I am a little concerned about all the Shields love.

[Norm Peterson]

Yeah, but did you see the hustle?  He made some freshman mistakes but he still played hard even when the game was getting out of hand.  He's having some issues with spacing and so forth but the mistakes he's making are being made at full speed.  Look, he was getting to the line at the end of the game last night because he was being aggressive even with 4 fouls.  Sure, he missed the freethrows.  That's not a worry at this point.  When he's in the game, he's making an impact, whether from snagging a rebound that the other players weren't getting to or he's attacking the rim.  Yesterday did nothing to change my view that Shavon is going to be a good one for us.

[Concrete]

It was obvious going in that Shields was going to be keyed on and Illinois wasn't going to let him beat them.  This is the first time this has happened to him at this level, and it's no surprise that he struggled.  The bright side is, he's getting different defenses directed at him as a true freshman.  This is nothing more than a learning experience IMO, as this whole year should be.

[hhcmatt]

It was obvious going in that Shields was going to be keyed on and Illinois wasn't going to let him beat them.  This is the first time this has happened to him at this level, and it's no surprise that he struggled.  The bright side is, he's getting different defenses directed at him as a true freshman.  This is nothing more than a learning experience IMO, as this whole year should be.

 

Also credit Whistles McBlowers out there for being a big part of shutting down Shields.

He only played 21 minutes because of foul trouble.

[Norm Peterson]

Whistles McBlowers.  Love it. 

[uneblinstu]

It was obvious going in that Shields was going to be keyed on and Illinois wasn't going to let him beat them.  This is the first time this has happened to him at this level, and it's no surprise that he struggled.  The bright side is, he's getting different defenses directed at him as a true freshman.  This is nothing more than a learning experience IMO, as this whole year should be.

 

Also credit Whistles McBlowers out there for being a big part of shutting down Shields.

He only played 21 minutes because of foul trouble.

It's also the first game after the breakout.  Let's give the kid to counter adjust.  That will be a better indicator.