Illini Tale of the Tape: Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Illinois (2/27/2010)

If there ever was a time that the Illinois Fighting Illini needed to hold serve and win at home, it was on February 27^th against Minnesota.

With a less-than-impressive overall record and some bad non-conference losses, the maddeningly inconsistent and on-the-bubble Illini couldn’t afford to turn it on when it wanted to against the Golden Gophers.

Unfortunately, Illinois did just that, getting down big-time to Minnesota before making another late comeback that went for naught.

Ultimately, this home loss to the Golden Gophers would come back to haunt the Illini on Selection Sunday, as Minnesota would edge out Illinois as the last Big Ten team in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

Where I Was for This Game: Watching from home, a bit incredulous that Illinois would come out with so little energy considering that the Illini couldn’t afford any slip ups if hoping to make the NCAA Tournament.

What I Remember from This Game:

● Michael Jordan was in attendance.

● Illinois really struggling in the first half, with just 14 points at the break.

● Illinois playing with terrible energy for the first 33-35 minutes or so, before coming out of a nowhere with a comeback that almost won the game.

● Feeling really frustrated about Illinois’ effort in this game. Despite the frantic comeback, Illinois didn’t deserve this game.

● Speaking to my cousin (a junior at U-of-I) after the game and saying that I had a bad feeling this game would haunt the Illini. This loss certainly would, as Minnesota would get into the NCAA Tournament while the Illini were on the outside looking in come Selection Sunday.

Some Things That Stood Out/Surprised Me Upon A Second Viewing:

● This was Minnesota’s first win in Champaign in 14 years. The last time Minnesota won at Illinois was March 9, 1996, which was Lou Henson’s last home game as the Illini head coach.

● A win guaranteed that Illinois would finish in the top 5 of the Big Ten. That would be the case anyway, but it wouldn’t matter come Selection Sunday as the NCAA Selection Committee awarded the Gophers for making the Big Ten Tournament final and penalized the Illini for some bad losses throughout the season.

● Forgot that Minnesota was coming off a heartbreaking loss at home against Purdue. Unfortunately for the Boilermakers, Robbie Hummel was lost for the season with a knee injury in that game. Purdue would rally after Hummel’s injury and make a furious comeback against the Golden Gophers, which couldn’t hold onto a big lead.

● Knew the Illini were awful when shooting in this game, but didn’t realize that Illinois hoisted up a season-high 36 threes, connecting on just 25% of those shots.

Alright.

Let’s do this thing, which was the first and only meeting between Minnesota and Illinois in 2009-2010.

Minnesota Golden Gophers (16-11, 7-8) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (18-10, 10-5)

Illinois goes with its recent starting lineup of McCamey and D.J. Richardson at the guards, Bill Cole and Mike Davis at the forwards, and Mike Tisdale at center.

As for the visiting Golden Gophers, Head Coach Tubby Smith will start senior Lawrence Westbrook, junior Blake Hoffarber and sophomore Devoe Joseph at the guards, senior Damian Johnson at forward, and sophomore Ralph Sampson III at center.

Announcers: Tom Hamilton and Jim Jackson.

● Demetri McCamey: Misses a touch pop back at 18:22. Allowed Westbrook to get a step at 16:51, but the Minnesota guard traveled on his move to the basket.

Misses a three out of the under-16 as Minnesota came out in the 2-3 zone. Hits an aggressive floater at 13:35, cutting the ILL deficit to 5-4. Picks up a reaching foul on Sampson at 13:21. The Illini are looking to double Sampson. Misses an open three at 13 minutes, but Minnesota is called for an off-the-ball foul on Davis after the play.

Badly misses an uncertain jumper at 7:56, just before the under-8.

Comes out of the under-8 and misses a long three with the shot clock running down and 6:44 left in the half. McCamey is 1-for-7 from the field. Misses another three at 4:36. McCamey is short on everything in the first half.

Has been sitting a little before the under-4 and now out of the under-4 as Weber has chosen to go with Jordan for energy. Back in at 27.5 seconds left. Hits Tisdale off a screen and roll game for a layup.

