Illinois vs. Minnesota

McCamey fouls out with 7.8 seconds left in the game. Ralph Sampson shooting 2, we need him to miss one to have a chance... Missed the first... Missed the second, but with no timeouts, the game ends after a miss by DJ Richardson. The Illini fall 62-60 to the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

The Illini get two good looks after a Minnesota basket, but are forced to send the Gophers to the line after misses.

Minnesota just looks dejected! Another Illini three pointer, and this is a one point game! 58-59 with 1:20 left in the game.

The Illini have just opened the flood gates in the last few minutes of this one... What looked like a disaster in progress is now a chance for a miracle.

Bill Cole matches his career high at 12 points for the game. His three point shooting has been the highlight of our offense today.

This is the loudest it has been since the first few minutes, but the Illini still trail 41-53.

6 minutes left, and the Illini trail big, 36-51. It seems that everytime we do anything at all, there is a stop to our momentum.

33 minutes into the game, and the Illini attempt their first free throw.

Richardson and McCamey combining for 0-9 behind the line has just killed us. If even one of their shots each had fallen, it would be a 3 point game. Also, the Illini have not attempted a single free throw in this game.

Devoe Joseph is on fire.

Demetri McCamey has all seven of our teams assists on 11 field goals... This kid simply makes our offense run.

Mike Davis with the shooter's roll at the 15 minute mark. 33-27 Minnesota.

Bill Cole has hit two threes now, and both times Devoe Joseph has taken the ball down to the other end and matched it.

Bill Cole finally hits a three, and the crowd is awake again. I have never seen the Illini miss this many shots... It took 12 attempts to get a three to drop.

The story at the half is a familiar one for Bruce Weber. As a past recipient of criticism due to his team's lack of a true scoring ability, the head coach has to be experiencing the "here we go again" blues. It's not that Minnesota is really out playing us, we just can't seem to figure out the zone. Our shooting is ice cold (22% from the field, 0-11 from three), and the result is a ten point deficit at the break. Coming out into the second half, we need to flat out shoot better. I don't know if it's going to take some set plays or what, the bottom line is that 14 points in a half is just not going to cut it. 10 of our 14 points are in the paint, and that alludes even more to how bad our outside shooting has been. Minnesota has been extremely balanced. 6 players with an assist compared to the Illini who have only one player (McCamey) with any assists. Overall, this game has been very flat, like a continuation of the Ohio State game. We could easily turn it around here and come back, but it's going to take an attitude adjustment from the entire team... This game could clinch an NCAA berth, and we seem to be giving it all away.

There doesn't seem to be much too it... Play a good zone defense, and the Illini are going to struggle to put anything up on the board. The Big Ten is known for man to man, but so far the teams who have just shut down the scoring attack have been OSU and Minnesota, and both run a zone defense.

With 3:45 left in the first, the Illini are hitting 20% of their shots.

Mike Tisdale finally ends the Illini drought with a 15 footer, but the score still sits at 18-10 Minnesota with 4:50 left in the first.

The 2-3 zone is giving us fits. Numerous times we have gotten frustrated, and the result has been a well guarded miss. We need to get it inside, kick it back out, hit a couple of shots, and force the Gophers to get out of this defensive set.

Minnesota is making Illinois switch a lot on defense, and to this point they have been up to the task. The Gopher shots have for the most part come on quick cuts to the vacated space after the dribble drive. Look for the Illini to figure out who's hitting their shots, and the pressure will follow accordingly.

Now seven minutes into the game, and neither team wants to open this one up. Minnesota is ahead 7-4, but it hasn't been pretty. This could be one of those games that become very tedious.

Four minutes into the first half, the game play has been a little choppy. Both teams seem to want to push the ball, but neither are converting on their scoring opportunities. Minnesota is having a hard time knocking down open shots, while Illinois is maybe rushing a little bit to get the shot off. Both teams need to settle down a little during this timeout.

