but we begin the day from the United Center in Chicago as the j-hawks take on the fighting AI tip off [Music] next ESPN's exclusive presentation of NCAA basketball is brought to you by the 2000 Mercury Mercury live life in your lane welcome to the house of Michael jordanville for a college matchup between top 25 teams it's number six Kansas against the 22nd ranked Eline eye of Illinois the j-hawks come in 8 to1 led by their junior candidate for All-American Kenny Gregory off to a terrific Stark qun Buckner Kenny Gregory is a guy that likes to get out in the open court had a big game against the Columbus Ohio State Buckey with where he's from he can get to the rack quickly I suspect as you watching tonight this afternoon I should say he's got to have some strong finishes against the Ali joining him in the starting five the sophomore Jeff bchi along with Nick Bradford Nick Collison the freshman and Eric Chen with the 7' one senior from California as for the Ali ey they are led by Cory Bradford a dynamic guard last year he was the Big 10 freshman of the year and this year a wooden candidate for all Americans well he he was a wooden candidate for good reason last year he carried the team this year he's got some help but he's a guy that really gets to the rack out of that Memphis town and has a lot of good products like Penny Hardway here we see him taking it to the rack his real strength as he can knock jump shots down with range joining him in the starting lineup Frank Williams cleotis Brown Robert archal and the junior Marcus Griffin Lon Krueger is the head coach for the fighting Eline ey and what a job he has done last year did the almost almost did the unthinkable winning the Big 10 tournament won the Big 10 tournament after going three and 13 in the conference and uh they actually they beat Ohio State who got to the 4 and four and they lost the Michigan State but they had a great run and he's got a lot more talent to pry to he can he put together this year Kansas controls the tip Illinois is out in an aggressive manto man they'll overplay if they can get to the top and they're doing a lot of switching here early mhi got caught in between ball stolen away from Bradford he gets down and we have a jump ball oh did you see the effort early on the floor for the ball Roy Williams teams known for playing hard there you see him 313 wins 12 years at Kansas highest career winning percentage by an active coach Williams has done an outstanding job has gotten great talent who's been able to get them to play they're still trying like a lot of teams want to get to that big prize winning that NCAA Championship got a lot of Talent with this club maybe a little young though he down low Griffin gin on chenwi how about that he had chenitz with nowhere to go defensively because Griffin was at the [Applause] basket mention The Jayhawks beat Ohio State on Thursday this is actually the third game as B knocks down another three he has been on fire from out there shooting 61% from three-point land that's impressive I like his PO but drilling 60% from anywhere even if in the paint is pretty good well the light is not bad so miss Q by the Eli and Kansas will have the ball when we talk about Kansas this is the third game in their last four outings against a big 10 team they lost the first game in this building against Michigan [Applause] State oh good pass Gregory loses it how's that for making up well what he did was he went up with the ball and he felt somebody hit it so he just dropped it and then then came back and with some hops he fed that one down got a 41in vertical Kanas is in there manto man and they'll get out of play aggressively you see Archie ball is out on the perimeter trying to handle it again they're down on the floor and Kansas with another steel bhi taking it the length the dish out to Bradford Collison looking down low pass deflected here come the Align on Griffin kicked out Williams passing into the corner and finally it's Bradford off the back iron Archer ball scrambling Bradford gets the rebound and a traveling violation on Cory BR yeah he never came to the two foot stop he came to onew and tried to go with it and they weren't going to let him get the second one so three turnovers in the early going for the Ali but you know the Kansas see Kansas plays a lot of lot of people on their team as does Illinois but they try to pressure you into turnover how about Boi it's like a free throw for him he knocks down another comes off a screen and no one steps out 8 to two this is the third game against the ranked opponent for the Ali they lost the previous two braford off the screen rebounded by Griffin and he puts it back he's tough you see it you I mean it's when he caught the ball and shot it he was never nervous never anxious and just put it right down Gregory Baseline tra kicked back [Applause] out Bui got away with a little uh carry right there Collison finds the front iron I guess that's what you call a good blockout ball hits the [Applause] floor they known for their fundamentals both of these teams talk about L kru style of play he likes to employ as what a block there by CH with he didn't even have to leave the ground yeah I I thought raford made a bad decision oh Al a little too high for Gregory a Pinn to the board by Archer ball wow my goodness did he come over there with some Force I mean with Kansas teams the thing that you know you look at Roy Williams and he has his very soft demeanor if you will in terms of the way you look at it but there are IAL aggressive team you'll see Arie come over and get that block he goes down I mean there was clearly contact with the body but I thought that was a very good block by Archer ball certainly exciting by the sophomore from Ballwin Missouri originally from Scotland and Gregory at the line to shoot twoo this is an area where he has struggled coming into this game he's only shooting 36% from the three from the three throw strike yeah that's an area clearly that Kenny Gregory is going to have to improve upon and I think he's also going to have to extend his game out if he wants to try to you know further his basketball play right now considered a slasher and probably to take it to the next level will have to develop that jump shot but he gets the bragging rights he had Ohio State playing against Michael red and spoony pin he and Michael red played against each other from Columbus and he was in and Kenny Gregory was taking a lot of heat because Ohio State went to the final four so he got right at least for this summer Marlon London checking in bu for Kenny Gregory who'll get a brether London is back home also in is Nate mask playing point guard now B on him here comes the Trap by the J [Applause] [Music] Hawks I was talking about physical if you play against Kansas team you've got to be strong with the ball and that's what I mean by physical I don't think they do anything dirty they just come at you hard and they'll force their Fishers to make the call Radford from the corner for three loose ball and Nick Bradford knocks it over to bosi Jay Hawks want to run quick pass down the middle chenowith finishes nicely it's good running by Eric chel with the get out after being on the other end here's braford with the skip pass into the corner leotus Brown knocks down a three-point you know it was interesting talking to L Krueger that's who he said is really coming along as cleus brown played a little injured last year but now he's more athletic he's knocking down jump shots they love Brown and they love cook there's Collison missing on the hook shot the Ali eye with the chance to trim the lead bounce pass down low Griffin cook couldn't slam it home here comes bosi ahead to Bradford easy layup F she so good heads up looks out see if anybody body's running that time Bradford out in front of the [Music] [Applause] pack they got a hand check on bosi so he picks up a cheap foul that is his first foul now we have a break in the action the j-hawks have been all over the passing lanes and bosi finding Bradford who finds chenwi J Hawks with the early lead 14-7 the j-hawks with the early lead here at the United Center you know this is actually the second game of the year for both of these teams here in the United Center Kansas the last time they here they were they lost to Michigan State and of course the Ali lost to Duke but this game they they appear in the early going to be a little more polished a little more experienced well you play those kind of games that they played I think what happens is when you go to practice you have some specifics to practice against and when you're playing that top caliber kind of team they make your effort much more purposeful in pra practice because you don't want to take run the risk of getting embarrassed Frank Williams went behind the back and lost it that was one of the things that L Kruger had told us before the game is that he has to watch that he's got realized a different level of defense that he's playing on college basketball as opposed to high school well the other thing is he's been out a year you know you you miss the competition you lose the edge and a lot of first year players I don't care where they come from Junior College or not don't really know how hard you have to play on major division one college levels you know in terms of your your effort Drew good tried to save it there his foot was on the Bas line so turnover for [Applause] Kansas take a look at the shooting in the early going Kansas doing a better job so far still early Williams again trying to work off Hinrich and heinrick got a hand there for the block hr's a a tough defensive player Off the Bench he's second entertainment steals but he makes a Mis CU on the pass looking for Marlon London now one of the three freshman you look at Gooden Hinrich um and you like what they bring Nick Collinson hadn't really got involved in the offense but these freshman bring a lot of additional uh Firepower for the j-hawks a lot of people eager to compare them to that 9394 team had jock Bon and Scott Pard and have a foul on Marlon London now we haven't even talked about number 33 Luke AEL who transferred from Texas he gives them range so you know he's first I mean really first full year in the program so they've got a lot of new faces that they're trying to to integrate into their system Frank Williams