Bill Cole set career highs with 12 points and 7 rebounds for the frontcourt, while freshman Tyler Griffey made his first college start. In the backcourt, freshman D.J. Richardson scored a career-high 20 points, and Demetri McCamey had 9 assists. Off the bench, Mike Davis nearly had a double-double with 11 points and 8 rebounds, and Brandon Paul scored in double figures. The Illinois basketball team earned a B+ overall grade for defeating the only Big Ten team without a conference win, though they still have problems to address before a difficult remaining schedule.
Bill Cole set career highs with 12 points and 7 rebounds for the frontcourt, while freshman Tyler Griffey made his first college start. In the backcourt, freshman D.J. Richardson scored a career-high 20 points, and Demetri McCamey had 9 assists. Off the bench, Mike Davis nearly had a double-double with 11 points and 8 rebounds, and Brandon Paul scored in double figures. The Illinois basketball team earned a B+ overall grade for defeating the only Big Ten team without a conference win, though they still have problems to address before a difficult remaining schedule.
Bill Cole set career highs with 12 points and 7 rebounds for the frontcourt, while freshman Tyler Griffey made his first college start. In the backcourt, freshman D.J. Richardson scored a career-high 20 points, and Demetri McCamey had 9 assists. Off the bench, Mike Davis nearly had a double-double with 11 points and 8 rebounds, and Brandon Paul scored in double figures. The Illinois basketball team earned a B+ overall grade for defeating the only Big Ten team without a conference win, though they still have problems to address before a difficult remaining schedule.
with 12 points and seven rebounds. He tied career highs with three assists and 27 minutes played. He also had two blocks. Meanwhile, Mike Tisdale was solid, and freshman Tyler Griffey made his first college start. Backcourt: A Freshman D.J. Richardson finished with a career-high 20 points after going 8-for-8 from the free-throw line in the final 31⁄2 minutes. Demetri McCamey didn’t have a good scoring night, but he compiled nine assists. Bench: A Mike Davis fumbled the ball early, then finished with a near double-dou- ble (11 points, 8 rebounds). Brandon Paul scored in double figures. Overall: B+ Going against the only team without a Big Ten victory in anything but an intimidating atmosphere, the Illini still left town with a solid victory. Even if all the problems weren’t fixed, the victory ended a three-game losing streak heading into two games where the Illini will be favored. Then comes the rugged eight-game run to end the regular season. Grades by JOHN SUPINIE