Good defense at 19:06, denying a Sampson post pass to the cutting Westbrook. McCamey was out of bounds as he tried to save the ball. Minnesota retains with 2 seconds left on the shot clock and Richardson loses Joseph on another inbounds play, fouling him on the play. Misses a forced three at 18:37 (way too quick in the possession) after Minnesota went zone. McCamey and Cole are confused on the next Gopher possession, as they both fail to close out on Joseph, who receives a pass out of the post from Sampson and buries a wide open three at the top of the key to put the Illini down 29-17 with 18:25 to go. Catches a break at 17:02, allowing Westbrook penetration that results in a missed dunk attempt by Sampson. At this point of the game, McCamey has more fouls (3) than points (2). Overaggressive drive and pass at 16:35, but the ball stays with the Illini after Minnesota knocks it out of bounds. Good recovery at 15:41, knocking the ball out of bounds off of Westbrook, who had beaten him off the dribble. That play leads to the under-16.

Hits a difficult jumper at 13:12, with 2 on the shot clock, to cut the Minnesota lead to 36-29. A good job of using the pump fake and not settling for a three there. Misses a corner three at 12:43, set up by nice penetration from Jordan, who actually had a good look in the lane but wasn’t confident to shoot the ball there. Sloppy pass at 12:15, trying to throw a high-low pass to Davis but actually hitting the rim. The ball caroms out to Minnesota, which gets on the break. Westbrook misses a layup but then outworks the Illini for the stick back and a 38-29 ILL deficit with 12:07 to go. Barely grazes a three at 11:17. Sloppy pass is knocked out bounds at 9:49, leading to the delayed under-12. Is seen complaining to Griffey to step out. McCamey has no reason to talk; his decision-making hasn’t been good.

Catches a break at 9:48, with an inbounds pass from under the Illinois basket that is thrown into the backcourt and nearly stolen. Turns the ball over at 9:31, with a sloppy pass to Richardson that goes out of bounds and prompts the rare boo birds at the Assembly Hall. Aggressively pushes the ball and hits a pull up at 8:12 to cut the Illini deficit to 46-31. Might have gotten away with a push there.

Nice job of getting down on the floor at 5:44, knocking the ball away from Joseph and to Davis for a dunk and 51-38 game in favor of Minnesota. Called for a tough pushing foul on Joseph at 5:32. Foul trouble is starting to become a problem, as McCamey and Cole both have four fouls. Joseph hits the first free throw and then the second to put Minnesota up 53-38.

Hits a three from the top of the key at 3:16, cutting the Minnesota lead to 55-49. That play was set up by a nice offensive board by Tisdale. That’s McCamey’s first 3-point make in 11 tries.

Overpenetrates and gets caught in the air at 50 seconds, when his pass is stolen away by Johnson. A big turnover by McCamey with Illinois amazingly having the chance to take the lead. Misses a quick three at 24 seconds, with Illinois down 61-58 and having no timeouts. Fouls out at 7.8 seconds, fouling Sampson with the Illini down 62-60. Sampson misses the first and the second.

Overall: 9 points (on 4-for-18 shooting and 1-for-12 from three), 10 assists, 1 rebound, 2 steals and 3 turnovers in 35 minutes. Rough game for McCamey, who couldn’t buy an outside shot and seemed a bit off on this night. Didn’t like his shot selection (forced a lot of shots) or his passing in this game (despite the 10 assists, McCamey was a bit too nonchalant with his passing against the zone). Lacked the energy at times, and it was apparent in how his teammates played as well. Looked more like the Demetri McCamey of his freshman and sophomore seasons than the more consistent player of his junior season.

● D.J. Richardson: Good long rebound and push off a Joseph miss at 17:40, hitting a pull-up jumper in transition to put the Illini up 2-0. Misses a quick baseline jumper at 17:10. Illinois is trying to push the tempo after misses. Nice help on Johnson and strip of the ball at 16:18, but the ball caroms out of bounds to Minnesota.

Gets isolated at the top of the key by Westbrook at 13:43, and the Minnesota senior blew by the freshman for a layup plus the foul. Westbrook hits the free throw to put Minnesota up 5-2. Illinois’ help defense, from McCamey and Davis, was not only late but bad on that play.

Misses a corner three against the zone at 9:19. That possession was not good, with the ball failing to get into the middle but rather going around the perimeter.

