Illinitalk

The Big Ten Tournament is a relatively young event, but it's provided a stage where the Illini shine. For the 11th time in 12 years, the Illini are in the semifinals, thanks to a 60-50 victory over a tough Michigan team.

It was hard to watch Chester on the bench with the soft cast on his right hand, limiting his enthusiastic gestures to encourage his team. But there's no question that Chester was involved in the game, even though he didn't play.

Calvin Brock stepped up with excellent primary defense on Michigan's leading scorer, Manny Harris. Brock and the rest of the team held Harris to just 9 points. Jeff Jordan also contributed solid minutes off the bench, including a highlight-reel steal and assist to Calvin.

The Illini played well, matching the Wolverines in the first half, and pulling away with an impressive run early in the second half. Then they withstood the Wolverine's second-half run and hit key shots and free throws down the stretch.

There was lots to like. Mike Davis led the Illini with a pretty shot, plus 22 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Passing was sharp, and the open man often passed the ball to the more-open man. Trent dished out 5 assists, and Demetri was steady, with 12 points and 6 rebounds. And the Illini recovered from their losing streak that finished off the regular season.

But, reaching their 7th Big Ten Tourney final will be a challenge. It's not easy to beat a good team 3 times in one season, so I would have faced Penn State than Purdue today. But the Boilermakers took care of business, so Bruce Weber and Matt Painter will face off for the 3rd time this season.

Purdue is getting healthier and playing very well. And the Illini will miss Chester. This will be a very tough game for the Illini. Defense is the calling card for both teams, so expect a battle. The Illini will need to rebound well and make what shots they get, besides playing their defensive game.

Go Illini!

Labels: Calvin Brock, Chester Frazier, Illini basketball, Mike Davis

Michigan State has proven to be the team to beat in the Big Ten. And they are very, very good at the Breslin Center. They have talent and experience. But the Illini played tough -- and had a legitimate shot a pulling an upset.

There was plenty to like about the Illini performance:

• Defense. Michigan State's top 2 scorers -- Kalin Lucas and Raymar Morgan -- without a point until just before halftime. The Illini D also caused a few turnovers and disrupted much of what the Spartans wanted to do through most of the game. That's not easy in a place as hostile as the Breslin Center.
• The bench. Alex Legion apparently enjoys Big Ten road games. He had a career-high 15 points and was 3 of 5 from behind the arc. And Calvin Brock added 13. They did their share to keep the Illini in the game with both Trent Meacham and Demetri McCamey struggling from the field.
• Assists. 19 assists on 22 baskets. These boys can find the open man.
• Heart. The Illini worked hard. Yes, they made mistakes, but, they fought hard on the road. Brock got up after nearly being body slammed to the court over a jump ball, and Frazier went back on the court after a hard fall when his legs were pushed out from under him while going for a rebound.

However, it is pretty hard to win a road game in the Big Ten, especially with stats like these:

• Rebounding. The Spartans out-rebounded the Illini 39-26, including 16 offensive boards. Guards Meacham and Chester Frazier let the Illini in rebounding with 6 and 7 respectively.
• 3-point shooting. The Illini have had games where they shot really well, but against Michigan State, they were only 5 of 23 from 3.
• Turnovers. Yes, State had more turnovers than the Illini with 18, but you aren't likely to beat a top-10 team on the road with 16 turnovers. The Illini looked like they were playing a bit too fast at times.

The Illini held the lead for roughly half the game, and they had plenty of opportunities, including a technical foul on Coach Izzo and the bizarre shot-clock violation call that somehow gave the Illini the ball and a 3 by Legion. The refs weren't impressive. But the Illini had opportunities that they just couldn't fully exploit.

However, they have proved that they can play with anyone in the Big Ten today. Most Spartan wins during the conference season have been by a much larger margin than this one. There's lots of conference play left, but if the Illini stay healthy and focused, they can be in the top half of the conference come March.

Go Illini!

Labels: Alex Legion, Calvin Brock, Illini basketball