Illinois Vs. Michigan State

Twenty-five minutes before tip off, and the Assembly Hall is already half full. The fans are excited for what looks to be a great match up with Big Ten championship implications. Michigan State comes into tonight's game at 9-1 in the Big Ten, while Illinois is tied for second at 7-3. The crowd is loud and ready to go. If you're a player who isn't pumped up for this one, you might want to get your pulse checked quickly. With two minutes until tip off, Bruce Weber makes his way onto the floor in his patented Orange Blazer.

GAME OVER!!! Illini rush the court!

15.4 left in the game, DJ Richardson shooting two again... makes the first, makes the second.

DJ Richardson is at the line and hits the first, misses the second... the rebound is sent down the floor, and MSU hits a three... The Illini lead by one with 17 seconds left... Big free throws coming up.

McCamey nails a three, and MSU answers with a two that rolls in after hitting a would be rebounder's hand. Illini lead it 73-70 with 27 seconds left.

The Illini are only shooting 50% from the free throw line, but MSU isn't much better at around 65%. If this comes down to free throws, it might get interesting.

Michigan State loses possession on a jump ball, and the Illini have a 2 point lead with 1 minute 8 seconds to play... Michigan State turns on the full court press, and the Illini have to call a timeout.

Paul is fouled driving the lane and sinks the lay up. A chance to go up 3 with 1:21 left. No good. 70-68.

Mike Tisdale injured his knee and comes out with 1:45 left... MSU gets fouled, and Tisdale returns. Raymar Morgan sinks two, and it's a tie game with 1:30 left.

Tisdale fouls Draymon Green with 2:16 left. Green makes the first, misses the second.

68-65 Illinois with 2:30 left in the game. Michigan State calls a time out to get everyone on the same page for one of Tom Izzo's famous set plays.

MSU has been bailing the Illini out. The shot clock will be under 6, and they will pick up a dumb foul.

Draymon Green to the line with a chance to pull within 1... He hits them both, and the score is 66-65 Illini... 3:30 left.

I have to say that this one would be a very disappointing loss as we have been in it or leading all night.

McCamey misses a pair of free throws with 3:55 left, and the Illini fail to stretch their three point lead. Those may end up being big points in the end because this one seems to be going down to the very end.

The Illini have really slowed down the pace which is a little risky considering the lead is only 3, and there is over 4 minutes left to play.

MSU once again has made a quick recovery, and the score sits at 64-61 Illini.

MSU really missing their floor leader in Kalin Lucas, the Spartans are -5 in assist to turnover ratio.

DJ Richardson dunks on a break away, and it is LOUD! Turnover MSU, Illinois up 64-57 with 7:17 left in the game, time out on the floor. It would mean the world to get points here and keep the momentum going. This is the point in the game where you are really fighting for momentum. It has been back and forth all game and looking down the stretch, you want to have things in your hands.

Brandon Paul throws down a huge dunk and not only are the Illini on top, but the crowd is awake again. 59-57 Illinois with 8:45 left. Draymon Green and Chris Allen were on the bench for most of that comeback.

10 minutes left, tied at 55.

Illinois leads the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense, and Michigan State is third... With 11 minutes left, both teams are shooting over 50% still.

Chris Allen and Draymond Green have been huge tonight for Tom Izzo. Every time the Illini score a few points, one of the two comes right back and nails a shot. The Illini lead only took a minute to evaporate into a two point deficit. 53-55 11:23 left.

McCamey hits a three with under 5 on the shot clock, then follows it up with another. The Illini have their biggest lead of the half at 53-49.

Paul again scores on an athletic play after a Mike Davis offensive rebound, and this time he's fouled. Paul going to the basket hard which is good when your shot isn't going in.

Brandon Paul fought hard and scored on an offensive put back. 45-45 with 14:25 left.

Both teams knock down some shots, and we are tied again at 41. It's been all about offense tonight as both teams are still shooting over 50% for the game. Michigan State is playing the better basketball despite the high number of turnovers, I just hope the Illini can get by on the energy. Our sets are working pretty well on the shots, but we can't score in the paint for our lives. Games like that usually stay close for a while but a few empty possessions can be mean a big drought.

Delvon Roe slams home a big dunk, and Michigan State is ahead 37-35 to begin the half.

Illinois takes a one point lead into the locker room, 35-34. I loved the crowd to begin the game, but they need to step it back up and get the energy going. Michigan State is crushing us on the glass, especially on the offensive end. If the Illini want to win this game, they are going to have to
1. Take better care of the ball. (9 turnovers.) 2. Make MSU miss shots. (Michigan State shot over 55% for the half.) 3. Run their offense. (Too many times we fired up a bad shot. When we run our sets, guys like Mike Davis and DJ Richardson have found openings.)

Durrell Summers makes a bad decision and fouls DJ Richardson at mid court with 5 seconds left in the half. DJ knocks down one, and MSU converts on a quick play off the miss.

Demetri led a 3 on 1, but ended up turning the ball over after a bad alley-oop.

Bill Cole steps out of bounds, and MSU has a chance to tie it up or take the lead with 1:45 left in the first half.

Ron Zook is here taking in the action with his family. It has to be nice to relax a little after a crazy week of signing.

Mike Davis told me that he had been working on his shot all week, and it shows because he's putting it up with a lot of confidence. Two of his shots have been knocked down from the top of the key.

4:45 left, 30-26 Illinois. There has been a scoring lull since that three point explosion almost 4 minutes ago.

Michigan State is making us work hard when we have the ball. Getting an open look is nearly impossible, and you have to be really tough to bang down low with these forwards. The key is good ball reversal and creating your own opportunity to score.

An offensive explosion for a moment there by both teams. Back to back threes, and it's 28-24 Illinois with 8:20 left.

McCamey back in, and the Illini did their job with him on the bench going plus one.

Michigan State is shooting a very high percentage because of a bunch of lay ups, but also they are sinking shots that are well defended. Hopefully that doesn't last.

12:11 McCamey comes out, Illini up 16-14. Let's see how the Illini handle this as they have had problems with the junior on the bench.

Michigan State is in a better rhythm than they were to begin the game, and it started when Korie Lucious came out of the game. I know Lucious has played in big games before like the national championship match up with UNC, but he looked a little bit shaken from the start.

Weber's team has fallen in love with the three and after a few misses, MSU has been able to put together a little run of their own. The Illini still lead 14-10, but it's been all MSU the last minute or so.

The crowd has to be getting to the Spartans. Their pace is way off, and it's leading to turnovers.

The Illini have come out shooting the lights out. After only 3 minutes, Illinois is off to a 12-4 lead. The damage has been done from the three, the wing, the offensive rebound... It's been all Illini.

Tyler Griffey active early. Both of the first two Illini possessions have gone through the freshman.