Badly misses everything on a three with 3:27 to go; Illinois gets the offensive rebound and Richardson eventually hits a difficult hanging shot in the lane for a 20-12 game with 3:16 to go. Better ball movement there. Gets fouled on an out-of-control drive at 2:26, leading to the under-4.

Misses a contested three out of the under-4, resulting in a Tisdale over-the-back foul. Can’t save a loose ball at 57 seconds.

Loses Joseph on an inbounds play at 19:06, fouling him with 1 second on the shot clock. Joseph hits both free throws to put the Illini down 26-14. Nice job at 18:48, stealing a Minnesota inbounds pass after a Cole three. Poor job of containing Joseph at 17:54, with the Minnesota guard getting penetration and hitting Sampson, who is fouled by Cole. Sampson hits one of two free throws to put Illinois down 30-19. Lazy defense after a Cole three at 16:44, going under a ball screen for Joseph, who hits an open three to put Minnesota up 33-22.

Misses an open three at 14:05, off a nice interior catch and pass from Tisdale. That would have been huge with Illinois trailing 33-27.

At 4:11, called for a hand check on Westbrook, who hits both free throws to extend the Illinois deficit to 55-44. Forces a travel on Westbrook at 3:38, leading to the under-4.

Forces a five-second call on Joseph, with Illinois down 7 and 2:27 to go. Hits a corner three at 2:18 to cut the Illinois deficit to 59-55. Good on-the-ball defense at 1:43 as Joseph inexplicably forces and misses a quick jump shot just outside of the lane. Hits a humongous three from the top of the key at 1:21, cutting the Minnesota lead down to 1 at 59-58. Misses a desperate, off-balance shot from just inside the top of the key as the buzzer sounds and Illinois loses 62-60.

Overall: 10 points (4-for12 from the field, 2-for-8 from three), 3 rebounds and 1 turnover in 31 minutes. Hit some big shots late, but couldn’t force overtime with a difficult shot at the end. Really struggled with his shooting until late, and didn’t have his best defensive game, as Westbrook got good penetration all night and Joseph went for 16 points.

● Bill Cole: Bricks an open corner three at 16:35.

Hits a three at 18:52 of the second half, set up by nice penetration from McCamey, to cut the ILL deficit to 26-17. Spots up and hits another three at 16:56, to cut the Illini deficit to 30-22. Good job of stepping in and shooting, and looking to shoot rather than pass up the opportunities, which Cole will do at times. Buries a corner three at 16:13 to cut the Illini deficit to 33-25. That possession came off of good offensive board work by Davis, who rebounded a missed Cole three, and Tisdale, who rebounded a Davis air ball.

Misses a good look on a three at 14:45, as Illinois is running some stuff for Cole, who came off a baseline down screen but couldn’t knock down the three. The Assembly Hall was waiting to explode there. Good job getting back and closing out on a missed three by the dangerous Hoffarber on the other end.

Misses an open three at 7:04. Picks up his fourth foul at 6:31, a block against Carter, who misses the front end of the one and one. Cole with four fouls. Hits a three of an inbounds at 4:30, cutting the Minnesota lead to 53-44 and leading to an Illinois timeout.

Hits a deep wing three at 3:07 to cut the Minnesota lead to 57-52. That’s five threes for Cole, who fouls out on the next possession, hammering Johnson at the rim after McCamey allowed terrible penetration to Joseph. Johnson hits both free throws to put Illinois down 59-52 with 2:58 to go.

Overall: 15 points (on 5-for-9 shooting, all from three), 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 5 fouls in 22 minutes. Very quiet first half, but made up for it with a very focused second half when he hit all 5 threes and looked to shoot the Illini back in the game. I liked the fact that Cole was looking to be an offensive force in the second half, as opposed to a complementary player. One of the few Illini who shot the ball well.

● Mike Davis: Nice active hands at 19:16, knocking a Sampson reverse pass out of bounds. Rebounds a tough Joseph miss at 18:50. Good double of Sampson and 17:23 and then a strong defensive rebound of a missed jumper from an open Johnson at 17:19. Good double of Sampson at 16:04, but Illinois does not provide any weak-side help, leading to a Johnson dunk and a 2-2 game.

