Illinitalk

That was a game that the Illini could have (and should have) won. Yes, the Princeton offense and zone defense are challenging to figure out, but protecting home court is essential to remaining competitive in the Big Ten race.

Credit the Wildcats' Reggie Hearn for a fantastic game. He rarely missed, and was an unexpected boost to his offense with a career-high 20 points. And John Shurna led his team as usual.

But the taller, more athletic Illini lost the rebound battle to the smaller Northwestern lineup, and they had more turnovers, too. And even though Meyers Leonard had a huge advantage in the paint, the Illini just couldn't figure out how to get him the ball every time. Ugh.

This loss is a big disappointment, especially after the win over Michigan State. The Illini have a brutal road schedule coming up, and they need as much confidence as they can muster to play tough and steal a couple games.

There's still plenty to like about the Illini, despite the needed improvement:

• Their passing can be crisp and fast, getting open shots. But it can also be wild, leading to unforced turnovers.
  
• They jump and grab rebounds well, but they often get knocked out of position.
  
• They've got guys who can drive - they just need to maintain body control.
  
• Joe Bertrand brings a great mid-range game to the floor, but he can continue to improve his decision-making (but congrats on your first collegiate 3-pointers, Joe!).
  
• Their defense can be suffocating, but they need to remember to help, as well.

The question is, can they improve as they play through February so that they are in a strong position to play well in March? Let's hope so!

Go Illini!

Labels: Illini basketball

If the...game?...between the Illini and Michigan State didn't make you blue, what would? Personally, I'm a bit nauseous. Poor shooting, abundant turnovers, plenty of fouls, great frustration, injuries and poor decisions on both sides made for an u-g-l-y game.

But a win is a win is a win is a win, and Bruce and his boys really, really needed one. Even if they didn't deserve it.

Defense -- for both the Spartans and the Illini -- was the only real bright spot. The Spartans shut down Meyers Leonard, and the Illini, plus fouls and the flu, kept Draymond Green from having much of an impact. The Illini (and an overinflated ball, according to commentator Dan Dakish) held the Spartans to just 24% shooting. And even with 18 offensive rebounds, the Spartans couldn't hold on to a lead.

Tom Izzo's team, fresh off victory #400 for their coach, did everything they could to let the Illini win. And with their characteristic generosity, the Illini did everything in their power to give those opportunities right back to the Spartans:

• The Illini barely managed to win the turnover margin, with 12 to the Spartans 15.
• They allowed the Spartans to dominate on the boards, 43 to 30.
• The Illini shot just 53% from the free throw line, and Brandon Paul missed the front end of two 1-and-1 opportunities that could have allowed us all to breathe.

All that seemed to fit with the Coaches vs. Cancer blue-out that gave Assembly Hall a much more subdued feel than usual. [Note to the Sports Marketing Department: I'm sure the promotion was great for t-shirt sales, but let's skip this one next year.]

However, Paul did lead the Illini with 18 points and 5 assists during his full 40 minutes on the floor. And Myke Henry provided valuable minutes, points, rebounds and hustle off the bench.

This game tape will provide plenty of fodder for the rest of the conference to figure out how to contain the Illini as they head into a brutal road schedule. And plenty of fodder for Coach Weber and staff to harp on during meetings and practice. The boys left plenty to improve on in this game.

But the win was much needed, so we'll take it.

Labels: Illini basketball

Minnesota's Barn has been almost a home away from home for the Illini in the last decade. The antithesis of the Bryce Jordan Center. Not so this season.

This one hurt. Lots. Especially with that bit of deja vu, as Illinois watched their road lead slip away at the end of regulation much like the Gophers watched their road lead slip away in Champaign. Painful.

The Illini got off to a very strong start offensively, and they looked really good in the first 6 minutes or so as they moved the ball and hit good shots. Defensively, they got a few quick ticky-tack fouls, and that came back to haunt them at the bitter end.

Then the Illini got a bit lethargic, as Minnesota came on strong, closed the gap, and took control of the game with their "second line." The Golden Gophers bench played the Illini better than their starters throughout the game.

But about halfway through the the second half, the Illini chipped away at the lead and took over again. They looked to be in good shape, but a couple big 3s and that old-fashioned 3-point play for the tie that took Meyers Leonard out of the game sucked the heart and fight out of the Illini.

