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It was the opening day/night of the college basketball season. IF
you ask me, I think it should be a national holiday with games all
day to showcase hoops in all sections and regions of the country.
Some want to holler about how great this top 10 team is or that
team. I really don’t care. My job is to report to you loyal LDN
readers the status of our own beloved, the Orange & Blue hoopsters
holding court just off Kirby Street at 1800 S. 1st Street!
To say that the opener didn’t start the way it was drawn up
throughout training camp wouldn’t be doing the phrase justice. The
Illini played the game without 3 starters and one influential player
off the bench. There was no Kofi Cockburn [serving a 3-game
suspension, & that’s a story in itself], no Trent Frazier [still
favoring a shoulder injured in the last exhibition game], no Andre
Curbelo [in concussion protocol is the word on the street], and no
Austin Hutcherson [out with a tailbone injury]. Most teams would
really struggle losing that much firepower, but we’re not most
teams.
After a couple of lackluster moments, Illinois did what you always
have to do when you are playing an inferior opponent-take care of
business in the first ten minutes. I think the longer I’m around
this team the more they are reading my scripts. The Illini jumped
out to a 12-0 lead and led 18-2 at the 11:24 timeout. They eased off
the gas a little too much for my liking after that and were only up
30-17 at halftime.
They got more comfortable after the break and begin to pull away
even more at each TV timeout.
Jacob Grandison and Coleman Hawkins led the way for the Illini.
Grandison finished the night with 20 points and 5 rebounds while
Hawkins continued to flash his improved play with 13 points and 8
rebounds. Newcomer Alfonso Plummer, the transfer from Utah, had the
highest plus-minus at 24 while tallying 9 points and 4 assists.
Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk had a career high 10 rebounds. Omar Payne,
the transfer from Florida, contributed 3 blocked shots to the cause.
The Illini shot 44% for the game and forced 20 turnovers. [to top of second column] |
This and That
The 3-game suspension doled out to Illinois’ Kofi Cockburn is
yet another example of the NCAA’s lack of logic and common
sense. While it fits within the scope of what the old rules
said-those rules changed 3 weeks after his so-called
indiscretion happened and so would not have even been against
said rules now. In addition, he repaid the money he made by
making a donation to charity. I could see maybe a 1-game penalty
but 3 c’mon? What next? Blood letting? The rack?
Overall team depth has always been a curious thing to me. On the
one hand I can barely remember when Illinois had as deep a
multi-faceted team; on the other, it remains to be seen IF these
guys [transfers, freshmen, guys coming back from injury] can
compete at a high level once the schedule toughens up…maybe
Friday, or most certainly at Marquette on Monday.
For the most part I really liked our effort. There were a few
times when closeouts on the perimeter could have been better
leading to the Tigers banging home some 3’s. While it’s hard to
shut that off while clamping down in the paint, both will be
required as we advance through the season. The group on the
floor the last couple of minutes was flying around, crashing the
boards, and diving for loose balls. It is great to see that kind
of effort up and down the line-up.
For the Illini, last night’s season opening win was their 25th
straight on opening night. The Illini are back in action at home
Friday night versus the Arkansas State Red Wolves for an 8pm
tip. ASU had one of the LDN’s all-time favorite opponents, Jay
Cook, and so we give Jay today’s shout-out! [By JEFF MAYFIELD]
Respond to the writer at
jeffqmay@gmail.com.
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