Too close for comfort?      

By Greg Taylor

[FEB. 10, 2005]  ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- OK, I have a confession to make: I really thought the boys in orange were going down on Tuesday night at Michigan. No, really -- I mean it -- I thought it was O-V-E-R.

I don't know if it was the smug Digger Phelps in the studio at halftime, almost rejoicing in a Christmas present in February. Or maybe it was the fact that Michigan was actually NOT committing dozens of turnovers, while milking the shot clock to very end and throwing in long shot after long shot. Or possibly it was the observation that Illinois flat-out looked tired and at least a step slow.

I think the final straw, so to speak, was when Michigan's 7-foot center Chris Hunter took a 3-point shot attempt after Illinois had crawled within two at about the 10-minute mark of the game. The shot was from the corner and was off -- way off. It hit the back of the iron, bounced straight up -- and landed in the net for a Michigan five-point lead. The nail? I really thought so.

But I forgot about two words I've grown to love and will really miss in the future: DEE BROWN.

Wow -- what a show he put on during the final 10 minutes of Illinois' victory over Michigan! Three straight Michigan possessions ended with Dee Brown layups after Dee Brown steals -- moving Illinois from down four to up one. Then, for an encore, he twice set up Illinois big men for dunks -- the latter play a behind-the-back assist to James Augustine that should have been the "Play of the Day" on ESPN. And finally, Brown nailed free throws late that clinched the Illini win.

In the end, Illinois stayed undefeated with a 57-51 come-from-behind victory on a night when the nation's other unbeaten, Boston College, lost on the road at Notre Dame. So -- how should we feel this morning in snowy Illini Nation? Cup half full? Or cup half empty? I say, without a doubt, cup half full -- and here are six reasons why:

1. Michigan has much more talent than many people realize. It is tempting to look at the recent string of Michigan losses and assume they are no good. Well, Dion Harris is pretty good. Chris Hunter is pretty good. Courtney Sims -- he is a monster down low. My question is this: How in the world has this team lost seven straight games? It couldn't be the coaching -- after all, they have one of Coach K's disciples.

2. Illinois was fatigued -- and won anyway. Two games in three days. Serious travel problems increasing airport time significantly. No legs -- evidenced by short shots from long range. Illinois was downright tired -- and found a way to win -- the mark of a great team.

3. The last 22 points of the game. In regard to No. 2 above, notice how the Illinois closed the game: four dunks, four layups and six free throws made -- not a single jump shot. I've been told by hotshot experts that Illinois isn't strong enough around the hoop -- I love how Illinois closed the game Tuesday night.

4. Winning on the road is tough. Ask Boston College about South Bend; ask your buddy Bill Self about Philadelphia; ask Roy Williams about wherever in the heck Santa Clara is; ask Bo Ryan about Bloomington, Ind.; ask Coach K about Maryland (wait a minute -- they lost at home J ). And ask Bruce Weber -- he might know something. The boys in orange have been ridiculously good on the road -- 11 straight conference road wins -- and most have been fairly close.

5. Illinois' three guards are really special. Against Iowa, it was Luther Head who made the difference. Last year against Wisky at home, Deron Williams refused to let the Illini lose. And last night -- it was all Dee Brown, baby! Point is this -- you might be able to shut down one of these guys or on a unique night, maybe even two. But I can't foresee a scenario where all three guards don't show up on a given night. By the way -- can we just give Brown the conference player of the week award right now for this week?

6. James Augustine is the best big man in the conference. We realize this is not politically correct. We should be exalting Paul Davis of Michigan State or Carl Landry of Purdue or even the Johnson kid from Penn State. Sims looked really good last night for the Big Blue. But bottom line -- who was making the plays late at Wisconsin and at Michigan State and last night at Ann Arbor? The best big man in the conference -- Augie!

My point -- the cup is half full. Illinois is 24-0. Illinois is 10-0 in the conference. Illinois has now won 20 straight conference games. My conclusion is this: I'm really disappointed in myself -- how could I doubt these guys? I sure hope you don't. I think they've proved again and again they are the real deal.

[Greg Taylor]

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