Hey gang. As you can imagine, still on Cloud 9 after a glorious W. Some rambling post-game thoughts a day later:
1.) Trent Frazier. Man, love that kid. You know, among the 9 million annoying things about Tilmon was when signing day came, he didn't sign. Why was that bothersome besides the obvious? Because it unfairly took away from a kid like Frazier who was all too happy to join the beloved. And I was as guilty of that as anyone, so I'm not pointing fingers. But instead of focusing on this kid signing with us, we were all caught up with Tilmon's drama. So happy TF stuck with us. Great kid, winning ballplayer. And his 22 points, I think, were the most by a true freshman for us since Dee had I believe 21 in the 2002 game. Not for sure on that, but I'm pretty sure that's accurate;
2.) No doubt, Mizzou not having MPJ was a big factor. But, still, this was hailed as the coming out party for Cuonzo, Tilmon, etc., Mizzou's opportunity to start a streak in the series, a chance to showcase their return to glory on the big stage in STL and the like. However, we once again spoiled the party. So wonderful and satisfying to see us be party poopers;
3.) As you all know =), every BR win is precious to me. But this one ranks right up there for the most gratifying. The 2001 and 2002 games were exceptional, as we re-established our series dominance against two really good Missouri teams. The 2008 game was right there. The 2013 game where we ended their 4-game winning streak thanks to Tracy calmly hitting two free throws down 64-63 with 4 seconds left is right there. But this one … backtracking, the last couple were great — they all are — but the series had lost some pizzaz, Mizzou was awful and the crowds were dwindling. This one though … full house again, factors noted above, this was utterly tremendous. Lots of great ones, too, in the 80's, the OT win in 1995, etc. But, man, this one will always hold a special place;
4.) It's truly amazing how we have struck back with a vengeance to Missouri's series winning streaks. After we won 8-straight from 1983-1990, they won 7 of 9 from 1991-1999 … we answered with 9-straight wins. They won 4-straight. Then we answer with 5-straight (and counting). Tremendous;
5.) As a side, we won 70-64 last night. Same score as in 2004 (04-05 season). Pretty sure that Illinois team was a smidge better than this one =). And that Missouri team was terrible, fairly worse than this one. Moreover, these games are always tough to win. This is a pretty useless point — probably all of these are =) — but just something I felt like noting =);
6.) Salty's 3-point analysis proved very prophetic as it relates to the 2012-13 Illinois team and the present Mizzou club. Excellent pre-game analysis. We made one more trey than them last night in 13 less attempts. Huge, huge stat in this game;
7.) As I sit here typing, my typical post-Braggin' Rights game soreness is kicking in. WTF are you talking about, you ask? That's from numerous, borderline violent fist pumps after we won. Yeah, it does mean just a little to me =);
8.) I'll preemptively say this … ANY win against Grand Canyon will be a great one. Why? Because our first game post-Braggin' Rights is almost always a dud. And this game, with students still on Christmas break, us almost assuredly having a letdown and the like make this one of those "just get the W" and move on type of contests;
9.) So glad we didn't have to hear Cuonzo and Tilmon either gloat and/or take passive-aggressive shots at us following a Mizzou W. You know, maybe they would have taken the high road. I'm skeptical in this regard, but perhaps I am being unfair. Either way, elated we didn't have to find out. Not going to slam either … wish Tilmon had stuck (like others have said, we'd probably be 13-1 with him). But as Coach Dale said, "My team is on the floor." And, as frustrating as this season has been at times, these kids play their a$$es off and all "sins" were erased last night (from my vantage point at least);
10.) Not sure when MPJ will return, but that certainly will make Mizzou much, much better. Will be interesting to see that development;
11.) As I think I've said before, years ago, my cousin said this game "only means everything." And that's how it is to a lot of us. And with 5-straight W's, 14 out of 18 and 25 out of 37, it feels real darn good!
Thank you Coach Underwood, all the players and everyone for making last night happen. Just an outstanding W. And, as a sign off, I am going to continue a Christmas Eve (well, now Christmas day lol) tradition I started years ago following a Braggin' Rights win: Play the 1986 NES classic Castlevania. Got that game on Christmas day 1987 (we beat Missouri 75-63 a couple days prior). At that time, as an 8th grader, the game didn't mean what it does now to me … and I started doing this once we started winning again in the 2000s. Yes, I am a weirdo, but I think we all already knew that!
