Really happy for Goode. All of our guys have stayed ready and locked in. Archived Message
Posted by Warrin'_Illini on March 29, 2024, 12:12:18, in reply to "a few thoughts...."
Was getting a little worried last night but Goode calmly knocked down 2 huge free throws when it seemed everything could go sideways.
Really happy he is having a moment.
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1. TSJ. 29 pts in 22 min. against the best defense in the country. what?!?!?? this guy should be the story of the tournament. he should've been the story of the season (for his play on the court). this guy is doing things no one does. not just at illinois but in CBB. take your recency bias and shove it. this guy is the best offensive player in an illinois uniform in our lifetime.
2. TSJ. on a personal level, i couldn't be happier for a kid that has been shafted by sportswriters (who are worse than refs and hate american values) and many fanbases. no, he did not bring this on himself UNLESS HE DID IT. and the evidence seems much more likely to suggest that he did not. i hate that he is being robbed of what should be an even richer moment in his life. but i am happy that he has wrecked these a-holes' narratives under the bright lights of the tournament. he is showing everyone who he is with his play and only his play considering he is not being made available to the press. he has done it with grace and quiet dignity.
3. i love the underdog narrative this team has. shannon being exhibit A. but also brad, a dude that toiled in anonymity as an assistant for so many years. he deserved an HC position earlier in his career but i love seeing him get the universal praise he deserves. the underdog patina is all over this team. domask, under-recruited out of high school. harmon, under-recruited out of high school (sorry, fans, i still love this guy--look up his story). dain, and all the abuse he has endured (sometimes at the hands of fellow underdog, brad underwood). goode, another guy who has dealt with significant adversity. i'm going to watch SEABISCUIT tonight. that's for sure.
4. luke goode. so freaking happy for this guy. way to stay ready.
5. and, of course, dain. i will forever love a massive big man who thinks he can go behind the back through traffic at half court for a breakaway dunk. never change, dain. and i missed most of the game thread so i don't know how you all treated him but we don't win that game without him. absolutely key rebounds, stops, and points when we needed him in the second half. shannon is the muscle, coleman is the brains, and dain will be the heart for me. no coincidence that our late season run is co-terminous with brad's change of heart on dain. you were always there, my man.
For the first time since March 24, 2005 - 19 years and 4 days - when Illinois defeated Satan and his UW-Milwaukee squad in the middle of a march to the National Championship game, Illinois will play in the Sweet 16.
A little more than 14 hours until tip time. Let’s get this one. This team is too fun to stop watching.