Illini's Weber: 'We've got to win'

Posted In: Big Ten Network Big Ten Basketball
Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010

CHAMPAIGN - If the University of Illinois basketball team found the pressure to be a little tight around the collar Sunday, it might be gasping for breath on Friday. Now the NCAA Tournament noose really tightens. The Illini failed to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume Sunday, dropping a 72-57 decision to 15th-ranked Wisconsin at the Assembly Hall. Jon Leuer and Jordan Taylor each scored 20 points and Trevon Hughes added 14 points and 11 rebounds as the Badgers (23-7, 13-5) dominated the offensive glass. Mike Tisdale led the Illini (18-13, 10-8) with 16 points. But it was a tough day for the Illini guards. Demetri McCamey (11 points) had just two baskets and D.J. Richardson made just one. After losing the regular-season finale, Illinois now finds itself in a backs-to-the-wall state of desperation heading to the Big Ten Tournament Thursday through Sunday at Indianapolis. Feeling more than ever that it must add another win - or two - to the resume, the job won't be easy with Wisconsin again the opponent at 1:30 p.m. Friday. "We had hoped to play at a high level," Illini coach Bruce Weber said. "We've had some home games where we have been special. The whole week we talked about preparation. We tried to pull every motivational thing out of our bag of tricks but we just didn't play the way we hoped to. "It's obviously disappointing. The fans have been tremendous for us all year. They've lived with our ups and downs. I'm sad we could not meet their expectations and our expectations." So what now for an Illinois team that lost for the fifth time in six games and sees its NCAA Tournament hopes hanging by a thread? "We've got to win, that's what it comes down to," Weber said. "And hope there are not a lot of upsets (in conference tournaments). It may take a couple of wins in Indianapolis. We're capable, but we have to do it on the court." Bill Cole, who scored 14 for the Illini, said the inability to stop Leuer and Wisconsin's offensive rebounding were the difference. "It's tough," he said. "It's not a great feeling to lose a game you needed to have, especially for your postseason chances. I guess we have to look to the Big Ten Tournament. We can cause a ruckus in there. We have the talent. It's just a matter of playing to our ability." Illinois trailed by six at the half and scored just five baskets in the second half. The Illini were able to stay close for quite a while because Wisconsin had a rare game when it got into foul trouble. Leuer and Trevon Hughes - Wisconsin's two leading scorers - each spent time on the bench with three and four fouls, respectively. But the Badgers began pulling away early in the second half and were able to build a 16-point lead at 54-38 on Hughes' 3-pointer with 11:11 to go. Illinois did mount a comeback, scoring seven straight points from the free-throw line to cut the margin to 54-45. After a free throw by Leuer made it 55-45, the Illini answered with a 3-pointer by Brandon Paul and two free throws by Tisdale to make it a five-point game, 55-50, with 7:01 to go. The sellout crowd was on its feet, trying to channel noise and energy to the Illini. But Illinois' next three possessions were disasters. First, Mike Davis took a difficult baseline jumper that resulted in an air ball. Then McCamey tried to coax a foul and ended up taking a shot while falling down that was not close and resulted in another air ball. Next came a turnover, and a frustrated McCamey grabbed Jason Bohannon around the waist, resulting in an intentional foul. By then, Wisconsin had reversed the momentum and was rebuilding its lead. "I told them they'd have one opportunity (for a comeback) and we had two air balls and a turnover on the offensive end," Weber said. "Sooner or later against a good team, they will grab the game and that's what happened." That stretch was a study in frustration for the Illini, and no one appeared more flustered than McCamey, who bumped shoulders with Weber when he came to the bench during a timeout, creating a momentary incident. "Love and kisses," Weber said after the game, referring to the minor jostling. "Just trying to teach him how to play the game and make good decisions." Wisconsin still led by just seven at 62-55 when the Badgers beat the Illini press and got the ball inside to Leuer, who scored and was fouled. The three-point play made it 65-55 with 2:22 to go, ending hopes of an Illini comeback. For the Badgers, the result avenges Illinois' 63-56 victory in Madison, Wis., on Feb. 9. CUTLINE: PUB: The Pantagraph PUB DATE: 20100308 Section: Sports EDITION: Main QRKPAGE: 1 PAGE SLUG: B1 XMLFILE: 47820702.txt DOC NAME: B01 030810 tupper CREATOR: Copyright 2010 The Pantagraph Digg | Del.icio.us | Reddit | Newsvine | Email | Print

(Read More ... )