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.
Showing posts with label Maryland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maryland. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Maryland Preview
I remember the game with Maryland last year at the Assembly Hall, and it was a tough loss for the Illini, to lose their winning streak against non-conference opponents. Greivis Vasquez was incredibly tough for the Terrapins in that game, and it was a key victory for Maryland in their comeback year to return to the NCAA tourney.
This year they have less experience, having lost three seniors from last year, DJ Strawberry, Ekene Ibekwe and Mike Jones. They have two sophomore guards returning, Vasquez and Eric Hayes, a point guard. Vasquez is a guy who drives to the hoop or shoots, and Hayes is a traditional point guard. Their front line includes James Gist, who is a 6-8 forward who is an athletic scorer, and Bambale Osby, a big 6-8 250 pound forward and Landon Milbourne, a 6-7 forward. Coming off the bench are Braxton Dupree, Adrian Bowie, Cliff Tucker and Dave Neal.
For the Illini, they are likely to go with a deep rotation of players, based on recent comments from Coach Weber. Brian Randle is expected to play, and either Trent Meacham or Calvin Brock will start at shooting guard.
The biggest challenges for the Illini in this game:
1. Dealing with the crowd in the first tough road game of the young season.
2. Avoiding long scoring lapses similar to last season. We need dependable scorers.
3. Finding someone to match up with Vasquez, the 6-5 shooting guard from Venezuela.
While Randle, Brock or Alexander may be up to the task, Maryland normally plays two guards and three forwards, making match-ups tricky for the Illini. Basically if Randle takes Vasquez, we will have a guard on one of their big forwards, not a good match-up. If we go with three guards, we may also suffer on defense. I think Illinois needs to play only two guards against Maryland and avoid bad match-ups. Brock should be able to match up with Vasquez for part of the game, and they can try McCamey as well.
This year they have less experience, having lost three seniors from last year, DJ Strawberry, Ekene Ibekwe and Mike Jones. They have two sophomore guards returning, Vasquez and Eric Hayes, a point guard. Vasquez is a guy who drives to the hoop or shoots, and Hayes is a traditional point guard. Their front line includes James Gist, who is a 6-8 forward who is an athletic scorer, and Bambale Osby, a big 6-8 250 pound forward and Landon Milbourne, a 6-7 forward. Coming off the bench are Braxton Dupree, Adrian Bowie, Cliff Tucker and Dave Neal.
For the Illini, they are likely to go with a deep rotation of players, based on recent comments from Coach Weber. Brian Randle is expected to play, and either Trent Meacham or Calvin Brock will start at shooting guard.
The biggest challenges for the Illini in this game:
1. Dealing with the crowd in the first tough road game of the young season.
2. Avoiding long scoring lapses similar to last season. We need dependable scorers.
3. Finding someone to match up with Vasquez, the 6-5 shooting guard from Venezuela.
While Randle, Brock or Alexander may be up to the task, Maryland normally plays two guards and three forwards, making match-ups tricky for the Illini. Basically if Randle takes Vasquez, we will have a guard on one of their big forwards, not a good match-up. If we go with three guards, we may also suffer on defense. I think Illinois needs to play only two guards against Maryland and avoid bad match-ups. Brock should be able to match up with Vasquez for part of the game, and they can try McCamey as well.
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