This game was if anything, out of the ordinary. Putting aside the fact that it was an NIT game in the Assembly Hall, the students were on spring break, the place was only 70% full and it was made up entirely of well, an older crowd. At different points in the first half you could feel the discomfort in the air, and the disappointment of a season that did not meet their expectations. To further add to the oddities, the shooting just was not there for the Illini, but  of all things the rebounds and put backs were. Hell Dominique had 14 minutes and 8 points. 

The second half was, to be sure a return to the better play we have seen from the Illini this year, they put up 44 points in the second half and Mike Davis had his 16 and 16. More or less, order had been restored. Coming off their huge debut against Kent State last season, Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale combined for a mighty 33 points and 23 rebounds. We will take that every night if we can. 

Demetri McCamey is still Demetri McCamey, and got himself a quiet double-double, 15 points and 10 assists. Even more important, just the one turnover.

The Illini now sit just a game away from Madison Square Garden for the other Final Four. As I  have said all week, the Illini should view this as an opportunity to gain valuable tournament experience to prepare them for next year. It gives them more opportunities to get good practices and even more importantly more live game competition.  I can only imagine how valuable a trip to Madison Square Garden and the chance to win an NIT championship  would be for Brandon Paul, D.J. Richardson, and Tyler Griffey?

The regular season was absolutely a disappointment, but the NIT certainly offers some form of consolation. It is not about proving that you were "snubbed" by the selection committee or that you were in retrospect better than some of the teams that went out in the first round. It isn't just "playing for pride" either, maybe for last year's Penn State team it was, with two good players graduating and playing just to keep their careers going one game longer. The NIT, for this team has to be seen as the opening tournament for next season. The ultimate goal of any team is to win the National Championship, and with that possibility now eliminated, the team should shift its focus to next season. If playing and winning in the NIT gives this team a better chance to win big next year, that is all the motivation you need.

Its a quick one tonight, lets roll right into the post. This is going fast...

Mike Davis just clarified his thoughts about wishing to be the first team out rather than the NIT champs. He is saying the right things now, no matter how right he is.

Demetri says it didn't take too long to get over the initial disappointment, saying that a text message from Bruce Weber inspired the team, that is a new one.

God these guys just flew through the post game, all I got out of this was. "We are glad we won. Its good. See you Wednesday."

Here comes Bruce "In the first half we just couldn't get in sync, we knew they were very good and determined. We just needed to relax and take our time, guard, pick up the pressure."

Illini did win the rebound battle against KSU, and reduced their turnovers to 7. 

BW "It was very disappointing they way we finished the season here, we are definitely going to have to keep going strong to make this run."

"Billy Cole's brother was in the state championship, and we let him go and did an early morning practice, I thought that was a good thing, showing teamplaying and positivity."

"I had some serious talks with Dominique around the Big Ten Tournament, told him I haven't quit on you but you have quit on yourself. But he made some good energy plays in the first half."

"I think its real important to have humility, they listen to you guys too much, somebody who doesn't know whats going on. I think it was a good slap in the face, and sometimes you need that."

Not my usual interest, but someone needs to hire this Kent State coach, he is a FANTASTIC interview for the media.

Okay, that was one hell of a fast press conference, lets see if we can't get some analysis?

Hey, so who said this game was going to be all about the inside game? Illini outscored KSU in the paint 40-20.