As time marches on, undefeated Illinois is staying on its incredible run.
The sixth-ranked Illini ended the second most successful calendar year in their 101-year history and the non-conference portion of their schedule in smashing style Friday night when they trounced Tennessee-Martin 84-46 for their 14th straight victory before another jubilant sellout crowd at Assembly Hall.
Leading the charge were Rich McBride and James Augustine.
McBride hit seven three-point shots and was 7 of 12 from the field in scoring a season-high 21 points.
Augustine’s 11th and final rebound with 10 minutes 51 seconds to play was the 854th of his career and broke Efrem Winters’ school record set in 1983-86.
“It’s a honor,” the 6-foot-10-inch senior said. “This will live on forever and be nice to look back on. But we have more important things to take care of. The fun is over. We have to focus on next week and Michigan State. The non-conference season is a lot different than the Big Ten.”
Augustine also made 8 of 9 shots in collecting 19 points.
The Illini’s unbeaten run through the non-conference schedule combined with their record during the 2005 leg of last season gives them a 37-2 mark for the calendar year, identical to last season’s overall record.
Only once have the Illini had a better calendar year: In 1915 they were 15-0. En route to an unbeaten 1914-15 season that saw them crowned national champions for the only time in school history, they won 13 straight in the 1915 segment of the 1914-15 season, then won their two games the following December.
Coach Bruce Weber said that this season’s undefeated streak has come as a mild surprise.
“We were hoping for 12-2 or maybe 11-3,” he said.
Likewise, the lopsided character of Friday night’s contest also was unexpected.
“I didn’t think it would be that easy,” Weber said. “Defensively, we took them out of it right away. When Rich made some shots early they had to get out of their zone early. He hasn’t had a breakout game since Memphis two years ago [when he was a freshman]. But he has been very consistent in the other phases–taking care of the basketball, assists, guarding.”
With McBride in the forefront, the Illini began their pre-New Year’s Eve celebration by going on a 27-1 binge that saw them make 11 of 14 shots.
Tennessee-Martin (5-5) missed 10 shots and turned the ball over 10 times before Justin Flatt’s three-pointer reduced the deficit to 27-4 with 9:13 to play in the first half that ended with the Illini on top 47-15.
Subs played much of the second half for Illinois.
“It’s still just the first phase of our season,” Weber said. “Our next worry is to compete for the Big Ten championship. I feel we can compete. One thing we have is confidence. It’s part of their personality as a team. They believe in themselves. Winning is a habit. They believe they should win every game.”
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nmilbert@tribune.com