West Completes Illini Football Staff

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - University of Illinois head football coach Ron Zook announced today the hiring of Ron West as the final addition to the Illini staff, bringing with him 30 years of collegiate coaching experience. Zook also made two other announcements naming tight ends coach Greg Nord recruiting coordinator and adding the title of Assistant Head Coach to offensive line coach Joe Gilbert.

"I am excited to complete this staff with the hiring of Ron West," Zook said. "He and Vic (Koenning) have a great working relationship and that will add a needed cohesiveness as we move forward on the defensive side of the ball. Ron shares our passion for getting this program back on track and will be a great teacher and leader for our young men."

"I am very excited about being a part of this staff and working in the Big Ten," West said. "This is a program that has been established and is just two years removed from the Rose Bowl, so I felt like it was a great opportunity to compete for a championship, especially with Coach Zook working hard to get back to that level. I am excited about being reunited with Vic (Koenning). The last time we were together, the defense was in the top 10 in the country. We'll expect to create that passion on defense that puts us in national rankings. "

West has 14 years experience coaching on defense, including eight seasons as a coordinator, and 16 years on the offensive side of the ball. He spent the 2009 season as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Tulsa.

Prior to moving to Tulsa, he spent 10 seasons on the coaching staff at Clemson University (1999-2008), helping the Tigers win 76 games and play in nine bowl games. A 1979 graduate of Clemson, West began his stint on the Tigers' coaching staff as offensive line coach in 1999. He coached the offensive line for five seasons and spent the past five years on the defensive side of the ball.

While on the defensive coaching staff at Clemson, West coached the outside linebackers. In 2005, the Clemson defense finished among the top-25 in six defensive categories. In 2006, West coached one of the greatest players in Clemson history, the late Gaines Adams, who became the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft. The Clemson defense was in the top-25 in all four major categories, including a top-10 finish in scoring defense and total defense. Clemson's defense ranked 18th in total defense and 13th in scoring defense in 2008.

Before arriving at Clemson, West spent two years on Tommy Bowden's coaching staff at Tulane University (1997-98), where he coached the offensive line. His influence as line coach saw the Green Wave total nearly 4,700 yards and a school record 375 points. A year later, Tulane posted a 12-0 record as the offensive line helped pave the way for an offense to average over 300 passing yards and 200 rushing yards.

West began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Livingston College in 1979. He was at East Carolina in the spring of 1980 and became the offensive line coach at North Texas for the 1980 season. In 1981, West joined the Texas Tech coaching staff as the offensive line coach and special teams coordinator. He served in that capacity for four years before moving to defense in 1985 as assistant linebackers coach.

His next stop was at Louisiana-Lafayette where he spent seven seasons (1986-92) as defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. His defenses were ranked among the nation's top-20 in total defense three times. West joined the Baylor coaching staff for four seasons (1993-96) as offensive line coach and served as the running game coordinator in his final year.

During his playing career, West was a reserve offensive lineman in 1977 and 1978 for the Clemson Tigers after transferring from Marion Institute, where he earned junior college All-America accolades. He started two games as a senior and helped his team post an 11-1 record and No. 6 national ranking in the final Associated Press poll. West and his wife, Becky, have two adult children, Brad and Lori.

THE WEST FILE
2009 Tulsa (co-defensive coordinator / linebackers)
2004-08 Clemson University (outside linebackers)
1999-2003 Clemson University (offensive line)
1997-98 Tulane University (offensive line)
1996 Baylor University (offensive line / run-game coordinator)
1993-95 Baylor University (offensive line)
1986-92 Louisiana-Lafayette (defensive coordinator / linebackers)
1985 Texas Tech (assistant linebackers)
1981-84 Texas Tech (offensive line / special teams)
1980 North Texas (offensive line)
1979 Livingston College (graduate assistant)


Information from Illinois DIA

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.

Illinois at Iowa

This is my first trip to Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and I must admit that it is a very nice place to see a game. The seats are all close to the court, and the pre game show was lots of fun.

