Sports Talk

Sports News

Live Game
Broadcast

[FEB. 8, 2001]  On the way to the Assembly Hall Tuesday night, I remarked to my fellow travelers that I did not have a good feeling about the game with Michigan State. And why should I have had a good feeling? Not only had the Illini lost five in a row to the Spartans, but they had looked ugly doing it. Case in point was the smash-mouth start of last season’s Big Ten Tournament championship game. MSU came out and punched Cook between the eyes and then broke Cory Bradford’s nose. Had it been a prize-boxing match, the fight would have been stopped. I also mentioned to my friends that how the game was officiated would be a major factor in the outcome. I have noticed that the Illini play much better in games were there’s a semblance of ebb and flow. In addition, I remarked that we needed a warrior performance from our crowd. And for a parting shot, I threw in that if we could shoot the ball a little better that might help, too. But as we entered the parking lot, that dark cloud of doubt had fully permeated my being…

And all of that happened before I knew that Michigan State was going to slap us with a 7-0 run to start the game…and a 10-0 run to start the second half! If you would’ve told me just that before the game, I would’ve told you that there would be no way in the world that the Illini could overcome that type of play from the defending national champs.

That is exactly why the LDN pays me the big bucks — it’s because of my deep analysis and my ability to project outcomes! Of course, if you believe that, I can also make you a really good deal on my wife’s ’84 Toyota Corolla!

So, just where to begin on describing the intangibles of one of the greatest Illini victories in history is a dice roll. I think I’ll start by mentioning the crowd…or I should say the fans! You are the ones that have backed this program and this team through some great victories but also through painful defeats and disappointments.

I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of our crowd than I was last night. First of all, people actually rose to the challenge of wearing orange for the game. The Assembly Hall was a sea of orange ... and never looked better in its life! Then there was the noise level. I would like to have taken my son to the game to indoctrinate him at an early age, but I feared that the decibel level might hurt his ears. I should have been worried about my ears! The deafening crescendo of the Illini nation rocked the Hall ... and several blocks of the greater Champaign-Urbana area! The crowd simply never gave up. Even after those two devastating runs to start either half, the fans continued to pump wind to the sails. It was a sight to behold.

Now as to where these people are during the non-conference portion of the schedule, I may never know. I do promise you loyal LDN readers that I will investigate it further and get back to you. And as to whether all of their orange duds are at the dry cleaners before Jan. 1 … I can only assume as much.

But what you witnessed last night was exactly the way the "big boys" do it. Go to a game at Kentucky, Memphis, Arkansas, North Carolina or Duke. People there are always clad in their team’s colors, and unless you’re on friendly terms with a scalper, acquisition of tickets will require the best of your creative energies. I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of Illinois kids wearing other schools’ colors. It’s time that Orange (and Blue) dotted the land! For crying out loud…WE ARE ILLINOIS!

The Honorable John Coady, who is a judge from Taylorville and has the good fortune of oftentimes sharing seats with the LDN sports crew, summed up last night’s mammoth win with two words: bench ’n’Bradford.

So, let’s talk about Illinois’ bench. First of all, our depth has been a strength all year long. Last night the Illini’s bench outscored MSU 18-8 and out-rebounded the Spartans 6-5. Sean Harrington came flying off the bench and hit a big 3 to get us going. Damir came in and gave us his usual solid play. Lucas Johnson came in and incited a riot. On the morning after, the riot had still not been quelled!

[to top of second column in this article]

But if you were handing out game balls, you’d have to give one to Robert Archibald. If he’s not the most improved Illini player, then I’m the next governor of Illinois! He was simply a load in the paint. Did you ever think that you would be uttering the word "unstoppable" to describe Arch’s prowess?…I didn’t. So, give me my 50 lashes with a wet noodle and let’s move on. The coaching staff has just worked a miracle with this kid. In many ways, he was the difference Tuesday night … and all of that — seven points, four big rebounds and two assists — with a very sore back. Don’t you wish we performed that well when we’re not 100 percent? Last night he won the Orange Ocean over. His fan clubs are probably springing up all over the state even as we speak. And he’s earned it! He has worked hard and strived to get better all the time. I just hope that he can be completely healthy when we make our stretch run.

