[Oskee] Illini let game slip away

[DJField]

I wondered about this, too, because I also had to scan the game.

Looking at the stats, the team looked to get Mike involved early in both halfs. But he still had only two shots (and two fouls) in the entire first half. 

In the second half he got more involved, as he blocked some shots, got some rebounds, but still wound up with only 16 minutes logged. I agree that Bruce chills his players too early on fouls, but I also wonder if it's a conditioning thing for Tisdale? If he is more involved as it seems at the beginning of the half, then it could be that, or could also be Weber game-planning the first few minutes of the half. 

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/playbyplay?gameId=290170127



________________________________
From: Robert Mingee <mingee at swbell.net>
To: Fighting Illini Sports Enthusiasts List <oskee at heins.net>
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 9:06:14 AM
Subject: Re: [Oskee] Illini let game slip away


Was it just my imagination, or did Tisdale sit a big chunk of the second half?  Was he in foul trouble?  I had to zip through the game on Tivo or I wouldn't have been able to watch it at all, so I missed some of the details, but it seemed like by the time he cane back in it was too late.  I know Bruce likes to be conservative with guys and foul management, but sometimes he pulls guys for too long and they just get out of the flow.  Maybe it wasn't fouls, and maybe he'd have just gotten manhandled even if he were in there, but it just stuck out to me.
 
As many have said, the fact that we're even discussing the road game at MSU is an indication of how amazingly we've overachieved against my expectations this year.  The most I had hoped for was that a miracle run in the BTT would earn us a ticket to the dance, but Bruce has done an amazing job of getting these guys to perform.  And I agree with whoever said that mental toughness is not an issue with this team -- we show WAY more mental toughness this year than in years past, probably the most since the last Final Four team.  I think losing Pruitt & Randall was addition by subtraction...
 
Now we need ot take care of the Buckeyes tonight and get back on the winning track.  I just hope finally cracking the Top 25 doesn't go to their heads.
 
-- robert


      
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