Conference Rank: 9
Illinois Fighting Illini
Head Coach: Bruce Weber
2007-08 Record: 16-19 (5-13 Big Ten)
2008-09 Roster
Key Losses: C 6’10” Shaun Pruitt, F 6’8” Brian Randle
Key Additions: G 6’5” Alex Legion, F 6‘7” Dominique Keller, F/C 6’9” Stan Simpson
Starting Lineup
G Demetri McCamey So. 6’3” 8.2 ppg, 3.3 apg
G Trent Meacham Sr. 6’2” 10.1 ppg, 2.4 apg
G Chester Frazier Sr. 6’2” 4.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg
F Dominique Keller Jr. 6’7” 25.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg *Junior College Stats
F Mike Tisdale So. 7’1” 3.6 ppg, 1.7 rpg
The backcourt is full of experience, and the offense starts with Trent Meachem. Meachem is a 49 percent three-point shooter, but he might have trouble get his shot off if defenses lay-off the Illini post players..
Demetri McCamey had an incredible Big-Ten tournament, scoring 31 points against Indiana and finishing two rebounds away from a triple-double against Minnesota. Now he just has to play that way all the time.
Averaging 4.9 rebounds per game is a lot for a 6’9” forward. It is more impressive when you are 6’2”. Chester Frazier is the leading returning rebounder and will be asked to crash the boards even more.
Junior college transfer Dominique Keller will get a chance to show he is a Division I talent. He was the second-leading scorer in the nation in junior college last season. The Illini will look to him to score and rebound from the first minute.
When you lose two of the better post players in the Big-Ten, where do you go? Mike Tisdale is tall enough at 7’1”, but he weighs only 235 pounds. He has shown the ability to shoot when he faces the basket, but post moves are not his strong suit.
Coming from Kentucky, Alex Legion might be the best player on this roster. He will not be able to play until late December because of the transfer rules. Legion is a former top 50 recruit and will finally have a school to play for.
Stan Simpson and 6’10” Mike Davis will add support in the frontcourt.
FORECAST
Not so long ago this team was putting on a once in a lifetime performance, only to run into the talented UNC Tar Heels in the championship game. Since then, their win total has decreased every season, and last season they missed the NCAA Tournament—the first time since Bruce Weber has been at Illinois.
This team is going to struggle with new players asked to contribute right away and not a lot of talent in the frontcourt.
The goal is simple: Play hard, stay consistent, and wait for the recruits to come in 2009.
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