Friday Quick Hits: Illini’s Frazier Doubtful for Michigan Game
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1 Comment- Illinois guard Chester Frazier is doubtful for tonight’s game against Michigan due to a hand injury. Frazier is a great defensive player that would cover Manny Harris if he is able to play. He is also a senior and, as IlliniHQ.com’s Paul Klee called him, “the heart and soul of the Illini.” If Frazier does indeed have to miss the game, then this may be the advantage Michigan needs to advance to the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament. Although Michigan did split the season series with the Illini, Illinois hasn’t played well at Crisler the last few years. A game on a neutral court presents a much tougher challenge.
- How unbelievable was the Syracuse-UConn game last night? I didn’t start watching until there was less than a minute left in regulation, but that is just when it started to get fun. Syracuse’s Eric Devendorf hit a three-pointer as the clock expired to end regulation, but upon further review, the shot was waived off. Devendorf’s shot was released one-tenth of a second too late, sending the game to the first of many overtimes.
Nearly two hours and six (yes, six!) overtimes later, Syracuse won the game again. This time, however, it was official. Despite never holding a lead until the sixth and final overtime, the Orange managed to survive and make comeback after comeback after comeback in each of the first five overtimes. Then, in the sixth OT, UConn appeared to be out of gas and let Syracuse run away with the lead. The ‘Cuse ultimately won 127-117.
This was truly one of the most remarkable games I’ve ever witnessed. It was ugly at times, and it was shocking that neither team could finish in the closing seconds of any of the first five overtimes. Even so, the fact that the game just kept going and going is what made it so amazing. Players that never usually get into a game played an important role in deciding this marathon by the time the final OT arrived, adding another interesting storyline to this game.
One of the things I’m most interested in is how Syracuse will play tonight. They played on Wednesday and didn’t finish the game that began on Thursday until 1:22 a.m. Tonight they play West Virginia, who is fresh off of an upset win against Pittsburgh. I expect the Mountaineers to run a fatigued Syracuse team out of Madison Square Garden, but this is the Big East tournament, so anything can and probably will happen.
- Robbie Czarnik is questionable for the Western Michigan series this weekend due to an ankle injury sustained in practice earlier this week.
- Four Michigan players are finalists for CCHA awards.
- There is going to be a sound test in Michigan Stadium today from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The test is to determine what changes need to be made to the sound system now that the two structures are up on the east and west sides of the stadium.
- Bowling Green’s hockey program may be in trouble.
NIT! NIT! NIT! NIT!