Lighten up Francis

[Medill90]

NU's loss last night plummeted the Cats from their KenPom #30 way, way down to #31.

Illinois has tremendous talent, much higher rated roster than NU. (Though there seems to be no real thesis as to how to build and utilize the roster so the team typically lacks coherence)

A bunch of talented Illinois kids played one of their best game of the season against a depleted NU. Illinois played great defense and hit shots.

NU short-armed too many shots to count and played inconsistent defense. NU too often played hesitant on offense. NU made a lot of stupid, unnecessary fouls.

I don't get how the score was tied at the half.

NU is three games over .500 in conference and has 4 of its next seven at home.

I know we play tough teams at the top of the conference, but we're supposed to be a tough team at the top of the conference. How bout we just get Scottie back and see how we do before surrendering the season?

 

[VBCat97]

NU's loss last night plummeted the Cats from their KenPom #30 way, way down to #31.

Illinois has tremendous talent, much higher rated roster than NU. (Though there seems to be no real thesis as to how to build and utilize the roster so the team typically lacks coherence)

A bunch of talented Illinois kids played one of their best game of the season against a depleted NU. Illinois played great defense and hit shots.

NU short-armed too many shots to count and played inconsistent defense. NU too often played hesitant on offense. NU made a lot of stupid, unnecessary fouls.

I don't get how the score was tied at the half.

NU is three games over .500 in conference and has 4 of its next seven at home.

I know we play tough teams at the top of the conference, but we're supposed to be a tough team at the top of the conference. How bout we just get Scottie back and see how we do before surrendering the season?

While I agree mostly with the qualitative aspects of your post, it should be pointed out that we dropped from #32 to #42 in RPI and we are also down to #42 in BPI. Prior to last night, we had no bad losses on the resume. We now have one.

 

[ColumbusCatFan1]

Prior to last night, we had no bad losses on the resume. We now have one.

It could change as the season plays out, but it should be noted that Illinois is #54 in the RPI rankings. They've been playing poorly lately, but wouldn't fall under the "bad loss" category as things currently stand.

 

[Bradleywildcatsfan]

NU's loss last night plummeted the Cats from their KenPom #30 way, way down to #31.

Illinois has tremendous talent, much higher rated roster than NU. (Though there seems to be no real thesis as to how to build and utilize the roster so the team typically lacks coherence)

A bunch of talented Illinois kids played one of their best game of the season against a depleted NU. Illinois played great defense and hit shots.

NU short-armed too many shots to count and played inconsistent defense. NU too often played hesitant on offense. NU made a lot of stupid, unnecessary fouls.

I don't get how the score was tied at the half.

NU is three games over .500 in conference and has 4 of its next seven at home.

I know we play tough teams at the top of the conference, but we're supposed to be a tough team at the top of the conference. How bout we just get Scottie back and see how we do before surrendering the season?

Well said Medill! Especially the part about NU's KenPom ranking taking a "beating" last night, lol. A poor effort by NU last night for sure, but Illinois is also a much better team than their record. Yeah, we still should have beaten them at home, but these games happen, and it's not a bad loss considering their talent level and RPI ranking, aside from the fact that it was a home loss. But plenty of chances for NU to make up for this down the line.

 

[Bradleywildcatsfan]

While I agree mostly with the qualitative aspects of your post, it should be pointed out that we dropped from #32 to #42 in RPI and we are also down to #42 in BPI. Prior to last night, we had no bad losses on the resume. We now have one.

Wrong. Illinois jumped to #53 in the RPI. Not a bad loss. Unless they go winless the rest of the season, Illinois is easily a top 100 team.

 

[Max_Power]

If I am not mistaken, the selection committee considering NU (assuming NU is still in consideration) would take into account Lindsey's absence in this loss.

From Wikipedia:

"For instance, in 2016 Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione, the NCAA selection committee's chair, said that the stark contrast in Syracuse's performance in 2015-2016 with Jim Boeheim present versus absent was considered the same as missing a key player during the slump"