View from the cheap seats: Michigan State had probably three times as many fans as the Buckeyes at this session. Our seats were in the Spartan corner of the arena, and it was loud over there...although they have one really weird cheer. The band played some song where all the fans waved their two arms over their head like a touchdown signal and then back down in front of them. My wife described it as trying to wave an airplane into a parking spot near the runway. Not sure what it means, but oh well: way to represent, MSU.
Quarterfinal #3 ILLINOIS 74, PURDUE 67 (OT)
This was the first time I’d been able to attend a Boilermaker game this year (even though I’ve seen them all on TV – thank you, Big Ten Network!) Obviously the outcome was disappointing as a fan, but this was actually a great game to attend. Purdue started slow, made a double-digit run in the first half to take the lead, and really seemed to have the Illini on the ropes throughout. It was a five-point game with less than a minute to play in regulation, but every time the Boilers needed a stop, Illinois (and specifically star freshman Demetri McCamey) figured out a way to get points. McCamey was 6-6 from the three-point line, including the shot that sent this game to overtime. Purdue couldn’t buy a basket in the extra session and the 10th-seeded Illini advanced to the semis. A quick look at the box score tells the story: Purdue missed its last twelve shots, while Illinois shot a sizzling 61% from the floor against a team that prides itself on tenacious defense. The Boilermakers had no inside game to speak of and chose instead to live and die with the three. They finished a respectable 11-25 from distance, but couldn’t get them to drop in overtime...that’ll earn you a quick bus ride back to West Lafayette.
Random side note: for as many Purdue fans as there were, it was awfully quiet in Conseco. One big Boilermaker run in the second half would have put this game away, but the crowd didn’t really get involved. And no, I didn’t see Michael Jordan (but I looked...since his son Jeff plays for Illinois). If MJ did attend, I don’t think he would have been in the cheap seats.
Quarterfinal #4 MINNESOTA 59, INDIANA 58
When the Hoosiers took the floor in the final game of the day, it felt like Assembly Hall. Thousands of Indiana fans made their presence felt throughout the game, and it still wasn’t enough for IU. By now, you all know how this game ended...Blake Hoffarber’s miracle last-second shot....and millions of people will tell you they were in the arena that night. Just like Laettner in 92.
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