Goes under a screen off an inbounds play, briefly losing Johnson, who cuts to the left block for a layup and a 7-4 Minnesota lead at 13:13. Good flash in the middle of the zone at 12:49, but misses an open jumper in the lane. Gets faced up by Carter at 11:26 and the southpaw hits a jumper to put the Illini in a 11-6 hole.

Nice hustle at 5:52, tapping out a missed Paul shot and extending an Illini possession in which Tisdale would hit a corner jumper. Poor dribble containment at 2:57, allowing Johnson to dribble in the lane and forcing help from Tisdale, who left Sampson open for a dunk and a 22-12 game in favor of the Golden Gophers.

Nice help-side defense and block out of bounds at 1:58. Can’t corral a rebound off the inbounds, with the ball going out of bounds to Minnesota. Was looking for a riding-out foul. Follows up by allowing too much dribble penetration to Paul Carter, who hits a short jumper in the lane to put Minnesota up 24-12 with 1:47 left.

Good job of getting in the middle of the zone and hitting an open jumper at 18:06, cutting the Minnesota lead to 29-19. Those are Davis’ first two points of the game. Can’t handle a pass in the middle of the zone at 17:43, leading to an Illinois turnover. Wasn’t even looking for that pass from McCamey.  Illinois is just off so far this game.

Nice post-up and half hook in the lane out of the under-16, with Davis getting a friendly role to cut the Minnesota lead to 33-27 with 15:19 to go.

Misses a jumper in the middle of the zone at 10:41.

Nice job of running the floor at 6:31, finishing with a dunk on the play and cutting the Minnesota lead to 51-34. Nice offensive rebound of a missed McCamey three at 6:20, getting fouled by Iverson on the put back. Iverson is irate, saying he blocked the ball clean; the refs says he got Davis with the body. Anyways, Davis, a 59% free-throw shooter, hits both free throws to cut the deficit to 51-36. Comes up with a loose ball at half court and throws down a dunk at 5:42 to cut the Illinois deficit to 51-38. Gets hit with a technical foul, along with Minnesota’s Joseph, at 4:33, after Davis and the Illini forced a backcourt travel on Hoffarber. Both guys were jawing at each other.

Loses Carter on a back cut at 32.5 seconds, resulting in a Minnesota dunk and a 61-58 Gopher lead.

Overall: 10 points (4-for-11 shooting), 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and 1 turnover in 36 minutes. While he couldn’t find his shot, Davis had a decent energy game and was one of the few Illini who was consistently. Still, he had some mental lapses that cost the team, including losing Carter on the back cut in the game’s final minute. Too much jawing with the officials and opposing Minnesota players.

● Mike Tisdale: Misses a long jumper on the opening possession of the game, off the pick and pop game with McCamey. Nice help and use of length on Minnesota’s second possession, contesting a baseline Joseph shot that is missed.

Nice offensive rebound of a missed McCamey three at 15:28, but he can’t stick back the chip shot layup. Went up a bit too soft there and was worried about contact as opposed to scoring. Can’t come up with a defensive rebound at 15:16, as Sampson tapped out a Westbrook miss. Illinois will catch a break when Sampson misses a baseline jumper later in the extended possession. Good post up and catch at 14:37, but can’t finish a lefty hook to the baseline. Nice patience but did not finish. Gets fouled over the back by Sampson at 14:30.

Allows Iverson to post up way too deep at 8:53, resulting in a post touch under the rim, an easy basket and a 13-8 game in favor of Minnesota.

Hits a baseline jumper against the zone at 5:45, cutting the Illini deficit to 18-10. Misses an identical baseline jumper against the zone at 5:07. Gets posted at 3:51 by Sampson, who hits a sweeping left-handed hook to put Illinois down 20-10. Also down was Tisdale’s head after the play. No need to feel sorry – got to pick up the energy and activity.

Looks like he shuffled his feet late in the half, as he scored a layup with about 5 seconds to go and Illinois down 24-14. Illinois could use the break after a miserable first half. That play came off nice pick and dive action between Tisdale and McCamey, who got the assist.

Misses a hook over Sampson at 19:36, which marked the first Illini possession of the second half. I like the fact that Illinois went down low to Tisdale (with Minnesota coming out in the man) but Tisdale looks bothered by Sampson, who is a taller opponent than Tisdale is used to seeing. Tisdale is getting pushed too far out as well.

