* Illinois looked shell-shocked early and rattled by Alabama's frenetic pace. The Illini got sped up offensively in the half court, and their heads were spinning on the defense end. Stared at the ball and lost their man at three-point line.
* Encouraging moments in the second half but just couldn't quite get over the hump.
* Many freshman mistakes. A lot if was not valuing every possession and understanding game situations. Again, they rushed shots on key possessions and lost their composure when execution and a bucket could have cut into the lead.
* I would have this team in the gym doing closing drills over and over until they get it right. More than any Brad Underwood team, this group is very passive closing on jump shooters. They were better in the second half.
* The only thing keeping Will Riley out of the starting lineup is some inconsistency on defense. He had a high 123.2 DRtg and lets his man get him on this hip a lot.
* Still, 29 minutes for Riley and only 16 minutes for Tre White. Riley should probably be starting. He scored 18 points (15 in the second half), grabbed 9 rebounds and had 4 assists. Analytics had him as the only Illini player who wasn't negative in the plus / minus. He broke even. Team high 18.1 efficiency rating.
* That was the most aggressive and most confident that we've seen Kylan Boswell (17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists). A positive step.
* Illinois needs to get more from Ben Humrichous that just three-point shooting. 6 of his 7 shots were from three. Just 1 rebound and a team-worst 144.5 DRtg. Guys like that are typically designated shooters off the bench.
* The Illini will have to figure it out defensively. It was pretty easy for Alabama to get good looks. 100 points, 1.266 points per possession. 52% FG. 22-for-34 at the rim. 50 points in the paint. 79 possessions, which was too fast for Illinois.
* Bad free throw shooting night, but I don't think this will be a bad free throw shooting team.
* Six more turnovers for Kasparas Jakucionis. I fully expected him to have some trouble with the quick Alabama guards, but he just plain got his pocket picked a couple of times. Turnovers are problem for him, which may result in Boswell playing more at the 1.
* Bench production was one of our keys to the game. Even with the 18 from Riley, the Alabama bench outscored the Illinois bench 39-24. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn played 17 minutes and was 0-for-5 from the floor.
* Good effort by Illinois on the glass. They outrebounded Alabama 44-37. 14 offensive rebounds and 15 second-chance points. 10 rebounds for Ivisic. The Illini guards are good rebounders. Will Riley 5 ORB.
* Encouraging moments in the second half but just couldn't quite get over the hump.
* Many freshman mistakes. A lot if was not valuing every possession and understanding game situations. Again, they rushed shots on key possessions and lost their composure when execution and a bucket could have cut into the lead.
* I would have this team in the gym doing closing drills over and over until they get it right. More than any Brad Underwood team, this group is very passive closing on jump shooters. They were better in the second half.
* The only thing keeping Will Riley out of the starting lineup is some inconsistency on defense. He had a high 123.2 DRtg and lets his man get him on this hip a lot.
* Still, 29 minutes for Riley and only 16 minutes for Tre White. Riley should probably be starting. He scored 18 points (15 in the second half), grabbed 9 rebounds and had 4 assists. Analytics had him as the only Illini player who wasn't negative in the plus / minus. He broke even. Team high 18.1 efficiency rating.
* That was the most aggressive and most confident that we've seen Kylan Boswell (17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists). A positive step.
* Illinois needs to get more from Ben Humrichous that just three-point shooting. 6 of his 7 shots were from three. Just 1 rebound and a team-worst 144.5 DRtg. Guys like that are typically designated shooters off the bench.
* The Illini will have to figure it out defensively. It was pretty easy for Alabama to get good looks. 100 points, 1.266 points per possession. 52% FG. 22-for-34 at the rim. 50 points in the paint. 79 possessions, which was too fast for Illinois.
* Bad free throw shooting night, but I don't think this will be a bad free throw shooting team.
* Six more turnovers for Kasparas Jakucionis. I fully expected him to have some trouble with the quick Alabama guards, but he just plain got his pocket picked a couple of times. Turnovers are problem for him, which may result in Boswell playing more at the 1.
* Bench production was one of our keys to the game. Even with the 18 from Riley, the Alabama bench outscored the Illinois bench 39-24. Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn played 17 minutes and was 0-for-5 from the floor.
* Good effort by Illinois on the glass. They outrebounded Alabama 44-37. 14 offensive rebounds and 15 second-chance points. 10 rebounds for Ivisic. The Illini guards are good rebounders. Will Riley 5 ORB.
