It's all Brandon Paul as Illinois wins at the buzzer
By Greg
Taylor
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[March 15, 2013]
CHICAGO -- Playing in the 8/9
game of Big Ten conference tournament, the Illini found themselves
in a less-than-ideal situation. First, a team that started the
season 13-0 and was ranked in the top 10 in December was now in
danger of losing the first game of the conference tournament.
Second, Illinois was in danger of losing three straight games
heading into Selection Sunday. Finally, for the Illinois senior
class, a loss to Minnesota would conclude their four-year run in the
conference tourney at a less-than-stellar 1-4.
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Thankfully for Illinois, Brandon Paul decided to play one the best
games of his career, scoring 25 points and hitting a buzzer-beater
to knock off Minnesota 51-49. In a game dominated by Illinois during
the first half, the Illini looked to be all finished when the
Gophers turned a nine-point deficit into a five-point lead with just
over seven minutes to play. However, it was superman time with 10
seconds left in the game, and Paul did what he had all game --
carried the Illini to victory. With no other teammate scoring more
than six points in the game, Paul's 25 accounted for 50 percent of
his team's points and saved the day for Illinois.
Five thoughts
about the opening game of the BTT:
1. Illinois was very lucky to survive -- but many times a team
that survives a scare in their opening game can run all the way to
Sunday success. The Illini survived a 19-4 Minnesota run in the
second half and still won the game. This rarely happens, and
it certainly didn't happen with last year's Illinois team. But,
sometimes a great ending on Thursday (or Friday) can lead to
exciting weekends or tourney runs. Who can forget Ohio State
surviving on an Evan Turner half-court shot at the buzzer to beat
Michigan in 2010, only to run all the way to the title? I'll never
forget Florida winning in a fluke in the 2000 NCAAs, only to make it
all the way to the national title game (before losing to Tom Izzo
and Michigan State). Could Illinois grab this magic? Probably not,
but it's fun to dream!
2. Minnesota has way too much talent to be floundering like they
are. The Gophers looked pretty uninterested in playing basketball
for the first 20 minutes of the game. After jumping out to a 7-2
lead, the Gophers watched as the Illini went on a 19-2 run. It makes
me wonder if Tubby-time in Minnesota in nearing a conclusion. I have
always admired Coach Smith, but it feels like change could be in the
air.
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3. Props go out to Illinois coach John Groce for the manner in
which he handled the officials Thursday at the United Center. About
midway through the second half, Illinois had been whistled for eight
fouls to Minnesota's one. I did everything in my power to keep Ed
Bacon under control on press row. During the next media timeout,
Groce huddled with the always-helpful Big Ten official Terry Wymer.
The conversation was very civil, and the next five whistles went
Illinois' direction, including two 50-50 block calls against
Minnesota resulting in old-fashioned three-point plays for the
Illini. Asked at the postgame press conference about his exchange
with Wymer, Groce said: "These guys do a great job. … I didn't even
talk about the foul disparity. … These guys don't worry about makeup
calls." Yeah right, coach. And well done, sir!
4. Illinois is one broken team when the long-range shots aren't
falling! D.J. Richardson couldn't buy a basket from 3-point land for
most of the game (although kudos to the senior from Peoria for
continuing to shoot and nailing a game-tying 3 with one minute
left). Tyler Griffey's shot is really in bad shape. Joe Bertrand
didn't even attempt a long-range shot. If Illinois has any chance
against No. 3 Indiana on Friday, 3-point shots have to fall!
5. I love Chicago! It is so refreshing to see the
Big Ten return to Chicago for the conference tourney -- long
overdue!
That's all, folks. Here's hoping for another "shock to the
system" on Friday as Illinois tackles the Hoosiers. Go, Illinois!
[By GREG TAYLOR with photos by TOM
SEGGELKE] |