So more than a few of the traditional juggernauts got shaken up this week. Did I expect the first week of the season to produce so much drama? Um, no. Do I think it’s a coincidence that every ranked team that was pushed by an unranked team ended up winning? Not really. But those ranked teams would be the first to tell you they’re not taking another game for granted this season. And many of them have only played two. Let us revisit this unexpected chain of events:
No. 1 Kansas — Pushed to the brink by Memphis, which entered the season unranked yet lost to the Jayhawks by a mere two points. They had the last shot and could’ve won it too, but a 3-pointer by standout sophomore guard Elliot Williams hit back iron and bounced out.
SEC Basketball — I didn’t think it got worse than Pac-10 basketball, but apparently it does. Georgia lost to Wofford. Auburn lost by 11 to Missouri St. No. 5 Kentucky needed every second to beat Miami (Ohio). Arkansas lost to Louisville by 30. It’s only the first week of the season. You get this award because of your football arrogance. Stick to that, Southeastern Conference.
The tweets: both classical and hypothetical
(In honor of what the Illini have said and would say if Bruce only allowed it)
@djrich32 (D.J. Richardson, Sept. 16): listening to this Soulja Boy Mixtape.....its crazii
@fakedjrich32: listening to this Celine D. mixtape.....its crazii
@tylergriffey (Tyler Griffey, Oct. 13): The real grind these next coming weeks is going to be getting me to leave the TV after Fifa comes out. Going to be challenge
@faketylergriffey: The real grind these next coming weeks is going to be getting me to leave the theatre after New Moon comes out. Going to be a challenge
No. 2 Michigan State — Led Gonzaga about 10 percent of the game but were able to squeeze out the four-point home victory thanks to Durrell Summers’ 21 points, including 17 in the second half.
No. 5 Kentucky — Needed a game-winning buzzer-beater from freshman John Wall to topple Miami (Ohio). The Redhawks led by as many as 18 in this game, which was played in Rupp Arena.
No. 6 Villanova — Vastly outplayed by the Cinderella-de-jour, George Mason, yet squeaked by 69-68 to win in the final minute. A sign of a good team, winning when you don’t play well? Perhaps.
No. 13 UConn — Needed 15 points in the final 7:11 from senior guard Jerome Dyson to hold off mighty Hofstra. UConn trailed by nine with 9:09 to go.
No. 20 Georgetown — Beat Temple in a game they shouldn’t have. The Hoyas played poorly, but were able to slip out with a 46-45 victory after sophomore center Greg Monroe hit the game-winner with 6.5 seconds to go.
UCLA — Traditionally a power. This year? A train wreck, perhaps. The Bruins lost to Cal State Fullerton, about which my friend Cory (who lives in San Diego) said, “Might as well be Illinois College.” Down go the Bruins.
What does this tell us, you may ask? Well, clearly, there’s more parity in college hoops than ever. In watching the majority of ESPN’s insane 24-hour college hoops marathon, it wasn’t too tough to realize this. And, quite frankly, therein lies the beauty of the sport.
Constituency feedback
Q: “I’m excited to see how the John Wall saga plays out, seeing as you’ve combined a guy with eligibility issues already with John Calipari, and (Wall’s) quote after his game-winner: ‘That’s what they pay me to do.’”
— Joe, Taylorville, Ill.
A: I love this. Whether Wall was joking, whether he was serious or whether it was a Freudian slip, Calipari’s “dirty car salesman” reputation has reared its head again. Seems a story like this surfaces once every couple of months. Kind of makes you very proud to be an Illini in the Bruce Weber era. Wall may be making thousands this year, but it’ll only be one year, as he’ll jump to the NBA and likely be the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft. Either way, have to get that paper.
The Minutes (notes from the Mayor’s desk)
Breakout player to watch: E’Twaun Moore, Purdue — It’s no secret that I’m very high on the Boilers this season. Moore, a junior guard who was recruited by the Illini, is arguably the fourth most famous player on this roster (after Robbie Hummel, JaJuan Johnson and Chris Kramer). This puts him squarely under the radar. If the Boilers are going to thrive this season, aside from health, Moore will be the key.
Coach to watch: Josh Pastner, Memphis — I pulled this from the insane 24-hour blog the DI did Wednesday: “The guy is like 12 years old, looks like he’s 9 — he took over for a legend (Calipari), lost a few huge recruits after that legend left, really had no expectations hung on him, yet he coached his team to within five seconds of beating, potentially, one of the best college basketball teams this decade. Unreal. I believe Pastner will be around for a long, long time — and this game started his legend.”
Closing comment
As everyone undoubtedly knows, Thanksgiving is upon us. This means a week away from school and all obligations or issues that are C-U related. This also means chronic laziness, oversleeping and weight gain. But it means something else to me this year.
This will be my family’s first holiday season without my grandma, who died in January. I anticipate “difficult” to not even scratch the surface for all 50 of us, but I know we’re not alone in these feelings. At the risk of sounding like a sap, if I’ve learned anything in the past 10 months, it’s be thankful for what you have — especially this time of year. Don’t take anyone you love for granted.
I wish all of you a great Thanksgiving break, and I hope that everyone gains 10 pounds in 10 days. Catch you in December.
1011 West Stoughton, Urbana
1007 West Clark Street, Urbana
304 East Clark, Champaign
1321 N. Lincoln Ave., Urbana
305 East White, Champaign
Josh Pastner
Have you noticed that Josh Pastner of Memphis has signed the #1 ranked recruiting class in the country for 2010. 3 5-star recruits and 2 4-stars plus 2 more 3-stars and they are not done yet. They are eyeing a couple more big men to complete maybe the best class in the last 20 years.
Expectations are not as high as they normally are for Memphis this year but I expect them to make the NCAA Tournament and just wait a year or so and they will be right back in the Final 4 discussion.
Post new comment:
All comments are published at the discretion of The Daily Illini. Comments are the opinions of the individuals leaving them and do not reflect the views of The Daily Illini, Illini Media or its affiliated and related entities, or its partners, sponsors, advertisers or content providers. Comments are intended to be a means of reaction to a specific article, podcast, or gallery and will be moderated for obscenity and hateful language. Do not submit commercial, off-topic or other copyrighted material.