again on the Baseline runs into some trees cook tries to slam it but he draws a foul charge it to London again the thing Frank Williams has to learn there's nowhere to go I mean he's in traffic he's lucky here and from the time he got the ball he really had about a 16-footer he gets it over to Brian Cook who goes to the basket and get and gets foul and I'm sure as part of this conversation that's one of the things that Lon Krueger is saying to Frank the defense lets you take the shot take it but don't drive it in traffic because what Kansas will do is drive you Baseline and they always help on the Baseline you see the numbers from Brian Cook his dad Norman played basketball ironically for The Jayhawks of Kansas and also played for the Celtics so Brian Cook is someone that the entire Alli staff is very high on here's Collison with an ill-advised lob pass that was knocked away looking for chin with him there that's you you throw the ball in the post Gary William Gary Williams Williams will tell him you've got to punch it in there with some real strength you can't just fly in there cuz too many good athletes on the floor and they can get to if you leave in the air too long here's axell TR moved his feet cuz he's a shooter and he was taking a step to get into his shot and got forced to pass so it's the fourth turnover for The Jayhawks it's interesting point you talk about all the new people really trying to get everybody up on the same page they really had a great outing against Ohio State damn they playing against some good competition you can't afford not to get get better soon or you can get embarrassed Chen with that big paw was able to knock it to himself here's hinr chenowth for three off the front iron see that pass had to be given up Williams kicks it back for Griffin and an offensive foul by chenel that's Frank Williams that just calls that right away if he looked he had a man wide open on the right and instead he keeps the ball now coming off the rebound watch there's a break and we just don't get to see who the other player is but he's wide open on the right side so instead he throws it to Griffin and when you do that chenowith had a chance to get back had Williams pass the ball forward you're B you're Bing them good point you know like Lon Krueger said still looking to make the circus play as opposed to the fundamentally sound play Axel loses the ball on the baseball but on the Baseline I should say and uh then chases it down Gregory shot clock under 10 Deep Bomb by hring back iron and they're going to get Chen withth with an over the backat yeah I suspect POI would be coming back in the game because Kansas offense all of a sudden has become stagnant as Chen tried to go over the back of Griffin to get the ball and got a foul jwks number as you said Jeff bchi checking in immediately too many empty POS possessions you got a freshman running the show and you got someone as good as bosi all you want to do is get him fresh get him back out on the floor cinon also back in for Axel the other thing about bosi he's a little underrated as a defensive player he's tough if you're tough at the point of attack with the ball it really disrupts your off the other team's offense here's Brown working on Bradford wants to take him off the dribble pullup shot tough knocked into the hands of Gregory he wants to run spinning in the lane too strong keeps it alive but Collison getting physical inside and they'll charge him with the foul cinon is picking up his first foul but it it's going to be a physical game I tell you that and Illinois is going to have to learn how to play against that kind of play Kansas has cuz they played against the Michigan State Gregory can't quite get to the cup we're getting phisical in the United Center 14-9 Jayhawks with a lead 149 here in the first half of their game with Illinois join ESPN tonight for a college basketball triple header at seven it's guard Ed Kota in the North Carolina Tar Hills they'll be in Miami to take on the Hurricanes then at nine number one ranks Cincinnati and the inner city rival they'll take on Savor from the Cincinnati Gardens and finally at midnight unlb hosting the Cowboys of Oklahoma State in the second game of the Las Vegas Showdown triple header Hoops play later on tonight on ESPN for more you can log on espn.com part of theg network go.com and Cory Bradford off to a rough start TN he's really struggled he's 0 for five from the field but Illinois is still you know in this thing reasonably tight with their best score not getting any numbers theis Brown trapped in the corner here's Williams the pull up in the lane still can't find it but it's a better decision cuz you're not going to get to the basket with chenwi and Colin uh and Collison standing back there the pass there by Bradford but Collinson with a misc in the feet well they probably got a little nudge in the back and and and Roy is just saying just go up with the ball but I don't think Collinson ever got his balance he's had some fantastic games as Williams drives Baseline on pery he still is forcing the issue with no success he really is forcing the issue and he's hurting his team because he won't let the defense move for a point guard to come and take a shot right away you really make people not want to move cuz they don't think you're going to pass it Collison fakes and moves his feet once again so the freshman and L Roy Williams he had his hands on his head I think he's seen enough though he said I had enough of this freshman let me send it another freshman to go get him so send in Drew good to go get kisy to had three turnovers thus far I think if they talk to to Carson about anything it's about trying to do too much you know he just wants to try to create some things himself both teams in an offensive drought they haven't scored for over four minutes talking about field goals cha de the pullup with a man in his face in and out Gregory with another rebound you see how much better Kansas gets into an offense now they got both she on the nice bounce pass by boie spinning his chin with Gregory digs out the rebound oh makes a nice pass good shot is deflected crosscourt pass intercepted by Frank Williams quick dish and Bradford could not convert it but we have a foul remember the play we discussed with Williams where he didn't pass the ball he made a concerted effort this time Lon Krueger talked to him he made a concerted effort even though he made a tough pass to try to make sure he got the ball to the shooter this time cuz that's what he's got to do if you can't beat your man then you've got to make the defensive man Bradford attack you then you get it to him he was going to go behind his back and didn't quite get it there but he's making an effort I tell you what there's a lid on the basket for both teams struggling from the field no field goals and over 5 minutes for the align eye in for 4 minutes and 44 seconds for Kansas and the drought continues for Illinois tough trying to end it he can't yeah that's tough shot Williams takes a bad shot and then cook just takes a tough shot that's a useful mistake but you know what a lot of this is good defense it's not so much anything else I mean good gets a putb but it's good defense nice weak side there by uh weak side Tapp in by good Illinois has Mr last 10 shots Chuck spinning on Chen and draws a foul I believe Bradford got him from behind Victor was going to get somebody when he as soon as he had faked he was going to try to make sure there was some contact made piig strong player the most experienced player on the team head and should effects gets good enough chin and withth and I think from the back might have been a foul by Bradford Chuck there's Senor his name means the Lord keepeth see KN out the front end and Collison after getting a tongue lash will come back now you got young people young guys today sophomore year he might get a tongue L this year he'll get some real strong encouragement it's a little different you know and I don't and Roy Williams is will he will get after now you know that well what do you call it with Roy Williams talks to the junior oh it's just a nice conversation by advice there just a little friendly advice fce by that time if you'd like to continue playing you better figure out what I'm saying ball goes off of Bradford so Illinois catches a break here we'll stay down on this [Music] end chuku deay goes out and check it in is uh bodies flying feet flying all kind of action in there thump we are at Chicago after [Applause] all Johnson Working the perimeter that Griffin and Frank Williams high school teammate Sergio mlan is coming to the game Lucas Johnson forcing the issue on the Baseline and Good's got a rebound you can't go Baseline on Kanas they that's where they want to send you cuz they get help and Nick grafford stuck out the elbow and a good call by Paul Janson the referee that is his second foul on on brf when you have trouble scoring you need good defensive transition clearly the right arm is in the chest of Lucas Johnson and Bradford wanted to spin but I don't I didn't don't think he thought the Johnson could get there in time but Johnson made a a very good effort to get position and draw that foul some substitutions on the floor for Kan hin rck back in along with axel here's cook oh driving into the lane lost the ball so another turnover number seven for [Applause] Illinois good down low the turnaround jump shot C in between off the back iron and a rebound into the hands of Sergio mlan Griffin the spin Here Come The Jayhawks the other way well there's been a lot of running head been a lot of [Applause] scoring kis spinning he has excellent footwork very solid footwork Griffin did a good job staying down but cins just tough in that position Lucas Johnson with a traveling violation so that's the eighth turnover for the Aline I mean this this game is about positioning and balance I think you stay on balance watch he's on balance the whole time can't get it there he takes a tough shot with over pressure with a touch knocked it down both teams struggling to take care of the ball here with 8 minutes to go have eight turnovers a piece recruiting analyst Bob giv red him as the most fundamentally sound freshman coming into college basketball this year here's Gregory the pull up tough shot doesn't get the bounce ma China with there and