Freshmen give Illini a big lift

INDIANAPOLIS -- Jeff Jordan's decision to walk on at Illinois last spring came at a perfect time for a program reeling after Jamar Smith's DUI accident and numerous recruiting misses.

Jordan gave the Illini some much-needed good publicity. Who knew they also were getting a player who was going to see significant playing time?

And a player who provided a spark in Illinois' biggest win of its season?

Jordan did just that by playing a season-high 15 minutes in the Illini's 74-67 overtime win over Purdue. He hit both of his shots -- a driving layup in the first half and a 17-footer in the second half -- to finish with 4 points, 2 assists and 1 steal.

He also played good defense but did commit 3 turnovers.

"I didn't come in with any expectations (of playing this year)," said Jordan, who is averaging 0.9 points in 22 games. "I think from the beginning of the season I felt I could push it a little bit and get coach's confidence and get to the point where he could put me in."

Freshman Mike Davis also provided a lift with 10 points in 17 minutes -- after pointing out to his coach why it is in Illinois' best interest to give him more playing time.

"Mike Davis told me today that if he plays more than 15 minutes, we're 8-2," Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. "We got him 17 minutes today and we're now 9-2, so maybe I should listen to the players more."

Most fabulous frosh: One Purdue freshman, Robbie Hummel, made the all-Big Ten first team. Another, E'Twaun Moore, made the second team.

The Boilermakers' heralded freshman class scores 55 percent of the team's points and lifted them to a 24-7 regular season.

None of them were the best freshman on the court Friday.

Demetri McCamey scored 26 points, his second best behind 31 against Indiana. He said he didn't mind being passed up for the Big Ten's all-freshman teams.

"It don't matter if I'm first team, third, not even mentioned, nothing," McCamey said. "It's all about Illinois."

McCamey's 6-for-6 shooting from long range broke former Illini Corey Bradford's record for best 3-point percentage in a Big Ten Tournament game.

"To go 6-for-6 with the pressure he had and everybody keying in was miraculous really," said Brian Randle, who scored 9 points and fouled out for the second straight game.

Women provide inspiration: If the Illini feel tired playing their third game in three days today, they have to look no further than the Illinois women's team, a No. 9 seed that reached the Big Ten title game last week before losing at the buzzer to Purdue. The women played four games in four days with only nine players dressing.

"We've talked about them all week," Weber said. "If they can do it why can't we?"

Now after beating two teams that went 2-0 against them this year -- Penn State and Purdue -- the Illini will try to avoid losing to a Minnesota team it beat twice. The Gophers stunned Indiana 59-58 as Minnesota and Illinois ruined a Purdue-Indiana matchup many were anticipating.

"Right now we are halfway there," Trent Meacham said. "We came here and looked at it as a fresh start to the season. It's been a frustrating year, but we're just happy to play again."