Saturday, December 10, 2005

Illinois 89, Oregon 59

• Playing with very little rest or prep time, playing with no backup point guard, playing on a court dominated by the fans of its opponent, Illinois thrashed Oregon.  We could spend time now analyzing the weaknesses of our team and talking about how the Big Ten schedule will be tougher.  Let's not.  This time I just want to praise an outstanding performance by the Illini.  10-0 is worth celebrating.
• I'd also like to brag a little bit about my own accomplishments on the evening of the game.  You see I was at the home of some extended family on Saturday.  When the game started, the rest of the people in the room decided they would rather watch "It's a Wonderful Life" instead of the Illini.  While Dee was putting in three pointers on the other channel, I was watching Mr. Gower foul up the medicine capsules for the fiftieth time.  There were suitable weapons nearby, and the crime would certainly have been ruled justifiable by any reasonable jury.  Never have I exhibited more restraint.