Illini Men Play With Women's Ball For Seven Minutes
(WSCR) - By the time the season starts, college basketball players are very familiar with their teammates, coaches, plays and even the ball. So much so, that they can tell when something just isn't right.
From his first shot, Demetri McCamey knew something was wrong. The ball just didn't feel right.
Turns out the ball was an undersized women's ball, something the officials finally fixed after seven minutes of No. 16 Illinois' 74-63 victory over Oakland on Wednesday night.
"After my first shot I thought, 'This can't be right,"' McCamey, who finished with 30 points, said about the women's ball making it into the game.
The first seven-plus minutes were played with the size 6 ball. McCamey noticed the odd ball early but couldn't convince the officials. Illini center Mike Tisdale finally did.
"I've coached 33 years and that's a first," Oakland coach Greg Kampe said.
Play quickly restarted with a size 7 men's ball -- about an inch larger and 2 ounces heavier.
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