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Illinois Recap

“Land of Lincoln,

We’ve been thinking,

Your B-ball Team sure be stinking”

                                     Bob W.

 Everyone knows that we are in for an up and down, roller coaster ride of a season.  Some days we are going to turn off the TV after a game and say, “Wow, we might actually be pretty good.” And some days we are going to say “Boy do we stink.”.  Luckily for us, on this night we looked good.  Well let’s not say good. We played well enough to win.  I wouldn’t show this game to a bunch of 13 year olds and say “This here is how the game is played”.  There were a lot of missed shots and the game really never could find its tempo, but in the end, it all worked out for us Maryland fans.

 As you are aware, this game was part of the ACC-Big 10 challenge.  And as you are also aware, I have little respect for the Big 10.  I respect their traditions and what not, but for some reason watching either Big 10 football or basketball puts me to sleep.  I can’t explain it.  Anyway, we all know how important Basketball is in the ACC, and that is why the Challenge is so neat.  We basically say OK, you think you’re a good basketball conference, then let’s go and prove it on court.  All the other conferences let sports radio host do their debating for them, but you got to respect the Big 10 for agreeing to do this.

 After all let’s face it.  They have lost every ACC-Big 10 Challenge, they could pull the plug on this thing and re-enter the “Toughest Basketball Conference in the Country” radio/TV/internet debate.  But it is much better to man up and play.  After all isn’t that what competition is about.  I really would like to see other conferences do this as well.  A Big 12-SEC Challenge perhaps?  A Big East-Big 10?  ACC-SEC?  The possibilities are endless.

 But in the end, the Big 10 realizes what the ACC also realizes.  This is a great chance to add one more signature win to your resume for tournament time.  And that is why this relationship is mutually beneficial.  Sure you put yourself out there to lose, but nothing ventured nothing gained.  After all, Indiana, and Michigan State benefited, even if some of the other schools didn’t.  My only hope is that come NCAA time, when the ACC is fighting to get that 6^th or 7^th team in, that people remember that our conference tried to get there by playing real competition.  Not a bunch of glorified D-II teams.   

Anyway, back to the game.  I think the main idea to take away from this match up was the impact the Freshmen had.  They played great.  If they can grown and continue to contribute like they did last night, this rebuilding process could turn out to be pretty quick, and that will make everyone happy.

 And finally It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t say Congratulations to the ACC for winning yet another Challenge.  This year by a final of 8-3.  This makes 9 in a row for us! 

Turning Point-  With one minute left Landon Milbourne went to the line with Maryland holding a 2 point lead.  He drilled both free throws putting Maryland up by 4 with a minute left.  After that point Illinois never really had another crack.  However the fact that he made the free throws wasn’t as impressive as how he made them.  He did it very nonchalantly and quickly, which is what impressed me the most.

 D-7 MVP- Eric Hayes shot 4-7 from behind the arc, was perfect from the line, and put up 18 points.  He also had 4 assists to 2 TO’s.  For a team that has been lacking an outside presence, this was a welcomed performance.  One that wins him a D7 MVP.   

 Honorable Mention:  Lot of possibilities here.  Vasquez had 10 assists, Gist was 1 boards short of a double-double, but as the Honorable Mention, I’m going with Braxton Dupree.  Braxton got the start and played really well.  He had 10 points on 5-7 shooting, and zero turnovers.  We only have Boom for just this year, so it is nice to know there is another guy out there that can play center. 

 Random Thoughts: Say you were on death row, and the judge called you into his chambers and said “If this Ohio State Basketball player makes this shot, you are free to go, but if he misses, you are still getting executed tomorrow.”.  Would you watch the shot or just go back to your cell and work on that will?   

 Enemy of the State: Calvin Brock had, I guess a decent game.  13 points and 7 boards, though he did shoot 6-14.  But no one else really stands out in Illinois box score.     

 Bubble Watch:

Still early, but it is nice to finally have a Quality win to put on the ole resume!

Record now: 5-2

Conference Record 0-0

Quality Wins: Illinois

Bad Losses: 

Outlook:  Better now than it was before the Illinois game.