I guess I’m the only person who thought Illinois played pretty well in their victory over Boise State.
When Demetri McCamey and the Mikes moped into the interview room, it was clear they’d heard an earful from their coach. No matter the positives suggested to them by the media, they would not take credit for accomplishments. They sulked in shame that Boise’d made a game of it.
I thought it passed the line of good taste, assuming one is reading from the Old School Text, in which one is discouraged from disrespecting one’s opponent.
It’s not that I concur with that meme. I think one’s opponent’s mother should be referenced from time to time — but only in proper Transatlantic language. No dropped Gs, for example.
Should we say “shame on Jay Price” for scheduling Boise? Should we say “shame on Bruce Weber” for leading his team’s disparagement of their own win?
The offense looked much better than it has for most of the season. The Illini intuited cuts and passes, accurately forecasting the movements of teammates. The giant clusterfuck of half-hearted screens, the perfunctory passing around the arc; these were notably absent — especially in the waning moments when the Broncos cut a ten point gap to two.
There were only a spate of odd turnovers: Davis forgetting the ball mid-leap to a dunk, Tisdale’s fastball to Bill Cole (from three feet away), McCamey’s insufficiently zippy passes from the wing.
I would not trade these “mistakes” for cautious, piecemeal ball movement. This team played moments of cat to its opponent’s mouse. The opponent came within a few points of exacting a cost for the playfulness.
But once those ball-handling oddities work their kinks out, the offense will be beautiful to behold. Let’s not cudgel the creative inclination, et tu Bruce?
THIS WAS A GOOD WIN
Boise’s Broncos were not invited for the purpose of scaring fans. They weren’t invited to pose a risk. They were invited to add a W to the schedule, while allowing the Illini to work multiple players into the rotation, and get some pre-Big Ten practice in game form. Or at least that’s the way you’d have to interpret the moping; you’d have to assume the Illini were insulted by Boise’s competing.
But fuck all the disappointment palaver. The Broncos are good.
Boise challenged the Illini, but our guys recognized the challenge. More importantly, they met the challenge. They turned it back. Illinois fought to win this game.
WEEK THREE OF BLIND PRAISE FOR NEW KING COLE
Bill Cole fouled out and scored no points. Bruce Weber praised him, and made him an example to others.
The unquantifiable “plays his ass off” draws a better picture than Cole’s other stats: three rebounds, three assists, 19 minutes. Once again, Cole left it all on the court.
We knew the freshmen would be good. That’s not news. Bill Cole’s impact is the story of this season, so far.
MISTER McBRIDE
Rich McBride’s feet are feeling better. He has a new gig. He’s decided it’s time to be a man. But don’t take my word for it.
McBride sat not too far from talented Springfield 8th grader Larry Austin, Jr.
BIGFOOT SIGHTING
Press Row is unemotional, by design. Austerity of attitude is required of the passive observers. We are neutral scribes, dressed in neutral colors, unswayed by appeals to fandom.
And we’re required to refrain from cheering.
But much suppressed twittering squeaked from the nostrils of journalists last night, as the Orange Krush piled myriad insults on Bronco Center Kurt Cunningham. We couldn’t help ourselves.
Cunningham’s game is not terrible. He’s capable of passing around triple teams, for example.
It’s his grooming that caught the Krush’s collective eye. He’s very hairy.
Their taunts got to him. Cunningham may contemplate Krush calls for epilation, waxing or just regular shaving of tufts mushrooming from his arms and back.
A GALLERY DEVOTED TO THE AWESOMENESS OF MIKE DAVIS
In years to come, Mike Davis will attain a legendary status among Illini fans. Like the Douglas-to-Winters lob, there’s something aesthetically satisfying about the Mike Davis jumper.
He launches so quickly, from such height, that it’s nearly impossible to defend. Worse (for opponents) it always goes in.
His passing entertains, as well.
We know about his talent for spearing caroms.
He’s adding to his game. His last two games featured baseline drives and reverse lay-ups.
He swaggers.