Brandon Paul tried to put the Illini on his back in overtime, but momentum was with the Gophers...and the Illini got their third straight L to entrench themselves in the middle of the Conference standings.

Kudos to the Gophers for some beautiful passing for impressive assists and for finally starting to make their free throws during crunch time.

For the Illini, Paul and Leonard both had great overall games, but they also had plenty of painful, unforced turnovers, which seem to be the team's Achilles heel. They also seem to be just a bit off on their communication and timing on the boards and offensive tip-ins. Those little things can easily make a big difference in these tight Big Ten games.

So, after a solid week of practice and another road loss, will Bruce and his boys be able to pull themselves together? We will find out soon...

Labels: Illini basketball

So far this season in the Big Ten, one of the best ways to secure a win is to play a ranked opponent.

Illinois was on the better end of that trend against #5 Ohio State a couple weeks ago, but once they made it into the top 25 (barely), they did everything they could to fall from the rankings. At Penn State, it was plenty of turnovers combined with not-their-best defense. Against Wisconsin, they just stalled before the clock ran out.

The Big Ten is a very competitive conference, and as Penn State, Minnesota and Nebraska have shown, anyone can win any game. But the Illini were poised to prove they are contenders for the top of the conference this year. And they weren't able to step up.

Yes, any road game is going to be tough, but the Penn State game (as usual) was winnable. Of course that contact technical was a turning point in that game, but it was still a great chance to steal a W on the road.

But you must protect home court. And unfortunately the Illini didn't do that against Wisconsin's blistering 3-point shooting. Tough loss at home, for sure.

Next up, Minnesota. The boys will have had almost a week to dwell on those loses. Let's hope they are ready...

Labels: Illini basketball

What more could any great coach ask for on his 80th birthday? Former Illini coach Lou Henson got to see many former players, his name and picture raised to the top of Assembly Hall, a birthday serenade from Illini nation, and the upset of a top 5 team on his birthday. Sounds like a great day!

The upset win came despite Ohio State having more rebounds and significantly fewer turnovers (11, compared to 18 for the generous Illini). The current Illini starters did their part in giving Coach Henson a gift/game to remember:

• Brandon Paul... there aren't words to adequately describe his career performance. 43 points. 8 of 10 from 3, including that ridiculous shot at the end of the shot clock with Aaron Craft's hand in his face. 4 blocks - highlight material. 2 steals. 8 rebounds. And 7 turnovers, just so he has some room for improvement. Paul was determined to win, and his demeanor on the floor showed it.
• Meyers Leonard didn't achieve another double-double, but his 14 points and constant fighting with player-of-the-year candidate Jared Sullinger were critical to the win. Although he didn't have any blocks, he played solid defense, altered shots, and proved that he can play against the best. Leonard should have gotten the ball a bit more often, but game tape will show the Illini how to improve here.
• Joe Bertrand drove, pulled up and shot his floater with continued accuracy. He did miss a couple shots, but his game adds a valuable element to the Illini offense that opponents haven't clamped down on yet. Plus, he added 7 rebounds. He has earned his starting spot, and we are finally seeing why he, Paul and D.J. Richardson made up such a strong recruiting class.
• D.J. Richardson played all 40 minutes, even with his recently banged-up wrist. That's impressive in a game characterized by fast-paced runs alternating with long, grind-it-out half-court sets. Although his scoring was down, his defense, assists and tenacity were critical in the upset.
• Back-up point guard Tracy Abrams has lots to learn, but he earned plenty of experience in this game. And that will pay off as he develops.
  

Even with a big win, the Illinio gave Coach Henson plenty of reason to be glad he is retired. And reason for Coach Weber to keep them working during their 8-day break. Unforced turnovers. Not getting the ball to an open, hungry Leonard. No free throws for Leonard. A scoreless bench, even though Tyler Griffey added a couple key steals, and Myke Henry had another. Giving up 15 offensive rebounds.