Suffice it to say that the bench was the factor in giving us a 5-point first-half lead. They also came in and helped us claw our way back into the game after that ferocious run that MSU slammed on us to start the second session. The LDN awards a team game ball to the bench and, of course, an individual one to one of our new favorite players, Robert Archibald.

Judge Coady also muttered these words: "It was nice to see Bradford come up big in the biggest game of the year." Truer words were never spoken! Cory was — count them — 6-for-11 from downtown. How huge was that? In a word, very! He does look healthier, but that’s not what’s impressed me most. I confided in some friends that if the streak (hitting a 3-pointer in a now-record NCAA 87-straight games) were to come to an end, it wouldn’t kill me. And maybe it might help Cory’s game a little. I totally retract my earlier statement! But what’s really impressed me is that he hasn’t hung his head when he wasn’t living up to all of the preseason hype, mostly that of naming him as the probable Big Ten MVP. Instead he has become a more complete player and the consummate team player at that, making sure that the ball gets to Cook or Williams or whoever has the hot hand. He seems to be much more concerned about the only stat that really matters: the W! His unselfish play has been contagious to his Illini brethren. This year’s team has made the extra pass time and time again, and look what it has resulted in — a victory over what the LDN is calling the best team in America.

I do sort of feel like Apollo Creed from the closing scenes of Rocky: "Ain’t gonna be no rematch…Why?…Don’t want one." In fact, it’s fine with me if we never play Michigan State again. I vote to kick them out of the conference…Is that a second I heard?…All in favor…It’s unanimous!

Oh, by the way, after sizing up the final outcome, I’m starting to feel a lot better about Tuesday night!

[FEB. 7, 2001]  No. 7 Illinois overcame early jitters and defeated No. 4 Michigan St. 77-66 Tuesday night in Champaign. Several heroes stepped up for the 18-5 Illini and allowed them to gain sole possession of first place in the conference. Illinois fell behind 7-0 to start the game and Michigan State scored the first 10 points of the second half, but in each case Illinois rebounded with passion and power and knocked off one of the country's best (not to mention the fact MSU is the defending national champion). This was Illinois' first victory over a top five team in the Assembly Hall since Illinois beat No. 3 Indiana 69-67 on March 1, 1987 (The Hoosiers went on to win the national title in 1987).

Several individuals stepped up for the Illini on Tuesday night and carried them to victory. Below is the LDN Hero List for "the game":

1. Cory Bradford — The junior from Memphis broke out of a season-long slump with 22 points and made six huge 3-point baskets, including four during a five-minute stretch in the second half where Illinois extended a one-point lead to a 10-point lead. Bradford also played solid defense on Michigan State freshman Marcus Taylor.

2. Brian Cook — Lincoln’s favorite son scored seven straight points early in the second half, which allowed him to erase a five-point deficit. Cook also avoided foul trouble and played 33 big minutes for the Illini. Brian showed the toughness to stand up to the Michigan State big men and totally shut down MSU diaper dandy Zach Randolph, holding the best freshman in the Big 10 to just six points. Cook also led Illinois with five rebounds and two blocked shots.

3. Robert Archibald — Out of the lineup due to back pain on Saturday, Archibald made the most of his return, logging 20 game minutes while scoring seven points and grabbing four rebounds. He also showed a toughness the entire night and avoided foul trouble besides.

4. THE CROWD — It was without a doubt the loudest night on record at the Hall, as several MSU players and coaches said the crowd was the sixth man and made a big difference. Encouraged to wear orange, most fans did just that, and a sea of orange helped lead the Illini to victory. The MSU game was the sixth sellout of the year (out of 10 games to date) and the final two home games are already sellouts. What's next? Bill Self breaking out an orange blazer?

