Illinois vs. Sparty

Illinois vs. MSU
Tonight @ 6 p.m.

OK everyone, please move to the center of your aisles. Get a little cozier w/the person next to you, and please, please refrain from smoking. Our Illini Bandwagon is filling up on its way to the Final Four, and we will probably need to pick up a few more peeps after tonight. Everyone is welcome aboard, w/the exception of Bruce Pearl, Duke fans, and Tom Coverdale. Coach Self tried sneaking on twice already, and we had to beat the bastard back w/a stick.

I've stocked the wagon w/plenty of thrills, fast breaks, and enough cans of 'Whup Ass' to last about 18 more wins. The beer is on chill, and we will be stopping for a giant block party at the Breslin Center tonight (please don't burn any couches). I know it's game day, but try to get your work done so that you can cut out a few minutes early. You'll need some extra time to put on your orange, find a seat, and grab a Brewski for the 6 o'clock tip-off. Oh,… and in case of an accident, your seat cushion can be used as a flotation device.

MSU

I hate Steve Alford, I hate Mike Davis, I hate Bo Ryan, I hate Tommy Amaker, and I hate Gene Keady; Ed Dechillis, Dan Monson, Thad Matta, and Bill Carmody do not win enough to be worthy of my hate. However, I do not hate Tom Izzo…I actually kind of like him. Our rivalry w/MSU has been one of the best in the Big10 for the past 8 years or so. It's different than the others. When we beat up our other Big10 opponents, I like for us to kick them in the ribs a few times while they are down…maybe even rub their faces in the mud or use their own arms to hit themselves and ask, "Why are you hitting yourself, why are you hitting yourself?" But our MSU rivalry is more along the lines of Arturo Gatti vs. Mickey Ward than Tupac vs. Biggy. These two pugilists fought three times totaling over 30 epic rounds of Rocky like action. Each fighter respected the other, but when the bell sounded those two went to battle.

Ding Ding

MSU is almost a mirror image of the Illini this year, they start 3 guards and their power forward is a 6'6" 'tweener. However, the Spartans are a little different from the rough and tumble teams of recent memory; they like to run and probably will not try to slow Illinois down like previous opponents. Maurice Ager stole 3-year starter Kelvin Torbert's job this season w/stellar scoring numbers 14.5 ppg and lock down defense. Expect a 40 minute battle between him and Luther Head or Deron Williams. He teams up w/hi-flyer Shannon Brown (Dee's former high school teammate) and sharp shooter Chris Hill to form a poor man's version of the Illinois backcourt.

Paul Davis is a load inside, but he sat out MSU's last game w/an ankle sprain. He reminds me of a more skilled Robert Archibald the way he uses positioning to score. He has terrific body control, but at any moment he looks like he might start to cry. My inside sources say that Weber is going to have Roger Powell guard the 6'10" Davis even though Alan Anderson seems like a perfect match-up. Anderson could give Augustine problems on the perimeter if he is aggressive in driving to the hoop.

Illinois

While MSU's home court advantage has not received the same media attention as the Kohl Center did, MSU is 95-6 at the Breslin Center over the last six seasons. They are planning a White Out for tonight's game - a knockoff of Illinois' Paint the Hall Orange - and the atmosphere should be electric. But Illinois has already proven that they are a bunch of ducks…the pressure rolls off their backs like water.

James Augustine has been awesome in the last 2 games and earned Big Ten Player of the Week for his efforts. We need a strong showing from him in the post to offset Davis' scoring for MSU. Keep racking up the dunks big man!

While Jack Ingram has been garnering some well deserved ink lately, Rich McBride has stepped up w/his own strategically placed three's and increased intensity on defense. While Jack helped to put the game away against the Badgers, it was McBride's three that start Illinois on their run I think McBride busts loose for some bombs like he did against Memphis last year. This Prime Performer will go for 11 points on 3 three-pointers tonight.

MSU is 5-1 in the Big Ten and we are 7-0, so a win tonight gives us a two game cushion and puts us in the drivers seat for the conference championship.

Illinois - 83
MSU - 79


Sincerely yours,

Fess Hawkins