Final score Illinois 57 Iowa 49.

Iowa misses the three point attempt, and McCamey hits a free throw.

Mike Tisdale with two clutch free throws. Iowa is giving it their all, and you have to hand it to them... this turning into a potential nightmare for the Illini in a hurry... that being said, the game isn't over yet. 54-49 with 34 seconds left.

Demetri McCamey just made a huuuuuge mistake... After grabbing an offensive rebound and getting a new shot clock, the junior attempted a half court alley oop and threw the ball into the crowd.

1:30 left, 3 point game. 52-49 Illini.

McCamey just held the ball until the shot clock got to under 6 again and missed a fade away.

Mike Davis with a great shot. He and Griffey have made two straight big shots.

Aaron Fuller shooting two. Makes them both, and it's back to a three point game.

Another foul on the Illini, and Iowa gets to the line again. This arena is like night and day the last 5 minutes compared to the first 30.

Tyler Griffey with a huge shot for a freshman.

Foul on the Illini, and Cole will shoot two. After making them both, it's a three point game, and the crowd is on their feet.

Cully Payne hits a three, and the gap has closed to 48-43 Illinois with 4 left.

Tisdale fouls Payne, and we are lucky that he didn't get shots out of it... NBA rules, and he would be shooting two.

48-40 Illinois with 5:45 left.

Iowa has the lead down to seven and with 6 minutes left, this is very much a game. The Iowa players came out with a lot of energy but fell asleep a little as the first half wound down... the energy is back, and you can see the fight in Lickliter's team again.

The Illini turn the ball over on a bad decision by McCamey. The shot clock got low, and he tried to break a double team, passed to Jeff Jordan with 2 left, and all we could get out of it was an air ball. My fear is that teams are jut going to start double teaming him under 8 seconds because he never seems to give up the ball.

The mood in the building is getting a little bit more intense. The Iowa fans are yelling at McCamey over exaggerating a foul, I think? On top of that I think the fans are just getting sick of the Orange Krush.

43-32 Illinois with 12:45 left in the game.

Tisdale got a raw deal on that foul call. His arm was locked up, and the Iowa player had him stuck in place.

Illinois leads this one 42-32 with 16 minutes left in the game.

Cully Payne just lobbed up a terrible shot... his second air ball of the game.

Iowa just isn't very smart with the basketball. There isn't a lot of ball movement once the first shot goes up... It's goes in or the rebound goes right back up... no one looks to reset.

McCamey took this game over for the last 2 minutes of play. Two straight pull up jumpers and a lay-up as the buzzer sounded give the Illini a little cushion. 35-27 at the half.

Mike Davis just broke away for a dunk and pointed up to the Krush to show some appreciation for the trip. 29-27 Illinois with 2 left.

McCamey just got called for a foul for reaching, and I'm wondering how he ended up guarding Brennan Cougill who comes in at 6'9" 255 lbs... I'm assuming the Illini were caught on a switch that didn't work out too well.

This has been an extremely quick first half. With 4:20 left, there have only been 3 fouls total.

Back to Back threes by D.J., and the Illini have their biggest lead of the game. 25-19.

Iowa is living and dying from the three point line. So far, well over half of their shots have come from deep and hitting 45% of them has kept them in the game. 19-19 with 6 left.

17-16 Illinois with 7:45 left.

The Illini need to keep going inside. Tisdale, Griffey, Davis... they are all getting open looks down low.

11-11 is the score with 11 left in the half. Iowa is turning the ball over a lot, and the Illini are missing shots. We need to capitalize early and pull away like Weber has been talking about.

7 minutes into the game, and we have a low scoring affair. The Illini have gotten plenty of open looks, they just aren't knocking them down.

Brandon Paul just elevated for a nice block, pinning the ball against the back board.

The Orange Krush has invaded Carver-Hawkeye. A few hundred or so members are taking up a huge section.

The Illini opened the game and controlled the action, but back to back threes by Matt Gatens have put Iowa up one.