Nice recovery and help defense at 8:59, blocking an Iverson dunk attempt at the rim. Poor box out at 7:42 as Iverson rebounded a long Carter miss on a three-point attempt.

Illinois attempts to apply some full-court pressure at 7:12, but Minny easily breaks the press, resulting in a Williams dunk and Tisdale foul. Williams hits the free throw, and Illinois trails 51-32. Gets away with a foul on Iverson at the rim at 6:40, and Illinois pushes down court for a Davis dunk. Nice use of his length at 4:57 knocking a Minnesota pass away and to McCamey. Great play by Tisdale, as he was the last line of defense there with Illinois trapping the ball in the half court.

Nice offensive rebound of a missed Davis jumper at 3:18, and a good kick out to McCamey, who buries a three to cut the Minnesota lead to 6. Huge rebound at 1:02 as Westbrook got into the lane and missed a floater with Minnesota leading 59-58.

Nice offensive rebound at 21.2 seconds left but misses a quick fade-away jumper with Illinois down 61-58. The Illini will foul Joseph to stop the clock. Joseph misses the first but hits the second to make it 62-58. Nice ball fake and baseline dribble drive at 8.8, when he sticks back his own missed layup to cut the Minnesota lead to 62-60.

Overall: 6 points (3-for-10 shooting), 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and 1 steal in 33 minutes. A rare shooting night for Tisdale, who struggled with his shot and was made uncomfortable by Minnesota’s 2 seven-footers, Sampson and Iverson. Did a nice job on the offensive glass (6 rebounds) throughout the game, but lacked an offensive rhythm against the Minnesota zone. Also wasn’t tough enough defensively, allowing easy post ups and catches for Sampson and Iverson.

● Brandon Paul: In at 16:18 for Cole. Falls asleep at 16:04, failing to provide weak side help on a Johnson dunk after Davis had left to double Sampson. Nice block of a Hoffarber three at 10:36. Great work on the offensive boards 10 seconds later, tapping a missed Davis shot off the backboard, with the ball going to Jordan for a layup and an 11-8 game in favor of the Golden Gophers. Misses a three from the top of the key at 9:49.

Back in at the under-8. Nice post denial defense at 6:31, jumping over the top of a post feed and knocking the ball out of bounds. Follows up by giving up interior position to Rodney Williams on the block off an inbounds play, with Williams catching the ball and laying it in for an 18-8 game in favor of Minnesota. Misses a difficult fade away at 5:52. Nice activity at 5:07, nearly crashing and putting in a missed Tisdale jumper. Stays with the ball but ultimately loses it among several Minnesota defenders. Misses a step-in three at 4:08; that was too quick of a shot.

In at 14:03 for Cole. Misses a corner three at 11:41, and Minnesota quickly gets down court, resulting in a made Westbrook three and a 41-29 Illinois deficit. Good closeout at 10:25, but Williams gets the lucky bounce on a corner three at 10:05, putting Illinois down 44-29. That play was set up by Richardson allowing too much penetration for Westbrook, who kicked out to Williams for the three.

Nice offensive rebound at 7:19, following a missed Davis jumper on the baseline. Paul is fouled on the put back and hits one of two free throws to cut the game to 48-32.

Buries a deep three at 5:19, cutting the Minnesota lead to 53-41. Great offensive rebound of a missed McCamey three at 4:46, getting fouled after the play and keeping the Illini possession alive. Illinois misses two threes but turn Minnesota over when Hoffarber travels after rebounding another missed three by McCamey. Fouled by Cobbs at 4:05. Hits the front end of the one and one, and the second free throw to cut the ILL deficit to 55-46.

Misses and forces a rushed three at 2:54. That was not a good shot with Illinois down seven.

Overall: 6 points (on just 1-for-9 shooting, 1-for-6 from three), 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and 1 turnover in 20 minutes. As bad as his shooting and shot selection was, Paul had a nice energy game at times, grabbing 4 offensive rebounds and getting to the line on those second-chance attempts. Was a key figure in the comeback, but needs way more consistency.

