Kreps guides UIC to stunner over Illini

CHICAGO - Even though they were playing less than two miles from their own campus, Saturday's tilt with the University of Illinois felt like a road game for the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) Flames. The United Center was packed with orange as if it were a larger version of Assembly Hall. 

But after a 40-minute grueling in-state rivalry game, the Flames were the ones that showed the Illini that Chicago was their town. UIC led most of the way, and walked off the court Michael Jordan once made famous with a 57-54 stunning victory over the then 14th ranked Fighting Illini.

The only player to play all 40 minutes of the upset was Maroa-Forsyth alum Robo Kreps, who was a part of the Trojans' most recent state championship in 2007. 

Kreps led the Flames with a team-high 15 points, and also contributed five rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal to the winning effort. He began the game's scoring by draining a three in the opening minute and had nine points, all from beyond the arc, in the game's first four and a half minutes. 

"The coaches told me I needed to be more aggressive and keep attacking," Kreps said. "I knew tonight I would need to be a leader for my team and attack on the offensive end."

"When Robo gets it going, it gives the team a huge lift offensively," Kreps' UIC teammate Zavion Neely said. Neely added 11 points and four assists for the Flames. 

The teams were tied at 28 at the half, but the Flames did not trail until D.J. Richardson sank a three-pointer to give Illinois a 53-51 lead with 9 minutes, 41 seconds to go in the game. 

Illinois then opened up 49-41 lead and were seemingly ready to pull away. But Kreps hit a huge three with 5:34 to go to cut the Illini lead to five.

UIC would grab a 53-52 lead in the final minute and hold off three Illini possessions where they had a chance to retake the lead. Kreps hit one of two free throw shots in the final seconds to seal the 57-54 victory.

"Obviously this is a huge win," Kreps said. "I think this is a springboard for us. We proved to ourselves that we can beat no matter who we are playing. In our conference, we need to focus on Butler and Cleveland State who are undefeated right now. This (win) gives us a ton of confidence."

Asked on how it was to quiet down a crowd of mostly Illini fans even though they were about a mile away from campus, Kreps responded: "Midway through the second half I took a look at the crown and noticed that the second tier was orange and the third tier was orange. When Illinois scored it was loud and when we scored, it was relatively quiet. But we've been in some tough games before and I thought we fought through really well today."

Flames head coach Howard Moore credited his seniors, including Kreps, for the win.

"You want to have moments like this for your seniors to remember," UIC head coach Howard Moore said. 

The loss dropped the Fighting Illini in the polls, and Illinois is currently on a two-game losing streak; losing to the University of Missouri just days after the UIC defeat. 

UIC followed the win with a road loss to Oregon State Wednesday night. 

Photo: UIC guard and Maroa-Forsyth alum Robo Kreps (3) is guarded by the Illini's D.J. Richardson (1) during Saturday's stunner at the United Center. 

Illini hang on against Huskies

CHAMPAIGN - While rain swept over most of the northern half of the state of Illinois, the Fighting Illini and Northern Illinois Huskies football teams were spared a drop for their Saturday tilt at Memorial Stadium.

The dry field was one factor that led to the Illini win. Without it, junior runningback Mikel Leshoure may not have had a chance to rush for 180 yards on 24 carries. Leshoure's big day on the ground was necessary, as freshman quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase was not too effective passing the ball. Scheelhaase did have a few nice runs for himself, including a defender diving touchdown in the first quarter that put the Illini up 7-0. Many of the quarterback's run were accentuated by hurdling defenders. He is an exciting quarterback to watch, but his style of play may lead to an injury at some point.

Northern Illinois held their own against the Big Ten foe, taking a 12-7 lead in the first quarter and outplaying the Fighting Illini for much of the first half.

NIU closed the Illini lead from 21-12 to 21-19 on a touchdown in the fourth. But a Leshoure 29-yard TD run put Illinois up by two scores again. NIU quickly answered with a field goal, and had an onside kick attempt in the final minute, but could not come up with the ball as Illinois held on to a 28-22 victory over their in-state MAC rivals.

It was a great day to be on the field. I always love the first football game in Champaign where I am given a photo vest and allowed to take pictures from the sidelines. I look forward to doing the same thing at 11 a.m. October 2, when the Illini face the heavily favored and second ranked nationally Ohio State Buckeyes.

Photo: Illinois' running back Mikel Leshoure (5) paced the Illini with 180 rushing yards.

Why declare now?

