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House of ‘Paign suffers first-round exit in TBT
Jackson Underdawgs celebrate their 64-58 victory over House of ‘Paign on Saturday at Carver Arena in Peoria, Ill. in the first round of TBT. (Courtesy: TBT)

House of ‘Paign suffers first-round exit in TBT

PEORIA, Ill. (BVM)Singleelimination tournaments haven’t gone well for Illinois basketball in 2021. In March, the Illinois men’s team lost to Loyola Chicago in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and on Saturday, the alumni team — House of ‘Paign — lost to the Jackson Underdawgs, 64-58.

“They had more intensity,” House of ‘Paign coach Mike LaTulip said after the game. “They got to loose balls quicker. They were quicker on the glass and when those things happen and when you’re down in that way, it’s really hard to overcome that.”

House of ‘Paign came into TBT as one of the favorites to win the entire tournament. As a team, they shot just 33 percent from the field and 28 percent from three. Leading the way for the Underdawgs were Terrandus Smith and George Stanberry.

“That first one is always a big one,” Underdawgs coach Dexter Williams said after the game. “You kind of breathe a little bit after that, you enjoy the rest of your day.”

House of ‘Paign took an early lead, but the Underdawgs made a quick run and eventually took the lead at the end of the first quarter, 21-17. In the second quarter, things got a little bit chippy, which resulted in Underdawgs’ forward Josh Sain getting ejected after pushing and shoving in a scrum under the basket with House of ‘Paign guard Demetri McCamey.

“That was out of character for us,” Williams said of the scuffle. “You’re talking about a grand prize and this is a tournament and there’s not one person out there in between those lines that does not want to win.”

The Illinois alumni team was able to make a run in the second half of the game and eventually tied the game at 58 after Brandon Paul hit a big three from the top of the key. It was just the second shot that Paul made, as he went just 3-for-15 from the field in the game. After Paul’s game-tying three, the House of ‘Paign crowd erupted.

It felt like back in college,” ‘House of Paign guard Rayvonte Rice said. “I mean we appreciate them. They could have been doing 1,000 other things but we appreciate them taking time out of their busy lives to come support us.”  

Rice himself was the biggest reason the House of ‘Paign crowd had to cheer. Rice went on a heater in the third quarter that really helped the Illinois alumni get back into the game. Rice finished with 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting. The problem for House of ‘Paign was that Rice was really the only player who brought his offensive game to Peoria, Ill.

Mike Daum — South Dakota State’s all-time leading scorer — went just 3-for-11 from the field, joining Paul in the offensive struggles.

House of ‘Paign was without a couple of players that were expected to be on the team. Point guard Andres Feliz, who just signed a contract to play in the best Spanish league, wasn’t able to get a martial visa to get into the United States. Forward Leron Black took a position as a graduate assistant with Dayton University. Another point guard, Jaylon Tate, didn’t play because he recently signed a new contract with a team in Austria.

“It’s really hard to get people in the country right now,” LaTulip said of the Andres Feliz situation. “Especially when they have an ongoing marital visa. So we did everything we could [to get him into the country.]”

Despite suffering a disappointing loss, LaTulip and Rice vowed that the House of ‘Paign will be back next summer for what will be its third time participating in TBT.

“Year one was Skittles and flowers,” LaTulip said. “Year two was not that. You’re walking off the court and hearing that you suck, hearing that you can’t coach. So I know for me my tail’s not going to go between my legs. That’s it, that’s the stuff that motivates me, I know it motivates our players too.”