axel can't finish it ball goes right into the hands of chenwick I mean right into his hand he was on his way running back to defense and just having to show up here's Collison again kicked out Axel for three too strong bad foul by carison yeah carison ought to know better his dad has been a coach for 22 years so he's been around enough basketball to know those kind of fouls you can't afford to make one of those aggressive fouls made by The Freshman number two Kansas with an eight-point lead will put the Ali in the bonus and send Griffin to the line line Illinois marus Griffin he shoot 65% Marcus Griffin the 1999 National junior college division two player of the year got some much needed presence on the inside for the [Music] first one is off the back iron but how about mlan digging out the rebound and he draws a foul and he's a big strong body and in this whole Evolution if you will for Illinois has to be somewhat of a a difficult process for Sergio mlan check this that's that foul was on Collison that will be his third you see coming up with the rebound and taking it back up strong Collison on the backside they call him for the foul but mlan was the guy other than Bradford last year that did a lot of the work and and did some scoring but he was a role player pretty much on those great team of P manual with Griffin uh and uh Frank Williams and so he's going to have to resume that here at Illinois and it's it's an adjustment that he's struggled with some I think he started the year actually started the first two games before he went into that Reserve Ro we talk about poror Emanuel and the kids that have come out of there and the contribution that they're making to this program is fantastic Hinrich with some spin moves nice dish to Axel tough shot he can make shots I mean he's a guy that can shoot the ball but you're right Hinrich made about three or four pettes and the lead is up to nine as we have a foul down low I believe they got the other freshman Hinrich [Applause] H so that's his first foul first I'm watching Luke Axel because I saw Roy Williams was livid at that play because he felt that there should have been some help there and axel was the guy that should have been there and they were trying to to discern who it was that and axel said was it my man and Coach looked at yes it [Applause] Wasson has to take a break because of foul trouble you talk about the poror Emanuel players Griffin another one of those players that won four consecutive state titles of f [Applause] Emanuel Collison had the same problem against Michigan State file trouble he gets overly aggressive and and has to sit down Shen digs out the rebound that's his seventh rebound here's London nice bounce pass over to G with good look to get it along the Baseline to the big fella he has four lead is up to 10 the Kanas very much like a lot of good defensive teams they deny they won't let you catch some teams play your tough after the catch 2212 is our score the Ali down 10 we will be back Le for the j-hawks here in Chicago we talk manual connection that Illinois has Marcus griin Frank Williams Sergio mlan the three combined to win uh 11 state titles four titles by Griffin and mlan and then Frank Williams well he only won three state titles but P Emanuel certainly on the map in uh one of the best high school programs in the country well there is no doubt about it Sergio McLean's father Wayne was the coach of that team and uh Sergio was telling us that he put they put porio on the map which they probably did you win four state championships I mean that that puts anybody on the map that's quite an accomplishment good and inside increasing the lead to [Applause] 12 Ralia will take it he knocks it down I mean because Good played him the way you should play a big man until he proves he can make a shot once he picks it up back off of it that was their first field goal in over 9 minutes get the lead back down to 10 good from the [Music] [Applause] corner third match up for Illinois against a ranked opponent they want to get the monkey off their back there they've lost the two Duke and Maryland the Maryland game they lose just because there's a bank shot for three-pointer at the end of the game so they feel like they played well in those games they just haven't you know gotten over the hump yet [Applause] M trying to go up against those seven Footers tough assignment this is who's got to get on track Bradford with a bomb and again a misc griffin digs out the rebound good smart play and that's that's one of the better plays they've played from a stategic tactical standpoint all day Frank Williams the J step kicked out to to Bradford he takes Hinrich off the dribble ah there's been a lid on that basket for Bradford can't get off the SN made a really good mood to get where he was going 0 for six you know ESPN 2 is going to start your college bowl season off tonight 6 p.m. when quarterback Billy vak leads Fresno stay up against Utah and running back Mike Anderson it's the 1999 EA Sports Las Vegas Bowl that's tonight at 600 p.m. on ESPN 2 and can you believe it we're bowling already this bowl time get out the chips and dip and your favorite beverage you know this might be what gets Cory Bradford off the SN I mean speaking of Lon Krueger I I played with Lon Krueger we went to China together some years ago and he was a terrific point guard so if Frank Williams is going to grow he has the right toage there cuz cuz uh Lon would give him what he sees through his eyes and help Frank kind of understand better what what Williams needs to see you talk about Krueger Not only was he a fantastic athlete in basketball but he played baseball actually played minor league baseball in the Cardinals organization he also went to rookie camp with the Dallas Cowboys and he was an academic All-American so he was quite a it still is quite a guy hasn't changed at all in terms of his personality since I first met him Illinois in need of a stop [Music] here and will Williams in the passing Lanes with the steel nice pass to mlan but he can't knock it down Frank Williams shot knocked out of bounds by Axel well they mlan started it with good solid defense and Williams then made a good pass Axel just made a better defensive play and coming back to get that block I mean Williams gets the ball and he makes a good solid bounce pass and then Hinrich does a good job of making sure that mlan can't finish and finally Frank Williams on point with a big bomb a three-pointer Kansas trying to quickly answer Drew Gooden shot no good he gets his own rebound let me tell you Darren did you see that how quickly he got up he is a quick leaper boy I mean he shot the ball and got himself looked like under the basket before anybody else could react he tipped it again boy Williams has to be happy with this young freshman col on the foul on the out with fouls good at the line where he shoots 78% charge that foul to deir kolia have you ever had a freshman come in and lead the team in rebounds very rarely you talk about Kansas the last guy to do that we talking Danny Manning Danny Manning was everything and what was then the big eight Danny Manning rap for friend the only to frust that we're able to come in and lead the team in rebound smooth [Applause] stroke is up to seven now Kanas has come out g into a two3 Zone which is pretty solid thing to do cuz if Williams boy he just made a tough shot he is not shy no he is not gunshot he may miss some but that doesn't knock his confidence as Gregory tries to answer over to Bradford and good in the quick turnaround see the soft touch quian he caught it softly got it never brought it [Applause] [Music] down by 3 minutes 30 seconds to go he's feeling it again he's feeling it I can tell when he let it go he is feeling it gets the Ali to within four the lead has been as large as 12 and Gregory loses the ball out of bounds time out on the floor we have a Timeout on the floor the Ali have cut the lead from 12 down to four Frank Williams feeling it from three 2824 canas [Music] 28-24 Kansas with the lead 313 left here in the first half Lon Krueger he knows about Kansas he would face off against him plenty of times as a player pretty successful as an assistant coach pretty successful but when he got in the head job over uh at K State uh and then he played him a couple times at Florida things a little bit different yeah he's known about Kansas cuz he's he was born there so he's known about him a long time just hadn't been able get help from some of his teams Kanas comes back out playing manto man because they had to get a handle on Williams here's Bradford again Off the Mark good pressure by Gregory on the shot you mentioned it in the break qu Bradford now playing a little bit more of a point guard as chenowith lets one go he clanks it off the front iron Ashante Johnson tried to knock it and then did knock it off of cleus brown but you mentioned it in the break when when you have Bradford struggling a little bit it looks like what they've done is kind of rotated him around and put him in the one slot and Williams played a little bit more of the two and they've changed it back since then they got it must be some blood on bchi bchi so he's got to come out but you're right that's how williams got going they've changed the back and put Williams back out front but originally in the zone They had Bradford out front and that's what allowed Williams to come free for those two three-pointers he knocked down they're going to have to clean up uh looks like he just got a little strawberry there on the uh maybe something wrong with his shoe here comes the Trap by the j-hawks got to be strong with the ball and you'll find an open man if they're tra him ni pass by Williams and the big slam Brian Cook and he's [Applause] foul if you're strong with the ball against any trap you get opportunities cuz there two onone and here Bradford is strong two times it looks like Kansas is going to get it he comes over the top gets the ball to William who makes a one-handed pass to Brian Cook who knocks down the foul shot after duning he dunked that on chenwick the S foot War Center Qui Illinois to within one skip pass nice little save there by Hinrich and Gregory finishes strong tough F wow that was a great play by [Applause] Hinrich two minutes to go here in Chicago Williams with the pull behind air air ball