5. Coach Bill Self — I can remember crying in my coffee when I heard in late May that Lon Kruger was heading to NBA to coach the Atlanta Hawks. However, Self proved again Tuesday night why he has the inside track at Big 10 coach of the year. Self called two great timeouts when the Illini were in danger of getting blown out (early in the first half and early in the second half), went to the entire bench early (four subs entered the game in the first five minutes of the game and helped lead Illinois back into the game) and did not hesitate to sit Marcus Griffin for most of the second half when it became obvious Archibald was the better player on this night. Self left the officials alone, even when it appeared several calls went against Illinois early, and this also paid off as Illinois received several favorable whistles throughout the game.

[to top of second column in this article]

Now, Illinois must put this victory out of their minds and figure out how to play their A game on the road. Four of Illinois' final six games before the Big 10 tourney are on the road, including trips to Purdue this Saturday (Illinois last beat Purdue during the 1996 Big 10 season) and to Indiana on Feb. 17. If the season were to end today, Illinois would receive a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tourney, probably in the Midwest regional. However, nine games stand between Illinois and this important goal, and most of those games will be played away from the Assembly Hall. Illinois will need more energy like the display seen Tuesday night. Time will tell if the Illini are up to the challenge.

Tale of the box score

• Illinois made 10 3-point baskets; MSU made just three.

• Illinois had just 10 turnovers for the game.

• Illinois was called for just 16 fouls in the game.

• MSU reached the bonus in the last two minutes of each half, while Illinois reached the bonus at 7:11 in the first and 11:05 in the second.

• Illinois was 19-23 from the free-throw line in the second half.

• MSU shot just 16 percent from 3-point land for the game but shot 53 percent from the field minus the 3-point attempts.

• MSU outrebounded Illinois 35-29.

• MSU outscored Illinois 17-0 in the first three minutes of each half (7-0 in the first half; 10-0 in the second half); Illinois outscored MSU 77-49 the rest of the game.

[Greg Taylor]

Michigan State vs. Illinois box score

http://fightingillini.fansonly.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/020601aaa.html

[FEB. 7, 2001] 

• Illinois is now ranked No. 6 in both polls — the highest since ’89-’90.

• The Illini have previously appeared 10 times on national TV — six times on ESPN, three on ESPN2 and once on CBS. Their 11^th appearance was the Feb. 6 blockbuster with Michigan State in Chambana.

• Every Illinois Big Ten home contest will be sold out other than the Minnesota game.

• Illini have already appeared in the fourth- and sixth-largest-attended games in the USA this year: 4^th, Illinois vs. Missouri, 22,089; 6^th, Illinois vs. Arizona, 21,885.

• Illini reserves have outscored their opponents by nearly seven points a game. That includes an 18-1 ledger posted against Michigan on Jan. 25 in a 55-51 win.

• Illinois has held opponents to a miserly .371 field goal percentage and a Big Ten-leading 35 percent in league tilts.

[to top of second column in this section]

• Illini are first in the Big Ten in blocked shots, averaging 6.1 per game. Brian Cook and Robert Archibald have recorded 14 swats each.

• Overall Cook is the team leader with 30 blocks, good for third in the league with two per game. Cook is also third on the team in rebounds with 6.2 per contest. In addition, he is an incredible 15-of-40 for 38 percent on 3s and 75-of-150 for 50 percent field goals.

• Illinois is second in the Big Ten in steals, with Frank Williams leading at 2.7 steals per game. Sergio McClain is second with 2.14 steals per game.

Big Ten tournament

Tickets for the Big Ten tournament are available by calling (312) 559-1212.

