Sunday’s Orange & Blue Scrimmage delivered numbers that might surprise you.
It’s harder than usual to interpret a stat sheet when individual players compete for both teams. When the stats are themselves obscure (i.e. not points) it starts to feel like investigative journalism. Hunting for some dirt, not knowing what.
Joseph Bertrand tallied double-figures in rebounds. Jereme Richmond dished eight assists, and blocked DJ Richardson jumpers on consecutive defensive sets. Kevin Berardini had one dunk. (Well, sort of.)
Whoever wore Blue won each and every of the four 6 to 8 minute contests. Most players switched jerseys between sets. Three guys never did. DJ and Kevin wore Orange all afternoon. They were never part of a winning squad.
Only one Illini went undefeated. Il s’appelle Jean Selus.
Le Marcher-Sur Québécois Jean Selus est arrivé aux États-Unis depuis deux ans. Ici, il échappe au brouillard.
I thought Crandall Head was the star of the show. He penetrated, elevated and laid the ball gently off the glass.
Smoove.
I like the instinct to create. Newcomers show it.
Sometimes it survives the indoctrination. Sometimes it’s coached out of them.
Sometimes, you can almost see a guy flinch as the lane calls to his id, while flickering calculations bug his superego. (There’s no rebounder! Make the extra pass! etc.) But for now, the news is good on that front. Let’s all hope that Crandall’s instincts remain true, and his legs healthy.
The turnout of 6,027 might seem low, but it was about right for a gorgeous autumnal afternoon. Lynda Paul sported the best fall colors, in my arrogant opinion. Green is the new orange, and I like scarves.
Lorita Bertrand, Lynda and Cliff Paul
While cropping this Marcus Griffin photo, Miss Winters goggled at all her friends and students in the background
Mike Shaw made his Official Visit. Mycheal Henry came unofficially. They were joined by friends Kendall Barnes and Brian McElroy.
One big difference between an Official and an unofficial visit is the lavishing. On the Official Visit, the staff can take you out to eat. Mycheal Henry will get his fancy dinner next week. On this day, the Jerrance Howards took Mike Shaw to The Ribeye.
I hope he chooses Illinois anyway.
