March 20, 2003

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Get Your Fighting Illini Gear Here

By MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS - Dee Brown believes he and Illinois' two other freshman starters are only learning how to play.

If Thursday night's game was any indication, they might be the best pupils in the NCAA tournament.

Brown, Deron Williams and James Augustine combined for 37 points, 16 rebounds and 13 assists in their first tournament game, and Brown hit two free throws with 22.8 seconds left to help the fourth-seeded Illini seal a 65-60 victory over Western Kentucky in the West Regional.

"We're starting to learn our roles," Brown said after finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.

That's a scary thought for opponents.

The freshmen even overshadowed Big Ten player of the year Brian Cook, who had his typical game with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

But the emergence of Augustine, Williams and Brown was the big surprise and proved to be the difference. They made big plays at critical moments, and when Cook fouled out with 2:03 to go, they closed out the victory.

Augustine provided another inside presence, especially with Cook on the bench, and finished with 10 points and nine rebounds. Williams took only seven shots but made all three of his 3-pointers and finished with 11 points and four assists.

And, fittingly, the game ended with Brown dribbling out the clock and sending Illinois into the second round for a matchup with either Notre Dame or Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Saturday. Jitters? Not a chance.

"I think I'm a basketball player," Brown said. "I've got to go out and contribute to my team. I know people say inexperience is going to hurt or whatever, but I've got to contribute to the team."

For the Hilltoppers (24-9), the combination was too much to overcome.

After getting Cook into foul trouble early in the second half, Western Kentucky had a chance to exploit Illinois' inexperience.

Brown, Augustine and Williams did not let 13th-seeded Western Kentucky take advantage. Nate Williams led the Hilltoppers with 17 points.

"The one thing that probably surprised me was Deron Williams going three-for-three from 3-point range," Western Kentucky coach Dennis Felton said. "That made things a little more difficult for us."

Illinois (25-6) was the third higher-seeded team in Indianapolis to struggle Thursday, but like Marquette and Missouri in the Midwest Regional, the Illini escaped narrowly at the end.

Unlike those teams, though, the Illini relied on a group of untested tournament players.

Western Kentucky led 43-41 with 12:27 to go, but Cook tied the score with a dunk and Deron Williams gave Illinois the lead with his last 3-pointer.

The Hilltoppers (24-9) tied the score three times and led once more at 54-53 but the Illini gained control because of the job Cook and Augustine did inside.

"That stretch where they got those second shots made all the difference in the ballgame," Felton said.

Cook made a cutting layup that was set up beautifully by Brown, to make it 59-55. Augustine followed with a layup and Cook hit two free throws to give Illinois a 63-55 lead, its largest of the game, with 2:47 remaining.

Seconds later, Cook fouled out, leaving it to the freshmen to finish the job.

The Hilltoppers closed to 63-60 when David Boyden hit a 3 from the top of the key, but Brown demonstrated his mettle by making the two free throws with 22.8 seconds left.

"They're tough, and they hate to mess up. They're very competitive," Illinois coach Bill Self said. "They know the game better than what they should know it at this stage."