Just when you think the Fighting Illini are bound to stack up pretty well in the Big Ten next season, their two best players, Demetri McCamey and Mike Davis, make themselves eligible for the NBA Draft.
Neither star particularly impressed fans during the team's disappointing 2009-2010 season. So why declare now? Neither will be a top 10 pick and could improve their stock with good senior seasons in Champaign.
I hope that the fact they did not hire agents means they are planning to come back for another year. They just aren't ready. But I do understand that they have to make themselves eligible to see where they stand if they were going to be drafted. Both have plans to play at the NBA level, so it will be good for them to see just what it takes to begin the draft process.
The biggest problem with both players last year was their consistency. McCamey in particular would look like an All-American one night and then look disinterested the next time out.
If they decide on a return to Champaign, which will be beneficial to them, the Illini could be one of the Big Ten favorites. Since they return all five starters, anything less than a Sweet 16 appearance could be a disappointment.
If both or either player actually does enter the draft, it may be fear of that possible, yet very conceive able disappointment.

Illini split NIT home games

CHAMPAIGN - Perhaps as the best team not to make it to the NCAA Tournament, the Illinois Fighting Illini were considered a favorite to at least advance to the NIT semifinals in New York City next week. After wins at Stony Brook and against Kent State, the Illini looked poised to salvage an otherwise disappointing season with an NIT final four appearance.

But arriving at the Assembly Hall Wednesday night were the Dayton Flyers, who lived up to their nickname and aired out a 77-71 victory over the top seeded Illini. 

A D.J. Richardson three opened the game for the Illini, but an 8-0 Dayton run immediately followed, and the Illini never saw the lead again. 

Dayton opened their first offense possession with a powering dunk, but went run and gun style most of the way. The Flyers hit half their shots from beyond the arc (6-for-12) in the first half, opening up a 38-25 halftime lead. 

Illinois had come back from deficits like this all year. But Dayton looked like the more determined team and Illinois seemed to struggle with their up tempo pace. 

"They (Dayton) caused us some problems in the first half," Illinois guard Demetri McCamey said. "We dug ourselves a big hole and it is tough to come back when you are down by 15+ points."

McCamey had 13 points and eight rebounds to lead the Illini, who conclude the 2009-2010 campaign with a 21-15 record.  

"Dayton did well in transition. You can't give up that many points in transition to a team like that," McCamey said. 

The Flyers continued to control the game in the second, but Illinois hung in there and forced the Flyers to make free thrown down the stretch to secure the win. A three-pointer by Bill Cole brought the Illini to within six with a minute and a half remaining and a Mike Davis jumper cut the deficit to five with 29 seconds to go, but Chris Johnson and Paul Williams of Dayton both hit clutch free throws, sealing the Flyers' berth in the semifinals. 

"Their style, quickness and athleticism got to us early," Illinois head coach Bruce Weber said. "They were much more on their toes than we were."

Tyler Griffey came off the bench to have a nice game, netting 11 points for Illinois. Griffey will be one of the Illini returners for 2010-2011 that hopes to use Wednesday's loss as motivation.

"It was alearning experience for me this year," Griffey said. "It is great to be apart of the Illini family and this loss should just make us hungrier for next year."

The Illini defeated Kent State Monday evening to advance to the Elite Eight of the NIT. The Illini and Golden Flashes were evened at halftime before Mike Tisdale, Davis and McCamey pulled away from them in the second half.

"All three juniors are going to step it up and put time in the offseason if we are going to be successful," Weber said. 

Weber also discussed the possibility of McCamey entering the NBA Draft. 

"I hope Demeteri does play at the next level but I hope that will not happen until next year," he said. "He is going to get advice and if he would be a first round pick, we will help him get ready for that."

The Illini should be better next year. Assuming McCamey returns, the team will still have all but one player from this year's team that saw significant minutes.  

Photos: Top: Illinois senior Dominique Keller (23) chases after a loose ball during the Illini win over Kent State Monday.

Bottom: Illinois freshman guard D.J. Richardson drives the lane against Dayton. 

 

Illini hang on against Badgers

INDIANAPOLIS - Leading through the entire game, the Illinois Fighting Illini avenged last Sunday's loss to the Wisconsin Badgers by knocking them out of the Big Ten Tournament, 58-54 Friday in Indianapolis.
Although a win wouldn't guarantee the Illini a berth in the NCAA Field of 65, a loss would all but leave them out.
Illinois came out with an edge, but Wisconsin's struggles from the field were also much of the reason the Illini jumped to a 7-0 lead and a 29-18 advantage with two minutes remaining in the half. Illinois was held scoreless the final two minutes, but Wisconsin could only muster a pair of free throws themselves.
The Badgers struggles continued. They went scoreless through the first four and a half minutes of the second half. Illinois built a 34-20 lead with 15:58 remaining and led 41-26 with 11:10 to go.
A D.J. Richardson three pointer gave the Illini their largest lead, 46-30, with 6:31. But the Illini would still have to sweat out the narrow victory.
Trevon Hughes connected on a few huge three point attempts and the Badgers were making a timely comeback. A Hughes trey cut the Badger deficit to 54-51 with 38.1 seconds to go.
Wisconsin had a shot to tie the game at the end, but a three pointer fell short with less than 10 seconds on the clock.
Mike Tisdale led Illinois with 19 points.
The Illini were eliminated in the Big Ten semifinals the following day, losing to top seeded Ohio State in double overtime.

