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Illinois Basketball: House of ‘Paign is looking strong in the TBT

By Rees Woodcock

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - DECEMBER 30: Detail view of the basketball goal and net during a game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Illinois Fighting Illini at Mackey Arena on December 30, 2008 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - DECEMBER 30: Detail view of the basketball goal and net during a game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Illinois Fighting Illini at Mackey Arena on December 30, 2008 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The annual The Basketball Tournament (TBT) has started up, and the Illinois basketball team has a squad competing for the first time ever.

This has been something I have called for the last few years. I have always wanted to see a team of former Illinois basketball players get together and compete for the coveted one million dollar prize.

Illinois’ team name is House of ‘Paign, and they tipped off on Saturday, July 4 against War Tampa. Honestly, I was unsure of how this team would play. Coming into the game against War Tampa, I liked most of the players on the team. I wasn’t sure how well Mike Daum would gel with the rest of the players. I also wasn’t sure where some of the scoring was going to come from. All of my questions were quickly answered, though.

Daum, a former South Dakota State player, was House of ‘Paign’s lifeblood from the outside. He ended the game with 21 points and 13 rebounds. A familiar face to Illinois fans, Andres Feliz, was easily one of House of ‘Paign’s best players. Feliz finished the game with 20 points and 7 rebounds.

This House of ‘Paign team was clicking. They dominated every aspect of the game and, like the current Illinois squad, they played lockdown defense. The combination of a powerful offense and a great defense led to a blowout win over War Tampa, 76-53.

Things are going to get a little more difficult from here for House of ‘Paign. The next game is the Super 16 against No. 1 seed Carmen’s Crew. This team is mainly made up of former Ohio State players, but they also have former Illinois point guard, Demetri McCamey, on their team. Since Carmen’s Crew won it all last year, McCamey decided to stick with them again to see if they can repeat.

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House of ‘Paign is going to need to bring their A-game if they want to beat Carmen’s Crew. That team is stacked and has a chance to take home the title once again. Make sure you check out the game on Wednesday, July 8 at 3:00 PM CT.

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