ESPN2
She’s smoking hot, isn’t she?
Last week, we compared the Illini to a blind date. We
weren’t quite sure what to expect. So far she’s smoking hot, isn’t
she? First, the Illini overcame a slow start to turn away Maryland
71-62; then they handed number 18 Gonzaga its first loss of the season with a
commanding 82-75 win. I can’t wait for the next date tonight.
If you watched either of these games, you became a huge fan
of Senior transfer Sam Maniscalco. Maniscalco was a clutch performer against Maryland (24 points) and Gonzaga (6
assists). He does not look like your prototypical Division I
basketball player. He looks more like he could have a guest role on the
Jersey Shore than be First Team All Big Ten. He is chubby stocky and sports a buzz cut with ever present stubble on his
chin. What are we going to call him? Last week, my wife suggested "Butterball" or "Sammy the Salami."
What do you think? Leave your ideas in the comments section.
Whatever he looks like, he is a winner. Even as a Freshman at Bradley
University, Maniscalco was named captain of the team and continues in that role
despite being the new guy on the block at Illinois.
Sophomore Center Meyers Leonard on the other hand looks every
bit of his 7’0” frame. He is athletic and has showed limitless potential
early in the season. What I’ve enjoyed the most is watching him get open
by moving without the ball. He has
great spacing on the pick and roll and
his slip screen reminds me of James Augustine, who would routinely show screen and break to the hoop early for
an easy bucket. Leonard is
only going to get better as we get deeper into the season.
St. Bonaventure Bonnies
We have some pretty standard shtick over hear at the
IGP. We always pick the Illini to win, we hate the opposing team’s coach,
and we make fun of the other team’s name by changing it in some way (i.e.
Purdon’t, Loosiers, MerryLand, etc.). We are playing the Bonnies
tonight. Seriously, that’s their team name. Does anyone know what
it means?
I am equally as clueless about the Bonnies basketball skills
– though I have an idea because they play in the Atlantic 10. They are
3-3, and we should have our way with them.
Illinois – 75
The Bonnies – 62
Sincerely,
“The Restricted Area”
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