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TechnographCounting down to Columbus
By Erin Foley
Posted: 3/14/07 Section: NCAA Tournament Guide 1
Their eighth straight NCAA Tournament berth brought elation. It brought hugs, cheers and a sigh of relief.
Now, three days after the announcement, head coach Bruce Weber has heard analysts discuss how Illinois (23-11) was one of the last two teams to get into the Big Dance and are therefore not deserving of the honor. At the same time, he's heard talk of how the Illini could prove people wrong.
He's not sure what to make of the contradictions. But he does know that even though Illinois didn't have much strength against Wisconsin on Saturday in the semi-finals of the Big Ten Tournament, it stayed competitive against one of the nation's top teams.
"We get a nice reward for staying strong and tough, and I think that's been the biggest improvement on our team, the mental toughness, the mental preparation," Weber said. "That has helped us have some success down the stretch."
The Illini have won five of their last seven games which should prove beneficial when they open first-round play against Virginia Tech (21-11) at 6:10 p.m. on Friday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Virginia Tech, making its first Tournament appearance in 11 years, earned the fifth seed in the West Region and are coming off a 72-64 loss to North Carolina State in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament.
While there are some who question the Illini's ability, Weber said what's important is that they made it in.
"That's all that matters, and now we have to take advantage of it," Weber said. "That's what I've really emphasized to the kids."
After its Tournament berth was left in the hands of the selection committee, Illinois knows it's up to them to earn the respect they deserve. Senior Rich McBride says Illinois must go out and prove themselves and sophomore Chester Frazier thinks they have a lot to play for.
In order to be competitive against Virginia Tech, the Illini will have to increase their offensive production and score more than the 41 points they put up against Wisconsin.
Now, three days after the announcement, head coach Bruce Weber has heard analysts discuss how Illinois (23-11) was one of the last two teams to get into the Big Dance and are therefore not deserving of the honor. At the same time, he's heard talk of how the Illini could prove people wrong.
He's not sure what to make of the contradictions. But he does know that even though Illinois didn't have much strength against Wisconsin on Saturday in the semi-finals of the Big Ten Tournament, it stayed competitive against one of the nation's top teams.
"We get a nice reward for staying strong and tough, and I think that's been the biggest improvement on our team, the mental toughness, the mental preparation," Weber said. "That has helped us have some success down the stretch."
The Illini have won five of their last seven games which should prove beneficial when they open first-round play against Virginia Tech (21-11) at 6:10 p.m. on Friday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Virginia Tech, making its first Tournament appearance in 11 years, earned the fifth seed in the West Region and are coming off a 72-64 loss to North Carolina State in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament.
While there are some who question the Illini's ability, Weber said what's important is that they made it in.
"That's all that matters, and now we have to take advantage of it," Weber said. "That's what I've really emphasized to the kids."
After its Tournament berth was left in the hands of the selection committee, Illinois knows it's up to them to earn the respect they deserve. Senior Rich McBride says Illinois must go out and prove themselves and sophomore Chester Frazier thinks they have a lot to play for.
In order to be competitive against Virginia Tech, the Illini will have to increase their offensive production and score more than the 41 points they put up against Wisconsin.
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