Illini Blow Out the Flames     

[DEC. 31, 2003]  Going into their second United Center game of the year against in-state rival UI-C, many so-called experts said Illinois was in serious trouble.  Most Chicago media thought the Illini would have their hands full against former assistant coach Jimmy Collins and crew.  Those in the know pointed to the five senior, Chicago-area starter for the best UI-C team in years.  Tony Mejia, the college basketball guru for cbssportsline.com even predicted Illinois would lose by three to the Flames. 

Thank goodness Dee, James and the boys didn’t read the papers. Because, as yours truly saw firsthand from the house that Michael built, Illinois absolutely dominated the Flames in winning 75-60 in front of 15,000 plus in Chicago, most of whom were wearing orange and cheering loudly for the boys from Champaign.

The win moves Illinois to 8-2 on the season in front of a Saturday game against another in-state rival, the Illinois State Redbirds, at the Hall. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

Tuesday’s game was never a game as Illinois exploded to a 13-4 lead and never looked back. Despite a one-sided officiated game (the Illini was never in the bonus all night long), Illinois dominated the smaller UI-C Flames on a night that saw Purdue lose to Colorado St. and Missouri fall at home to Belmont (who exactly is Belmont?).

Illinois was led in scoring by junior forward Roger Powell, who scored 17, and received 13 points each from sophomore James Augustine and junior Luther Head, a Chicago native. Sophomore Dee Brown, the pre-season Big Ten player of the year, again struggled with his shooting, hitting just one of eight shots, but played very well in every other aspect of his game, dishing out nine assists, grabbing six rebounds and playing great defense against Flames point guard Martel Bailey.

Two freshmen also played really well for the Illini – Brian Randle finished with nine points and eleven boards and Springfield’s “king Rich” Richard McBride continued his deadly shooting from three point land, making another three treys and playing another all-around good game.

The Illini really love playing in the United Center, winning their tenth straight game in the NBA arena and moving their lifetime record to 23-6 at the home of the Chicago Bulls. It was the final game of the season at the UC for Illinois, as the Big Ten tourney will be played at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis March 11-14, 2004.

Illinois will return to Chicago to the play the Northwestern Wildcats on January 14, their third conference game of the season.

Illinois has now won four games in a row and will be favored to win their next six games:
Illinois St. in Champaign on 1/3
Ohio St. in Champaign on 1/7
Purdue in Champaign on 1/10
Northwestern in Evanston on 1/14
Iowa in Champaign on 1/17
Penn St. in Champaign on 1/21
If Illinois can “hold serve” for the next three weeks, they will be in good shape to claim a third Big Ten title in the past four years. The schedule really breaks well for Illinois this year, as they do not have to travel to Michigan St. or Michigan and only play Minnesota and Indiana once this year, on the road, when both teams are really down.

Illinois should get injured point guard Deron Williams back for the Ohio St. game in a week and looks to really be playing well on a night when Michigan and Purdue are upset by sub-par teams and Michigan St. barely holds on against Coppin St. Illinois has a great shot to jump out and win several games in a row and the LDN feels this momentum could really help this young Illini team.

Dee Brown has really emerged into the team’s leader, as coach Bruce Weber confirmed after the game Tuesday night.

As 2004 approaches, life looks good in Illini-land. GO ILLINI!

[Greg Taylor]

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