Bruce Weber's Illini currently define the phrase "playing to the competition." Against Nebraska, a team struggling as they get to know their new conference, the Illini allowed them to hang around the entire game. But against #5 Ohio State, they stepped up with tough defense and great shooting. In fact, with the exceptions of the losses to UNLV and Purdue and a couple cupcake wins, the Illini have played everyone close. This will be another thing for the Illini to work on during their break in the conference schedule.

But all said, there was plenty to be excited about in Champaign, especially after that less-than-impressive home performance against the Cornhuskers last weekend. Go Illini!

Labels: Brandon Paul, Bruce Weber, D.J. Richardson, Illini basketball, Joseph Bertrand, Lou Henson, Myers Leonard, Tracy Abrams

Happy New Year! Christmas has passed, but the spirit of giving has remained strong within the Illini men's basketball team. Big Ten Conference play has begun, and there has been one consistent theme for these boys. They love to give it away...the ball, a lead, their composure, etc.

And while this spirit is completely appropriate in many facets of life, it isn't necessary on the court. Illini turnovers have been painful in recent games. The passing game that can take your breath away (remember that Tracy Abrams dunk in the Minnesota game?) has also led to many passes to opponents.

• In the Minnesota game, the Illini gave away a strong lead and plenty of momentum as Minnesota came back. The double-overtime win was exciting, but the nerve-wracking, nail-biting opening for all Big Ten play was not necessary.
• Against Purdue, the Illini fought hard and kept the game close throughout the first half. But they gave away a few turnovers, transition points and all their mental focus in the second half. Ouch.
• At Northwestern, the Illini tried hard to give their late-game lead away. Fortunately, the generous effort was thwarted by a strong block by Meyers Leonard.

There is plenty to like, as the Illini are 2-1 in the conference. Any road win is a bonus, given the way the conference looks right now, and winning at home is critical. Defense and rebounding have looked pretty good, as the Illini take advantage of their athleticism. Joe Bertrand has continued to come on strong, and earned a starting spot.

But they have plenty to improve on, as well. The offense needs to find a rhythm and flow - preferably with an even stronger focus on Leonard. And the turnovers really need to slow down. Significantly. On the court, that giving spirit should not extend beyond your teammates.

That said, stay on track, boys. Go Illini!

Labels: Illini basketball

The 2011 Braggin' Rights game was frantic. The quick pace contributed to a bit of sloppy play for the Illini, with lots of turnovers. But a key reason they were down much of the game was the poor transition defense. They often got lost, leading to an abundance of easy shots for Mizzou.

First-year Missouri coach Frank Haith did something new for a man in his position in the Braggin' Rights game. He won.

Mizzou drove into a very open lane a few too many times, both in their fast-break and half-court offenses. The Illini defense struggled to stay with their men, while on the other end, the Illini had more than their share of forced and unforced turnovers.

Many of the Illini issues are fixable...hit open shots, go stronger after rebounds and loose shots, work harder for stickier man-to-man defense, communicate better in the passing game. For as many of the 40 (or more) minutes as possible. Oh, and those unforced turnovers when you are on a run - those aren't necessary.

The Tigers are a very talented team, used to beating teams by well over 20 points per game. And credit Missouri - whenever the Illini took the lead, they came up with a big play and/or took advantage of an Illini mistake. This was a very tough test for the Illini. Although they lost, there were bright spots.

Down 14 points on multiple occasions, the Illini didn't give up. They fought hard, and when Mizzou started turning the ball over and missing tough shots midway through the second half, the Illini capitalized.

And a big part of that comeback was Joseph Bertrand off the bench. The promise he showed when he signed out of Sterling Illinois a few years ago. A redshirt sophomore, he had a career night with 19 points and 5 rebounds. Brandon Paul added 19 points, and Meyers Leonard had another strong double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

It's hard to watch a great comeback fall short, but if the Illini build on this game, they will be in good shape for Big Ten Conference play.

So, Bruce and boys, enjoy a Merry Christmas despite the loss, and then get focused on the challenge that is the conference.

Go Illini!

Labels: Brandon Paul, Illini basketball, Joseph Bertrand, Meyers Leonard

Is this getting to be a habit? The Illini basketball team struggled against Cornell Monday night, trailing much of the game. They managed to pull out a 64-60 win, but it was tough.

