Championship in Sight
February 20, 2005 2:06 PM
By fighting off yet another rousing performance by the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday, Illinois is two home victories away from securing their second consecutive outright regular season Big Ten Championship. It was the first time since the 60's that the Illini won back-to-back games at Iowa City, and they did it in spite of being without hot water at their hotel.
The game was close and the Hawkeyes were determined to protect their house, but the orange continued to make the plays when it mattered most. James Augustine executed a couple of nice reverse layins, Dee Brown finished off an assortment of highlight-reel-worthy fast breaks layups, and Nick Smith broke the Hawk's back with a long 3 from the wing.
So the schedule looks like this. On Wednesday, beat Northwestern at home and clinch a share of the conference title, beat Purdue next week and grab the Big Ten trophy outright, battle the Buckeyes in Columbus for a perfect regular season, and embark on the (potential) 3-game Big Ten Tournament where they would have to play Wisconsin or Michigan St. just once.
- Sunday Special
[illiniwonk.blogspot.com] - The Play of the Year
[herald-review.com] - Alford deflects blame
[presscitizen.com] - Exciting Illini giving pressure cold shower
[chicagotribune.com] - Illini awash with icy suspicion
[pantagraph.com]
