Happier times for Illini this trip to Purdue
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - When Illinois visited Purdue last season, voices carried well beyond the Illini postgame locker-room walls.
Angry, profane voices.
"I don't want to talk about that," said Illinois senior guard Chester Frazier. "That was the lowest of the low. It was like a dysfunctional family.
"But this year we love each other. We play for each other and we're all happy."
Especially after what happened in this season's visit to Mackey Arena.
With seemingly every player taking a turn in the spotlight, Illinois shocked No. 9 Purdue 71-67 in overtime Tuesday night before 14,036 in the Big Ten's opening game.
The program's first road win over a Top 10 team since 1989 led to a chorus of happy, boisterous voices in the locker room.
The Illini (13-1, 1-0) screamed a slogan passed down by the Dee-Deron-Luther era Illini:
"One-two-three, Big Ten champs! Four-five-six, National champs! Seven-eight-nine, Family!
"Ten-11-12, Road Dogs! Woo-woo-woo-woo!"
Sophomore center Mike Tisdale's 18 points led five Illini in double figures - including a career-high 12 points from Alex Legion in 24 key minutes - while the 6-foot-1 Frazier handled everything else.
Despite suffering a debilitating calf cramp midway through the second half, Frazier played a game-high 41 minutes and contributed a team-high 7 rebounds and 7 assists while also taking primary responsibility for 6-8 Robbie Hummel.
"We just thought Robbie was the key to them," Illini coach Bruce Weber said. "Chester's our best defender, so we made the decision."
Hummel, the Big Ten's preseason player of the year, finished with 7 points and 11 rebounds but left Mackey Arena on crutches. He, along with reigning defensive player of the year Chris Kramer, played at less than 100 percent.
Nonetheless, the Boilers rallied late and had a chance to win with 1.9 seconds left. Purdue (11-3, 0-1) trailed 56-55 when Illinois' Mike Davis fouled center JaJuan Johnson on a 15-foot jumper.
Johnson rattled home the first free throw, but the second rolled off to force extra time.
Illinois surrendered the first 4 points in overtime, but Calvin Brock, Legion, Mike Davis and Demetri McCamey combined for the next 9 points.
Purdue sneaked back within 1 point with 38 seconds to go, but McCamey drilled 4 free throws in a row to clinch it.
"The kids put on the board after: 'Only one of 18 (games),' " Weber said. "I think whoever put that up there, that was a good thing. At least they realize we've got a long way to go."