Illinois game thread

[gundun]

They are beating on foul shots (10-2) and rebounds by 10

[Kevin Reilly]

Getting killed on the pick and roll plays.

[xaviermuskie2003]

Our team of 23-25 year olds got worked over by freshman (and the big soph).

Cant happen.

[Kevin Reilly]

Well we got spanked tonight. Not sure if the quick turn around had anything to do with it. Rough last game for Foster and Freemantle. Swain who I always criticize had a career night. Good for him. I think we didn't have our legs tonight. We missed so many close shots. All in all it was a good season for us. Losing Traore was too much to overcome. I think we maxed out with what we had. On to next season. Go X

[muskieman]

Well we got spanked tonight. Not sure if the quick turn around had anything to do with it. Rough last game for Foster and Freemantle. Swain who I always criticize had a career night. Good for him. I think we didn't have our legs tonight. We missed so many close shots. All in all it was a good season for us. Losing Traore was too much to overcome. I think we maxed out with what we had. On to next season. Go X

I agree that we had a decent year but I don't believe that Traore would have been a big difference; maybe two guys his size, along with Free, Hunter, Swain would have given us a better chance tonight. Sean find us size and length who play defense and drive the ball. I hope Swain and Conwell stay. We have five other spots open so get us three bigs to go along with Traore and Swain. And BTW do everything to keep Swain

[lionelchalmers0]

Well we got spanked tonight. Not sure if the quick turn around had anything to do with it. Rough last game for Foster and Freemantle. Swain who I always criticize had a career night. Good for him. I think we didn't have our legs tonight. We missed so many close shots. All in all it was a good season for us. Losing Traore was too much to overcome. I think we maxed out with what we had. On to next season. Go X

I agree that we had a decent year but I don't believe that Traore would have been a big difference; maybe two guys his size, along with Free, Hunter, Swain would have given us a better chance tonight. Sean find us size and length who play defense and drive the ball. I hope Swain and Conwell stay. We have five other spots open so get us three bigs to go along with Traore and Swain. And BTW do everything to keep Swain

If Traore is healthy I think two bigs would be fine. Assuming with our NIL limits we’ll generally run an 8 man rotation especially.

Hopefully we have Connell, swain, traore. Personally I’d be fine with big John staying and putting the weight back on to be a bully down low.

The two freshmen will probably be limited so you 100% need a pure point guard to replace McKnight , probably a 3 point specialist, and then I’d love a athletic rim protector big and a smooth power forward type Fremantle style. I suppose I’ll start donating.

[ChitownSteve]

Last night the Musketeers ran into the Dr. Jekyll of Illinois’ Jekyll and Hyde performances.

Yes, Maryland spanked them twice and Duke throttled the Illini. However, they also defeated Arkansas by 13, Wisconsin by 6, Oregon by 32, Indiana by 25, UCLA by 5, Michigan by 20 and Purdue by 8. They lost to Tennessee by 2 and at Michigan State by 2.

On Selection Sunday my son noted if Illinois brings its A game, they win because of their higher ceiling than X. He noted X was actually more consistent in its ‘24-‘25 performances than the Illini (might be hard to fathom, but true). Unfortunately, we ran into the well-rested Illini who exhibited no rust.

If you rightfully wonder why I did not post prior to the game, a very busy week personally and professionally, especially on Thursday and Friday. Could not wait until today arrived and now able to post. Be assured, I am not critical of any prior remarks, merely seeking to add context to what Xavier faced in Milwaukee.

Well, like all, wish X had won. We could not hit the available key shots in the 2nd half which may have rattled Illinois and caused them revert to Mr. Hyde. Cannot be to critical of X, they thrilled us on Wednesday evening and that exertion and lack of rest was evident down the stretch in last night’s game.

[Kevin Reilly]

The pace we play at and the quick turn around plus the traveling were a factor. The lady TV announcer said that some of the Xavier players had less than 10 hours of sleep in the last two days. Freemantle played 26 minutes and had 5 points, Conwell played 37 minutes and had12 points and Foster played 26 minutes and had 3 points. Foster was barely moving on offense. I think Traore would have made a huge difference . Not so much in actual production but making it easier for Freemantle . Freemantle would not have to play big centers and got worn out trying to defend guys much bigger than him. I think he would have been a 20 point scorer if he wasn't playing against centers. I agree with ChitownSteve's point about Illinios being up and down. Styles of play make a big difference. I believe Kentucky will whack them easy. I think Nyk Lewis the point guard from DC will step right in and play well and a lot for us next year. We need three new front court players. I can't see Conwell leaving next year it will be his team. As far as Swain I would be shocked if he left too. As good as he played on offense last night and it was special his defense was poor. The freshman Riley killed us. I believe it is a matter of fundamentals . If you don't bend your knee's and get in a defensive stance your opponent will drive right by you. It happened every game all year long . It's like Freemantle going after rebounds with one hand. It's not the right way to do things. Going under screens , late close outs ... not tracking long rebounds hurt us all year . I already am looking forward to next year. The Miami 5 star guard Bethea is in the portal . He was a 5 star.

[skyhops]

Lack of a good PG and a rim protecting big really hurt us. Illinois was better than us and Free was intimidated.

[muskieman]

I already am looking forward to next year. The Miami 5 star guard Bethea is in the portal . He was a 5 star.

I saw the story about Bethea. I am sure he is looking for a big NIL. I hope Swain stays, but I have heard rumors. I hope he is not looking for JaMarr Chase money!

X had been looking at a couple 7 footer High Schoolers, but I have heard nothing since.

I guess it is portal season for X now. It's time for a portal thread, but everyone needs to help