FIGHTING ILLINI BASKETBALL
Game #12: #1 Illinois (11-0) vs. Longwood (1-12...plays at Northern Iowa on 12/23)
Dec. 27, 2004 • 7 p.m. CT •Las Vegas Holiday Classic
Champaign, Ill. • Assembly Hall (16,618)
Probable Starters
#1 ILLINOIS (11-0)
F - 43 Roger Powell, Jr. (Sr., 6-6, 235, 13.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
F - 40 James Augustine (Jr., 6-10, 230, 8.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.7 bpg)
G - 4 Luther Head (Sr., 6-3, 185, 16.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.1 apg)
G - 5 Deron Williams (Jr., 6-3, 210, 13.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 6.7 apg)
G - 11 Dee Brown (Jr., 6-0, 185, 14.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5.3 apg)
Off The Bench ...
G - 15 Calvin Brock (Fr., 6-4, 185, plans to redshirt)
G - 33 Rich McBride (So., 6-3, 215, 4.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.9 apg)
F - 34 Fred Nkemdi (Sr., 6-5, 235, 0.8 ppg, 0.4 rpg)
F - 41 Warren Carter (So., 6-9, 210, 4.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg)
C - 45 Nick Smith (Sr.-r, 7-2, 250, 3.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg)
C/F - 50 Jack Ingram (Sr.-r, 6-10, 245, 3.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg)
F - 55 Shaun Pruitt (Fr., 6-8, 245, 1.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg)
Injured
F - 42 Brian Randle (So., 6-7, 210, 1.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg in 2003-04)
Illinois Head Coach: Bruce Weber
Overall Record: 140-61/.697 (7th year)
At Illinois: 37-7/.841 (2nd year)
Big Ten: 13-3/.813
Vs. Longwood: 0-0
Assistant Coaches: Wayne McClain (4th year), Jay Price (2nd year), Tracy Webster (1st year)
Assistant to the head coach: Gary Nottingham (2nd year)
Trainer: Al Martindale (22nd year at Illinois)
Longwood Head Coach: Mike Gillian
Overall Record: 6-34/.150 (2nd year)
At Longwood: Same
Vs. Illinois: 0-0
Assistant Coaches: Bill Reinson, Doug Thibault, LaMar Taylor
On the Air
Television
No TV
Radio
Illini Sports Network - 47 stations: Brian Barnhart, play-by-play; Stephen Bardo, expert analyst; Loren Tate, pregame/halftime/postgame interviews.
Series Notes: Longwood
This is the first-ever meeting between Illinois and Longwood.
Hot Start
Illinois is one of only 14 teams in the country to boast a perfect record. Illinois' 11-0 record ties the fifth best start in the 100-year history of Fighting Illini basketball and is the Illini's best start since also opening at 11-0 during the 1989-90 campaign.
Illini in Control
Illinois has trailed in the scoring column for just 21:32 out of 440 minutes of play this year, meaning Illinois has held the lead in over 95 percent of the minutes played to date in the 2004-05 season. Included in that streak, the Illini have held the lead the entire second half of every game this year. Illinois trailed Delaware State for a total of 7:01, all in the first half, Florida A&M for the first 50 seconds of the game, Arkansas for 1:34 of the first half, Chicago State for the first 47 seconds of the game, and Georgetown for a total of 11:20, all in the first half. The Illini have held the lead the entire way in six games this year (Oakland, Gonzaga, Wake Forest, Oregon, Valparaiso and Missouri) which includes its last three games. The last time Illinois trailed in a game was during the first half at Georgetown on Dec. 9.
Quick Shots
• Dee Brown has scored 978 career points. He needs just 22 points to become the 36th career 1,000-point scorer in Illinois history.
• For the third year in school history - and the third straight week - the Illini are ranked No. 1 in the nation. Illinois last stood atop the national polls the week of January 23-29, 1989. Illinois' first tenure at No. 1 came the final week of January, 1952.
• This is the first time in school history that Illinois has spent multiple weeks ranked No. 1 in the polls. In 1952 and 1989, the Illini spent just one week at the No. 1 spot.
• Illinois' victory over Chicago State on Dec. 6 marked the first time in school history that the Illini have won their first game after earning the No. 1 ranking. In 1989, No. 1 Illinois lost at Minnesota and in 1952, the No. 1 Illini lost at DePaul. The Illini are now 7-2 all-time when ranked No. 1, with wins over Indiana in 1989 and at Purdue in 1952, in addition to victories over Chicago State, Georgetown, Oregon, Valparaiso and Missouri this season.