The Illini held the advantage inside with Meyers Leonard, who pulled down 16 rebounds. And they had the athletic advantage in the backcourt. But it was actually a pretty mid-range game that was the difference. Leonard early and Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson late all hit some nice mid-range jumpers that first helped the Illini fight back from a 10-point deficit in the first half, and then take the lead for good in the second half.

But this was brutal. Apparently zone defense is Greek to these boys. They just don't seem to know how to break it when the 3s aren't falling. And that outside shot has been off of late. The Illini racked up plenty of turnovers trying to get the ball in the middle, as well.

On the other end of the floor, the Big Red was hot, shooting 50 percent behind the arc. However, the Illini did tighten up their defense considerably as the game went on. Although Cornell continued to shoot well, sticky man-to-man D was key to allowing the Illini to stay in the game.

The Illini have plenty to improve on when you look at their games since the Gonzaga win. And they will need to work fast to get ready for Mizzou in St. Louis:

• That aggressive streak in Leonard that was mentioned often last year needs to come out - he is capable of playing like a beast, but we don't see it consistently. And what happened to his free throw percentage? He's better than he's been playing there.
  
• Paul needs to play to his athletic strength. He has proven his ability to take over a game (see St. Bonaventure), but again, he's streaky.
• Richardson needs to continue looking for his shot. The team needs his points and his defense.
• Sam Maniscalco needs to rediscover his shooting touch. He continues to make good decisions, and his experience is invaluable on the floor. But he's even more effective when he backs his leadership with a few clutch baskets.
• And Tyler Griffey needs to keep on keeping on. It would be nice if he could avoid fouls, but he does lots of little things that are critical for Illini success. Key baskets down low. Solid D. Rebounds. Hustle.
• And the bench needs to back solid minutes of play with points. They are much more talented than the recent stat sheet shows. They came up with a grand total of zero points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists against the Big Red.

Rebounding looked really good Monday night, though, and the tendency to pass the ball for an open shot is a very good one, even though it resulted in a few ugly turnovers against Cornell. There's lots to build on. But it just gets tougher from here. Braggin' Rights will lead right into the Big Ten Conference season. Get ready, boys!

And go Illini!

Labels: Illini basketball

Fresh off of finals week, Bruce Weber's Illini looked...sluggish, slow, sloppy. The annual United Center game has gotten to be a not-so-fun visit to Chicago for the Illini. I don't think the UC can be considered the home-away-from-home anymore. Although many of the boys were close to home, they didn't have much to show off to family and friends in the 64-48 loss.

The UNLV Running Rebels have had a great season so far, knocking off then-#1 North Carolina a few weeks ago. And although they lost to Wisconsin last week, they bring a tough, fast-paced game. Saturday afternoon, they got unexpected contributions from Mike Moser and Quintrell Thomas down low, and almost nothing from leading scorer Chace Stanback. They ran, pounded the ball in the paint, overplayed passing lane and forced plenty of Illini turnovers.

The Illini, on the other hand, struggled. Lots. In unexpected areas. They shot just 50 percent from the free throw line, which is very uncharacteristic for this season. Three-point shooting was also tough. And even in the paint the Illini didn't shoot well. Despite efforts by Sam Maniscalco, Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson both driving and behind the 3-point line, the Illini couldn't find a spark. And after making a run to get within 8 points in the final minutes, the Rebels went on a run and the Illini appeared to give up. That's not cool.

Highlights were few, but Tyler Griffey fought hard and got some tough points. Richardson led the team with 19 points. And rebounding looked ok.

Overall, though the Illini need to make dramatic improvements in their game to be able to fight with Mizzou in the annual Braggin' Rights game next week. So pick yourselves up, boys. Shake it off. Refocus. And get ready for one last push before Christmas -- and conference play. After cheering on the volleyball team tonight, of course.

Labels: Illini basketball

With finals in full swing on campus, the Illini looked a bit shaky against Coppin State Sunday evening. The final score didn't reflect how the Eagles fought back from a 17-point deficit to pull within 2 points of the Illini about halfway through the second half.

Although the Illini won comfortably, their "review" games before finals weren't that impressive. Both the St. Bonaventure and Coppin State games highlight that while the Illini are a strong team, they have lots of room to improve. And they need to focus on those improvements while taking exams, because the rest of the non-conference season will be as tough as those classroom tests. Next up: UNLV and Mizzou, both teams playing very well.

