Shaun Pruitt scored 20 points and Warren Carter added 17 as the Illini frontline dominated the paint and cruised to an important 68-50 win from Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania on Saturday afternoon.
Brian Randle contributed 10 points for Illinois as the Illini bigs combined for 47 points on 20-of-29 shooting. The Illini shot 56% from the field against the worst defense in the Big Ten this season and they controlled the boards, 33-22.
Mike Walker led the Lions with 14 points, 12 of which came from four long second-half 3-pointers, and Geary Claxton added 12 for Penn State, which lost its 13th straight game.
Most people who follow the Illini agreed that this game was absolutely a must-win game for Illinois, although winning the game likely won't help the Illini's argument for an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament as much as losing it would have hurt Illinois' chances for an invitation to the tourney. The important thing is that the Illini (21-9 overall, 9-6 in the Big Ten) took care of business against Penn State (10-17 overall, 1-13 in the Big Ten) early and often, leading from start to finish with a comfortable margin.
Illinois' win from Penn State, coupled with Michigan State's victory from visiting Indiana, vaulted the Illini into sole possession of third place in the Big Ten. Michigan State, Indiana and Iowa are all 1/2 game behind the Illini with 8-6 Big Ten records. The Illini conclude their regular season schedule next Saturday in Iowa City, Iowa against the Hawkeyes.
A bright orange block of between 50 and 100 Orange Krush members made the bus trip to Happy Valley to root on the Illini. It should be a fun return trip home for these road warriors.
Illinois 68, Penn State 50
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Champaign County YMCA Youth Basketball: Celtics 18, Raptors 16
It was an exciting start to the Winter 2007 edition of Champaign County YMCA Youth Basketball. And our Celtics came out on the winning side of an 18-16 game this morning at the Champaign County Y.
Both teams looked a little rusty early on after a two-month layoff from competitive hoops, but both teams got more comfortable as the game progressed. I thought both teams had plenty of open looks at the basket but neither of us really capitalized on all those open looks. We rebounded very well today and I thought we hustled and played hard. It looked like our guys were having fun out there too! It was a very good, very competitive game and it was close throughout. And I thought the Raptors, who didn't have an official coach assigned to them, played very tough, especially having just five players suit up.
Michael had a career-high 4 points, at least 2 rebounds, and a steal as he played the best game of his young hoops career. He was very aggressive in the two quarters (14 minutes) he played and he showed an ability to drive to the basket and create shots. I was very proud of him and all of the Celtics in this first game of the Winter Y-league.
And so the Celtics move on with a 1-0 record in the league. Next up: a game with the Mavericks at 9:30 AM on March 3 at the Champaign County Y.
GO CELTICS!!!
Both teams looked a little rusty early on after a two-month layoff from competitive hoops, but both teams got more comfortable as the game progressed. I thought both teams had plenty of open looks at the basket but neither of us really capitalized on all those open looks. We rebounded very well today and I thought we hustled and played hard. It looked like our guys were having fun out there too! It was a very good, very competitive game and it was close throughout. And I thought the Raptors, who didn't have an official coach assigned to them, played very tough, especially having just five players suit up.
Michael had a career-high 4 points, at least 2 rebounds, and a steal as he played the best game of his young hoops career. He was very aggressive in the two quarters (14 minutes) he played and he showed an ability to drive to the basket and create shots. I was very proud of him and all of the Celtics in this first game of the Winter Y-league.
And so the Celtics move on with a 1-0 record in the league. Next up: a game with the Mavericks at 9:30 AM on March 3 at the Champaign County Y.
GO CELTICS!!!
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Illinois 54, Michigan 42
Warren Carter, playing his last game at Assembly Hall and his first collegiate game with his mother in attendance, went out in style and led the Fighting Illini to a crucial 54-42 victory from Michigan Wednesday night.
Senior night... Big game with NCAA Tourney implications for both teams... Last dance for Chief Illiniwek at halftime... Details of last week's Jamar Smith/Brian Carlwell accident splashed all over the news media... The stage was set for a very emotional night for Illini players and fans.
And Carter delivered with a game-high 18 points and 9 rebounds. The two other Illini seniors, Rich McBride and Marcus Arnold, also came through with solid contributions in this important Illini victory: McBride totaled 11 points, including two big second-half threes that helped push the Illini out to a comfortable lead, while Arnold came in off the bench and added 4 points, 2 rebounds and a blocked shot in 16 quality minutes of action.
The Illini defense - which has been strong in the last half of the Big Ten schedule this season - again won this game. Michigan shot just 37% and at times looked lost on offense: No Wolverines scored in double figures as sophomore guard Jerret Smith led UM with 9 points.
Illinois 54, Michigan 42
Senior night... Big game with NCAA Tourney implications for both teams... Last dance for Chief Illiniwek at halftime... Details of last week's Jamar Smith/Brian Carlwell accident splashed all over the news media... The stage was set for a very emotional night for Illini players and fans.
And Carter delivered with a game-high 18 points and 9 rebounds. The two other Illini seniors, Rich McBride and Marcus Arnold, also came through with solid contributions in this important Illini victory: McBride totaled 11 points, including two big second-half threes that helped push the Illini out to a comfortable lead, while Arnold came in off the bench and added 4 points, 2 rebounds and a blocked shot in 16 quality minutes of action.
The Illini defense - which has been strong in the last half of the Big Ten schedule this season - again won this game. Michigan shot just 37% and at times looked lost on offense: No Wolverines scored in double figures as sophomore guard Jerret Smith led UM with 9 points.
Illinois 54, Michigan 42
Illinois' Chief Illiniwek performs last dance
Illinois' Chief Illiniwek performs last dance
And so the vocal, politically correct minority wins again... Not that anyone in this small faction cares about Fighting Illini - yes, Fighting Illini - sports...
And so the vocal, politically correct minority wins again... Not that anyone in this small faction cares about Fighting Illini - yes, Fighting Illini - sports...
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