• Illinois defeated a No.1-ranked team for the second time in school history and the first since 1979 on Dec. 1 when the Illini cruised past then-No. 1 Wake Forest 91-73.
• Illinois has won 10 of 11 games by double figures, and is outscoring its opponents by an average of 20.3 points per game on the year. Illinois ranked ninth in the nation in scoring margin as of Dec. 20.
• After 11 games, the Illini are shooting an eye-popping 52.5 percent (343-653) from the field and 41.3 percent (97-235) from 3-point range. As of Dec. 20 (the NCAA releases national rankings once a week), Illinois leads the NCAA in field goal percentage and ranks 14th in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage.
• In the first half of games this season, Illinois is averaging 46.8 points (515 pts.) on 54.5 percent shooting (194-356), and enjoys an average halftime lead of 18.1 points.
• Playing against ranked teams in consecutive games (No. 24 Gonzaga and No. 1 Wake Forest), Illinois combined for an amazing assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.92. The Illini had 24 assists with only seven turnovers against Gonzaga and tallied a season-high 27 assists with just six turnovers against top-ranked Wake Forest.
• Four of Illinois' five starters are averaging in double-figures this season.
• Illinois has led the Big Ten in scoring each of the last four seasons. The Illini currently rank 10th in the nation in scoring (as of Dec. 20), averaging 83.0 points per game.
• Illinois has been credited with assists on 68.5 percent of its baskets this season (235 assists on 343 field goals). The Illini lead the nation in assists (as of Dec. 20), averaging 21.4 per game.
• The Illini have three players - Dee Brown, Luther Head and Roger Powell - shooting over 44 percent from 3-point range.
• The Illini are averaging 8.8 three-pointers per game this season, which ranks 11th in the NCAA (as of Dec. 20). Illinois tied its school record for 3-pointers in a game with 14 vs. Gonzaga on Nov. 27. The Illini rank 15th nationally in three-point field goal shooting at 41.3 percent.
• In its win over Gonzaga, Illinois set a number of Wooden Tradition team records, including points (89), assists (24), steals (13), three-pointers (14), as well as individual records, including assists (Luther Head, 9), steals (Luther Head-tied, 4), and 3-pointers (Deron Williams-tied, 5).
• In the season opener on Nov. 19, Illinois and Delaware State combined to set the Illinois all-time and Assembly Hall records for combined field goal percentage. The teams joined to shoot 60.8 percent (59-97), with the Illini making 35-of-55 attempts and the Hornets connecting on 24-of-42 shots.
Experimental Rules in Effect
Illinois' games as part of the Las Vegas Holiday Classic - the Valparaiso game that was played on Dec. 19, Monday's game vs. Longwood, and the two games in Las Vegas on Dec. 30-31 - will be played with experimental rules. This includes the 3-point line extended to 20 feet, 6 inches, a free throw lane that has been widened 1-and-a-half feet on each side, and an arc drawn two feet from the center of the hoop to assist with charge/block calls.
Home Cookin'
Illinois is 57-2 (.967) at the Assembly Hall over the last four-plus years, with the only losses coming to Michigan State on Feb. 3, 2002 and to Purdue on Jan. 10, 2004 ... The Boilermakers broke a 23-game Illini winning streak at the Hall that at the time ranked fourth in the nation ... Illinois is 69-3 (.958) at the Assembly Hall over the past five-plus seasons, the best home mark in the nation over that period ...The Illini have also won 37 in a row at the Assembly Hall against non-conference opponents ... Illinois has won 35 of its last 37 (.946) Big Ten games at the Assembly Hall ... Below is a look at Illinois' home record the past five seasons:
Year Overall Big Ten
2004-05 6-0 0-0
2003-04 12-1 7-1
2002-03 14-0 7-0
2001-02 13-1 7-1
2000-01 12-0 8-0
1999-2000 12-1 7-1
Total 69-3 (.958) 36-3 (.923)
Cincinnati Game Time Changed
Illinois' game vs. Cincinnati in Las Vegas on Dec. 31 has been moved to 7 p.m. CT/5 p.m. PT.