[Jeff Mayfield]

[FEB. 2, 2001]  While Lincoln High School coach Neil Alexander would surely have been elated with a top-four seed, he figured going into the annual meeting that his Railers would be somewhere in the second-tier group. That’s exactly where they ended up as a No. 6 seed for the upcoming regional/sectional complex. This week the LDN sizes up that pick and analyzes this year’s seeds…

 1. Springfield Lanphier

 2. Mount Zion

 3. Springfield Southeast

 4. Danville

 5. Rantoul

 6. Lincoln

 7. Quincy

 8. Champaign Centennial

 9. Champaign Central

10. Decatur MacArthur

11. Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin

12. Decatur Eisenhower

13. Urbana

14. Mahomet-Seymour

15. Springfield

16. Jacksonville

There was probably little doubt that Lanphier and Mount Zion would be the top two seeds. What was up for doubt, though, is who would be No. 1 and who would be No. 2. Lanphier has been on a roll lately, but Mount Zion had won an earlier matchup with the Lions. I tend to reward the victors in head-to-head competition … but, then again, I didn’t have a vote.

I would say that you would have to place Southeast solidly in third.

After that the next several slots are a dice roll. Danville probably takes the 4-spot by virtue of their win here in Lincoln — too bad that narrow Railer loss on an off night came back to haunt them now. A 4-spot selection would have guaranteed that the two regional games would have been played in the friendly confines of Roy S. Anderson gymnasium.

Rantoul is a question mark to me in the 5 hole. Their record looks good, but who have they played? I find it hard to believe that either they or Danville have lined up with the kind of competition that Lincoln has. Say what you will about coach Alexander, but he’ll play anyone, anywhere!

If I were given a butterfly ballot, I could have made a case to put Lincoln anywhere from the third to the sixth spot.

[to top of second column in this article]

The guy who may be fuming today could very well be former Railer coach and current Quincy coach Loren Wallace. The Blue Devils took home the lucky 7, which may include an all-expenses-paid trip to Mount Zion — not an easy road for sure, but if I were the Braves, I STILL wouldn’t want to play them.

The Champaign schools garnered positions 8 and 9. This year I don’t know much about either team. As I’ve done a lot of scouting the last few years, I’ve come away very impressed with Central’s coach, Scott Davis. I think he does a nice job with his kids and always seems to get more out of them than what you might think is actually there. I admire that in a coach. Coach Alexander is the king of that in my book.

The always-very-athletic Decatur schools hold down the No. 10 and the No. 12 seeds. They also have two of the best coaches in Mel Roustio and one of my favorites, Clark Barnes. Don’t be surprised to see either one of those teams spring an upset on the way to the PCCC!

Jim Drew has done a great job turning the fortunes around at Griffin. As a Railer fan I hate to face their match-up defense again, but at least we’ve seen it before and we’d be playing them at home. It’s always possible that a seed switch could occur because of travel, but there’s been no indication of one at this time.

Holding down the last four seeds are Urbana, Mahomet-Seymour, Springfield and Jacksonville. Any of those teams is capable of shocking someone on a given night. They could sure help the Railers’ cause if they would do just that.

Lincoln’s brutal schedule continues this weekend as the Railers travel to Chatham and to Centralia. The game against the Orphans should be a dandy. It also might point the direction those two teams are going, come playoff time.

Looking into the crystal ball, the LDN sees a game two rematch with our friends from Southeast. BUT, this time we predict a different outcome: first, a tough, hard-fought win over Griffin; then, in game 2, Lincoln in a squeaker; and then it’s on to the PCCC!

Good luck, fellas, and, as always, GO RAILERS!

[Jeff Mayfield]

Back to top

Top Stories | Sports News | Sports Talk | Area Athletes in Action | Out and About | TechLine | Weather | Elsewhere

A Day in the Life... | Milestones | Obituaries | Diaspora

Business & Ag | Organizations | Events | Good Neighbors | Honors & Awards

Ombudsman | Law & Courts | Rural Review

Crosswords | Games

The Arts | Home and Family | Spiritual Life | Health & Fitness | Teaching & Learning | Book Look | Movies & Videos

Still Waters | The Hallway Buzz | What's Up With That? | Where They Stand | the em space
How We Stack Up | By the Numbers

Letters to the Editor | About LDN | Corrections | Happy Ads | Quick Coupon Clip-Outs