kept Alive by the Ali cleotis Brown off the glass A he flying around everywhere over the rim I mean those are some tough decisions hrich loses it and they call a foul on Bradford boy I don't know about that one he got bailed out on that one Quinn I don't think there's any doubt about it how about the last time down Kansas well the Kansas was basically had thrown the ball away and hinr just makes a great effort to save it to Gregory to get a dunk but that that pass was aent and was going out of bounds and hinr gets him a basket tell Hinrich has a certain amount of poise yeah he does game right there and he's a nice little feeli I don't think he's as quick as bosi but I think he's he's as comfortable and but he doesn't make shots obviously three point shots like like Jeff po you talked to Rory Williams about his freshman he says you know they don't quite understand what they're doing no they don't Hinrich from three rebounded into the hands of Axel people are grabbing and clawing Here Comes Brown the other way skipped over to Williams oh what a pass down lad to Griffin he saw him right now as soon as he got the ball he saw him all he did was improve his angle to be able to get a pass to him Gregory and it goes off in the hands of brown we've seen some athletic plays made here this is a big time pass oh now watch he improves his angle that's all he's trying see he seesing and he just takes a dribble where he can get it through traffic wow and that's how he's able to make the the pass he whipped that thing like a fast ball right by Chen that's one of those that they don't go you say you know I'm not sure where he was throwing it it came out to be a great pass because it was received and there was a [Applause] finish just over a minute to go in the first half Axel out to his Shante Johnson and he knocks down the shot from mcke real comfortable with that shot Axel can knock down shots and those the two guys you got to point to when you you're in an offense playing against offense of struggling Illinois has gotten as close as one but they can't seem to break through and take the lead Lucas Johnson another traveling violation another turnover on him don't forget coming up at halftime it's the Courtyard by Marriott halftime report Dicky V's blenders at the onea championship preview and we'll take a look at the top five Larry Beal back in the studio and Donnie gray calls a foul on the far side on L Luke XEL and and they're telling him he better calm down he's he's got a little bit of a a temper and and what happened was Lucas Johnson found a little point and he kind of put you know how you every now and then somebody wants to hurt you you get a little cut you stick a finger in it that's what Luke Johnson just did to Luke XEL rubbing a little salt the wound yeah and that's what and Donnie gray is talking to Luke wants him to calm down a little bit Johnson now send Lucas Johnson to the free throw stripe and Lucas Johnson an interesting guy last year really struggled from the field shot 25% from the field 25% from three and then the Big 10 tournament hit and he just turned into a killer he's got you know it's a not necessarily a consistent game but he has a bit of an overall game that when you see it in Spurs you say boy there's more there and I think has to work on developing some consistency with this game but you don't have to worry about consistency and effort his older brother Brian Johnson played for the Ali I remember that 98 Big 10 championship team so he knocks down the fre throws and Illinois within one Roy Williams wants to talk it over so with 37 30 seconds left to go in the first half Kansas with a one-point lead we will be back in Chicago [Music] 3231 number six on top of number 22 you know join ESPN tomorrow night when Doug fluty and the Buffalo Bills take on the Arizona Cardinals in this week's edition of ESPN Sunday night football coverage begins 7:30 with NFL prime time then at nine quarterback Brett Barre on Monday it's the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings battling Randy Moss taking on Brett Barre that's ABC's Monday night football ESPN and ABC your exclusive homes for prime time NFL football and we're in that part of the Season where you really can't afford to lose any games when they're all count over there in that black and blue division you get over there what a season going to be fun to see Doug fluty you know that's a classic example of somebody not listening to someone saying you can't do went to the NFL that didn't work came back and made it big shot is missed there's 8 seconds left and a quick timeout by Lon Krueger so with 7.2 seconds remaining in the first half you know the interesting thing about this I thought the time out Roy Williams took was great I think this one is great cuz you got 7 Seconds you have plenty of time to set something up the one guy who has not really been in the game has been Cory Bradford I mean he's got two foul shots but he's not been able to get it to go down and thei I find themselves in a in a position that should they make a shot they go up and have a three-point shot they can go up even a two-point with that good Mass I had going Darren Horton Quin bucker with you here courts side and as you look at these teams you see the Improvement the maturation of Illinois kind of a similar game that they had against Duke where they got kind of in a hole and they fought their way back yeah and I think they they they're pulling on that experience and they're fighting them way back here before the half which is really important because now when you go into the locker room Lon CR has something to talk about and primarily their decisions have to be better they're playing against a tough defensive team in Kansas and you can't can't rush 5 seconds left here's Williams he wants it he's going to one-on-one spinning on Hinrich from three air ball we're at halftime didn't get it deep enough so it's 31 3231 Kansas with the lead let's go to the Courtyard Marriott report and our host Larry Beal ESPN's exclusive presentation of NCAA basketball is brought to you by Warner Brothers New Motion Picture Any Given Sunday at theaters everywhere starting Wednesday December [Music] 22nd 3231 number six on top of number 22 here in Chicago normally we would say a tale of two halves but really A a split first half for poorly early on Frank Williams really struggled but he put it together and finished really strong it did Darren and it was the question of what who was going to knock down shots as you kept saying it seems like there's a lid on the basket but F finally Frankie Williams found a way to get the ball in the basket and when he was looking to be aggressive at the hole knock down some shots I thought that's when their line ey made their run you said that they were rotating the offense as we take a look at the first half stats take a look at the field goal percentage there by Kansas 38% the Alana 29% the free throw line Kansas been there a lot less but more proficient and uh the three-point shooting fairly even and you look at the rebounding The Jayhawks really getting it done on the glass in the turnover battle fairly even there he is Frank Williams a fantastic high school player some would call him a high school legend this guy took on the likes of Kevin Garnett Michael Wright Ronnie fields at Chicago Farragut high school and he came out the winner won three state titles at poror we get going the second half Kenny Gregory attacking the last and they knock it off of the hands of Robert archol so the j-hawks retain possession well Lon Krueger at half had to say guys we we've struggled with some things here but we find a way to stay in the game cuz it looked as though Kansas had the the the momentum the direction everything going their way for the majority of the game until Frank Williams got going and and Illinois actually has come out in in a in a Zone to try to keep some of the inside play from going bosi through the lane loses it nice defense by cleus Brown I said to you at half the interesting thing about Illinois is all of a sudden Bradford hadn't done a whole lot Archie ball gets his first basket of the game Bradford hadn't made a a field goal yet he's 0 for eight nice move by BR by archal actually gives the fight in the line eye their first lead and Arch ball picks up a cheap foul down low getting physical with cison he's he's trying to his problem is he's retaliating with cison cison is a physical player Roy Williams likes the Collinson on the Block cuz he will ask for the ball and get himself positioned F in the line I actually let it two zip here's bosi with another three it's automatic well that's the tough part see they can probably get away with a Zone if if you look at them with Hinrich in the game it's a lot more difficult cuz bosi can shoot the shot from the three-point [Applause] area here's Williams clanks it off the side of the rim there's Bradford he's a really versatile player 69 really can pass the ball had seven assists against Ohio State he has five rebounds this game Collison again with the footwork took an extra step there he lucky he's lucky stepped out of bounds cuz he actually hooked he took his elbow and hooked the guy and the official caught him stepping out of bounds watch his right elbow watch see he hooks it that's a hook even though it's just an elbow that's that's illegal he lucky he's lucky didn't pick up a foul good point out on the Baseline and I believe there's a timeout call by Lon [Music] Krueger yeah there was a timeout inadvertently called by Lon Krueger to get a in and I don't think Kruger meant to call it I think he was indicating that a substitute was coming in but somehow Donnie gr time he really did he misconstrued what what Lon puger was trying to do which was get a guy in the game this is a tough match up I think for we I think both is pretty good on the ball go run and jump this is what they get Kenny Gregory in the passing Lanes gets the turnover little give and go look at the reverse but too strong on the spin too much Brian Cook give it up Bradford for three got it but Frankie Williams got it to him in Rhythm so you've got to give Williams some credit from the first half to the second half better understanding what he needs to do Illinois back up by [Applause] one Collison harassed down low and it goes out of bounds off of