NCDS: Jay Price, Asst. Coach - Illinois
By: Jay Price, Asst. Coach - Illinois
We have had an up-and-down month since my last entry here on
College Chalktalk. A season is filled with many highs and lows and
it is important to always remember that things are never as good as
they seem, but they are also never as bad as they seem. We are in
the middle of a marathon - not a sprint.
Our trip to Vegas was not a high point in the season. After
securing a 16-point halftime lead against Utah, we allowed them to
come back and we were not able to get it going again. Once you lose
a big lead it is hard mentally to finish (as we will find out a few
days later!) It was a very disappointed locker room after the game.
We had to bounce back quickly and unfortunately were not able to as
we lost our second in a row. The best part about being in Vegas was
having former Illini Mannie Jackson visit our team and sit behind
our bench for the games. He is an incredible person and it was
great to see him. As far as the basketball, you all know the
saying-"What happens in Vegas-stays in Vegas!"
We had a short turn around and had to travel to Clemson. I was very
worried as to how we would react to their pressure and our first
road test. The weather was awful, but I felt that we needed a
little luck. It was raining cats and dogs but I was able to get
into the football stadium-better known as Death Valley. There is a
rock that the Clemson football team touches before every game and I
figured that we could use all the luck that we could get. It is
under plexi glass so I rubbed the glass and hoped for the best.
Then headed back to the hotel on my usual game day run.
The game went as we feared in the first half and we found ourselves
down 20 at half and 23 in the early stages of the second half.
Amazingly we fought back tooth and nail. We gradually withered the
lead down and soon it was a tie game. As we found out in Vegas,
once you give up a big lead, it is hard to get going again. We made
some great plays down the stretch and the ENTIRE team stayed
together as we pulled out an improbable victory. The biggest
comeback in Illini history!!
There is nothing better than winning on the road and then the
celebration in the locker room is beyond words. It is great to see
everyone hugging and happy as we won as a TEAM. On
the flight home the plane had XM radio and everyone was listening
to Wisconsin-Duke. As soon as it was over a round of applause went
up as the Big 10 had finally won the challenge. It was great to see
everyone happy for the Big 10.
The month did not end on a high note. We played very well against
Western Michigan, but then did not play well against Georgia
or Missouri. We have a lot to work on as we approach Big Ten
play. We are practicing twice both on the 27th and 28th.
We must improve in all aspects of the game.
I hope that everyone has a safe and a happy new year!
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