With all the youth on the team, here's a progress report to help them track where they are and where they need to go if they want end up near the top of the Big Ten.
Achieves expectations:

• Rebounding - The Illini don't always win rebound battles like they should given their size, but individual players look good when they jump for the ball, pull it down with authority, and then protect it. This is a skill that will be critical for conference play.
• Passing - With Sam Maniscalco leading at point, the Illini are playing classic Weber motion offense, where the extra pass leads to wide-open looks. They have quite a few assists, and the whole team does a great job finding open guys most of the time. Watching Meyers Leonard pass when double-teamed...that's a beautiful thing.
  
• Free throw shooting - What a relief to know that the Illini can make free throws. Consistently. There are plenty of clutch shooters who can spark comebacks or ice a game from the free throw line. Keep up the good work!
  
• Chemistry - The 2011-2012 edition of the Fighting Illini seem to be having fun playing together, and that will help them go farther than they can on individual talent alone. These boys appear to get along, and it's fun to watch whoever is on the bench cheering for their teammates on the floor.

Needs improvement:

• Getting to the paint - Whether passing to Leonard or the other big guys, or driving into the lane, this is something the Illini have the ability to do very well. But often they don't. Against Coppin State, getting the ball to Leonard triggered much of the Illini success. But The Eagles came back when the Illini stuck to the perimeter. Guys, please note that future opponents will watch that tape and exploit that tendency. Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson should drive a bit more, and either go strong to the basket or kick the ball out. See: Maniscalco. His driving shots are a bit unconventional, but he can get in there and make things happen.
• Strong starts - Much like the Illini football team, the basketball team tends to start games a bit on the sluggish side. With their talent and chemistry, there is no reason to still be in single digits eight minutes into a game. Starting strong will set a great tone for the rest of the game, build confidence, and help intimidate opponents. The schedule really just gets tougher from here on out, guys.
• Getting to the free throw line - This team can make free throws. But they need to get there more often. Go strong to the basket. Be aggressive. Make other teams stop you. And then take the free points.
  
• Avoiding cheap fouls - The Illini defense has been very good, but it's still a bit sloppy. Cleaning up the D and minimizing off-ball or non-shooting fouls will help key players stay on the floor longer.

All that aside, the Illini deserve props for being 10-0 as they head to the United Center and then to St. Louis.

So, boys, study hard, take your tests, and rest up a bit this week. Because after these two tough games, the conference grind will begin.

Go Illini!

Labels: Illini basketball

Last week, Bruce Weber's basketball team looked like a Big Ten surprise. They came back in a tough road game at Maryland to help the Big Ten win the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. And then they played really, really tough against #19 Gonzaga in Champaign, as if to let the country know they could play.

This week, now ranked #22, Weber warned of the potential for a trap game against St. Bonaventure. Coach knows what he is talking about.

It was ugly. After a quick start, the Illini struggled, with 13 turnovers to 9 assists and a paltry 24 points each half. The Illini trailed most of the game, and would have fallen, but for the late energy provided by Brandon Paul.

The Bonnies called a timeout at 4:30 in the second half, and Weber's message was clear - drive the ball. Paul went on an 8-2 run in the next 2 minutes, creating a tie game. Solid free throw shooting, a few key tap-out rebounds by Meyers Leonard and a couple friendly officiating calls allowed the Illini to pull out the win. But Paul was the key.

Despite the sloppiness, the Illini remain undefeated. Next up: Coppin State and finals. Good luck with both, boys. 'Cause after that, it's going to get tough...

Labels: Brandon Paul, Illini basketball

Whether you are having fun or not. And time has flown for the Illini basketball team. Bruce Weber and his boys have had lots of fun -- the first 3 games of the conference season when they couldn't miss. And they've not had fun, when playing on the road at Penn State and Wisconsin. A roller coaster indeed...

Against #1 Ohio State, the Illini played well overall. Yes, that last possession was incredibly painful. And the Illini had a chance to pull away, and decided to let up a bit in the middle of the second half. Like every game, the Illini had their opportunities. But there was still lots to like in their play.