Illini can't gain momentum

CHAMPAIGN - With one last chance before the Big 10 Tournament  to add a quality win to their NCAA Tournament resume, the Illini came up short. It seems like this team is either focused or distracted. Lately, the latter has been true more than the former. 

The Illini could not get much going in their 72-57 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers Saturday at Assembly Hall. The Badgers led from the outset.

Illinois began to put together one of their second half comebacks, but the closest they came was within six. 

Mike Tisdale (16 points) and Bill Cole (14) led the Illini in scoring. 

Wisconsin's Jordan Taylor had 20 points for the Badgers and was praised after the game by head coach Bo Ryan. 

"He plays with great heart," Ryan said. 

The difference between Saturday's game and the early season affair where the Illini stunned the Badgers on their home floor was just Wisconsin's shooting. Their two leading scorers went 0-for-15 in the other game and they only lost by six. 

When Wisconsin shoots well, they will win. If not, they just open the door. 

The Badgers are the better team and that should continue as the two hook up Friday in the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis. 

Illinois needs a win to have a chance at the NCAA Tournament, but it does not look like they will get it. Losses to Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio State in the last week of the season has seemed to demoralize this bunch. I hope I'm wrong, but the team doesn't look like they are coming together. 

The only positive from Sunday's blowout loss was that seniors Dominique Keller, Richard Semrau and Bubba Chisholm were able to play in the game's final minute. 

Photo: Illinois forward Mike Tisdale (54) posts up against Wisconsin's Jon Leuer (30) during the Illini's loss to the Badgers Sunday. 

Illini comeback falls short

CHAMPAIGN - What looked to be one of the worst Illini games in Assembly Hall history turned out to have a pretty exciting ending. 

The Illini trailed the Minnesota Golden Gophers by 19 points with just seven minutes remaining before going on a 28-9 run to close the game out. A last second attempt at a win was denied as D.J. Richardson's three point shot fell short at the buzzer and the Gophers held on to a 62-60 win. 

Both teams came out flat. The score was tied at two over six minutes into the game. The Illini flirted with a dubious Assembly Hall record when they only had 14 points in the entire first half. 

Minnesota added to their 10-point halftime advantage before the Illini went on their run. 

Illinois' run was made possible by Bill Cole, the only Illini player to have a good game. Cole went 5-for-9 from beyond the arc for 15 points. 

"Billy did a nice job giving us a chance," Illinois head coach Bruce Weber said. "He was the one who gave us a boost of energy that allowed us to make it close."

The Illini lived and died from the three-point line. Well actually, they died, came back to life, and then died again. The team only made nine of their 36 attempts. The 28-9 run that brought them back to life was almost exclusively three-point baskets. 

And there was a reason for that. Illinois could do nothing inside. Both Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis had a hard time against the bigger Minnesota defenders. 

"They (Minnesota) are the leading shot blocking team in the conference," Weber said. "Part of it was that and part was the physicality of our guys."

Demetri McCamey was also ineffective, fouling out in the second half with only nine points and one rebound. 

The Illini got their shots off, a resounding 72 of them. But it is tough to win shooting 31 percent from the field. 

It was an ugly game for the Illini. Worse, it could be the game that keeps them out of the NCAA tournament. If Illinois cannot upset Ohio State or Wisconsin in their final two regular season contests, they will most likely need to win a pair of games in the Big Ten Tournament 

"We have a tough schedule ahead of us. Every team we've played in the last eight games has been in the top 25 at some point or another," Weber said. "It's been a big stretch for us."

"We've kept our head above water, but now the shark has got us by the leg and is pulling us down."

Of note: Extra security was on hand because Jeff Jordan's father, Michael Jordan, was in section AA47 cheering on his son. 

Photo: Illinois forward Bill Cole (30) was the only Illini player to play well, leading the team with 15 points on five three-point baskets. 

Illini fall to Gonzaga at UC

Overtime was not as nice for the Illini Saturday. 

