Illini pound Valpo, move to 10-0 

By Greg Taylor

[DEC. 20, 2004]  As Sunday's Illini game counted down, many on media row pondered several thoughts that are typically associated with weeklong breaks from game action. Would the Illini, ranked No. 1 in the nation, appear rusty from their eight-day layoff? Would Illinois fall into the trap of "playing down" to their competition? Would super junior Deron Williams continue to struggle with his season-long shooting slump? Would Homer Drew and always-tough Valparaiso be able to challenge an Illini team that had won all previous nine games by at least 12 points? In a word -- NO!

Illinois looked every bit of the No. 1 team in the country, cruising to a 93-56 victory. The win moves their record to 10-0 and should really solidify their No. 1 ranking in both the writers' and coaches' polls to be released later today. During a week when No. 2 Kansas struggled at home with an average South Carolina team and No. 3 Georgia Tech lost by 12 to Gonzaga on a neutral court (Illinois drilled the Zags back on Thanksgiving Saturday), Illinois looks like a legitimate No. 1. Even everyone's favorite commentator, Dick Vitale, might be forced to move the Illini to No. 1 in his poll (he's had the Illini second behind Kansas for two weeks).

Sunday's effort was all team as Illinois coach Bruce Weber's crew jumped out to an early 21-9 lead, expanded the lead to 33-14 by the eight-minute mark of the half, and used a 12-0 run late to push the lead to 26 at 47-21. The Illini led at the half 49-23 but had no one scoring in double figures. Three Illini -- Dee Brown, Luther Head and the aforementioned Williams -- each had nine at the break. The Illini had 14 assists on 20 baskets in the first 20 minutes and shot a blazing 57 percent from the field. More than one person on media row remarked how selfless this version of Orange and Blue baskets are, night in and night out.

Several aspects of the game and the Illini caught our eye on Sunday:

• Illinois didn't look rusty at all -- instead looked hungry and ready to go. It didn't matter that the opponent was a mid-major who was 2-5 on the year. The Illini went for the kill early, something my partner Jeff Mayfield is regularly screaming for.

• Deron Williams appeared much more relaxed and knocked down several open shots. We knew the slump wouldn't last forever, and Williams looks poised for a big conference season.

• The Illini again seemed more excited about a player making a good pass or taking a charge than making a shot. Many of these players have been labeled selfish by others in previous seasons. No sign of this potential "cancer" yet.

• The bench continues to contribute. We love how Warren Carter continues to develop and wonder aloud if Jack Ingram has actually passed Nick Smith in the rotation. Rich McBride did little on offense but played good defense and didn't hurt the team.

• Dee Brown looks like a track star and brings energy to wherever he is at the time. Can you believe there was actually talk of redshirting him back in the fall?

• And the fans… What can be said about Illini Nation? First, it was a sea of orange at the Assembly Hall once again on Sunday. Second, lots of love was expressed to the team even as the game was a blowout early. Finally, the refs are still the bad guys. With the Illini leading by 37 with six minutes left, Ingram was called for a charge, and what welcomed your friendly neighborhood ref? A chorus of boos similar to what you would expect in a tight Michigan State or Indiana game. These fans don't miss a beat.

• Illinois committed just five turnovers -- and only one in the first half.

Wednesday brings one of the biggest games of the year -- the annual border war against Missouri in St. Louis. Game time is 7 p.m., and the game can be seen on ESPN2.

[Greg Taylor]

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