That's been the case throughout the Big Ten season so far.

Good stuff: Passing -- Demetri McCamey leads the Big Ten, but he's not the only one that can make pretty passes. We've seen some nice high-low play from Mike and Mike, good assists from Brandon Paul, and much more. Shooting -- D.J. Richarson, Bill Cole, Brandon Paul, Jereme Richmond, Mike Tisdale, McCamey...on any given day any or all of these guys can be red hot. Those are fun days. Defense -- for the most part, the Illini have done a good job making opponents work for points.

Not-so-good stuff: Rebounding -- Let's grab the ball, guys, not just tip it to each other, or the other team. Some days it's good, some days not. But with the height advantage the Illini have, this should be a consistent strength. Shooting -- Because on the days when they aren't hot, these boys just keep shooting the same shots instead of working the ball down low. Playing on the road -- the Big Ten is a tough conference, and the teams that come out on top will manage to win a couple away from home. The Illini haven't done that...yet.

I have lots more thoughts, but my personal schedule has made it hard to share them here. Hope to get to that a bit more often in the coming weeks...

Labels: Illini basketball

We're in for a heck of a basketball season!

Bruce Weber and his boys headed to New York for the finals of their pre-season tournament. This year it was the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer tournament in Madison Square Garden. This was the first serious test of the very young season. And although the Illini came away 1-1, they proved that the high expectations are well founded.

Thursday night against Texas, the Illini played fast and furious, despite slow starts to each period. If OT was a bit longer, they probably would have tied or taken the lead again. This was a not a bad loss, though. The Longhorns look pretty good.

Friday night, the Illini executed well with a more patient style of play, and despite failing to ice the game at the free throw line, they came away with a good win.

So, now that we've gotten a bit better look at the 2010-11 Fighting Illini, there's a lot to like. But there's plenty of room for improvement, too. Here are a few suggestions for the boys to work on before the Tar Heels come to town:

• Ball security. McCamey is zipping great passes to everyone, but a few people aren't holding on to the ball to convert. The Illini have height. But they should secure the ball on rebounds, rather than tipping it.
• Hustle. At times, the Illini are down the floor quickly, but they get beat more than needed. And lose balls seem to bounce around a bit too long. They need to go after the ball with authority.
• Free throws. Make them. Last season they did quite well from the line. No need to return to the poor form of a few seasons ago, where putting the Illini on the line was a the best way to come from behind to beat them.
• Cleaner play. The refs are emphasizing clean play down low. The Illini need to adjust their style of play to clean up the foul trouble issues before their reputation for fouls causes them to get more whistles than then deserve.
  
• Experience. The freshmen are talented. But they are freshmen. They need a bit more intensity. They need to finish plays. Then need to learn to handle McCamey's passes.

But there is so much to like. This team will be fun to watch for many reasons:

• Demetri McCamey. He's passing, scoring, directing traffic, finding open guys and being the leader we expect him to be as a senior. This is his team. And he is poised to take them a long ways.
• Open shots. The beauty of Weber-style basketball is crisp passes to the open guy. And often the open guy finds the even-more-open guy. Egos don't appear to be a big issue, and assists seem to be valued on the stat sheet. So the Illini can take good, open, high-percentage shots.
  
• Three-point shooting. Although the Illini can rely too much on the 3-point shot, they can make it look pretty. D.J. Richardson, Brandon Paul, McCamey, Mike Tisdale, Tyler Griffey, Bill Cole, almost the entire team can sink a 3. This makes them hard to guard.
• Soft touch inside. The Illini are tall. 7'1" Mike Tisdale in foul trouble? Bring in freshman 7" Meyers Leonard. And Mike Davis has a wingspan and jump so that he seems even taller than his listed 6'9". But all these guys, plus Cole, have great mid-range games with a soft touch that earns points.
• Experience. The seniors, McCamey, Davis, Tisdale and Cole, know the routine and how to handle each situation. They are smart, patient, seasoned and ready to win. And a year of experience at the college level has helped Richardson, Paul and Griffey improve.
  
