Illini grade vs. Norfolk State: C-
PLAYER OF THE GAME
D.J. Richardson, Illinois. The senior guard went down late in the first half but checked back in early in the second half, making a couple of big buckets down the stretch to finish with 11 points to help the Illini hold on.
BACKCOURT
Illinois B-
Norfolk State C
Despite an off night, Brandon Paul finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, but he and Tracy Abrams (nine points) to combined for two assists and five turnovers.
FRONT COURT
Illinois C
Norfolk State C
Not a lot of point production from Tyler Griffey (team-high three assists) and Nnanna Egwu, who combined for 10 points, but they got to the glass and pulled down 11 rebounds collectively.
BENCH
Illinois A
Norfolk State A
Sam McLaurin (six points, six rebounds) and Joseph Bertrand (nine points, seven rebounds) were consistent throughout, and Myke Henry was instrumental early in providing a spark for the Illini.
OVERALL
Illinois C-
Norfolk State B
For some reason, the Illini haven’t been able to put it together for 40 minutes at home, but they’re finding a way to make plays at the end and they keep posting Ws in the left column.
I guess it's a good thing that only one of these categories count...
Illinois Norfolk State
BACKCOURT B- C
FRONTCOURT C C
BENCH A A
OVERALL C- B
Final Score 64 54
Sure, Norfolk State would've liked to have won the game, but they can always brag that they got the better grade!
(Hey, I can cut and paste too! :-) )
The assist numbers were down because Illinois was missing open shots not because of some failure to pass the ball to the open man. Just like offensive rebound numbers often get inflated by missed shots assist numbers get deflated. The team scrapped out a win despite their poor shooting.
The free throw disparity had more to do with playing styles than "home cooked"... Illinois sat in a zone most of the game, and the Spartans didn't do much driving, which led to few fouls. Illinois on the other hand drove time and time again... which they SHOULD do when the 3 isn't falling.
Aggressive style by superior athletes tend to be rewarded with foul shots. I bet you're just not used to Illinois players driving hard time and time again. Illinois should have won by 20 if they had shot closer to their average in free throw attempts.
We shot many of our free throws late - i would guess 10 came in the last 2 minutes of the game...12 free throws in last 51 seconds, to be exact
That said, it was, as noted above, due to different styles of play. Their defense was stationed around the perimeter daring us to beat them by driving to the hoop.
I was at the game and trust me, there was no "home cookin" - I think these old college refs need to be phased out - because it's clear that some (jim burr) cannot keep up with how quick the sport has become.
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