Merry Christmas all!
Go Illini!
1.) Trent Frazier. Man, love that kid. You know, among the 9 million annoying things about Tilmon was when signing day came, he didn't sign. Why was that bothersome besides the obvious? Because it unfairly took away from a kid like Frazier who was all too happy to join the beloved. And I was as guilty of that as anyone, so I'm not pointing fingers. But instead of focusing on this kid signing with us, we were all caught up with Tilmon's drama. So happy TF stuck with us. Great kid, winning ballplayer. And his 22 points, I think, were the most by a true freshman for us since Dee had I believe 21 in the 2002 game. Not for sure on that, but I'm pretty sure that's accurate;
2.) No doubt, Mizzou not having MPJ was a big factor. But, still, this was hailed as the coming out party for Cuonzo, Tilmon, etc., Mizzou's opportunity to start a streak in the series, a chance to showcase their return to glory on the big stage in STL and the like. However, we once again spoiled the party. So wonderful and satisfying to see us be party poopers;
3.) As you all know =), every BR win is precious to me. But this one ranks right up there for the most gratifying. The 2001 and 2002 games were exceptional, as we re-established our series dominance against two really good Missouri teams. The 2008 game was right there. The 2013 game where we ended their 4-game winning streak thanks to Tracy calmly hitting two free throws down 64-63 with 4 seconds left is right there. But this one … backtracking, the last couple were great — they all are — but the series had lost some pizzaz, Mizzou was awful and the crowds were dwindling. This one though … full house again, factors noted above, this was utterly tremendous. Lots of great ones, too, in the 80's, the OT win in 1995, etc. But, man, this one will always hold a special place;
4.) It's truly amazing how we have struck back with a vengeance to Missouri's series winning streaks. After we won 8-straight from 1983-1990, they won 7 of 9 from 1991-1999 … we answered with 9-straight wins. They won 4-straight. Then we answer with 5-straight (and counting). Tremendous;
5.) As a side, we won 70-64 last night. Same score as in 2004 (04-05 season). Pretty sure that Illinois team was a smidge better than this one =). And that Missouri team was terrible, fairly worse than this one. Moreover, these games are always tough to win. This is a pretty useless point — probably all of these are =) — but just something I felt like noting =);
6.) Salty's 3-point analysis proved very prophetic as it relates to the 2012-13 Illinois team and the present Mizzou club. Excellent pre-game analysis. We made one more trey than them last night in 13 less attempts. Huge, huge stat in this game;
7.) As I sit here typing, my typical post-Braggin' Rights game soreness is kicking in. WTF are you talking about, you ask? That's from numerous, borderline violent fist pumps after we won. Yeah, it does mean just a little to me =);
8.) I'll preemptively say this … ANY win against Grand Canyon will be a great one. Why? Because our first game post-Braggin' Rights is almost always a dud. And this game, with students still on Christmas break, us almost assuredly having a letdown and the like make this one of those "just get the W" and move on type of contests;
9.) So glad we didn't have to hear Cuonzo and Tilmon either gloat and/or take passive-aggressive shots at us following a Mizzou W. You know, maybe they would have taken the high road. I'm skeptical in this regard, but perhaps I am being unfair. Either way, elated we didn't have to find out. Not going to slam either … wish Tilmon had stuck (like others have said, we'd probably be 13-1 with him). But as Coach Dale said, "My team is on the floor." And, as frustrating as this season has been at times, these kids play their a$$es off and all "sins" were erased last night (from my vantage point at least);
10.) Not sure when MPJ will return, but that certainly will make Mizzou much, much better. Will be interesting to see that development;
11.) As I think I've said before, years ago, my cousin said this game "only means everything." And that's how it is to a lot of us. And with 5-straight W's, 14 out of 18 and 25 out of 37, it feels real darn good!
Thank you Coach Underwood, all the players and everyone for making last night happen. Just an outstanding W. And, as a sign off, I am going to continue a Christmas Eve (well, now Christmas day lol) tradition I started years ago following a Braggin' Rights win: Play the 1986 NES classic Castlevania. Got that game on Christmas day 1987 (we beat Missouri 75-63 a couple days prior). At that time, as an 8th grader, the game didn't mean what it does now to me … and I started doing this once we started winning again in the 2000s. Yes, I am a weirdo, but I think we all already knew that!
Merry Christmas all!
Go Illini!
