Bucs get wake-up call in round two of Tip-Off Classic

By Bob Kopp

BDR Sports Correspondent

ROCKFORD – Hall of Fame golfer Hale Irwin likes to say, “There are days you win; and there are days you learn.”

After crushing an equally stern opponent (South Elgin) in the first round of the District 205 Tip-Off Classic 62-47, the Bucs sleep-walked against formidable Madison, Wisconsin’s sturdy and talkative Lancers and lost 70-34.

Along with frenetic full-court pressure until late in the game when the outcome was inevitable and mirroring the Storm with its size, quickness, and athleticism, the Lancers hit on 21 of its 33 first half points from beyond the arc and cruised to victory.

Observers argued the Bucs played a tougher opponent in the opener; but it’s hard to overcome sloppy handling of the rock with turnovers occurring so fast that two spotters couldn’t keep count, uncharacteristic misses from the charity stripe from the Bucs’ best in that department, and balls that seemed to defy gravity when it came to going down the hole.

In short, it was a bad night for the Bucs after a great one in less than 24 hours.

Sophomore Austin Revolinski led the Bucs with seven points followed by junior Joey Hernandez (six), senior Deante Barnes (five), junior Xavier Dent (five), junior Will Morris (four), junior Nate Horton (four), and senior Eric Munoz who hit on the only Bucs three-pointer (three).