Brandon Paul’s problem has always been mental rather than physical.
I’m not saying he’s stupid (he’s not) and I’m not saying he’s crazy (he is, but not necessarily in a bad way).
Psychoanalysis might not pinpoint the problem Brandon manifested from time to time during his first three years at Illinois. We may never know what ailed him. By March, we may be able to determine whether John Groce is the cure.
Groce’s offense gives Brandon the option of shooting whenever he wants, or driving whenever he wants. Brandon likes doing both.
If you thought, in the past, that Brandon did not seem to make the right choice (drive or shoot), you’re right! If you think it wasn’t always Brandon’s reads and instincts that were at fault, you’re right! If you think Groce’s offense provides Brandon more options toward success, you’re right!
You’re so smart.
Will Brandon’s unleashed instincts prove a boon to his assist-to-turnover ratio? I don’t know! Will he drive more in the first half of games? I don’t know! Will he shirk his reputation as enigma and become dependable, consistent, solid? I don’t know!
I am not as smart as you are.
At the end of the game, DJ Richardson stood at the end of the bench, toasting the crowd with a cup of Gatorade, waving a towel in honor of Brandon’s performance (20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers).
REALLY, WHO DOESN’T ENJOY PENETRATION?
As I reported previously, John Groce’s assistant coaches call player substitutions from the bench. Last time it was Dustin Ford. This time it was Jamall Walker. Judging from his clipboard, and the number of times he called out defensive postures, I’d say Jamall Walker Had The Scout on this game.
When John Groce called for Devin Langford to enter the game, he called for it himself. And he said, “Devin Langford!”
Groce didn’t say, “Devin” or “Langford.” He didn’t call for “D-Lang” or “Langy” or “Languid” or “underrated sense of humor” or guy with the tattoos!
It seemed as if Groce, a man completely absorbed in the ongoing floor battle, reserved a part of his brain for the moment. It was, after all, the first time Devin Langford was called upon to play college basketball.
Moments later, the crowd audibly swooned at Devin’s first recorded stat, an offensive board swiped mid-air, far above the head and arms of a Colgate player in far better position to grab the rebound. I think we all shared that moment. It was, frankly, remarkable.
I remember Jason Richardson making a similar play for Michigan State at exactly the same spot on the floor. I knew immediately that I was watching a superior performer. I’ve been waiting a dozen years to see something similar.
In the past, Tyler Griffey’s parents always came separately because one of them had to stay home with the young ones. For Tyler’s senior season opener, Tyler’s dad Chris and mom Deanna were both in the house, as was Uncle Rich.
I don’t think their presence affected Tyler’s behavior one way or the other. But I also disbelieve that Tyler’s technical foul was well earned. Like the ridiculous call against Joe Bertrand at Penn State last season, this one’s a head scratcher.
My guess is that Tyler said something about installing Ubuntu or Foursquare apps and the combination of consonants triggered something Black in referee Terry Wymer‘s Black & White worldview.
Another weird thing happened to Tyler Griffey in the Colgate game. He faked a three, and then drove for a mid-range shot. If he’s ever done that before in his Illini career, I don’t recall it.
OTHER PEOPLE NAMED TYLER
An intriguing difference between Groce and Weber administrations: there have been no recruits on hand for two consecutive contests.
In the Weber era, there was always someone in the stands for non-schoolnight games. On Friday, only Normal Community’s Seibring brothers were in da house.
Neither Trevor (6’8″ senior center) nor Tyler (6’6″ sophomore forward) has an Illinois scholarship offer. Their family is friends with the Paris Parhams. Trevor explained that, with an eye toward NCAA rules, the Illini staff played it cautious and seated the Seibring family as it would seat all families of prospective student-athletes (on the courtside bleachers).
The NCAA was unable to stop Mrs. Parham and Mrs. Seibring from socializing afterward.
TELL IT TO THE JUDGE
Also in da house was Illinois 4th District appellate Justice Robert Steigmann and his wife Sherry. They hold season tickets, so it wasn’t unusual to see them. But this time they sat with the team.
Well, Sherry sat with the team. The judge received no bench warning.
Steigmann shared some thoughts with Rayvonte Rice prior to the game. I took pictures of Ray’s shoes.
The camera loves Rayvonte Rice, and it especially loves his fashion sense. You may have noticed Ray in pictures from the last two games. I expect he’ll continue to find his way into the photo gallery, despite sitting out the entire season.