the leg of Frank Williams they're kind of playing like a 113 where they keep the three big people that down there they'll keep brown down on one end and they'll keep cooked down there but when you get the opportunity as they do here from Brown now watch Brown get it and just watch it it's just kind of a rhythm right away Williams moves the ball and Bradford was waiting for It Wide Open he'll drill threes now why do you play this [Music] defense Williams gets the turnover and takes it the distance this is a little more focused line our team than we saw first and Illinois has their largest lead of three Collison forces the issue and draws a foul leotus Brown picks up his second foul Roy Williams not happy with what he sees I like how Roy gets a little quick timeout actually his own version of a little T 30 second timeout TV time real quick he runs them over there gives him a little instruction and they run back on the court really effective using every opportunity to teach us what it really [Applause] is cison the 61% free throw shooter misses his first first Miss for Kansas tonight today I should say Kansas hadn't gotten there very much because but I'll tell you what they've done they've passed the ball well cuz they only had 13 baskets and they had 12 assists in the first half as they called over the back on that play so they've done a good job with that they just haven't broken anybody down and gotten [Applause] fou Roy Williams not that unhappy chenwi picks up his third foul but I think he likes that foul because he's aggressive and he's trying to get the ball oh good pass Bradford for another three and he's really feeling it but it was a big time pass a Zone if you pass over the top the defense can't recover fast enough and they threw it down the sideline and over the top and the fight in the line and I have exploded out of the gate here in the second half and that defense has gotten better because their offense has come along their largest lead of [Applause] six let's see if the j-hawks can weather it [Applause] Gregory thinks about bothi will let it go oh he is so confident he's confident he is four for four from three-point land point because cuz he you know you shoot 66 60% you'll be confident but nobody puts a hand up you've got to get out on him I don't care where he is if you're in a Zone somebody has to pay particular attention to Jeff B nice defense by Bradford give it up oh oh he kept it gets his own rebound and that's why they want him on the floor I mean he he had to look like give and took it back Kansas to within [Applause] one see Bradford does so many things rebound assist pass to Griffin his short shot is blocked but they're going to get Bradford with a reaching foul he had good contest and that's what you want to do on a shot is contested but he instead he followed through and that more often than not causes you to get a foul foul that will be the third foul on Nick Bradford you see the subs you know as you look at the subs for both teams both of them play like 11 players in the first half Ohio State struggled with this when they played Kansas and Kansas did so well at Allen Fieldhouse because Ohio State didn't have they got 23 minutes off their bench so they didn't get a lot of production matter of fact scony pin played the entire game so by the end of the game Kansas and his defense had more in Ohio State stey pan and Michael red they tired them out but this these two teams play a lot of players and it's interesting you would think by playing so many players sometimes it's hard to get into a rhythm of a game when you have so many fresh bodies coming in but really not a a problem in this game it's not the way these guys have been able to to teach their guys you got to play with whoever was on the floor and then if you play fundamentals it really doesn't matter who's on the floor Gooden gets the rebound down what a productive first half he had yeah he was I thought he was solid and you and I were talking about that a little bit he played in the first half played 10 minutes had eight points and six rebounds and we talked about Nick Collison who struggled good and had a big time first half here's bchi Williams on him now shot clocked down to 10 Bradford patiently passes it out to Collison shot clock down to five inside knocked Away by Bradford with 3 seconds left on the shot clock and we have a Timeout on the floor theor the Ali strong out of the second half they're up 4240 is our score we'll be back eat sleep watch ESPN yes indeed I like that one pretty creative 4240 is our score the Ali with the lead and really when you look at the success of the Ali it's something that started last year in the Big 10 tournament they really started to believe in their ability they they beat Minnesota they beat Indiana they beat Ohio State and they had that big game against Michigan State where they come up shot well yeah and that was after coming off shot clock was down and bosi couldn't get it all remember they only had 3 seconds to shoot the ball you got to remember they won the Big 10 championship in 98 so they they had a good team but what happened when L couger got there the one thing they didn't have was a sophomore class the only guy that would have been a sophomore was if you will would have been Ryan Blackwell who transferred so that would have been his senior year so that's why they were woefully down and to see the Improvement they made over the course of last season was pretty incredible Griffin strong to the [Applause] hole Illinois has done in the second half they've done a much better job of contesting the direction of the ball with Kanas Kanas remember we talked in the first half could get their offense particularly with je bosi in the game cson spinning into another body and another turnover for the Freshman that's four for him you know you talk about Illinois's offense first half 29% four five or six actually to begin the second half and it reflects on the scoreboard as they lead by four oh I tell you what Bradford can pull up from where he was this is a hoop griffing with all kinds of moves that's I told that's a hoop he's really good in there this is the that was a low post Clinic Illinois has tied their largest lead of the game and they've got a foul on Nick braford on Nick braford and that is going to be his fourth you know who got it Lucas Johnson the same person that got Luke Axel I mean that's what he does he finds out where you're going cuts off the Angles and in a little bit of a frustration foul Bradford pushed him to pick up his fourth now when you think about him going to the bench remember Nick Bradford leads the team an assist at 69 so it's six turnovers by The Jayhawks here in the second half Griffin again feeling it he's ready to roll now he got his confidence going cuz they got the outside with Bradford Grifford bringing the inside the largest lead of the game for the aliina now leading by eight Marlin London tough shot can't get the roll and wait a minute let's see what they call they got a foul is it on Chen no they're going to give the ball out of bounds this is good officiated Ed high tower had the angle and there was potentially a foul the ball went out is one of those because Illinois got the ball they didn't run the risk of taking Roy's man top guy chin with and getting him out of the game now you'll see here tough shot by London cuz cook is 69 and you'll see in front of ch with is Bradford he slings him out of there Bradford may have backed into him but they decided not to make that call and gave the line out of ball back Johnson from the corner too strong but the Ali ey are now getting the breakes they got the rebound oh this is the the outside they want cuz they got Bradford on that side who can shoot it Bradford for three front iron rebounded by Griffin more front iron but cook digs it out finally London with the rebound good effort on the glass good tenacity on the part of the Kansas Hinrich lost it but chased it down here's Collison down low good and they'll get a foul on Lucas Johnson I'll tell you what Lucas Johnson does some good things I mean he's gotten those two foul calls on the second offensive rebound it was Johnson who blocked out and cleared everyone right here they get it to Gooden who's got an easy basket if basket if Johnson doesn't come over there cuz Griffin could good get in position Collison double team kicks out axell three-pointer is good that's what he does knock down long [Music] [Applause] shots here's Williams to the hole and Hinrich picks up a foul that's his third B number first [Music] see ched with on the bench as well take a look at the team foul [Music] situation that was somewhat those fouls were reflected on the fact you look first half 14 foul Shots by the Alli only four even though they made four for Kansas they were just able to get and do a better job from that position here's Williams in and out but they have another rebound Bradford got it oh he gave the crowd a little wink on the way back got that feeling you wonder how long can they have here's Williams with the steal he's going to take it the distance for the layup and I was going to say you have to wonder how long they can have bosi on the bench good and going Baseline and draws a foul but they are just a different team with bosi on the bench yeah they really they have a just a tough time this group is kind of a a different group out there London's out there Axel out there csim when you think about it these guys are new on there but new is not what it is from the three-point L for Cory Bradford I mean he got it gave a little wink a little smile to the side and then Frank Williams did an outstanding job picking up the steel going the other way theyve got their largest lead at 10 40 straight games with at least one three-pointer by Cory Bradford good knocks down the free [Applause] throw T three [Applause] to9 come [Applause] here William trying to work on hin not anywh forcing the issue I said this to you before he's a two guard he really he may be Lon may try to develop him to a point guard but he's basically playing you know by himself Lon Krueger doing a little coaching we're going to take a time out 5344 it is a Tail of Two halfes the Align ey so strong here in the second 5344 is our score Tuesday night 7:00 coach Bobby Knight and the Indiana hooers taking on the ninth