Euroclydon

IU is where they need to be albeit getting ripped on FTs. Down two. Only one guy with foul trouble (Race 2). Kofi had to work hard that half. And although they are getting jobbed on FTs and trailing on threes it's a game. The crowd gets into it. Make a run similar to yesterday and ride the momentum. Just need somebody to knock down a couple threes.

Kofi sets a pick with his leg extended out. No call.

Would like to see X drive Frazier more. He's bigger and stronger. Force him to play D.

IU tries to make some really tough passes in very tight spaces

Complete hack across JG's arm and announcers are like, "weeeellllllll i guess" after seeing the replays. Too funny.

IU picks up a lot of fouls trying to block every shot. Sometimes you just let them try to make a tough shot like a fade away jumper.

Illinois does not play their bench a lot so IU needs to force their hand and not let them cut the lead or stay close when they do. Need to take advantage when Kofi sits.

To borrow from Sean Connery in the Untouchables... You wanna know how to get Illinois? They pull a knife, you pull a gun. They send one of yours to the hospital, you send one of theirs to the morgue. They lead with an elbow. You sweep the leg. That's the Big Ten way!

Just like the first UM game Illinois shot well from three (10-23, 43.5%) in that first go round and got to the line for 26 FTs. It will be difficult for IU to win if Illinois hits 10 threes today, they live at the line, and TJD only plays 23 minutes, like the last time. Also, as much as IU has to slow Kofi down it's Frazier that usually goes off on IU. I know he's a nine year senior at 28 years old but IU has to figure out how to keep him from having a big game. That may be an exaggeration but he is a problem for IU. Defensively, is it time to go with the idea of letting Kofi get his and stop the rest of the team? Kofi averages 30 minutes and 21 points per game. It may be smarter just to front him like they did Dickinson yesterday in the second half and double when they try to lob over the top. Tell TJD not to foul and if Kofi goes for 40 but they can control the rest of the Illini they have a great shot at winning this game. Let's see if their big guy can get up and down the court for 30 minutes and carry the full load for them on offense. Just don't let them get going from three and then crash the boards like crazy to limit second and third chances. Just as important is figuring out how to score. IU shot 35% the last time and 3-13 from three (23%). That won't work. Seems if they can rebound and run they have a better chance because once IL sets up on D, it's tough for IU to score. TJD and Miller combined for six point over 39 minutes. Ugly. Let's face it. There are no easy games left for IU this season - not that too many were easy anyway. They will need some bench help. Expecting TJD to go another 36 minutes against another giant, maybe the biggest giant, is asking a lot in back to back games. Time for some of the bench guys to earn their keep.

Clutch D in the second half. Big effort all around. Never pretty. No style points. Just gutted it out. Nice to see someone else lose a big lead. NEXT!

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get it in. Get fouled. Hit your FTs. Don't give up a score in 4 seconds or less. NO FOULS!

Wow! Lucky to get that back. Not the shot they want. Seems they are struggling to get a shot. It's FT time now.

Couldn't run a play for TJD? Had to be a runner away from the basket flip over the shoulder, Trey? Wow! IU does not want this game to go to OT. This needs to be a score or FTs on this possession.

No stupid fouls. Just play solid D.

Dickinson set two picks that were basically body shots and no call. IU needs to step up and accept the physicality challenge. It may come down to who can force the refs to make a call and then FTs.

Can IU avoid fouling UM to a W? The refs say no.

Miller Kopp sighting!!!!!!!

I'd expect they go to Dickinson inside or try to pick and roll and see if IU let's someone free inside. It's going to take an all out effort the rest of the way but they are in striking distance. Can't say they quit.

Trey trying to do too much. Two big plays with no points.

Playing hard. Just need to be smart. Can't blow that breakaway. And UM will go inside. Can't have three guys go up to block the shot and leave the easy put backs.

In the past five minutes you see all you need to know about IU. Parker, Miller, Rob, Race and TJD all tried to go by their guy and not one of them could do it. UM is not a great team but they are faster/quicker than IU at every position but one and they double TJD to take that one advantage away.

TJD is good and I appreciate all he has given to IU. Still, he's nowhere near NBA ready. He's a man without a position who struggles against size and has no jump shot. If you struggle to compete against the slow plodding types like Dickinson, Edey, Williams and similar bigs in the B1G, what can you do in the NBA where many are 6'9+ and can do everything? I hope he returns next season but if he can't shoot any kind of jumper it's hard to see things going any different for him or IU.

Repeat of first game. UM too quick for IU. A blow by out high or one screen and it's IU scrambling. And unlike IU, UM will knock down shots.

Parker, the finger roll does not work in tournament play. Go strong or don't go at all.