Young Illini off with a 2-0 start
By Jeff Mayfield
Send a link to a friend
[November 11, 2013]
For the 14th consecutive year, your
Illinois Fighting Illini are off to a 2-0 record to start the
2013-2014 hoops season. To be sure, that probably says more about
the quality of those schedules than it does about the Illini team,
but as I've said many times before, a win is a win is a win. You can
only play those teams that are on the schedule. And that is exactly
what Illinois has done, and the results are 2-0.
|
Illinois 80, Alabama State 63
The Illini opened the season with a convincing 80-63 victory over
Alabama State. The Illini were led by three players in double
figures, including local hero Rayvonte Rice with 22 points and nine
rebounds. Joseph Bertrand had a nice game as he tallied 14 points
and eight boards, and Nnanna Egwu picked up where he left off last
year by sporting a double-double, 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Illinois was active on the boards all night and had a 52-28
advantage there, including 20 of the offensive variety. However, the
Illini did commit 15 turnovers, which is too many against a team of
this caliber. The Illini did dish out 14 assists, and the unselfish
play was quite evident.
Coach John Groce was pleased with the opening-night performance
and especially liked his team's work on the glass, at the line,
their overall pace and their defense, for most of the game. The LDN
also spoke to Illini radio color man Jerry Hester, and he said he
really likes this young edition of Illini.
[to top of second column] |
Illinois 86, Jacksonville State 62
In game two, played at the State Farm Center, the Illini never
trailed, handing visiting Jacksonville State an 86-62 defeat. The
Illini move to 2-0 with the win.
Illini fifth-year senior Joseph Bertrand wowed the crowd by
attaining his first-ever double-double, going for 20 points and 10
rebounds. The Illini were spreading the wealth, as he was one of
five players in double figures.
Rice and Abrams hit for 13 each, and Tate and Egwu had 10 each.
The Illini were actually outrebounded 44-37. But the big news of the
night was that Illinois committed only five turnovers. Bigger than
that, Illinois did not have a single turnover in the second half.
That is quite an accomplishment.
So, while the victories were not over Kansas and Duke, 2-0 is
2-0. Next up for the Illini is a Wednesday home date with
Valparaiso.
[By JEFF MAYFIELD]
Respond to the writer at
jeffqmay@gmail.com.
|