1. Wow! Well it may not have been the very best basketball ever as far as quality, but the quantity was certainly there! Considering how shorthanded each team was, the players on both teams deserve credit for playing hard until the end.
2. Both teams fought hard, but I did think that the Illini showed more mental toughness. With all that has gone on, it would have been easy to stumble and let this one get away on the road when Rutgers got big leads, but the Illini fought back each time to stay in the game.
3. Malcolm Hill obviously was the big engine for the game, as usual. Not just the 34 points, but also the 14 rebounds were crucial to at least keep the rebounding margin within reasonable limits.
4. JCL showed that he is the real deal. He is going to be a star for the Illini in the years to come. There are few things that can match a great shooter, and he looks like he is going to be special.
5. Mav is becoming a legend! He really is continuing to get better this season. He is not a great defender, but he is becoming a real weapon on offense. Hopefully his teammates will start getting even more out of his abilities by getting him the ball more often.
6. Nunn was hurting rather obviously, and it affected his shooting, but not his spirit. Not only did he make the crucial three, but he took down 13 rebounds with a bad hip.
7. Lewis has not had too many positive observations this season, but 8 assists with only one turnover deserves a tip of the hat. And he made some key free throws.
8. Sanders is good. Really good. He belongs in the NBA. Now. Before we play them again. Laurent helped them a bunch as well.
9. There haven't been too many positives so far this season. Tonight was one. A win against Iowa would go a long way towards easing the pain.
Go Illini!