ranked car Hills of North Carolina and this year's Jimmy B classic then it's Billy Donovan in his eighth ranked Florida Gators against the hometown favorite Scarlet Knights Ruckers that's in the night cap it's the Jimmy V classic Tuesday night starting at 7 right here on ESPN for more you can log on espn.com part of the go Network go.com Cory Bradford what a second half for him a line eye on a 123 run in the last four minutes and part of it due to the fact they've costed turnovers to Kansas Kansas averages 18 turnovers they've got 18 already Axel on the base line how quick is good off his feet oh he got held good I know we were talking about it that young man has got a chance to be a really terrific play cuz he is so active he's long he has a good feel here Luke Axel takes it a little bit of a difficult shot but he probably can make it you can see the reach there he gets it again and then all of a sudden you see good just kind of disappeared cuz kol you just pulled him out the way otherwise he'd had a good shot at getting the next rebound [Music] HRI bounce pass into cison they have there three freshman on the floor along with Marlon London here's Hinrich from three got hinr knocks down from three but that you know London's a softhore and axel this his first year really you know playing in a year so it's a real exper inexperienced group bosi coming in on the next dead ball for The Jayhawks here's Johnson taking it around the Baseline draws a foul you know he's not necessarily exciting but he does the little things I knew you were going to pick up on that cuz that is exactly what Lucas Johnson does nothing really outstanding just the little things that help blond cougers in fighting a line night find ways to win games Char that last found a Marlon London his [Music] third Johnson knocks down the front Johnson sophomore shoots 70% as bosi checks back in for Hinrich who gave him some valuable minutes when bhi's in there it's almost like a security blanket if your point guard's in there believe me guys know when the good point guard is in the game and they're looking to get in the ball cuz they don't want to turn it over when they feel confident that Jeff will know what to do with it and when a guy shes 60% from the three-point line you'll take your chances with him having lead back up to 11 minutes to go here in Chicago Darren Horton GL Buckner with you Kansas and the Align on here's axell with a bomb London with the rebound to goes up strong but can't get the roll good again with those quick hands knocks it off with one of the Ali players who Kansas will keep possession there there are a lot of good young players in college basketball we talk about Nick Collison Drew good is as good as any of good actually kind of sleeper watch this Lucas Johnson just got a foul on did he get it on a no he got it on and that's Collison's fourth I mean that's Lucas Johnson with him Collison has fouled out two of the last three games that he's played and they'll have to go back with Cheno you see the turnover situation Kansas already over their season average see this is the other thing they get from both see how much better pressure he puts on Williams rord pass nearly picked off and the skip pass Inside by Griffin just a little too high game is starting to pick up in terms of tempo closer to what it was early in the first half which I think favors Kansas I think they're very comfortable playing at that faster speed 13th turnover for Illinois you feel the momentum shifting a little bit just a little bit you surprised chenwi hasn't been a big bigger Factor game is a little fast with chenwi you see through good in it again most outstanding player at the Great Alaska shootout round the Freshman so he's got game he is fantastic really kind of a sleeper nice bounce pass down to Kupa that's what Williams needs the you just speed for we're talking about Good double double already 11 points 10 boards young [Applause] fella and there see Roy Williams doing some coaching trying to communicate to Luke Axel what to do charge that foul to Frank Williams they with Axel and B Bui on the floor they got Shooters so if good starts to get going he he can stretch that the defense can be stretched give him room next foul can theonis and we got a foul down low it's [Applause] onalia that's his [Music] [Applause] second capoa was trying to get himself positioned on the right side you'll see he's run out there they call that on kolia that is a bad call there is no chance that's on Paul his arm got locked and it got locked as his chin with he did he clamped down on it and locked it referee's finally realizing that Kansas is in the bonus yeah and how ironic is this chinit who held through b yeah now will go to the line and shoot one and one sometimes officials missed it missed F uh foul that is one they clearly missed Axel gets the rebound can't knock it down and Griffin finally goes up and vices it William what a Johnson with the fake and the shot propala digs out the rebound look at him he's trying to tell him to come and Bradford who played point guard for this team last year comes to get the ball I'm looking to try to get it from Bradford as soon as I can Williams into the corner kicked out kupala Luke Axel in the passing Lane he won't get there there no way he'll get there and he draws a foul it could be either on Johnson or Calia let's see who they get they think that good Johnson I thought he got there first I mean kolia yeah they got Calia capoa got there first because he he threw the pass and he knew he made a mistake and I said there's no way he's getting to the basket that could have been a double foul there the guys you know that boy Williams has to face the in terms of fouls Illinois doesn't mind them fouling Luke Axel the transfer from Texas going to the line where he shoots [Applause] 70% you talked about the house that Jordan Built Roy Williams recruited Michael Jordan to North Carolina when he was an assistant there so he'll have a good relationship to this day has a great relationship with and you can see the the house that bu how about the decorations that Michael put up nice giving spirit so the free throws get the j-hawks to within six they go to a two3 Zone they'll keep chinwi in the middle they'll keep somebody chasing out on BR skip pass over to Johnson leotus Brown kicked into the corner Bradford for three rolls around and kenth with a [Applause] rebound bchi from three in and out now London with the active hands oh j-hawks all over the board eating the boards up and can't get it to go and they can't convert but it was great effort you got to plot those kids they're in there fighting and fighting and almost too hard at some point you got to kind of get it up there and just let it get go in they shot it too hard too anxious just under 8 minutes to go here's Griffin double team skipped out to Brown the pull up from the Baseline oo big time move there one dribble hard right the defense can't recover Brown the drill it lead back to [Applause] eight good on Calia that guy partially blocked rebounded by Brown got numbers check that that's Griffin here's Brown on the other end the reverse is no good in Chen with gets the rebound as bodies fly Axel for three that's one way to get a break on the other side Luke pulling up what action and to end and have a Timeout on the floor they're going to bring in Kenny Gregory what happened they're confirming whether or not that was a three-point shot cuz it happened so quick because you said the pace of the game the the officials just confirmed that was a three it was deep enough Timeout on the floor fivepoint lead for the Ali will be back 5954 the fight in Eli ey looking for their first victory over a ranked team and it's interesting Quin it's the young players for both of these teams that are making the majority of the contributions as you take a look at the Freshman and sophomore production and neither of these schools are necessarily overly affected by the the early departure by players it's just the nature of they've been able to get some really good young Talent bring it in and let it develop talk to Roy Williams about that he says you know with the advancement of the camps a lot of high school players come in very prepared to play at this level cuz they play a lot of games in the summer gradford for three but Lucas Johnson has been huge for the all that that's who makes a dribble to his left to draw the man off of Cory [Applause] Bradon the foul inside that will send Kenny Gregory to the line well that might not be a bad deal since Kenny Gregory really struggles from the foul line about 37% because he's two for two in this game yeah all averages I mean I hope he makes them for for him I mean I'm not pulling for one way or the other just just for him but a guy that that struggles so much with that Roy Williams says it hasn't been an issue yet but oh it will be he says down the stretch they're going to need him to hit those free throws and he gets the front iron here these you know there's some schools and some venues that have soft rims I don't think you can classify this this place as having soft rims they were kind of hard and unforgiving I think Mr Jordan might disagree with me I don't know about anybody else you know I didn't you know even though he struggles with his foul shot and that might have been a a little hard shot I thought the real took it pretty [Applause] good here you see Michael Jordan retired his number that's just a you know farone conclusion exactly you don't think about [Applause] that back in the manto man manto man is can Williams from three two strong Gregory with the rebound loses the ball cotus Brown gets it here come the Aline on the other way Bradford for three he's got it Williams threw it up to him Gregory was trying to move it up a little too quickly I'm telling you goodness no joke boy I mean you got two very good freshman going at it Brian Cook and Drew Gooden down there on the Block good very comfortable around there last year he was at ELO High School in Richmond California and now doing it for the j-hawks in the United Center Williams into the corner leotus Brown knocks down a three I'm telling you this young man having been number of the line ey game last year doing the Big 10 PSN is night and day better than he was last year good here come the aliina control brown