* Great win for the Cats. Back to the Sweet 16 ….it’s been awhile and it feels good, it feels real good.
* Two segments of the game proved to be the difference, the first 5 minutes when the Cats benefited from 8 Illinois TOs, and the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half when the Cats separated themselves and Illinois could never overcome.
* We knew Illinois was a good offensive team, but they were not good on the defensive end … and that weakness repeatedly opened up the middle of the floor where the Cats were able to score a lot. Illinois had no answer for Brea who scored 23 on 10-16 shooting, and added 6 rebounds as well, Oweh, after foul trouble added 15 … and Butler showed up tonight, getting 14, including a massive steal leading to a BG layup when it looked like momentum may be shifting. Carr had 4/6, but came up with some big loose balls and rebounds, Chandler contributed, BG did fair, and Williams continued his simultaneous maddening and great play … missed numerous shots at the rim, but had 10 rbs, 6 assists and 3 blocks … he ever learns how to consistently score at the rim, he’s as good as any center out there …dunk the dang ball Amari..
* I was pleased that CMP gave more minutes to his starters tonight … it’s one and done, so ride your best players.
* Illinois was +8 on the glass, though it didn’t feel that bad. Illinois with 14 TOs to only 5 for the Cats was a massive stat. Illinois only +3 from 3pt line was big and both teams left a lot at the FT line … Cats 12-20 won’t get it done moving forward.
* Up Next: Cats take on the 2-seed Vols in Indy. Tenn has been shooting the ball much better of late, so the Cats have their work cut out. It’s all good from here out … play your hearts out and have the time of your life and beat the Vols. Cat fans need to travel to watch this one. Cats back in the Sweet 16.
* Two segments of the game proved to be the difference, the first 5 minutes when the Cats benefited from 8 Illinois TOs, and the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half when the Cats separated themselves and Illinois could never overcome.
* We knew Illinois was a good offensive team, but they were not good on the defensive end … and that weakness repeatedly opened up the middle of the floor where the Cats were able to score a lot. Illinois had no answer for Brea who scored 23 on 10-16 shooting, and added 6 rebounds as well, Oweh, after foul trouble added 15 … and Butler showed up tonight, getting 14, including a massive steal leading to a BG layup when it looked like momentum may be shifting. Carr had 4/6, but came up with some big loose balls and rebounds, Chandler contributed, BG did fair, and Williams continued his simultaneous maddening and great play … missed numerous shots at the rim, but had 10 rbs, 6 assists and 3 blocks … he ever learns how to consistently score at the rim, he’s as good as any center out there …dunk the dang ball Amari..
* I was pleased that CMP gave more minutes to his starters tonight … it’s one and done, so ride your best players.
* Illinois was +8 on the glass, though it didn’t feel that bad. Illinois with 14 TOs to only 5 for the Cats was a massive stat. Illinois only +3 from 3pt line was big and both teams left a lot at the FT line … Cats 12-20 won’t get it done moving forward.
* Up Next: Cats take on the 2-seed Vols in Indy. Tenn has been shooting the ball much better of late, so the Cats have their work cut out. It’s all good from here out … play your hearts out and have the time of your life and beat the Vols. Cat fans need to travel to watch this one. Cats back in the Sweet 16.
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