Illini experience leads to win

After Illinois' 77-71 win against the Penn State men's basketball team Saturday, it looked as if the Lion young guns ran out of ammo.

The Illini started five seniors compared to the Nittany Lions, who started one senior, two freshmen, a junior and a sophomore.

The Illini reaped the benefits of experience in the first half as they led by as many as 19.

"Those guys were in the (NCAA Tournament) last year," Lion coach Jerry Dunn said. "They know how to win. They know how to make big plays. They're good players. We have good players, too, but some of our guys don't have the court savvy yet, but they'll be fine. Lon (Kruger) does a great job with these guys. They play with a lot of poise."

Penn State was poised to make a run at the Illini in the second half, coming as close as four, but when all was said and done, it was that senior experience that rose above Penn State's youthfulness.

"It was definitely a factor," said senior Illini guard Kevin Turner. "It helps when you play in these type of situations to have been there before. We did a good job knocking down some big shots when we needed them, we knocked down free throws and got the big rebounds when we needed them."

So did Penn State toward the end of the game, but its lack of consistent play in the first half negated the second-half surge.

"They have some very good players, but I think we just had some guys who stepped up," Illini forward Jerry Hester said. "I think it was just a team effort. We prepare for all the players and what they can do. (Joe) Crispin and (Pete) Lisicky were two of the focal points. Crispin has been playing well for them as a freshman."

But not Saturday. Crispin's 2 of 12 shooting from the field hurt the Lions, especially considering that backcourt mate Lisicky finished 6 of 18 from the field.

Turner said the team prepared a lot for Lisicky, Penn State's lone senior.

"Lisicky is the heart and soul of the team," Turner said. "From last year, we had the 'Lisicky rule,' and we carried it over to this year where if he hits a three on you, you come out of the game."

Kruger said the senior experience of his team wasn't even a factor in the game.

"I don't know about it being an advantage," the Illini coach said. "The seniors did a good job when they got backed in a corner late, but so did Penn State, so I don't know if it was an advantage because of our age, but I was happy with the way our players responded."

And so was Dunn, but he does realize that his younger players won't give the team consistent production night in and night out.

"You're talking about freshmen that are having to deal with ball pressure that they've never dealt with," Dunn said. "It varies from game to game. We have to work on those things."