● Tyler Griffey: In at 14:30 for Tisdale. Has a shot blocked at the rim by Johnson at 14:13, with the tie up going to Minnesota. That was a great curl and pass off the screen from Richardson on that play. Allows an easy post up and basket for Colton Iverson at 12:32, as Minnesota takes a 9-4 lead. Griffey provided no resistance, with his feet not planted to the ground but looking as if they were in quick sand with every dribble that Iverson took. Hits a difficult jumper from the corner at 11:50, with the shot clock down to 4. That was a difficult shot, cutting the Illini deficit to 9-6.

In at 12:03 of the second half.  Still in out of the under-12. Gets faced up by Paul Carter, who jabs him to the baseline, crosses him over and drills a jumper to make it 46-29 Minnesota with 8:19 to go.

Overall: 2 points, 1 turnover in 10 minutes. Not ready defensively to guard perimeter on full-time basis or bigger players like the Sampsons and Iversons of the Big Ten.

● Jeff Jordan: In at 12:58 for Richardson. Gets in the middle of the zone at 12:03 but has a sloppy pass kicked out of bounds. In the right place at the right time at 10:26, coming up with a loose ball and layup after Paul kept a Davis miss alive with good work on the boards. Illinois trails 11-8.

In for McCamey just before the under 4 and out of the under 4. Settles for and misses a three with 1:16 to go. That was terribly short, like all of the Illinois shots in the first half.

In at 14:03 for Richardson. Joseph quickly runs Jordan off the ball and hits a three with 13:48 to go to put Minnesota up 36-27.

Called for a tough foul at 3:15, with Joseph hitting both free throws to extend the Illinois deficit to 57-49.

Replaces the disqualified McCamey at 7.8 seconds. Dribbles the ball up court after Sampson’s missed free throws and actually leaves Richardson out to dry on a pass leading to the game’s final shot, an awkward jumper that is missed.

Overall: 2 points, 1 rebound in 11 minutes with his father in attendance.

● Dominique Keller: In out of the under-12. Good move by Weber. As much as Keller has been struggling of late, Illinois needs someone who can provide a boost. Maybe Dominique will be that player? Not today. Misses a baseline jumper at 8:38. Fails to get a body on Carter, who grabs an offensive board of a Cobb miss and then fires to Hoffarber for a three, with Keller late to close out. Illinois trails 16-8 with 8:17 to go.

Overall: 0 points (on 0-for-1 shooting) in just 2 minutes. Weber has lost faith in Keller, who needs to bring more energy (i.e. stop worrying about scoring but come in and make hustle plays on the boards and in the passing lanes).

● Bruce Weber: The game is tied at 2 at the under-16. Both teams are struggling from the field (each going 1-for-5 thus far). Illinois’ defensive activity has been great thus far. The Illini are doubling Sampson in the post. Weber talked before the game about the need to play with urgency on defense (which the Illini are doing) but also deliver a knockout punch (which the Illini haven’t been able to do thus far).

Illinois trails 11-8 at the under-12. After a cold start, Minnesota had hit 4 straight field goals before a couple of misses late in this segment. Illinois with a bit of a drop in the defensive intensity. Offensively, the Illini can’t buy an outside shot, with McCamey and Davis struggling to convert open looks. This has been a real blasé game thus far, lacking enough energy from the Illini and resulting in a quiet Assembly Hall. Time to wake up if you’re the Fighting Illini. Give credit to Smith, with the 2-3 zone disrupting Illinois from establishing any rhythm. With that said, Illinois is not moving the ball fast enough against the zone, with McCamey a bit sloppy thus far.

Illinois trails 16-8 at the under-8. Illinois is lacking any pep in its step, as the 2-3 zone has left the Illini very uncertain and perimeter oriented. The Illini are not getting the ball into the middle of the zone, and their holding the ball for too long and surveying rather than getting the zone to move. Defensively, the Illini are getting beat to every loose ball and Minnesota is scoring without much resistance. Just when Illinois couldn’t afford such a performance, it has had one. Paul Carter has provided good energy for Minnesota. Illinois needs a spark from someone. McCamey is not having a good game running the show thus far, with his passes and jump shots lacking confidence.

Illinois trails 22-12 at the under-4. The Illini are struggling mightily from the field and are just 1-for-9 thus far. The problem is that the Illini are not moving the ball quick enough against the zone, leading to difficult jumpers at the end of the possession. Defensively, the Illini are giving up way too many easy baskets. They’re just not fighting on this end, and allowing way too much interior penetration (off the bounce and entry pass). Minnesota with a 16 to 8 advantage in points in the paint.

