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The
Illini came storming out of the gate and never looked like a team
that was rusty after not playing for ten days. By the time both
teams reached the first TV time-out Illinois was already on top 9-4
by virtue of Roger Powell’s early explosion of six quick points.
From
there Missouri jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. When
the first half clock reached the 4:19 mark Illinois had jumped all
over the Tigers and led 40-19. Dee Brown led the charge by nailing
two big threes, one a long NBA rainbow. He had his teammates pumped
up with those early 14 points. James Augustine showed why quick feet
in the post are so hard to defend even if you are heralded Mizzou
center, Arthur Johnson.
Illinois
won every first half four-minute segment, but the last one. If
you’ve watched a lot of college basketball you know that that was
not a good omen; losing that last one. As it turned out the Illini
would not win another one the rest of the night. However, they did
win the segment that counted…the game 71-70 before 22,153 of the
roudiest fans in middle America.
The
second half was almost a reversal of the previous one. Missouri hit
two quick shots and the comeback was on, mostly due to the
outstanding play of Ricky Paulding and Travon Bryant. By the time
the clock struck 3:53 left to play, the Tigers had clawed all the
way back to within 64-60.
It got
worse for the Illini after that and when Bryant nailed a big-time
three Mizzou had pulled even at 67 with 1:05 to play. I leaned over
and told Greg not to panic, that Illinois would not lose this game.
Bruce
Weber drew-up a fabulous play coming out of a second timeout that
saw Nick Smith set a down screen, slip it, catch the entry, give-up
his own shot, make a nifty pass to Augie, who laid it in, faster
than Santa can get up and down your chimney.
Missouri
brought the ball down the floor and tried to enter the post,
something we were shocked that we hadn’t seen more of. Nick Smith
made his biggest defensive stop ever as an Illini when he wheeled
around knocked it loose and into the hands of Luther Head who
quickly got it to Dee Brown who was immediately fouled. After
missing two previous charity tosses, Dee calmly sank both and
Illinois was up four.
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Missouri punched it inside again and this time Johnson missed a bunny that
caromed-off virtually everybody on the floor. Eventually Missouri regained
possession and Jimmy McKinney fired-up a desperation three that somehow
went in, but there was only .4 clicks left on the ticker.
The officials changed it to .7 but when Illinois safely inbounded the ball
to Brown, the Illini were BRAGGIN’ again for the fourth year in a row!
Dee Brown led the Illini victory charge with 18 points, 6 assists, 6
rebounds, 6 of 8 from the free throw, and the most sales of headbands.
James Augustine came up big in the post going for 14 points and 10 huge
rebounds.
From there you see the Weber team concept taking the ‘bite’ out of the
Tigers. Roger Powell had 9. Luther Head, who played much better, had 9.
And the new freshman sensation, Richard McBride, tossed in 9 as well. Nick
Smith had six of the biggest points of his career, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
and 2 vicious blocks. He may have played his best game as an Illini.
Illinois moves to 7-2 on the campaign preceding their upcoming battle with
UIC, while Missouri, who many people feel will be a Final Four team, fell
to 4-2. The Tigers left the Savvis Center with their tail between their
legs again.
And with all due respect to 670AM, The Score radio, this game is one of
the greatest rivalries in all of sports. The atmosphere was electric as my
ringing ears can still attest to.
And one last thing…was that Bruce Weber smiling? Oh, what a Merry
Christmas it will be!
[Jeff Mayfield]
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