NCDS: Jay Price, Asst. Coach - Illinois

By: Jay Price, Asst. Coach - Illinois

It is near March, which means the best time of the year is ahead of us. This is the time that teams start to step up their play. Every game, every possession, every time out all take on added significance. It is the time of year that you need to be playing your best basketball, which I think we are. We have a stretch of three very difficult games to finish the season, but that is what this time of year is about.

I want to thank all of the fans that made the GameDay against Michigan State such an amazing day. You all started early with over 4500 people for the morning show. We had our team there and I think that it really gave them a lift. And then that night--WOW! Probably the best crowd I have ever seen at the Hall. You were loud from the tip until the final buzzer. Glad to see the students so involved in the game!!!!

After that we traveled to Wisconsin. A very difficult place to win. A place where only three Big Ten teams have ever won. Our team was very focused in shoot around and it paid off. We were able to play one of our best games of the year and pull off a HUGE upset. The best part however was in the locker room. The guys were so excited, but they messed around with everyone. Coach Weber and Demetri had to do interviews at separate times on the court, so the team was sitting quietly in the locker room waiting on them- making it seem like winning on the road was not a big deal. Even I walked in and thought--what is wrong with these guys? Aren't they excited about the win? But they were having fun--as soon as those two walked in, they attacked them. That game was a very big for us.

This team has put themselves in a good position down the stretch. We were very disappointed with our non-conference play, but now we are playing like the team we thought that we could be. We have had some great leadership from Billy Cole and Demetri McCamey. They have picked it up for us. This team is focused and ready to finish strong.

On a personal note, I want to send out our entire team and the Illini Nations best wishes for a speedy recovery to Robbie Hummel. He is an incredible basketball player and an even better person.  We are all thinking about you Robbie!!!

Hope everyone is ready to watch us finish the season. We need the Hall rocking for the last two home games. Talk to you soon!!!

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