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Mike Tisdale and Demetri McCamey were just enough to finally overcome the bad streak Illinois has had against Penn State in recent years. (AP Photo/John Dixon)

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That headline is a bit misleading, it should say, Mike Tisdale and Demetri McCamey beat Penn State, because seriously those two players were the only reason the Illini were able to keep the game close at the end, let alone come out with the win. Both had 37 minutes, and combined for 41 of the team's 54 points, and for long stretches of the game had to take the game into their own hands and keep the team alive.

Demetri especially deserves all of the credit in the world for this win, He took two of the biggest shots of the year down the stretch of this game, and fully justified himself getting back into the starting lineup tonight. His 25 points were a game high, and if you ask me there should be no doubt who the best player on the court was tonight.

Just a few more points for tonight, I will probably have a more well thought out post tomorrow.

• Mike Tisdale had an awesome overall night with a near triple double with 16pts, 13 boards and 7 blocks, none bigger than the game winning denial against Talor Battle in the final seconds of the game.
• As I mentioned earlier, no player other than Demetri and Tisdale made more than 2 shots. Wonder why those two had to play for 37 minutes each?
• Special shout out to Bill Cole, (effort)  who only took two shots, but made a huge 3 at a key moment. The big complement that Bruce had for the human ball of matto points was "he is solid." Right on, Bruce, right on.
• Talor Battle did all he could for his team, playing 38 minutes and scoring 9 points. When he took the ball down with 17 seconds left, I had a horrible feeling about what the outcome would be. (Hint: it happened last year, with Mike Davis at the line)
• Speaking of Mike Davis, this is a very disappointing game for the star forward scoring only 2 points and grabbing only 3 boards.
• Bruce mentioned that he put in a play specifically for the end of today's game, to make sure Tis would be taking that fated last second free throws. Of course the result didn't seem to change. (except on the defensive end.)