Fighting Illini Basketball

Normally, we are supposed to provide a review of a current movie or book in these posts. I just adopted a son from Ethiopia. I haven’t sniffed a movie or a good book in ages.  So I’m going to “review” the one thing I have been able to watch on a regular basis, even here in Madison, WI—the 2010 University of Illinois basketball team (thanks Big Ten Network).

In short, the Illini this year have been inconsistent. Stretches of good play, followed by stretches of drought. On both a macro and micro basis. Going scoreless for extended minutes in games has been a factor in almost all of their losses so far this season. And I’ve never seen an Illini team get its “dobber” down so easily. A couple of things go wrong and it appears they throw in the towel. Yet, this team has made some amazing comebacks this season---especially coming from 23 down at Clemson in December for a big win. Very much a Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde type team.

The problem with this year’s team is defense, rebounding and overall toughness. Individually, the biggest problem has been junior forward Mike Davis. He’s been like the football team’s Juice Williams. Should be getting better each year but isn’t. And the coaches are pulling their hair out trying to figure out why. Davis disappears for too long in games, loses too confidence easily and is a lousy defender. Yet he has the potential to average a double-double in points and rebounds every night. If he ever figures it out, the Illini could go some places.

As it is, we are still in the hunt for an NCAA tournament bid. The biggest reason is junior guard Dimitri McCamey. He’s another one who has caused migraines for the coaches but primarily because he hadn’t been listening and learning about leadership. But he’s finally growing up a bit and getting it. His recent games have been stellar. He’s almost single-handedly won a couple of games lately and that has put the Illini back in the post-season picture. We’ve got some tough games coming up. Anything can happen. But I’ll be watching and, usually, cursing every step of the way.

Here’s a link to the University of Illinois athletic website for more info, stats and stuff:  http://www.fightingillini.com.

Go Illini.

--Reviewed by Kevin Johnson

Comments

[Dennis]

I agree with most of your assessment - although you left Tisdale out of the inconsistent troika along with McCamey and Davis. The Big 3 are just not dependable game after game. While the future looks fairly bright with Richardson, Paul and the incoming class, this year's version has been playing scared and oftentimes, just dumb.
Yet Weber has them in contention to wreak havoc in the Big Ten tourney. He's doing a great job of coaching them.
WARNING - HERESY ALERT:

I think they'd be better off playing in the NIT this year because they would get several games into it - I don't see them making it past the first round in the NCAA. Getting more playoff experience would actually help them in 11.

[Dan Green]

I agree with most of what Dennis adds here. Vitale has been touting Weber as coach of the year. He's been able to get more out of the players than anyone else can.

But, I have to disagree on the NIT. While the team would get more playoff experience, the school would get more scratch from getting in the first round of the NCAA Finals then they would if they won the whole NIT, and I think that would help the team out more in the long run. Besides, I think the experience from playing in just one game in the big dance would be a big confidence booster for the kids.