with the pull up Axel gets the rebound and they'll have an over theb back foul on Griffin don't forget later on tonight on ESPN 2 Nebraska taking on Michael Wright in the third ranked wild cats of AR Iona in the opening game of the Las Vegas shootout that's live from the Thomas and Max Center in Las Vegas Nevada the sbras Arizona tonight 9:30 on ESPN 2 Arizona with those they've got great freshman guards they got Jason Gardner who's just up the road from Indianapolis starting for them Gilbert arenus who very few people knew about and you know Lou olon finds a way to come up with some really solid perimeter play and he has some freshman doing that and inside not bad with Lauren Wood Michael White huh oh about Jefferson they have a crew they they have a very good Group Kansas is four of 11 from the line in this game and they can't get momentum or stop momentum if you don't you don't make foul shots down low Griffin and he took it strong and Drew the foul and you see the little shoulder he gave chin with there oh yeah this Hey listen I played against P emmanual when I was young those are a really tough kids but solid pass cuz cleus Browns had a good pick and to make sure there was a little knowledge about a don't come in here real hard cuz I'm coming back it's four fouls on Eric Chinowth now they have to go back uh the next dead ball you'll see uh braford come back in with Marlon London and Nick Collison two of those players have four fouls and the other three Griffin foul shot is Off the Mark here comes braford he has four Collison has four Marlon London has three out goes Gooden Axel not a lot of Gregory I'm sorry I'm sorry D not a lot of let down in terms of the talent level in that exchange one of the real benefits of having such a deep team as Roy Williams does chin with out there you got three players with four fouls on the floor 5 minutes and 9 seconds left to go it's stretch time you got to do it oh you got to you got to play second free throw no good and cison with the [Applause] rebound Collison working down low loses the ball and it's Johnson coming up with it Bradford getting down on the FL kept Alive by cison Bradford can't converted what action here's Collison underneath draws a foul and still no basket there is clearly a lid on it but what action why Williams and the J alter just fighting they've had two or three separate times or opportunities within uh getting offensive rebounds kinon loses the ball Johnson will come up with it good effort there to stay after Carson Dives for it Bradford misses comes up gets it partially blocked tinis gets it passes cison who makes a good move got foul on the ground wow I get tired just looking at that I saying it carison now will go to the free throw line where he shoots 61% Kansas has really struggled in the second half from the line down by [Applause] [Music] 11 oh in and out those tight rims those tight rims if you don't put it in the in the net it won't go I mean you can't hope for it to go in and we have a timeout by Lon Krueger he wants to talk talk about it gives us a chance to talk about if you're Roy Williams right now what are you telling your team well I'm at this point just keep battling because I think that's what they've done and taking a look here at Nick Bradford who looks like he probably got hit on the bridge of the nose and you know that stings he's not reacting overly as though it's it's broken so hopefully he'll get back in the game M Quinn just four remain Muhammad Ali Jim Brown Michael Jordan bab Bru who will be Sports Century's greatest athlete tune in Friday Christmas Eve at 10 to find out who number three and four is and then on Sunday December 26 at 5 the two top athletes of the century will be announced that's this Friday at 10:00 right here on ESPN for more you can log on espn.com part of the go Network go.com and I'm going to ask you who do you have I'm the one that's always asking you so let me ask you don't try that well I mean personally growing up in this era obviously I would say Michael Jordan but there's a lot of people that would say Babe Ruth was the first big time athlete that this country ever knew I'll tell you I'll tell you what I saw Jim Brown play and I'm I mean I on television obviously I never got the football there flat out to play it Michael Jordan I think everybody knows that because they've been able to see him in this era and Hinrich picks up a cheap foul and that will be his score I was in Indianapolis last night uh and Muhammad Ali was at the game and I got a cheer mean so I've been been very blessed to be around that caliber you know those people it was I mean OB Ali obviously for the social stands that he took and his time he was a true champion Williams hits the free throw and increases the lead largest lead of the game for Illinois now at 12 had two shots earlier in the season against ranked opponents and Marilyn and Duke came up shyan Krueger said we really feel like we're a better team coming in today and they certainly are proving it thus far plenty of basketball left to be played though I I agree with you but they're better because they played those two games and that's part of what you and I were talking to uh coach krger about because when you play against teams that we were talking about play against Duke and Maryland they they have quality players they they show you how hard you have to compare in order to beat them and from that point alone you make some improvement chin with over to bosi he fires the three tough shot chased down by by [Applause] London here's Hinrich from three couldn't get the rebound as Griffin beat him to the spot beat him to the spot came with a strong rebound 10 rebounds for Griffin going to be a little more patience show by theine it's interesting for Kansas you talk about how deep they are but who is the go-to guy well I don't think they've necessarily developed that yet I tell you Bradford has been the go-to guy in the second half even though he misses that three-point attempt that P because Bradford last year was the guy the only guy that had offense going at all so that's why the line I know where to go Collinson chases down London's Miss chinwi with a hook shot too strong tap back in but still not able to go down by London how many blown opportunities have they had 3 minutes 15 seconds left to go Illinois with a 12 point lead on number six Kansas their largest lead of the game he better go cuz he was just short of a 5sec call now it's Bradford working on bchi into the lane oh what a big time come with the real move take your oneway spin out of it he has 17 points in the second half and a foul inside Char to Illinois you got to go where the defense lets you go go solid defense by both you watch come back inside nobody gets that nice little seven-footer Cory Brad for feeling it oh that was a tough move made to look easy too Kansas has missed the last four free throws really they're missed an opportunity to score with the clock stopped and finally Collison ends the drought it has a it partially the free throws there it's been a missed opportunities inside their second chance points they they've had occasions where they tied three four times more and not gotten it in and how about the valuable minutes by Lucas Johnson got to have role players he's very solid role player for him second free throw is good by Collison we have a Timeout on the floor Cory Bradford putting on a show in the United Center ESPN's exclusive presentation of NCAA basketball is brought to you by San pants that look good no matter what you're doing I tell you what Quinn that move was worthy of that logo that's out on the floor NBA I mean that was big time 7159 Darren Horton Quinn Buckner with you in Chicago number 22 Illinois proving worthy they've been able to come up to the task but Bradford as much as anybody Str mightily in the first half couldn't get any shots to go down 0 for eight 0 for three from the three-point line he had just two points in half he's gotten 17 here in the second half six of nine I mean and been able just to find way to get a basket when they needed chuck with de couldn't hold on that was that I agree with you but that was uh Brian Cook's fault cuz he threw a high pass but he threw it away from the body so you don't have a chance to get your body under to brace yourself good point here's Chen with Bren from outside and they got cleus brown a bigger person on je boli now Hinrich loses it but right into his hands and a kick ball I believe wait a minute they called him for kicking he kick tried to kick the ball oh they said yeah it was a Ki foul by Brian C the second foul on cook actually his third and now time becoming a factor was the factory Kansas is in a good position they haven't scored a basket at all in the last 330 miss their last eight shots from the field and really have struggled at the free throw strike just 50% from the line 10 of 20 in the game [Applause] and his second one is good that gets them to with an 11 and Collison will check back in but you know what else it does it also gives Roy Williams and Kansas a chance to set up their own whatever defense they want to play when you make that kind of substitution you get a little speed on the floor now with chenowith sitting down interesting your leader and Eric chenowith going to the bench at this point in the game he's not quick enough to state with some of these Illinois players out of bounds off of Kansas so Illinois will keep possession 231 left to go Cory Bradford is beating his man the length of the Court twice and Brian Cook hadn't looked at it yet and they have to call a timeout nice defense by goody but the tough part about it is is is Brian Cook taking the ball out of bounds and him not panick so he made a good move by taking that timeout Eric chinit by the way two of seven from the field his last field goal came at 650 in the first half and now he is on the bench don't forget following us here on ESPN the 1aa championship game between Georgia Southern and Youngstown State Penguins always in that championship game that's coming up next right here on ESPN Darren Horton Quinn Buckner number 22 you know we talked about it all game they've had problems against Maryland they have problems against Duke but they're showing that they're ready to play against Kaner well they got some leadership at the guard position Bradford