A 69-63 overtime win by Illinois over Kent State last night tempered somewhat the pain of three stinging Big Ten losses within 24 hours. On Thanksgiving, Michigan State was regrettably pushed around by Maryland. On Friday afternoon, with the added burden of a whistle happy officiating crew, Purdue faded against an Oklahoma team it should have beaten. And for a night cap, despite marked improvement in its offensive execution, Iowa was pummeled by the rough pressure of Bob Huggins’ latest incarnation of tough guys at West Virgina, including the erstwhile former IU commit Devin Ebanks.
Kin of Keady
No matter the outcome of today’s Illini game against Tulsa, Illinois is the most improved team in the Big Ten. This past week, in a game matching the coaching chops of of two proteges of Purdue’s Gene Keady, Bruce Weber brought his Illini to Nashville to play Kevin Stallings’ Vanderbilt Commodores. Under Weber, Illinois teams always find the genesis of their success in defense and toughness.
Where last season’s Illini model more often than not wilted down the stretch, losing close game after close game, against Kent State and Vandy on the road, the Fighting Illini, led by sophomores, Mike Davis, Demetri McCamey and Mike Tisdale fought, defended, stepped up on offense and prevailed.
Spread the Wealth
Illinois is balanced. Against Vandy, Demetri McCamey led the Illini with 23 points, they made free throws, they rebounded and they defended. Against Kent State, Mike Tisdale, with 20 points became the go-to player down the stretch, hitting baseline jumper after baseline jumper.
The Mike Davis Fan Club
As Hoopraker has repeatedly pointed out, watch Mike Davis. And throughout the season, the emergence of Mike Davis as a double-double player has become refreshingly undeniable. Add to these developments the fact that senior Chester Frazier is mature and playing within himself and the Illini has the markings of a contender.
No doubt it’s November, but don’t discount the importance of these wins to the once fragile psyche of Illinois. For a program once shackled by the weight of the controversy that was Eric Gordon, the Illini repeatedly found innovative ways to lose last year. Finding ways to win against an SEC stalwart and the best of the MAC is a much-needed cornerstone for the season. Heading into a match up with Tulsa, the Illini have an opportunity to become pacesetters in the Conference.
Around the Key
Spartans Weblog runs down the tough loss to Maryland the bounce back win against Oklahoma State.
Off the Tracks offers its detailed take on the Oklahoma loss and correctly points out the importance of next week’s game against Duke.
PJS at The Daily Gopher pokes some fun at Kent State and perhaps justifiably. Coach Geno Ford, once playmaker to the Shaq of the MAC, Gary Trent, has put out the welcome mat for former IU assistant Herb Senderoff and the well-traveled Tyree Evans.
Tisdale was pretty good yesterday, but (and maybe it was the small gym and crowd) they seemed to be going through the motions most of the game. Though pulling out a win like that in a game Kent State led throughout says something positive.
It was too bad Kentucky won last night. I was looking forward to Iowa/Kentucky.
Left by PJS on November 29th, 2008