Saturday, March 19, 2005
Illini in NCAA Sweet 16
In the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the Nevada Wolf Pack 71-59. James Augustine had a career day, scoring a game high 23 points on 9-11 shooting from the floor and 5-5 from the free-throw line. He also added 10 rebounds and 3 blocks. Gregg Doyel of CBS Sportsline says Augustine made a meal of Fazekas in Illinois' 71-59 romp Saturday, outplaying the WAC player of the year. 
On his blog, Mark Tupper praises the play of Augustine and tells Illinois fans what it means for their team: As Illinois moves onto the Sweet 16, Augustine (fresh off his Big Ten Tournament MVP recognition) has given future opponents something to think about. They now have to game plan specifically for his athletic play inside. And that should open up more opportunities for the guards and for Powell.
Deron Williams posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists and gave the Wolf Pack a clinic on the motion offense. For much of the game, the Illini looked the team that won 29 straight games earlier this year. Their offense looked much better than it had in the past five games and they shut down Nevada with a ferocious defense that has become a trademark of this team.
CBS SportsLine has video highlights and post game radio interviews with Augustine, Williams and reserve Jack Ingram who had an Illinois career-high 12 points and 4 rebounds in 19 minutes for the Illini. FoxSports.com has video of the press conference on their home page.
The win sets up a meeting with the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, coached by former Iowa Hawkeyes assistant Bruce Pearl. Illinois basketball fans will never forget the role that Pearl played in the "Deon Thomas affair" when he accused Illinois of offering Thomas money and a Chevrolet Blazer, and taped telephone conversations as "proof." Illinois was later cleared of the charges. Dan O'Neill of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has more of the story here.
Illini Wonk will update this post as news of the win rolls in. posted by Illiniwonk at 8:15 PM
On his blog, Mark Tupper praises the play of Augustine and tells Illinois fans what it means for their team: As Illinois moves onto the Sweet 16, Augustine (fresh off his Big Ten Tournament MVP recognition) has given future opponents something to think about. They now have to game plan specifically for his athletic play inside. And that should open up more opportunities for the guards and for Powell.Deron Williams posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists and gave the Wolf Pack a clinic on the motion offense. For much of the game, the Illini looked the team that won 29 straight games earlier this year. Their offense looked much better than it had in the past five games and they shut down Nevada with a ferocious defense that has become a trademark of this team.
CBS SportsLine has video highlights and post game radio interviews with Augustine, Williams and reserve Jack Ingram who had an Illinois career-high 12 points and 4 rebounds in 19 minutes for the Illini. FoxSports.com has video of the press conference on their home page.
The win sets up a meeting with the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, coached by former Iowa Hawkeyes assistant Bruce Pearl. Illinois basketball fans will never forget the role that Pearl played in the "Deon Thomas affair" when he accused Illinois of offering Thomas money and a Chevrolet Blazer, and taped telephone conversations as "proof." Illinois was later cleared of the charges. Dan O'Neill of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has more of the story here.
Illini Wonk will update this post as news of the win rolls in. posted by Illiniwonk at 8:15 PM
