The Morning Dish – Monday, February 7th
Illini March On: Illinois scored a season-low 60 points, but it was more than enough to defeat the visiting Hoosiers by 13. The Illini moved to 23-0 on the season as they continue their quest to be the first team to finish undefeated since Indiana pulled the trick in 1976. Deron Williams scored only one point for the Illini but had 11 assists, including one on each of the first seven baskets. Indiana was forced to play without leading scorer Bracey Wright and had to start four freshmen. Two of the freshmen, Robert Vaden and D.J. White, led Indiana with 12 points apiece. The Hoosiers fell to 10-10 on the season, 5-4 in the Big Ten.
Tar Heels Win Big: Last year, North Carolina built a 24-point first half lead against Florida State, only to lose the game in overtime. Fast-forward one year. The Tar Heels built an 18-point lead in the first half, only to watch the Seminoles whittle it down to nine at the break. Early in the second half, Florida State cut the lead to one as Tar Heel fans wondered if a repeat of last year was in the making. Coach Roy Williams never panicked and instead of calling a timeout, let his kids pull themselves out of the mess. They responded to the tune of a 25-6 run en route to an 81-60 win. Rashad McCants scored 16 points to lead all scorers as North Carolina moved to 19-2, 9-1 in the ACC.
Working Without a Contract: Despite taking over for Cliff Ellis as Auburn’s head coach in April, Jeff Lebo has yet to agree to a contract. He isn’t the only prominent Tiger in that situation as football coach Tommy Tuberville, women’s basketball coach Nell Fortner and athletic director Jay Jacobs are all working without contracts. They’d be wise not to consort with Mike Price, who was working without an official contract as football coach at Alabama when he was fired after participating in some not-so-wholesome activities at a topless bar.
Utah Violations Come to Surface: Back in 2003, Utah was placed on probation for various infractions that weren’t publicized until recently. Among them included using a booster’s house to host team meals, going beyond the 20 hour a week practice limit to attend speeches from prominent politicians and pro athletes and providing players with entertainment money on the road. All the violations occurred under Rick Majerus who resigned because of health reasons six months into the probation period. In the past, Majerus admitted he didn’t know NCAA rules as well as he should. Majerus’ only new comment on the violations is that they did not affect his decision to step down as USC head coach after less than a week of accepting it.
New England Dynasty: This weekend featured a much-talked-about game between some team from New England and another from Philadelphia. No, no, not Saturday’s Big East tilt between Providence and Villanova, it was the Eagles versus the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX. New England beat Philadelphia 24-21, cementing themselves as the latest NFL dynasty. But now that that’s over, college basketball comes to the forefront and things like brackets, bubbles and cinderellas will become the most bandied topics.
Tonight’s Menu
• Connecticut brings a modest two-game win streak to Syracuse.
• Oklahoma State seeks revenge from a loss two weeks ago when they host Oklahoma.
• The Big Five takes center stage as Saint Joseph’s takes on Villanova at the Palestra.
• Andrew Bogut and the Utah Utes look to stay undefeated in the Mountain West when they travel to UNLV.
