Big Ten Tourney Sights and Sounds

[March 15, 2008]  In the throes of the Illini’s unlikely, improbable, incredible, amazing, thrilling and any other of a thousand other interchangeable adjectives that describe their win over Purdue, the buzzing around Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis just refuses to stop.

As was mentioned in earlier stories, not many saw this coming. Obviously Demetri Mccamey’s awesome six-for-six showing from downtown enroute to a game high 26 points was a big reason for Illinois’ surprising win. However, don’t discount the production from freshmen Mike Davis, Mike Tisdale and Jeff Jordan.

Jordan came off the bench and gave quality minutes scoring four points and playing some great defense. Davis erupted for 10 points and the circus shot he made when he followed a McCamey miss late in the game may not only have been the shot of the game, but it may have sealed the win for the good guys in Orange.

The Big Ten Tournament has turned into a scalper’s nightmare as both Purdue and Indiana went down the same night in back to back games. What were the chances of that? What were the odds on that?

The Illini were the first ever #10 seed to advance to the semi-finals in the history of the tourney.

Their game also marked only the third overtime game in this event’s history the second time the Illini came away with a victory. Last season Illinois dumped Indiana 58-54 in Chicago.

The Illini will play in the tourney semi-finals for the 10th time in 11 years.

Illinois now has a record of 20-8 in the BTT and 9-3 under Bruce Weber.

The Illini have now won three in a row for the first time since the first three games of the season.

In closing, the Illini played like men out-rebounding the Boilermakers 39-26 holding Purdue to 39% shooting for the game.

Illini freshman Mike Davis reported to Coach Weber that Illinois had a record of 8-2 going into the game with the Boilers when Davis has seen 15 or more minutes of action (he saw 17 minutes in this game) making Illinois now 9-2 in his concept. That prompted Weber to remark that maybe he should listen to the players more.

Illinois was to face one of their sternest tests of the year as they were scheduled to tangle with Tubby Smith’s Minnestoa Gophers in Saturday’s late game.

[By LDN Staff]