I have avoided posting my thoughts thus far on the Indiana game, since I am still thinking about what happened, both the controversial sideshow with the Gordons and the amazing collapse on the free throw line by Mr. Pruitt. There are so many interesting articles on this game, I will gather links to them shortly. And the Indiana fans that post here with obscene remarks should realize they aren't making themselves look any better than the Illini fans at the game on Thursday night.
I have been so busy following basketball, I didn't even know that my niece Shannon was getting engaged at the beautiful Phoenician Resort in Arizona (photos).
Showing posts with label Indiana Game. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indiana Game. Show all posts
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Indiana Game in Champaign
Tomorrow night is the game of the season for the Illini, with Kelvin Sampson and Eric Gordon coming into the Assembly Hall to visit Illinois and its basketball fans. The reception should be worth watching on ESPN's national coverage, even though Illini basketball has been tough to watch this year. Hopefully, this game will be different for the Illini.
The Hoosier Report seems to think the Illini will be ready to take on the Hoosiers tomorrow night, and notes that Illinois' defense is usually tough on IU.
And Kelvin Sampson is apparently looking forward to being in Champaign, saying on his radio show (per Hoosier Scoop), "it might be a little bit of a hostile environment."
In evaluating the Big Ten teams this year, Devin at College Basketball Chronotope has the Illini classified as a lower level working class team, equivalent to someone working at Walmart, and calls this season "looking less like a rebuilding year and more like a waste." Devin, I have to agree with you there. But we hope the game tomorrow makes this painful season somehow worthwhile. And there's always the Big 10 Tourney.
Eric Gordon has his left wrist wrapped due to a sprained wrist, but was able to score 29 points against Northwestern the other night. He should be ready to go against Weber's Illini. Look for Calvin Brock and Brian Randle to take turns guarding Gordon tomorrow, since it worked well in Bloomington.
The Hoosier Report seems to think the Illini will be ready to take on the Hoosiers tomorrow night, and notes that Illinois' defense is usually tough on IU.
And Kelvin Sampson is apparently looking forward to being in Champaign, saying on his radio show (per Hoosier Scoop), "it might be a little bit of a hostile environment."
In evaluating the Big Ten teams this year, Devin at College Basketball Chronotope has the Illini classified as a lower level working class team, equivalent to someone working at Walmart, and calls this season "looking less like a rebuilding year and more like a waste." Devin, I have to agree with you there. But we hope the game tomorrow makes this painful season somehow worthwhile. And there's always the Big 10 Tourney.
Eric Gordon has his left wrist wrapped due to a sprained wrist, but was able to score 29 points against Northwestern the other night. He should be ready to go against Weber's Illini. Look for Calvin Brock and Brian Randle to take turns guarding Gordon tomorrow, since it worked well in Bloomington.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Indiana Game and Recap
The Illini played really well today at Bloomington and showed they are good enough to beat the 11th ranked Hoosiers on their own floor, but some shots at the end didn't fall. IU won the game, 62-58. Box Score
This was perhaps the Illini's best game this year, other than Maui wins over ASU and Oklahoma State. The Illini were without Frazier (rib injury), and Alexander played little due to a shoulder injury. Demetri McCamey did a nice job at point guard, even though his shots were not falling, and showed he can run the Illini offense, particularly with Trent Meacham on the floor with him. Calvin Brock did a great job on Eric Gordon, holding him to 17 points for the game. Brian Randle played one of his better games, with some scoring, 10 boards, and taking Gordon for part of the second half. Shaun Pruitt had a solid game, and was held back by some rough defense on the part of Indiana.
I was really happy with how well Weber prepared the team to face Indiana. He had a great defensive scheme to slow Gordon down, and double-teaming to slow down DJ White. Weber used Davis, Tisdale and Holdren off the bench for some added scoring today, and probably should have continued this strategy in the second half when the Illini suffered an extended scoring drought.
The Chester Frazier controversy will continue, since the Illini looked better on offense without him, and their defense didn't seem to suffer much. Frazier should be available again for this week's game against Michigan.
The Illini should have a better chance to beat the Hoosiers when the second game comes up in Champaign. The home cooking from the referees always seems to help the home team.
Also, Illini fans that are really depressed about how this season has gone can be optimistic that this team could surprise everyone and take the Big 10 tourney by simply learning to shoot free throws around 70%. Also, if they had a way to break the scoring droughts with a go-to scorer, that would help immensely. Maybe someone like Mike Davis, Rodney Alexander or Demetri McCamey will become that leader. But to see them play Indiana this close at Bloomington, shows there could be a surprise at the conference tournament this year.
This was perhaps the Illini's best game this year, other than Maui wins over ASU and Oklahoma State. The Illini were without Frazier (rib injury), and Alexander played little due to a shoulder injury. Demetri McCamey did a nice job at point guard, even though his shots were not falling, and showed he can run the Illini offense, particularly with Trent Meacham on the floor with him. Calvin Brock did a great job on Eric Gordon, holding him to 17 points for the game. Brian Randle played one of his better games, with some scoring, 10 boards, and taking Gordon for part of the second half. Shaun Pruitt had a solid game, and was held back by some rough defense on the part of Indiana.
I was really happy with how well Weber prepared the team to face Indiana. He had a great defensive scheme to slow Gordon down, and double-teaming to slow down DJ White. Weber used Davis, Tisdale and Holdren off the bench for some added scoring today, and probably should have continued this strategy in the second half when the Illini suffered an extended scoring drought.
The Chester Frazier controversy will continue, since the Illini looked better on offense without him, and their defense didn't seem to suffer much. Frazier should be available again for this week's game against Michigan.
The Illini should have a better chance to beat the Hoosiers when the second game comes up in Champaign. The home cooking from the referees always seems to help the home team.
Also, Illini fans that are really depressed about how this season has gone can be optimistic that this team could surprise everyone and take the Big 10 tourney by simply learning to shoot free throws around 70%. Also, if they had a way to break the scoring droughts with a go-to scorer, that would help immensely. Maybe someone like Mike Davis, Rodney Alexander or Demetri McCamey will become that leader. But to see them play Indiana this close at Bloomington, shows there could be a surprise at the conference tournament this year.
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