Coming off a come-from-behind win over Northwestern, the Fighting Illini found themselves on the wrong end of their second overtime affair in as many games.

 Gonzaga's Steven Gray (20 points) and Elias Harris (19 points, 16 rebounds) were too tough for the Fighting Illini, who fell 85-83 in overtime in front of a packed United Center crowd in Chicago. 

"It's a big win considering who we beat and all the traveling we have done lately," Gonzaga head coach Mark Few said. 

The Illini's downfall all season thus far has been their slow starts. Saturday was no different. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 10-0 lead after the first four minutes. Gonzaga dominated much of the first half, but only head a 43-35 advantage at halftime. 

The Illini battled back in the second half, just like the did against Northwestern. A three-pointer made by Dominique Keller with nine seconds to go sent the contest into overtime. 

Keller had a major bounce back game, leading the Illini with 22 points on 10-for-19 shooting. 

The Illini took an early lead in overtime, but fell behind 85-83 when Brandon Paul's last second three-point shot at a win was missed. 

Mike Davis had a slow start, but progressed through the game, posting 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Illini (9-5). 

Mike Tisdale followed up what may have been the best game in his career with a modest four points in 11 minutes. The junior center also fouled out with minutes to go in regulation. 

Bruce Weber said it was one of the toughest defeats in his career. His team trailed by as much as 21, came from behind to take as much as an eight point lead, only the lose the game in overtime. And just when it looked like they were getting back on track. 

Jeff Jordan saw more playing time than he normally would, playing in the house that his father built. Jordan only had two points, but received a standing ovation following the basket he made.

Although Keller and Davis played well, it is going to take more of a team effort for the Illini to contend in the Big Ten. D.J. Richardson and Mike Tisdale need to play more consistent. 

"We're 1-0 in the Big Ten and looking forward to playing the University of Iowa," Weber said. 

The Illini host the Hawkeyes tonight (January 5) at Assembly Hall in Champaign. 

Photo: Illinois guard Brandon Paul (3) looks to pass around Gonzaga's Matt Bouldin (15) during the Bulldogs' 85-83 victory over the Fighting Illini at the United Center Saturday. 

Illini begin new season with exciting win

It may not have been as thrilling as last season's one-point Illini win in Evanston, but Wednesday night's Big Ten opener in Champaign had the elements of a memorable battle between in state rivals Northwestern and Illinois.

It had a contrast of styles, odd records and career nights for Illini juniors Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis. Illinois turned a slow start into a tight game, and eventually a 89-83 overtime win.

"It was a great game," Illinois head coach Bruce Weber said. "We could have given up at a few different points, but we were able to find a way to win the game."

It was Mike & Mike night at Assembly Hall. Both posted double-doubles. Tisdale had a career high 31 points and 11 rebounds, while Davis recorded 20 points and a career high-tying 17 rebounds.

"We told them we could go inside," Weber said. "We struggled a little bit against their 1-3-1, but once we got it to baseline, we were able to attack it much better."

Before Davis and Tisdale made their presence inside, Northwestern made an opening statement by lighting up the arena from beyond the arc. The Wildcats jumped out to a 12-4 lead on four consecutive three-pointers.

Marist High School alum Jeremy Nash (5-for-12), John Shurma (4-for-9) and Alex Morcotullio (4-for-9) were on fire in the first half, but struggled down the stretch and in overtime.

Northwestern opened up a nine point lead (42-33) at halftime, but it was Illinois that failed to hold on to a pair of four point leads in the final minutes.

Tied at 72, the Illini had a chance to win the game in regulation with the ball and 15.4 seconds to play. But freshman D.J. Richardson lost the ball as time expired.

The Illini made up for it in overtime, leading the entire way and outscoring the Cats 15-9.

Richardson's turnover at the end of regulation was one of few giveaways Wednesday night. Northwestern broke an Assembly Hall record, only turning the ball over three times the entire night. Illinois only had 11 turnovers themselves.

The Wildcats also took 84 shots in the game, something Northwestern head coach Bill Carmody said he had never seen before.

The Wildcats may have had the odd statistical outputs, but the night belonged to Tisdale.

"They were on fire to begin with and they were tough to guard," Tisdale said. "We just started putting the ball in the hoop and kept fighting."

Tisdale also took exception to anyone calling the Illini a "soft" team.

"If you think 31 is soft, then there isn't much you can do about it," Tisdale joked. "We just keep playing our game and not worry about people calling us soft. I love it to be honest, any time I get a challenge, it's fun to shut people down."

The Illini will play their annual game at the United Center in Chicago, Saturday, January 2, 2010 against Gonzaga.