Illini Player Ratings: Vs. Minnesota

Eff this game.  That was not okay, you can't score 14 points in a half.  Maybe this post will be a part of the healing process for me.  Or maybe it will just remind me how pissed off I am. 

Mike Davis: 5

Davis had a pretty standard game with 10 points and 12 boards.  Did not shoot the ball well, but no one did.  He also picked up an unexplained double technical with Minnesota's Joseph.  You know it is a soft T if Davis is involved.

He left his man and allowed a free dunk with 30 seconds to play.  Of course expecting Davis to not have defensive mental breakdowns is like expecting Sean Harrington to come to the game with ruffled hair. 

Demitri McCamey: 3

The Illini just cannot win with McCamey going 4-18 from the field.  It is not going to happen.  McCamey did do some good things in the game, including his 10 assists and a clutch 3-pointer.  

The downfall of the Illini was his decision making down the stretch.  He almost turned the ball over on a pass to Davis that eventually was swung to DJ for the shot that cut the lead to 59-58.  Then on the very next possession he makes the exact same drive to the other side of the lane and had his pass to Davis intercepted. Everyone on Minnesota was playing the pass and he needed to shoot it.

He missed a 3 with the Illini down 61-58 and 30 seconds to play.  I can't begrudge him the shot because he got a good look, even though it was a quick shot, he just needed to hit it.

The decision that I found completely unacceptable was D-Mac fouling Ralph Sampson with 10 seconds left after Tisdale's lay-up cut the lead to 62-60.  It was his 5th foul and he needed to let someone else make that foul.  It forced Jeff Jordan to bring the ball up in the final possession for the Illini, not having Demetri on the floor killed any chance the Illini had.

Slammin' Sam on Sports Media Links

It’s Thursday, and of course that means Slammin’ Sam’s Links.

We start with a goodbye, followed by a hello.

Goodbye LT. LaDainian Tomlinson ranks eighth all-time in rushing yards and second in career rushing touchdowns. Not to mention he’s one of my favorites. Here’s hoping for a rebirth for No. 21.

Hello to Marlon Byrd. Most view him as Milton Bradley’s replacement with the Cubs, but don’t let Byrd hear disparaging words about his former Rangers teammate.

Staying in the Windy City, at least one Blackhawks player appears bound to receive a hero’s welcome after the Olympics.

As for the man who shot the Hawks’ Patrick Kane and his teammates past Switzerland on Wednesday, props to Zach Parise.

Last, boos for Jay McGwire. Predictably, he wants to capitalize on his brother’s re-entry into the spotlight.

Thanks for spending part of your Thursday here at Free Keon.

Sam Miller/Free Keon

Illini Player Ratings: @ Michigan

Let's start this thing.

Mike Davis: 6
Grabbed 12 boards in a game where if you stood around the basket for two minutes 7 rebounds would hit you in the face.  Both teams will be writing ESPN an apology letter today.

Davis took advantage of Michigan's lack of offensive rebounding and cherry-picked himself a couple dunks.  I hope he realizes that he can't do that against teams with actual post players.

Demetri McCamey: 7
One of the only players in the game that actually shot the ball well.    Might have had more than 4 assists if his teammates were hitting their shots.
As much of a downer as the game was, his alley-oop to Davis that clinched the game was pretty sweet.

Even with that play, the highlight of the night for D-Mac was being named to Steve Lavin's All-Big Ten team alongside Chris Kramer, Chris Kramer, Chris Kramer, and Chris Kramer's punchable face.

Say Hey to Willie Mays

Slammin’ Sam on Sports Media

Pound for pound James S. Hirsch’s “Willie Mays: The Life, The Legend” rivals Bill Simmons' The Book of Basketball, and boy, does the baseball book pack a punch.

The brand new 628-page offering (a mere 566 pgs. if you exclude the bibliography and index) maintains for the most part the mystique surrounding the greatest living ballplayer. That’s some of what allows Mays to endure in the sports fan’s consciousness. But finally, with Mays’ support, Hirsch permits some light to shine through a window.

This Week in Golf

PGA Tour – The Waste Management Phoenix Open will be held this week at the TPC of Scottsdale. The loudest hole in golf is Scottdale’s famed par-3 16th where some very raucous crowds will be cheering on a very competitive field.