A Visit To Stony Brook

A plush benefit of the Illini not making the NCAA Tournament was that, by odd circumstance, they played a road NIT game at Stony Brook University on Long Island.

Stony Brook is about an hour and 45 minute train ride from Manhattan. I made it out there a few minutes after tip-off. My friend Jeff and I had tickets in the front row. Unfortunately, Stony Brook had double-sold some seats, and someone was already sitting in our spot. We managed to move around the packed arena and eventually grabbed some seats on the other side of the court.

It was a crazy fun atmosphere, made all the better by the Illini victory.

This was our view as we stood along the sideline in the first half. Demetri McCamey had just drained a three here.

Another good shot of our first-half vantage point. Stony Brook hung tough throughout the game, running a steady halfcourt offense.

I believe that's Brandon Paul setting up a free throw shot.

The old-school scoreboard hanging from the rafters.

For a few minutes we sat a few feet behind the ESPNU announcing crew. I didn't recognize any of them.

The Stony Brook mascot is a wolf. Considering their team name is the Seawolves, I thought the wolf should be wearing some kind of Navy uniform. But he wasn't.

We had a great view of the Illini as they walked out of the locker room for the second half.

This is during halftime warm ups.

Bruce Weber walked right past us on his way out for the second half.

This was our view for the second half. The Stony Brook cheerleaders and dance team got a major work out during the game. They danced at every time stoppage.

Weber doling out some instructions during a timeout.

And there you have it. The Illini held on to win a competitive game 76-66 over a frisky Stony Brook squad.