stepped up Williams made some shots early so it's made a difference for them in addition to that they've been able to get some pretty solid plays on the other end how about the touchdown pass and Bradford that's what I Dar that's what I was talking about he's beat him twice and they just told him to throw it over the top cuz that that man there has to cover the front side like a receiver Hinrich blocked from behind by Frank Williams kept alive Gregory to good for the slam good effort just to get back on the defense but again Roy Williams is going to take a little time out here and that breaks a 4minute drought by The Jayhawks there first field goal in four minutes now you know why he took his time out cuz one Roy Williams like likes to do it two he knows what we just talked about three times scy Bradford is beating his man so he's got to figure out a way to try to cover the man coming to the ball Bradford and then making sure that pass doesn't get throw the length of the [Music] corner that's exactly what he said you got to get on the side of it you'll see I mean he's ready to throw it right away because Boi is on the is's between the ball in Bradford which leaves the basket loose and that's how he gets a strong finish your your touchdown catching you know little Butch Carter I tell you what man Ron Turner might want to look you know at Cory Bradford for the alni football team who had a great season by the way yeah they really did see and they what they did was he went to the side and then put him up him to the ball nice solid piece of coaching right there under two minutes to go now they work the clock Williams off a screen nice bounce pass knocked Away by Gregory and cook loses it out of bounds but no they say it goes off of one of The Jayhawks but but and I saw Lon cger a point guard does not make that pass when you're trying to preserve a lead you're not trying to create any more offensive opportunities where you got to thread the needle you're making a solid play now Georgia Southern Youngstown State for the onea title following us here on ESPN [Applause] cotus Brown just saved the turnover Williams throws it across court and he throws it weakly touch foul on bosi and that will send cleus Brown to the [Applause] [Music] line Victory krer they should hold on coming into this game they were one and seven against top 10 opponents yeah that that could it depends on when you play some of those top 10 oppon some of those guys you play and he can go through the conference like you do in the Big 10 where they'll have two two teams in the top 10 and you lose to those you know so that that's something that can happen but when you're putting the program together the way couger has hadn't necessarily been able to get the talent from freshman to senior class so all of that has to come into play as well but I think overall anybody who has followed L Krueger from PanAm Texas PanAm Kansas state to Florida where he took a team to the uh to the final four and here at Illinois he's one of the outstanding coaches in the in the game Brown hits one of two certainly has got his 300th win week ago against his old school panan bosi shot no good Gooden got away with a foul HRI his shot too strong in cisin with an over theb back foul and that'll do it for cison yeah and Griffin made sure that he paid somebody back for the foul that wasn't called for week which is dangerous cuz that that's when things can get out of hand you talk about poror Emanuel they know how to play physical basketball oh yes they they do all the time cuz there are no officials out on the courts where they play so for the third time Nick Collinson going to the bench with five fouls he goes in Nick Bradford coming in he has four fouls this has been a tough stretch for Roy Williams in his his Bunch their third game and gets a big 10 opponent lost to Michigan State got Ohio State tough game here against Illinois at the United centel well you actually what he what he got was preseason in the Big 10 the top three teams I mean Roy Williams got what in in the Big 10 will be the three best teams and he he came out at the way it's going he's going to come out one and two but they're still pick to win the Big 12 which is what they pretty much have dominated Oklahoma state is always in there Texas had it last year so you like Kansas Over Texas this year in the Big 12 yeah they I think they're deeper I think that's why they get I think Rick Barn has done an outstanding job don't get me wrong and I think Chris M is probably the best center in college basketball but I just think that's a lot lot of talent over there H beat his man off the dribble scores the basket calls the timeout don't forget following us here on ESPN Georgia Southern against Youngstown State for the onea championship Roy Williams continues to coach as for Illinois they will be playing also their third game against a big 12 opponent they beat Kansas State they' got Kansas today and next up for them that b war against Missouri that'll be a good one that that's a good game for them Quinton Snider now at Missouri for a intensity because you said it's a border War so everybody gets extremely or extra excited to play that game they'll fill up that trans World Zone down in St Louis for that game Kansas they've got uh Princeton coming in to Lawrence Fieldhouse Allen Fieldhouse I should say here comes the Trap skip pass over to Griffin here's Brown his short jump shot is good good and he's fouled and Hinrich hurt his knee on the play he comes up a little gimpy but he he gets up and gets back into [Music] play able to advance the ball quickly over the top of the Zone makes the difference you see Otis Brown just turned London all the way around and that's what happened when Brown fell down he fell on the knee of Hinrich and Hinrich is done he's found fouled out of the game so two freshman have fouled out six points for Kirk Hinrich thetis Brown hits the front end actually completes the three-point play 7864 Boi they closed out on him they did a much better job cuz a couple times when both she was taking shots uh Griffin closed out on him they did a much better job and I tell you a telling stat 21 turnovers for the j-hawks today young team that is throwing up they are 0 and three in the United Center the last three times they've come here you know you watch the I always watch the how guys adjust Roy Williams is coaching against with Lon Krueger a guy that does a really good job making adjustments briyan cook had to take that timeout a moment ago because he was getting the ball in bounds and L kruer on that particular out of bounds play make cleotis brown take the ball out of bounds because Brian Cook was standing over there ready to take it and Lon didn't want to take the chance that cook would have to take another timeout he doesn't want to give that to [Music] C I tell you I'm really impressed with Blan Krueger and what he has done with this program you know I asked him flat out him he's got three McDonald's all-americans he's all these Mr basketballs and know he say that none of that matters I I he says what what really matters is how hard the kids play see I'm not a big proponent of McDonald's All-American and all that either I mean that means the guys are talented I mean that's a talent that Jeff POI show guys is is allamerican in my book when he proves he's an All-American at that level he's got to be an All-American at the college level before you can really say he's something special me a lot of guys they a lot of believe me a lot of all-americans on some of these college teams but when they get to play at this level with this kind of intensity it just just doesn't show up 39 seconds left a free throw shooting contest at this [Applause] point let me tell you one thing Kansas is really growing and it's interesting that such a big part of their team are their freshman as you take of what Frankie Williams has done you as you look at Illinois and and what they've been able to put together Bradford coming to get it done a little bit but you got Griffin coming in cook is helping uh I think they've got a good group for a team game I mean everybody knows their role pitches in that's what good teams do bhi another three like it's nothing I mean it could just stroke it and so quick gets the lead to within 13 and another timeout gives me an opportunity to ask you about Eric chenowith who really did not play a big role today in order for Kansas to be the PowerHouse that we were expecting of them to be this season ranked six I mean does he have to play a bigger role well don't misconstrued I'm not the rankings kind of excuse everything I think in some degree cuz I don't know if they're they're justifiable Eric chenor couldn't play in this game cuz it got too fast that young man in the screen there D good and can cuz he's a he's a faster player a little more agile player and this was a game that depended much more on agility and chenor just didn't have that to bring to the table you see his numbers been with four points 10 rebounds but the story really has been this young man Cory Bradford two points at half time but just exploded in the second half Johnson gave him some valuable minutes as well a foul and Johnson will go to the free throw line and see if they can steal it at the line but Illinois has not been missing the free throws now Illinois is playing it well Kansas just couldn't withstand the barrage of Threes by Illinois Johson Johnson a 70% free throw shooter very quietly Jeff Koshi has had a fantastic game with the threes he's making I don't know how I can be quiet made six of eight 65% at some point you'd imagine it would drop but he's just been going along for about four games now with that 60% clip and actually came into this game shooting 61% now up to 65 you got Johnson over trying to get somebody bigger that's a haven't been together very much Gooden Boi boy Williams hair about to be pulled down cuz freshman are still going to make freshman mistakes as the word and the J Hawks will concede this one 84 to70 the final as the coaches embrace one another and have tremendous respect for one another and and is official now 84 to70 is our final score don't forget the division 1aa championship game coming up next for Quinn Buckler and our entire ESPN crew I'm Darren Horton saying so long from Chicago rich wols and right