• Freshman. These boys are good. Jereme Richmond brings energy and does lots of good stuff, but he needs to learn to finish strong and better decisions. Meyers Leonard looks good too, although he needs to gain some strength. Crandall Head looks to be as sharp and talented as Illini fans would hope, and with a bit of experience, he will be able to build an Illinois legacy much like his big brother's. You can tell these guys are young, but they have lots of potential.
  
• Athleticism. The Illini can run and jump and dunk and block. They are strong and quick and able to just plain play.

It looks to be an exciting season. Go Illini!

Labels: Illini basketball

Last Saturday (11/13), the Big Ten Network treated Illini fans to three games. And although the Orange and Blue only won one of those games, it made for a great opportunity to see where our teams were at...

Football
The loss to Minnesota hurt. Badly. The Illini played so well all season. But the defense seems to have disappeared somewhere on the road to Michigan. They weren't able to rebound against Minnesota, and instead of becoming bowl-eligible, the Illini gave the Gophers their first conference win of the season.

Volleyball
The Illini women went into the night in State College at the top of a very tough Big Ten conference. And Penn State was second. The Illini had snapped the Nittany Lions' incredible conference winning streak when those girls visited Champaign earlier this season. The Illini are fun to watch, but they were just a bit off Saturday, and lost in 3 sets. But as I've said before, these girls are worth watching. Check them out if you get the chance.

Basketball
Bruce Weber welcomed his former assistant and team to Assembly Hall. The Salukis are improving, but the Illini had a chance to shine. There's a lot of talent, energy and generosity on this team. They are going to be fun to watch this season. The Illini won easily, although they had to work a bit harder than they had earlier in the week.

So, with the football season deflating, we've got plenty to look forward to as volleyball heads toward the post-season and basketball heats up.

Go Illini!

(Yes, I realize I should have posted this several days ago.)

Labels: Illini basketball, Illini football, Illini volleyball

Happy Basketball Season! The 2010-2011 Fighting Illini basketball team started their season ranked #16 in the country.

And they started their first regular-season game with intensity that fits a top-25 team. The Illini took off with hot 3-point shooting from Brandon Paul off the bench, sweet passing, finding the open man, jumping passing lanes and grabbing rebounds. Bruce had his boys clicking, and they led 42-18 at halftime.

The second half was a study in the Illini. They lost a bit of that edge, and the tendency to let up and let life mess with their heads showed up. This is the team that will need every trick Bruce Weber has in his coaching book to do what most Weber teams do and overachieve their potential.

Because this team has a lot of potential. Experienced, gifted veterans plus athletic sophomores with a season under their belt plus top-100 talent-level freshman could equal a special season.

Go Illini!

Labels: Illini basketball

The 2009-2010 Fighting Illini basketball season has drawn to a close. And not the ending the team would have chosen.

The week began with a very strong performance against Kent State, where the Illini took over in the second half. They looked good.

But the Dayton Flyers brought it Wednesday night. They out-hustled the Illini much of the game. The Illini had plenty of chances, but missed layups and free throws and passes kept the Illini from getting all the way back in the game until the final minute. And by then, they just didn't have enough time to recover from their up to 16-point deficit.

The Illini were a solid team all year. But they just couldn't get it all together at critical points throughout the season. Even in their last game, they showed they had what it took, but couldn't quite fulfill that potential.

And that made it hard to watch. As I've mentioned before, this team wasn't easy to watch, but they certainly kept things interesting. So, congratulations, boys on making the most of a disappointing season. Work hard this summer. Work on your mental games. Get ready for some exciting freshmen. And let's see what next season will bring...

Labels: Illini basketball

The Illini visited Long Island and Stony Brook, and they walked into a classic trap game. And they looked like it.

Their disappointment at being in the NIT instead of the NCAA was palpable. And their travel schedule seemed to be a bit much for them. They essentially were sleepwalking through the first several minutes of the game.

Stony Brook, on the other hand, made the most of their first nationally televised game in school history. Their fans filled the gym and made plenty of noise. And the Seawolves played their hearts out. The America East conference champions are a solid team, with excellent shooting, sound rebounding and plenty of hustle.

