What a day it has been.
I’ll cut right to the chase. Illinois vs Utah. The Runnin’ Utes, coached by my pal Jim Boylen, were down 16 to top 25 ranked Illinois, and came back in the second half to win the game on a last second outlet pass and runner that was debated for about 5 mins court side by the refs. The Orleans Arena was packed with Illinois fans. They were out in full force, loud and proud. They were not happy about the outcome to say the least. I was almost worried of a riot after the ref came away from the monitor and threw his arms in the air. Utah had the ball with a tie game and 40+ seconds left. Drove the lane with about 16 seconds left and missed an off balance shot. Illinois rebounds the ball, back the other way, no time out (!). They too drive the lane, the shot is blocked and an outlet pass is put out to Shawn Greene, who is all alone with maybe a second left. He lets it fly from the FT line, it goes in, and bedlam ensues. The players ran over to Boylen and jumped around with him, the few Utah fans in the stands flipped out. The thousands of Illinois fans threw up in their mouths. Utah runs off the floor, Illinois sulks off the floor, and the refs take about 5 mins to review the play at the monitor. In the mean time, Illinois fans are throwing beer bottles, storming around in tight jean shorts swearing it up real good, etc. I even saw somebody bringing a chair over their head. Amazingly horrible manners from the Big Ten fans.
Utah fought hard to come back. What was not working for Utah in the 1st half (open shots, driving the lane), was most definitely working in the second half. I was fearful of this thing becoming a joke at the start of the second half, but Utah started playing gritty defense, and using outlet passes for a few easy baskets. Then they started hitting a couple 3′s, and things just opened up from there. Illinois stopped getting to the rim and started settling for jumpers that they were making (in addition to lane drives), but stopped in the second half. Utah was making the effort to get a hand in front of somebodies face, and it showed. Even after Utah’s best front court player, 6-11 Kim Tillie fouled out on a nickle dimer, Utah stuck with it, including two big 3′s by Luka Drca, and several nice put backs from fill in front courters Washburn and Read. Carlon Brown hit a few Ft’s down the stretch, and the final 5 mins we had a game. Utah advanced to the final in the last game of the night, which was sorely needed, as I was dragging my ass through this thing by the end of the night. Final Score – Utah 60, Illinois 58.
Oklahoma State played Bradley in a game that was hardly a game as time wore on. Bradley had the right idea, but couldn’t keep up with seemingly bigger and faster Oklahoma State players. Bradley brought out a crowd though, and they know their hoops. Classy fans to stay the least. No booing, and no getting upset over calls, etc. I hammed it up with a few randoms who flew in Wednesday. They love the idea of a tourney here in town, and so do I. Bradly was down big at the half, tried to make a game of it half way through the second half with a little 6-0 run, but it wasn’t in the cards for the Braves this time. They’ll face a likely pissed off Illinois team tomorrow in the 3rd place game. Is Oklahoma St good? I don’t really know, but Anderson James is a beast. Oklahoma St 68, Bradley 57.
I’ll recap the other two games a bit later, as I need a sandwich. It’s been a long day. Still buzzing about that last shot from Utah. A note should also be thrown out there for the PA guy that’s calling these games. He is horrible, interjecting at all times during play about who made a shot, how much time is left, if its a “game” or not, like he’s on TV, but he’s not. If you read this guy, stop it. It’s in poor taste and makes Las Vegas look showey.
I’m tired. UNLV vs Louisville, and the second half of the Las Vegas Invitational tomorrow. Good Night.
