Young Illini off with a 2-0 start

By Jeff Mayfield

[November 11, 2013]  For the 14th consecutive year, your Illinois Fighting Illini are off to a 2-0 record to start the 2013-2014 hoops season. To be sure, that probably says more about the quality of those schedules than it does about the Illini team, but as I've said many times before, a win is a win is a win. You can only play those teams that are on the schedule. And that is exactly what Illinois has done, and the results are 2-0.

Illinois 80, Alabama State 63

The Illini opened the season with a convincing 80-63 victory over Alabama State. The Illini were led by three players in double figures, including local hero Rayvonte Rice with 22 points and nine rebounds. Joseph Bertrand had a nice game as he tallied 14 points and eight boards, and Nnanna Egwu picked up where he left off last year by sporting a double-double, 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Illinois was active on the boards all night and had a 52-28 advantage there, including 20 of the offensive variety. However, the Illini did commit 15 turnovers, which is too many against a team of this caliber. The Illini did dish out 14 assists, and the unselfish play was quite evident.

Coach John Groce was pleased with the opening-night performance and especially liked his team's work on the glass, at the line, their overall pace and their defense, for most of the game. The LDN also spoke to Illini radio color man Jerry Hester, and he said he really likes this young edition of Illini.

Illinois 86, Jacksonville State 62

In game two, played at the State Farm Center, the Illini never trailed, handing visiting Jacksonville State an 86-62 defeat. The Illini move to 2-0 with the win.

Illini fifth-year senior Joseph Bertrand wowed the crowd by attaining his first-ever double-double, going for 20 points and 10 rebounds. The Illini were spreading the wealth, as he was one of five players in double figures.

Rice and Abrams hit for 13 each, and Tate and Egwu had 10 each. The Illini were actually outrebounded 44-37. But the big news of the night was that Illinois committed only five turnovers. Bigger than that, Illinois did not have a single turnover in the second half. That is quite an accomplishment.

So, while the victories were not over Kansas and Duke, 2-0 is 2-0. Next up for the Illini is a Wednesday home date with Valparaiso.

[By JEFF MAYFIELD]

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