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Big Ten
Tourney News & Notes
By LDN Staff
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[March 14, 2008]
INDIANAPOLIS -- In Illinois'
thrilling 64-63 Big Ten tourney opening-round victory over Penn
State, the Illini avenged two narrow regular-season losses to the
Nittany Lions. The Illini were due for some good things to come
their way, as they have suffered through a litany of bad blows all
season.
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On the game-winning play, the ball was inbounded to Trent
Meacham, who was immediately double-teamed. He found Chester
Frazier, who had quickly stepped inbounds, and the pass was much
more difficult than it looked. Meacham had four hands in his face
and somehow fought through to deliver a perfect strike to Frazier.
Instead of going straight up, fearing that his game-winning attempt
might be blocked, he quickly went underneath to convert the nifty
reverse layup with 3.8 seconds left in the game. Penn State, who
had one timeout left, chose to forgo it and tried to catch the
Illini on their defensive heels. Talor Battle rushed down the floor
and fired up a desperation heave that clanged off the board,
ensuring a much-needed Illini victory.
Coach Weber canceled the 8:30 shoot-around in what may have been
the coaching decision of the day. I could almost hear Bill Murray
from the movie "Stripes" saying that he thought the shoot-around
should be postponed until the team was better rested. It sure seems
to have done some good, as Illinois shot 50 percent from 3-point
range in the first half alone! The much-maligned Illini also canned
an amazing 13-of-17 free throws for 76.5 percent.
Illinois also had one of their most balanced scoring outings of
the year as Brian Randle led the way with 17, followed by Trent
Mecham with 14, Demetri McCamey with 11 and Shaun Pruitt with 10.
Illinois is the all-time leader in the Big Ten tournament in both
wins, with 19, and in winning percentages, with a .704 (19-8) mark.
Friday night the Illini will face a ranked opponent for the ninth
time.
The Illini face Purdue tonight at 5:30 Illinois time on the Big
Ten Network.
[By LDN STAFF]
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