The Illini were loose before practice yesterday. They were preparing for tonight’s game against Northern Illinois. NIU is not expected to compete with the Illini. Their best player is out for two weeks. Excitement around the program left with Dennis Gates.
Brandon Paul is feeling loose after his record-setting debut.
He infected Tyler Griffey.
He watched Dietrich dunk.
A sleepy Dominique Keller stayed on the floor. Bruce Weber and Keller had a serious case of the yawns. And you know how that contagion works.
As coach Wayne McClain walked the team through sets expected from tonight’s opponent, the team’s collective mouth gaped, as they drifted into sleepyland.
The players shot around while media mingled.
Reporters asked Richard Semrau about his performance against SIUE.
And then everyone got down to business.