Sorry for the delay in updating my blog, but after last night, I had to say something about the game! I was fortunate to meet up with some old fraternity brothers at a sports bar in Naperville to catch up on old time, but I was keenly watching (mostly in dismay) of the game going on the big screen.
In between getting caught up on fraternity brothers and initiation week stories, I watched an incredibly talented Northwestern team hit shot after shot, backdoor cuts, and three pointers while our Illini couldn't even dribble the ball.
I didn't mind so much being behind at halftime, but it told the guys that I think Illinois will probably keep it close, but then NW will put the dagger in us in the second half. Going into the 10 minute mark, we were only down by 10 and I remember Bill Self saying, down by 10 at 10, down by 5 at 5 and you still have a chance.
We were down by 13 at 7 minutes left. Gulp.
This definitely had the feel of the 2005 Arizona game, but I never really felt a momentum shift as I did there. I felt it was first the press we put on NW that really caused problems (normally problems that plague us) and NW inability to score any good baskets.
Did anyone else feel that Meachem was incredible, but it didn't seem like he took over the game, but just played his role extremely well?
At the end, the first of us old fraternity boys were screaming in a near empty sports bar, just like old times.
Hats off to NW, who I honestly was willing to lose to last night. They played an incredible game. However, I'll take a win when we can get it.
Go Illini!
BTW, hats off to our friend Scott Nagy, coach of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits and former Illini assistant coach, who also won their game last night vs. S. Utah!
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