Illinois vs. the Nittany Battles

Illinois vs. The Nittany Battles
Tonight in Happy Valley @ 8pm

A Work of Art

I spent the last week of 2010 in Italy. I saw the Coliseum, the Sistine Chapel, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, Michelangelo’s David, the Duomo in Florence, and much more. Still, there was one piece of art that sticks out in my mind. It left me breathless, speechless, and in awe.

It was the flawless basketball that the Illini played against the Northwestern Wildcats. Illinois missed 5 baskets in the first half – 4 field goal attempts and 1 free throw. They shot 82% from the field and 86% from beyond the arc. It wasn’t just their shooting that was on point, it was their execution and passing that left me thinking of a certain Illini team from 5 years ago.

I’m not saying that this team is on the same level as our Final Four bid from 2005, but on Thursday, January 6, they were.

Winter Movies on Their Way

I promised last week that we would have an original short film directed by Mark Pinsof. The film is in production and should be ready very soon. The 2 man play is very different from Pinsof’s previous work (I wouldn’t feel comfortable showing that stuff on this site anyway), and I guarantee you’ll be looking for a sequel. The current title is Tales from the bench. "My encounter with _________". You will find out Pinsof’s co-star next week.

Fear Ed Dechellis

Starting out conference play 4-0 would be outstanding because our next swing of games comes against 3 of the toughest teams in the conference: Wisky, Sparty, and tOSU.

The scouting report for the Illini is simple in theory but difficult in practice – stop Tailor Battle. Penn State just knocked Sparty out of the top 25 with a 66-62 victory last week. Battle hit a huge shot late in the game to seal the win. Jeff Brooks is Penn State’s other senior leader who played well against MSU. Brooks is averaging 14 points and 8 rebounds per game.

DJ Richardson will probably draw the assignment of chasing Battle. But it isn’t the one-on-one match-up that it is important. How the Illini rotate on help defense will be very important. When Battle breaks free, the post players have to rotate over to stop ball. This often leaves a Penn State forward open under the basket – usually Brooks. The Illini big men must stay out of foul trouble and maintain a good position to put a hand in Battles face but still denying the easy pass to the weak side – difficult in practice.

Demetri McCamey will continue to prove to the Big 10 and the country why he is the best point guard in the land.


Illinois – 74
Old Paterno’s – 63


Sincerely,
Mikel Leshoure & Martez Wilson