Anybody else watch the exhibition game vs S. Indiana?

Yes, basketball is just around the corner.  Different from previous seasons, our football team is still alive and keeping out attention spans so that we haven't had to revert to the old Illini excuse: "Wait till basketball season".  As excited as I am about the great football season, I've been waiting 3 years to see this team finally and tonight I finally got my chance.  Here are my observations.  Granted it's exhibition and I'm no Joe so you'll have to take my analysis with a grain of salt.

via cdn3.sbnation.com

1) Even with all the talent we had, we are still a totally different team with McCamey on the court.  Surrounded by talent or not, he will always be the heart and soul of this team.  Our team will go as he goes.

2) Mike Tisdale has my early vote for most improved player.  Playing against the likes of Kevin Durant and team USA has really helped his game and improved his confidence for when he plays against the pions in the lowly NCAA.

3) Crandall Head looks very quick/explosive.  Granted I've never seen him play before, but I'd assume that after missing his senior year of HS with a torn ACL, he'd be a little timid or slow.  Nope, he looks quick, and most importantly he appears to have broken the psychological barrier to recovery known as confidence (for examples of players who have not overcome this see Randle, Brian.)

4) Very sloppy play all around for the Illini, but again its just an exhibition.  You'd have to figure these guys weren't giving it their all and this was S. Indiana's championship game essentially.  You'd like to see these guys give it their all no matter what, but human nature dictates they will try harder vs MSU than they will against Southern Indiana.  Simple psychology.

5) Richmond, while no single play of his wowed me, just looked smooth.  I know that term has been used to death to describe him, but I just can't help but use that word.  It just makes so much sense.  You may not notice much from him this year, but all of a sudden you'll look at the box score and he will have 15 pts and 10 rebounds.  He just makes it look so easy.

6) Speaking of which, I believe MD had another double double today.  Let's hope this trend continues.

7) If I know Bruce, he will be pounding his players for letting Southern Indiana stay in the game the entire night.  Hopefully they get the attitude adjustment and come out at the Coaches v Cancer classic with some tenacity and hunger!