make 5 consecutive points in a Maryland run.
Coach Weber had an idea that a three guard offense would match up well with Maryland's big front line. Unfortunately, this strategy backfired for the Illini, since they struggled to stop Maryland's taller front line at critical points in the second half, and their rebounding suffered as well.
The Illini did well to compete with Maryland, since their line-up down the stretch featured several players that could not score (Pruitt, Randle and Frazier), leaving Brock and Meacham with scoring responsibility.
My conclusions from this game:
1. It is very hard to win games when you shoot 33% as a team. It's also hard to shoot better than 33% when Pruitt and Randle are playing (both shot 25%). Frazier shot 0% for the game.
2. Illinois players that cannot shoot free throws should be benched, period.
3. Players who need to be on the floor are: McCamey, Brock, Alexander, Davis/Cole and Tisdale.
4. Smart teams will triple-team Pruitt until he learns how to pass. They will also foul Pruitt and Randle until they learn to shoot free throws.
5. It could be a long season for the Illini, similar to last year, when they could not score. I think Coach Weber needs to start playing guys that will be around next year, since his seniors are struggling.
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2 comments:
I can sum up Illinois problems in three words "free throw shooting." Heck my step daughter shoots 75% and that is not acceptable by Indiana standards.
It seems to me that Webers difficulty recruiting in the 2006 and 2007 class has caught up with him. He should start to get back on track as todays frosh class matures and Simpson is added in 08. I think the 09 class is good and they can actually shoot free throws.
Scott
This was one problem, but not the only problem, because an examination of the stats shows that 100% free throw shooting by the Illini would not have won the game. They made 4 of 9 free throws on the night and lost by 8 points.
The second problem and larger problem is field goal shooting, in particular the percentage combined for Mr. Pruitt, Mr. Randle and Mr. Frazier, 6 of 28, or 21.4%.
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