Weber takes a :30 second timeout with 27.5 seconds and the Illini trailing 24-12 after Hoffarber missed a wide open layup. Mike Davis was sleeping there and didn’t come over. McCamey back in the game and will assist on a Tisdale layup at the end of the half, with the bucket coming off some pick and pop action.

Illinois avoids tying a dubious Assembly Hall record for the fewest points in the first half (12) on a late Tisdale layup. Illinois trails 24-14 at the break, with the Illini playing as bad of a half at home that I can remember in the Weber era. Illinois can’t buy a bucket and looked lost against the 2-3 zone. Minnesota is hardly playing great offensively, but the Illini are allowing too much penetration and interior touches. The communication on defense has been awful, with Minnesota getting 2 easy layups off simple inbounds plays and the Illini losing Hoffarber on one play for a wide-open layup that was shockingly missed. It’s time for the Illini to wake up from its slumber. The energy just wasn’t good enough in the first 20 minutes. No player from either team had more than 4 points in the first half.

Here are the anemic first half stats: Illinois shoots 23% from the field and 0% (0-for-11 from three); Minnesota shoots 41% and 1/6 from three. Minnesota outrebounds Illinois 21-16. Both teams with 3 turnovers, but Minnesota had 3 more assists (6 to 3). Minnesota had an 8-point advantage in points in the paint (18-10).

Illinois trails 33-25 at the under-16, with the Illini nearly scoring more points (9) in that segment compared to the entire first half (14). Bill Cole has all 9 points, as he’s provided a huge spark and hit 3-of-4 threes. Illinois was 0-for-11 from three in the second half. Illinois’ activity and ball movement are better on the offensive end, but the Illini are still being undone by sloppy thinking. The Illini can’t put it together on both ends…just when they make a good play, they follow with a poor decision. Better effort, though, but a lot of work to be done. At least the Assembly Hall has been given reason to be excited.

Weber takes a questionable timeout at 12:03, after Westbrook made a layup to put Minnesota up 38-29. The under-12 was just seconds away, but Weber didn’t want to wait there. Illinois has had several chances to cut a 6-point deficit to 3 but missed 2 threes. Minnesota has been missing some shots, but the Illini are not taking advantage, unable to string together baskets. While playing with better energy, Illinois is not playing with the greatest concentration. Thus, Minnesota is still up 9.

That’s why they pay Weber big money to coach and me nothing to sit around. Sensing the Minnesota run, Weber took the timeout. Apparently, his Illini don’t heed the message, with Paul missing a three out of the timeout and Minnesota getting down court quickly, where no one guards Westbrook on a three that puts the Illini down 41-29. The Illini will trail 44-29 at the under-12, as Minnesota has gone on a nice 8-0 run and the Illini have missed open shots and been poor with their decisions. Jackson hits it on the head: Minnesota wants this game more than Illinois, which thinks it can turn it on when it wants.

Illinois trails 46-31 at the under-8 (7:34). Hamilton says the Gophers have controlled this game, and Jackson notes that Illinois’ body language clearly shows that the Illini don’t want this game. Illinois has not even scored at a point-per-minute clip/that’s how bad it’s been offensively.

Illinois comes out of the under-8 and commits a foul, with Carter hitting two free throws to put Illinois down 48-31 with 7:27 left. Illinois has yet to go to the foul line and is shooting 28% from the field.

Illinois has trailed by as much as 19 here. The game is now at 15 with 6:17 to go, Minnesota leading 51-36 after calling a timeout due to full-court pressure from the Illini.

Illinois has cut its deficit to 9 points at 4:30 as the Illini take a timeout after a Cole three. The Illini trail 53-44 as Illinois has suddenly been playing with energy on both ends, bringing a full-court press and half-court trap, and moving the ball quickly. The Illini have forced several turnovers by Minnesota, which has looked a bit sloppy caring for the ball. Illinois has also hit some quick threes, from Paul and Cole specifically. After the Illinois timeout following Cole’s three, Jackson asks the million-dollar question: why does it take the Illini getting down double digits to start bringing the defensive energy? If only, we knew. Illinois is on a 12-2 run.

