Western Kentucky 'Upsets' Illinois

We knew Western Kentucky was dangerous. We knew a 12 seed was destined to upset a five, just as at least one manages to do nearly every NCAA tournament. We knew Illinois was a worse team than all four No. 6 seeds, and we knew the Illini were also without their emotional leader and best defender (Chester Frazier).

So -- while it's still newsworthy, being an upset and all -- it was hardly shocking when Western Kentucky completed their triumph over the Fighting Illini in the wee hours of Friday morning.

No. 12 W. Kentucky 76, No. 5 Illinois 72: Box Score | Bracket | Scores

The Hilltoppers actually built a stout 17-point lead in the second half. A late -- in fact, really late -- surge by the Illini made this thing interesting. A 17-3 Illinois run from the 4:06 mark to 33 seconds remaining brought the Illini to within three points. They even got a little help from the officials. With 1:21 to play, Mike Davis clearly batted an inbound pass from Western Kentucky out of bounds, and the officials didn't see it. They rewarded the ball to Illinois, who promptly scored another two points, trimming the deficit to five.

Regardless, it was not to be for the Illini. Losing Frazier was a bad piece of fortune, sure, but they were controlled from the get-go by Western Kentucky. You can't just blame that embarrassing 36-minute showing on the absence of Frazier. The late, desperation Illini surge notwithstanding, the Hilltoppers were the better team, and they were the ones deserving to move to the second round. They will face off against Gonzaga Saturday in a game that should interest the legions of fans clamoring for some mid-major flavor.

Illinois' Trent Meacham, however, should hold his head high. The senior guard went for 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting -- including 4-of-7 from 3-point range. He also had four steals and displayed the type of heart down the stretch you'd expect from a senior.

Western Kentucky put together an incredibly balanced attack, as five players scored between 10 and 17 points. The stars were Steffphon Pettigrew with 17 points, Orlando Mendez-Valdez with 11 points, 7 rebounds and six assists, and Sergio Kerusch with 14 points and 11 boards.

NCAA Tournament Action

Western Kentucky forward Steffphon Pettigrew, right, shoots over Illinois' Dominique Keller, left, as Calvin Brock watches during the second half of their game in the first round of the men's NCAA college basketball tournament in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 19, 2009. Pettigrew scored 17 points to lead Western Kentucky as they beat Illinois 76-72. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

Illinois' Jeff Jordan (13) shoots against Western Kentucky's Jeremy Evans (40) during the second half of a first round men's NCAA basketball tournament game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 19, 2009. Western Kentucky beat Illinois 76-72. (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)

UCLA's Alfred Aboya (12) is fouled by Virginia Commonwealth's Joey Rodriguez (12) in the second half of a first-round men's NCAA college basketball tournament game in Philadelphia, Thursday, March 19, 2009. UCLA won 65-64. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Western Kentucky guard A.J. Slaughter (R) drives to the basket against Illinois guard Jeff Jordan (13) during the second half of their NCAA basketball game in Portland, Oregon, March 19, 2009. REUTERS/Steve Dipaola (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Reuters

Illinois' head coach Bruce Weber argues with officials during the second half of a first round men's NCAA basketball tournament game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)

Western Kentucky forward Sergio Kerusch, left, scores against Illinois forward Dominique Keller during the second half of their game in the first round of the men's NCAA college basketball tournament in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

Western Kentucky forward Steffphon Pettigrew, right, high fives teammate Anthony Sally after Western Kentucky wins their game against Illinois in the first round of the men's NCAA college basketball tournament in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 19, 2009. Pettigrew led Western Kentucky in scoring with 17 points to beat Illinois 76-72. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

Illinois' Chester Frazier watches from the bench during the closing seconds of a 76-72 loss to Western Kentucky in a first round men's NCAA basketball tournament game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, March 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)

Illinois' Dominique Keller (23) looks on as Western Kentucky's Sergio Kerusch (1) dunks in the second half during a first-round men's NCAA college basketball tournamentÊgame Thursday, March 19, 2009, in Portland, Ore. Western Kentucky defeated Illinois 76-72. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)