Illini Remain No. 1
For just the third year in school history - and for the third straight week - Illinois is the No. 1-ranked team in the nation. Illinois remained atop both the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll and the Associated Press Poll. This marks the first time in school history that the Illini have been ranked first for more than one week in the same season.
Prior to this year, the last time Illinois was ranked No. 1 was the week of Jan. 23-29, 1989. The UI was also ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll for a week during the final week in January, 1952. In each of the previous two seasons when the Illini achieved a No. 1 ranking, they went on to advance to the NCAA Final Four.
Last Time Out: vs. Missouri
Illinois played its first close game of the season, but retained the Braggin' Rights trophy for the fifth straight year with a 70-64 victory over Missouri Wednesday in St. Louis. Luther Head scored 20 points and Deron Williams had 19 points, 15 of which came in the second half, to lead the Illini to victory. As has become the norm, the Illini jumped out early with a dominant first half, taking a 38-23 lead into the intermission. Missouri then fought its way back, and pulled to within five points before Dee Brown answered with a big 3-pointer with 7:23 left to make it an eight-point game. Illinois was clutch from the free throw line in the final minutes, making 11-of-12 down the stretch to seal the victory.
Williams Fifth-Straight Illini Chosen Preseason Player of the Year Pick
Junior guard Deron Williams became the fifth straight Illini to be named Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year at the recent Big Ten Media Day in Chicago. Williams, also named to the All-Big Ten First-Team last season, is just the third Big Ten player ever to lead the league in assists in each of his first two seasons, joining Michigan State's Magic Johnson (1978-79) and Illinois' Bruce Douglas (1983-84). Williams has also earned Preseason All-America honors from Playboy Magazine and is among 50 preseason candidates for the Wooden, Naismith and Rupp Awards.
Williams is fourth on the team in scoring this season, averaging 13.5 points. He leads the Big Ten and ranks 13th in the nation in assists (as of Dec. 20), averaging 6.7 apg. Williams tied his career-high vs. Wake Forest on Dec. 1, dishing out 11 assists. He boasts an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.11 through 11 games. Williams is also third on the team in rebounding with 4.0 boards per game.
Williams had one of his best games of the season in Illinois' win over Missouri, scoring 19 points - 15 of which came in the second half - with five assists.
Great Guard Play
Illinois has what many believe is the top backcourt in the country in the three-guard lineup of senior Luther Head and juniors Dee Brown and Deron Williams. They comprise three of Illinois' top four scorers and steals leaders as well as the top three assists leaders. The trio has accounted for 52.7 percent of Illinois' scoring and 77.3 percent of its 3-pointers. They have also totaled 80 percent of Illinois' assists and 58.1 percent of its steals. Perhaps most impressive is that despite playing the most minutes and handling the ball for the majority of the game, the three guards boast an incredible combined assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.35. Below is a statistical look at Illinois' starting backcourt.
PPG APG RPG ST 3FG
Head 16.2 5.1 3.4 20 31
Brown 14.0 5.3 2.9 17 27
Williams 13.5 6.7 4.0 6 17
Total 43.7 17.1 10.3 43 75
Sharing the Wealth
One reason why Illinois ranks leads the nation in field goal percentage (as of Dec. 20) at 52.5 percent is unselfish play. The Illini have been moving the ball well and making the extra pass to set up an open shot. Illinois has been credited with 235 assists on its 343 baskets, an impressive 68.5 percent assist-to-made field goals percentage. Illinois leads the nation in assists, averaging 21.4 apg, and has recorded at least 20 assists in nine of 11 games on the year. The Illini recorded a season-high 27 assists against Wake Forest on Dec. 1.
