|
How will Illinois compete this year in a "down" Big Ten conference?
Who will start for Illinois and, more importantly, who will finish
games? Who will replace Dee and Augie as the "go-to" players when
games are on the line? What players will make unexpected
contributions this year? Can Illinois win 25 games for the eighth
straight season? Is recruiting really as bad as the "geniuses"
elsewhere make it sound? These are great questions, and we'll look
at these one at a time today: Who will start for Illinois, and
more importantly, who will finish games this year?
Tonight, the starting lineup will consist of senior Warren
Carter, junior Shaun Pruitt, and sophomores Calvin Brock, Chet
Frazier and Jamar Smith. However, junior Brian Randle will take over
the "3" spot from Brock, and, when he returns from suspension, look
for senior Rich McBride to overtake Smith at the shooting guard
spot. In terms of finishing games, look for Illinois to go small
down the stretch and play Frazer, McBride, Smith, Randle and Pruitt
when games are on the line.
Who will replace Dee and Augie as "go-to" players?
I hope the answer is no one -- I'd love to see this Illini team
not fall into the trap of being "Randle's" team or "McBride's" team
or "Jamar's" team. Illinois can be pretty special this year, but
only if all five players are legitimate threats most of the time.
I'm really excited about the offseason progress of Frazier at the
point and Carter down low. Now we'll see if they have improved
enough to make a difference during games.
What players will make unexpected contributions this year?
I'm hearing great things about Ohio frosh Rich Semrau. I think he
will surprise many and play serious minutes at the "4" spot. If
Carter and Semrau can give consistent offense to that spot in the
lineup without major defensive lapses, coach Bruce Weber will be
really excited. Also, look for transfer and Champaign native Trent
Meachem to have some really strong games offensively. He may be a
little slow defensively, but this kid is tough and can put the ball
in the hoop.
Can Illinois win 25 games for the eighth straight year?
In a nutshell, the answer is yes. Illinois has 15 pre-conference
games and should be able to win 12 or 13 of these games. The
conference is down this year, and Illinois should be able to win 10
or 11 of these games. Throw in a win or two at the conference
tourney and in the postseason and Illinois could reach 25 wins yet
again.
[to top of second column] |
 How will Illinois do in the Big Ten conference?
I think better than many expect. Right now, the class of the
conference is Wisconsin and Ohio State. But, guess what, Illinois
plays each of these teams only once this year, and the "singles" are
at Champaign-Urbana. Illinois could and probably should sweep the
season series from Iowa (down), Minnesota (down), Northwestern
(really down) and Michigan State (as down as any MSU team in a
decade). Singles at Purdue and Penn State are winnable, and games at
Indiana and Michigan are in the realm of possibility. I'm know I'm
drinking the orange and blue Kool-Aid, but guess what, if all the
pieces fall into place, Illinois could see themselves with another
12-4 or 13-3 season -- you heard it here first.
Is recruiting as bad as the "geniuses" make it sound?
Well, the Eric Gordon fiasco sure didn't help. And players like
Derrick Rose or Dar Tucker or E'twaun Moore would have made the
class much better. But, I think in the long run Weber and staff will
be OK. Look for a strong 2008 recruiting class, many from the state
of Illinois, and don't be surprised if St. Joe's Demitri McCamey and
Riverton's Mike Tisdale are much better than the experts think.
Many have asked my opinion on the Gordon situation, and my answer
is pretty simple -- I see a really sad situation. Sad because of the
moral and ethical behavior of a fellow Big Ten coach? You could make
that case, but that is not my primary thinking. Sad because the
Gordons pulled the rug out from under a classy guy like Weber at the
11th hour? Again, you could write that story, but that is not my
primary consideration. It is sad because Eric Gordon has placed his
future in the hands of a coach who has never, ever put a guard into
the first round of NBA. My gut tells me Gordon wants to play at
Illinois, but in the end, peer pressure and dad pressure made it
impossible. My guess is when it is all said and done, the real loser
won't be Weber or Illini nation, but an 18-year-old kid who put his
basketball life in the hands of a coach with less-than-stellar
credentials.
Bottom line? It's time to get the season going, and I'm excited
about Illinois basketball!
[Greg
Taylor] |
