IGP Tourney Coverage: Illinois vs. The Runnin' Tarkanians

Tonight @ 8:20.

Watching games all day. Give me a ring if you want to come out.

We'll most likely end up watching the Illini at Wrightwood Tap.

By the grace of God, or the mediocrity of the rest of college basketball, our Fighting Illini somehow managed to make the NCAA tournament this year. Many of us didn’t think they would get in based on their 6-10 record since January 11. But now that their in, I know that most of you have them Final 4 bound…or at the very least, getting by UNLV tonight. I don’t blame you, we’re Illini fans, and we have it in our blood.

March is the holiest of holies for me, and for the 5^th straight, I’ll be taking the day off with several friends to watch basketball all day and drink beer. Because the Illini don’t play until 8:30, we’ll have to pace ourselves better than we have in the past. I may do some Twitter today – follow me at netter01.

Coaches of the Past

The Illini play former head coach Lon Kruger and his UNLV Running Rebels tonight. Kruger was the head coach for 3 years while I was at Illinois. A major difference between Kruger and Weber is that Kruger runs a lot of set plays, whereas most of Illinois’ points these days come from a set offense. Running set plays is something that Weber should take notes on because when the Illini go for days without scoring at the end of regulation, set plays can help break the drought. Do you remember Cory Bradford? Bradford had great success at Illinois because Kruger ran so many plays for him.

Sergio McClain is another former Illini who played under Kruger. Sergio recently sat down with his dad, Assistant Coach Wayne McClain, to watch some footage “It's really interesting because Sergio and I have been watching a lot of tape," Wayne McClain said Tuesday. "Sergio's watching it and knows the names of what Kruger is doing offensively. He actually recognized some of (the plays and sets). He gave me names." That should help. (Klee - http://www.illinihq.com/news/2011/03/15/man_in_the_middle_mcclain_binds_three_staffs/)

The Rebs have a fairly short lineup with the tallest player coming in at 6’8”. Tisdale and Davis need to control the boards for the Illini win. The Rebels also have a balanced scoring attack so there is no one player to key in on. Though, Tre’Von Willis is a 6’4” senior and leader of this club.

It’s been some time since the Illini claimed victory in the Big Dance. Let’s do it boys.

Illinois – 67

Rebelious – 63