Faux, Holcomb end careers with blowout loss toIllinois
ByJared QuientAssistant Sports Editor
CHICAGO — Going into its first round match-up with No. 4 seededIllinois, San Diego State knew it needed to do three things to have achance to pull off the upset: contain point guard Frank Williams,keep the Illini frontcourt off the offensive glass and limitIllinois’ 3-point baskets.
Unfortunately for SDSU, the Illini knew it, too.
What resulted was a lopsided and deflating 93-64 Aztec defeat infront of 20,850 at Chicago’s United Center in the first round of the2002 NCAA Tournament.
Playing arguably its best game of the season, Illinois dominatedon both ends of the floor, shooting just under 60 percent from thefield, while limiting SDSU to 39 percent.
“We were beaten tonight by the best team we played all year,”Aztecs head coach Steve Fisher said. “As bitterly disappointed as Iam at how we finished, I’m doubly proud of what our team has done.”
As well he should be.
After a 2-6 start in Mountain West Conference play, the Aztecs’season looked dead in the water. But a streak unlike any seen inrecent SDSU sports history, culminating in the Aztecs’ victory in theMWC Tournament last weekend, catapulted this team into the nationalspotlight.
But the Illini proved the MWC is not the Big 10.
“We were overpowered tonight,” senior forward Randy Holcomb said.”I forgot I was even playing at home.I was just trying to stay alive. They should be commended.”
Showing balance and talent that SDSU hadn’t seen since its trip toDuke, Illinois pummeled the Aztecs early and often, jumping out to a37-19 lead.
It didn’t stop there.
The second half was worse for SDSU as the Illini scorched the netsonce again, hitting 19 of their 28 shots.
“We came out focused, enthusiastic and played pretty loose,”Illinois head coach Bill Self said. “We played terrific on both endsof the floor.”
Trying to keep the Illinois big men out of the paint, SDSUdouble-teamed and trapped forwards Brian Cook and Nate Archibald allgame long, forcing the Illini to hit their outside jumpers.
They did.
Guards Frank Williams and Luther Head were unstoppable, combiningfor 44 points on 17 of 24 shooting, including eight 3-pointers.
Williams anchored the attack, finishing with 25 points and eightassists — in just 26 minutes.
He also provided one half of two consecutive highlight-reel playsas he led Head (19 points) to a pair of alley-oop dunks, electrifyingthe Illinois faithful.
“Frank Williams made big plays and they beat us — hands down,”senior guard Al Faux said.
Faux was the Aztecs’ lone bright spot, scoring 27 points,including six 3-pointers.
The loss marked the last games for Holcomb and Faux. The seniors,who helped lead the turnaround for this program, go out on a low note– a note that in no way describes the impact they had on Aztecs’basketball.
“The table was set by Randy,” Fisher said. “Al had a great year. Ican’t say enough about what they have meant to our program.
“We got our feet wet today, and got burned in the water. But thatdoesn’t mean we won’t be back.”