Illinois trails 55-46 at the under-4 following a Westbrook travel. The Illini pressure has certainly sped up the game for Minnesota. Somehow, Illinois is still alive in this game.

Illinois burns another timeout at 3:16, after McCamey hit a three to cut the Minnesota lead to 55-49. Weber likes to stretch the game with late-game timeouts, but Illinois will need to save a couple for later use. Anyways, Illinois has hoisted up a season-high 30 three-point shots thus far. Illinois is on a 17-4 run in the last 4 minutes.

Illinois trails 59-55 with 1:55 to go after a Richardson three forced Tubby Smith to call a timeout. Minnesota with 2 timeouts left; Illinois with just 1.

Illinois takes its final timeout at 1:20 after Richardson hits a three to cut the lead to 59-58. Illinois has used 3 timeouts after made baskets in the second half. Illinois with 26 points in the last 6 minutes; just 33 points in the first 33 minutes of this game. Illinois on a 26-8 run.

Illinois loses 62-60 as Richardson misses a last-second shot at the buzzer that would have tied the game after two missed Sampson free throws. Immediately after the game, the Big Ten Network’s Dave Revsine says that this loss could be a costly one for the Illini. Well, it would be, as Minnesota would get into the NCAA Tournament ahead of Illinois, in large part due to this head-to-head win.

Overall: Make that two straight home losses in which Weber’s team looked a bit hesitant and uncertain against the zone (Ohio State’s 1-3-1 and Minnesota’s 2-3). For whatever reason, Weber just can’t seem to get his team to understand the importance of playing a full 40 minutes. Illinois was too perimeter-oriented and couldn’t buy a bucket, hoisting up a season-high 36 threes and making just 25% of them (most of those were made late in the game). Didn’t like the use of 3 timeouts after made field goals during Illinois’ frantic run. A couple of timeouts would have been fine, but I’m not a big fan of killing momentum, especially at home. Weber’s decision to press and apply a half-court trap paid dividends late in the game; maybe Illinois would be better off to apply more pressure in general? Not saying, that Illinois needs to be ’94 Arkansas or ’96 Kentucky, but the Illini seem to be a more active and interested team when picking up the defense.

Overall: Illinois deservedly loses 62-60. Bad energy and concentration tonight, despite what the late comeback may indicate. Illinois didn’t deserve this game while Minnesota did, controlling the tempo early in the first half to late in the second half. Minnesota’s zone bothered the Illini big time, and Illinois took some impatient shots, shooting just 31.9% on the game. The Illini with way too many mental lapses throughout this game. As Jackson said, why do the Illini need to get down big to start playing? The Illini are a team that doesn’t take all opponents with the same seriousness that is needed to be a consistent winner. In my opinion, Illinois got lucky to beat Michigan with such an up-and-down effort days earlier; such luck would run out against Minnesota.

Player of the Game: Choosing from Minnesota, I’d say Joseph, who played with more poise as a freshman on the road than Illinois’ entire team at home. For Illinois, it’s Cole, who provided a spark from three in the second half.

Play of the Game: With less than a minute to go and Illinois trailing by one, Davis lost Carter on a cut to the lane, and the Minnesota forward would dunk the ball to put the Gophers up 62-59.

Some Things I Liked:

●Absolutely nothing in this game, with the exception of Cole taking and making big threes.

Some Things I Disliked:

● Team attitude and effort for the first 33 minutes. What will it take for the Illini to play with some urgency and passion before it’s too late?

● McCamey’s floor game. Don’t be confused by the 10 assists; he was not that good in this contest.

● Miserable shooting and too many threes. Illinois hoisted up a season-high 36 threes. Unlike the three-happy 2005 Illini, Illinois missed a lot of them in this game (75% to be exact).

● Illinois failing to get the ball into the middle of the 2-3 zone.

● Weber burning 3 timeouts after Illinois makes during the late comeback, leaving Illinois with no timeouts at the end of the game.

● The fact that Illinois needed to make another comeback to be in this game. We get it. This Illinois team is good at comebacks. How about getting good at coming out with some energy and holding serve at home.

Well, that’s it for another Illini Tale of The Tape.

Up next, Illinois at Ohio State.

Until then.