The Illini were sloppy. With 17 turnovers, the assist-to-turnover ratio was 1. Mike Davis played well, and led the Illini in scoring. But he also had some lazy passes and turnovers that were hard to watch. Demetri McCamey ended with a strong night. Although his scoring was needed, his assists were perhaps even more important. Mike Tisdale hit some big shots, including a couple 3s. And D.J. Richardson also ended in double figures. But the whole team was out-hustled, and they had to work to get ahead and keep the lead.

But, it's March. And even if it is the NIT, the name of the game is still survive and advance. Ugly as it was, the with still means the Illini will play another game. So bring on Kent State. At home, as it should be for a 1 seed in this tournament.

Which reminds me, one of the highlights of the night, in my opinion, was the "Cirque du P.A." piece on SportsCenter that kicked the anchors out of their studio for the Illini NIT segment. A bit embarrassing to have the Illini made fun of like that, but it was a clever piece.

Ok, boys, you got the disappointment out of your system, I hope. You have what it takes to win this tournament. Prove it.

Go Illini!

Labels: Illini basketball, NIT

As the brackets were revealed I was very disappointed, although not totally surprised, that the Illini didn't make the NCAA. They had plenty of opportunities to secure a spot, but they couldn't get it done.

But for those who like to point fingers and blame others, I'd point to Michigan. Had they put more pressure on tOSU last Friday in the last 3.2 seconds, Evan Turner may not have gotten off the game winning shot. The way the Illini played Saturday, they likely would have been able to beat Michigan. That puts them in the Big Ten Championship. As far as the Committee is concerned, I think they have to put any team playing in that game on a line somewhere. They simply don't have time to make any changes between the end of that game (or even halftime) and the beginning of the Selection Show.

However, there were plenty of games that slipped away that could have put the Illini in long before this past weekend.

A #1 seed in the NIT isn't what the Illini had hoped for, but let's take it.

First up, Stony Brook. The Illini play Wednesday in Connecticut. (They could have hosted the game, but Assembly Hall is booked by Cirque du Soleil.) If the Illini play like they did at the Big Ten Tournament, they could make a strong run in the NIT. A trip to NYC isn't completely out of the question. But if they play like they did the last 2 weeks of the regular season, they could have plenty of time to enjoy spring break on some beach, somewhere.

Go Illini!

Labels: Big Ten Tournament, Illini basketball, NIT

The Illini have been squarely on the NCAA Tournament Bubble for a couple weeks. And although their performance in the Big Ten Tournament was encouraging, only The Committee can determine it if was enough...


After a demoralizing loss to the Badgers at home to end the season, the Illini came out strong Friday afternoon against Wisconsin. Although they tried to give the game away, they held on to play another day.


Ohio State just barely survived to advance on a last-second shot by Player of the Year Evan Turner over Michigan. And on Saturday, the Illini played the Buckeyes much, much better than they had in either of their 2 previous meetings this season.


After an excellent run, the Illini stalled and allowed the Buckeyes to go on a 20-point run. But then they rallied to give Thad Matta's team all they wanted. The Illini played really, really well, but they did fail to get a potential game-winning shot off at the end of regulation. But they did well in overtime, again, despite Mike Tisdale fouling out and again failint to get a potential game-winning shot off before the buzzer. The Illini didn't have enough gas to get through the second overtime, but they played hard for the full 50 minutes.


But it's March, and playing hard isn't enough. ESPN bracketologist (don't you love made-up professions?) Joe Lundardi has the Illini among the last 4 teams in at the beginning of the weekend, but conference tournament play has moved them to the last 4 out list.


In or out? Who knows! That's life on the bubble. The talking heads on all networks have lots of opinions, but The Committee seemed to indicate that most of the at-large bids were decided before the last couple days of conference tourney play. So I'm guessing that there wasn't as much riding on the Illini's play (beyond winning the automatic bid by winning the tournament) as we would like to think.


I hope then are in, but they certainly haven't given the impression of peaking as they headed into March... only time will tell... but we will know soon...


Despite it all, go Illini!

Labels: Illini basketball

Congratuations to D.J. Richardson, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. D.J. has had some excellent games, he's grown this season, and he shows great promise for future seasons.

Demetri McCamey was named to the Conference First Team, for his assist and scoring leadership on the Illini. Congratulations to him as well.

Both these awards are bright spots in a disappointing finish to the season...

Labels: Illini basketball