Illinois, Penn State Try Out Innovative New Square Basketball On Wednesday

Hey, it wasn't me this time: Scott Van Pelt ( he's back!) had this to say about Penn State's 38-33 win over Illinois on Wednesday. "Watching Big Ten basketball is like watching fat people have sex."

Not only was yesterday's tussle in Champaign the second-lowest scoring Div. I college game in four years, but it took a late offensive barrage by the Nittanys to get the score that high; it was 31-24 Illinois with six minutes remaining. Let's go to the stats, assisted by Rush the Court:

• Only one player scored in double figures (Penn State's Taylor Battle with 11).

• The teams combined to shoot 28-of-96 (.292) from the field, and 6-of-33 (.180) from the 3-point line.

• The combined total of 71 points is the second-lowest output in Div. I in four years (since Monmouth defeated Princeton, 41-21, in 2005. Last year, George Washington beat Saint Louis 49-20, the 20 points being the lowest total for a Div. I team in the shot clock era).

• Is this box score correct? Illinois didn't attempt a single free throw? How is that even possible?

• The line for Penn State guard Stanley Pringle: 1-9 from the field, 0-2 from three, 0-0 free throws, 2 rebounds, 2 points.

I love good defense, but this simply smells like fail.

Did The Big Ten Ban The Shot Clock Tonight? [Rush The Court]