Previous Message

---Did a lot of positive things against Maryland, Maryland was motivated and inspired
---Andre did a great job defensively, especially on Coit, Andre really great on both sides of the court, rose to the challenge, all around terrific night and his best night in an Illini uniform
---Much respect to Purdue, they have All-Americans, Matt is good, environment is going to be great, they are a top offense in the country that can hurt you a lot of ways
---On Jake Davis and why he's ready for a bigger role: he's a leader, shooter, defender, has made huge strides, and has earned his opportunity, Jake has improved because he's really tried. Jake is perfect in terms of his role identification.
---On Braden Smith: he's going to take what the game gives him and be good at whatever he does, always makes the right plays and has turned into a great defender as well, he's the engine for Purdue
---On Purdue frontcourt: efficient, good on the glass, better defensively than they have been, Cluff is physical and can score, they get a lot of 2's and layups
---On TKR: Robin to Smith's Batman...killed us last time we played
---On Twin Towers lineup: we'll see, there's ample opportunities to try it out going forward. Haven't done it a lot because Tomi wasn't physically ready yet, but they'll be looking at it.
---On UCLA beating Purdue: They played great, but we can't bank on Braden turning the ball over twice at the end of the game ever again, Purdue didn't shoot well and still had control of the game, they just didn't get it done. Purdue will be inspired against us on Saturday
---On Mackey: It's a tough place to play, tons of fans but smaller, fans are great and always excited, props to Matt creating that environment and culture...top 5 in the game
---On Keagan: not worried about fatigue and tired with him, our guys are in good shape
---Big focus on what our team does to win when they don't have the ball in their hands...all about winning plays, guys are buying in
---On Brandon Lee and MP: he trusts them to come in and make winning plays
---On MP and consistency: he's in a great spot, working hard, opportunity higher with Kylan out, MP's been solid in what he does, still working, confidence high with Brad
---On Brandon Lee: Same as MP, tons of confidence, is the best player on the scout team, has brad's trust
---On Kylan's surgery and timeline: timeline is still the timeline
---On Alabama player coming back after NBA contracts: Everybody in life has choices to make...once you make a decision to leave "our system", you made that choice and there are consequences for that. He had the choice to become a pro, made that choice, chose to leave NCAA system, and that's Brad's hangup. Not a big fan of mid-semester admissions...Brad doesn't like that. If you add somebody then, they shouldn't be eligible. Everybody's paying attention to these situations this season and we'll see what next steps are. He doesn't fault Nate Oats, it's trying to navigate the "moving of the goal posts"...but does it better the game? Wants to keep the game great.
---On Toni (new guy): Been working with fletch, active participant in practice, doing his classes, all in all very good