First-Half Dominance
Illinois' play has been especially crisp in the first half of games this season. The Illini have shot 50 percent or better in eight of the 11 first halves so far, and are averaging 54.5 percent shooting in the first half of its games. Illinois has scored 45 or more points in seven of the 11 first halves and is averaging 46.8 points in the first half. Illinois has also taken a double-digit lead into halftime nine of 11 times this year and goes into the locker room with an average lead of 18.1 points. Below is a breakdown of Illinois' dominance in the first half:
UI UI UI
Opponent FG% PTS LEAD
Delaware St. 64.5 50 13
Florida A&M 58.8 58 29
Oakland 60.0 47 19
Gonzaga 55.0 58 31
Wake Forest 60.0 54 21
Arkansas 48.4 40 9
Chicago St. 54.5 47 15
Georgetown 41.9 31 7
Oregon 56.0 43 14
Valparaiso 57.1 49 26
Missouri 41.9 38 15
Avg. 54.5 46.8 18.1
The Head of the Class
Guard Luther Head entered the season as one of the most underrated players in the nation, and has been playing like an All-America candidate to begin his senior year. Head leads the Illini in scoring at 16.2 points per game (6th in Big Ten) and steals with 20 (6th in Big Ten), and is also contributing 5.1 assists per game (4th in Big Ten). He is shooting 52 percent from the field and 44.3 percent from 3-point land with a team-leading 31 treys. Head opened the season by scoring in double figures in five straight games - a career-best streak - with 15 points vs. Delaware State, 13 vs. Florida A&M, a game-high 22 points vs. Oakland, 20 points vs. Gonzaga and 16 points vs. Wake Forest. After his streak ended with eight points against Arkansas, Head has responded by matching his career-long streak with five straight in double figures: a game-high 17 points vs. Chicago State, 13 at Georgetown; a season-high 23 vs. Oregon (which also marked the second highest total of his career); 11 against Valparaiso; and 20 vs. Missouri.
Head has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.95 on the year to lead the team and rank third in the Big Ten. In consecutive games vs. Gonzaga and Wake Forest, he combined for 14 assists with only two turnovers. He tied his career-high in assists with nine dimes apiece in back-to-back games vs. Oakland and Gonzaga. Head also had nine assists with no turnovers in the win over Valparaiso.
Dee Lighting it Up
Dee Brown has had a hot shooting hand to start the season. Through 11 games, the junior guard is shooting 58.9 percent (56-95) from the field. That percentage is even more impressive when considering that nearly 58 percent of his shots have come from 3-point range. And Brown is dialed in from downtown as well, shooting 49.1 percent (27-55) from behind the arc. Brown ranks 28th nationally, and first among NCAA Div. 1 guards, in field goal percentage (as of Dec. 20).
He is second on the Illini in scoring at 14.0 points per game.
Brown broke into Illinois' Top-50 career scoring list Nov. 24 against Oakland, becoming the first player on the current UI roster to join the elite list. Brown currently stands 36th on the Illini all-time scoring chart with 978 points, and needs just 22 points to become the 36th career 1,000-point scorer in Illinois history.
Like his backcourt teammates, Brown has also been taking care of the ball and making good decisions. He has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.23 on the season, and in the two games vs. Gonzaga and Wake Forest, Brown combined for 15 assists without a turnover. In a three-game stretch vs. Chicago State, Georgetown and Oregon, he combined for 20 assists with just four turnovers (season-high nine assists with one turnover vs. Chicago State; game-high six assists with two turnovers at Georgetown; five assists with one turnover vs. Oregon).
The Rev Rises to the Occasion
Senior forward Roger Powell, Jr., is averaging 13.6 points and is second on the team with 5.2 rebounds, while shooting 69.4 percent from the field (59-of-85). His field goal percentage leads the Big Ten and ranks third nationally (as of Dec. 20). Standing 6-foot-6 and playing the power forward position, Powell is often undersized against his opponent. But he causes a match-up problem for the defense with his quickness and ability to step out and face the basket and either drive or hit the outside shot. Powell began the season as a career 59-percent shooter from the field.
Powell had his best game of the season Dec. 1 vs. Wake Forest, scoring a season-high 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting, which included a pair of 3-pointers. He followed that performance with a team-high 19 points and career-high 11 rebounds in a victory over Arkansas. Powell was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Dec. 6 for his performance in those two games.
In a victory at Georgetown on Dec. 9, Powell led the Illini with 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting.
Powell is scheduled to graduate with his bachelor's degree in speech communications in May. He is a licensed minister in the Pentecostal church.
Augie Off to Strong Start
Junior James Augustine is off to a strong start by shooting 63.9 percent from the field (39-61) and averaging a team-high 6.8 rebounds. His field goal percentage ranks third in the Big Ten behind Powell (14th nationally), and he ranks sixth in the league in rebounding. He grabbed 11 rebounds vs. Oakland on Nov. 24 - the highest total by an Illini player this season - which was Augustine's 13th career double-digit effort on the boards. After 11 games he is fifth on the team with an average of 8.9 points per game and leads the Illini with 19 blocked shots (5th in Big Ten).
*For complete set of Illinois men's basketball game notes, click on the .pdf link at the top of this page.
