By Paul M. Banks
Without a doubt, this will be the toughest home game the Illini have in their pre-conference. Yes, they won down in Nashville last season, but this Commodores team is even better than last year, as they return Center A.J. Ogilvy (who has NBA potential) and add some talented freshmen. Vandy is ranked #24 in the AP poll, and are receiving votes in the Boo-Yah network/dumbed down newspaper/voting based on nepotism and cronies poll. You know that one as the ESPN/USA Today/Coaches poll.
Anyways, we will learn a lot more about the Illini beginning in 3…2….1….tip off
The Illini bring in some big questions about their defense. I mean huge questions. They have been outscoring people like crazy this season, but they don’t do much when it comes to defending the dribble.
Illini 9, Vandy 0, 3:00 gone by.
At this rate, Illinois will win 280-0. I’m guessing that trend won’t hold.
Illini 18, Vandy 13 13 min left in half.
Yeah, these trends did not continue. Look at Tisdale tonight, looking like how he in midseason last year. Illinois will need him to be good like this, tonight. not bad like he was in the tourney game last year. If they want to be all they can be this year. Vandy has my new favorite name in all of college basketball. Steve Tchiengang pronounced “Chain Gang”
31-18 Illini now, 7 min left in half.
The SEC is back. SEC is no longer a football conference. Well, a somewhat overrated football conference. Vanderbilt is good! And Kentucky has the guy who should be the #1 overall pick in the dratf next June. The Wildcats have so much talent they should contend for the title. So Illini looking sharp, makes a statement.
35-22 Illinois, 3:56 left first half
AJ Ogilvy is a legit NBA prospect, and Tisdale has absolutely destroyed him, with 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting. However, Tis’ just picked up his second foul, and with Mike Davis guarding him, Ogilvey has scored on consecutive possessions.
I love the Illini in transition against Vandy tonight. They really are having trouble defending the passing lanes against the Illini, and the Illini backcourt guys are really taking advantage. PS
Illinois 44, Vandy 36 1:00 remaining first half
I’m not complaining, but when did Dominique Keller become a three-point shooter?? PS
Illinois 46, Gloria Vanderbilt 36 HALFTIME
Great contributions from the bench in this one, Keller with six, Jeff Jordan with 4 points and some great defense on the perimeter. Even Richard Semrau got in on the action, which was nice to see.
The Illini lead by ten despite losing Tisdale to two fouls and only getting some nominal contributions from the two fab freshmen, Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson.
It will be interesting to see if the Illini can keep scoring at this ridiculous pace — 62 percent from the field in the first half, on 21-0f-34 shooting. I would imagine that will slow down, and that the defense will have to step up! PS
Stupid F—ing BIG ten Network!!! my feed was out all that time until now! they can’t handle fucking snow to transmit their signal PMB
62-52 Illini 7 min to go
ILLINI win 79-68. defeating #24 Vanderbilt.
For more on the game check out our friends at Hail to the Orange “Home of the Blogging Illini”
And Wayne Larrivee is an ignorant douche. how is it an “upset” if Illinois was favored by 3? seriously. he’s such a knob. Nice call there, Larrivee.
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I’ll be commenting and posting, whatever is easier…but I wanted to make a quick note after that Tisdale jumper that Tisdale had a GREAT game against Ogilvie last year. At least I think he did. Can someone fact-check that?
Also, Wayne Larravee and KEvin Stallings can say that the Taylor kid is the best athlete on the floor all they want….they’ll be wrong (it’s Brandon Paul) but they can still say it all they want….
That’s the sound of the man…working on the Tchien….GAAAAAAANGGGG….
Hey PB…do you get rid of your unwanted hair with the smooth away?
Akili Eels…wasn’t that that QB from Oregon? You need to enunciate there, Doug!
WOW…where was the foul on Ogilve on the missed Paul dunk? Sheesh.
I cannot emphasize ENOUGH how much Tisdale is schooling Ogilve right now.
Mmmmm…Ro-Tel and Velveeta…
Jeez, PB ripping off my Chain Gang comment from like 10 minutes ago…
I’m thoroughly impressed so far. This Illinois team needs to show up more often. They are fun.
WAYNE LARRIVEE….likes TO SCREAM ALL THE TIME….at random plays…..good thing he’s not doing this game with GUS JOHNSON…..The night was cold so I put on my SWEATSHIRT!!!
Yes, that’s a Seinfeld reference
I’m a little behind in the game right now…went back to watch Jimmy V’s speech. I hadn’t seen it in a few months. That speech slays me every time I hear it.
Hey PB, help me remember…I want to ask Bruce Weber on Sunday why Brandon Paul looks so…I don’t know…just a little unsure of his dribble when he’s helping break the pressure. I know Bruce talked about DJ’s problem with that, but Paul has really struggled with it tonight.
Wild start…Five fouls on the Commodores already this half.
Cole to Richardson on a nice play!
“COLD BLOODED TRIPLE!” Larravee ruins good things.
Stupid F—ing BIG ten Network!!! my feed was out all that time until now! they can’t handle fucking snow to transmit their signal
OK Illini, time to settle down…
Mine’s ok…
Jason Goff from The Score is wrong! McCamey is not a bum-ass! Well, defensively he still has issues, but offense he’s the man! He’s good
Well, unless Illinois can hit some free throws or have some coherent posessions…we may have a crazy finish…
There ya go Illini! And no Wayne, I don’t think this is an upset. Ass.
Wow. Just big, big win. I-L-L!
Illini still need to work on their defensive intensity. The game was basically a stalemate after the 9-0 run to start. I’m glad they got Tisdale going early and didn’t just wait for him to save them at the end. I love how BP3 attacks the basket. Too bad he missed that dunk over Ogilvy.
I would agree that this big win did not do anything to help our concerns about our d. seriously, vandy did not have their best night….but on the other hand, look at how you can beat people by just outscoring. You can win with offense this year it’s a brave new world.
And Wayne Larrivee is an ignorant douche. how is it an “upset” is Illinois was favored by 3? seriously. he’s such a knob.
I think you both are being too hard on ole Wayne. He’s a fairly reliable big Ten partisan. It is just very unfortunate that he is mired in that Green Bay muck.