Weber Thinks Illini Can Be Among Big Ten's Best

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- In the back of Illinois guard Demetri McCamey's locker sits a small picture of him in last spring's NCAA Tournament loss to Western Kentucky.

McCamey isn't sure who put the picture there, but he says it is a constant reminder of the fifth-seeded Illini's 76-72 opening round loss to the 12th-seeded Hilltoppers.

"I don't want to look at their jerseys any more," McCamey joked with reporters at the Illinois basketball team's annual media day Tuesday.

The loss brought a swift, unexpected end to what had been a surprisingly good season at Illinois. At 24-10, the Illini were well ahead of their rebuilding schedule.

But they played the game without emotional leader and defensive rock Chester Frazier, who was out with an injured hand, and players say in retrospect, they weren't ready.

Now the Illini and head coach Bruce Weber believe they can close strong in a season that starts Nov. 13 against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and finish at or near the top of the Big Ten.

"We had a great start last year, we were very competitive down to the last couple of weeks - our finishing was just not what it should be," Weber said. "To finish is important. I hope it comes from maturity."

Last year's core was Frazier - a senior who's gone now - and then-sophomores McCamey, Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale. The latter three are all back as juniors and will anchor the Illini.

McCamey, a frequent target for Weber's criticism about work ethic and inconsistency, said he lost about 20 pounds in the offseason by trading in fries and fried chicken for pasta. And he's raised his defensive game, he said, even winning a little rare praise from his coach.

"I was very surprised," he said.

Davis, a 6-9 forward, went in the opposite direction in the offseason, adding 10 pounds to his self-described beanpole frame get to 218 and, he hopes, turn him into an inside rebounder and scorer.

The Illini haven't had a strong inside player since Shaun Pruitt left Champaign two seasons ago.

Davis, who broke an ankle during the summer, and senior Dominique Keller - a 6-7, 220 pound forward - have challenged themselves to get nine rebounds a game each.

Davis averaged eight a game last year and Keller, playing off the bench, 2.3.

That rebounding - and playing in the lane to draw fouls, and playing tough defense - make up what Weber calls a blue-collar work ethic.

"You have to have the pieces, the toughness, the leadership, the guys who will do the blue-collar stuff," he said.

Frazier was that blue-collar heart of the team last year - playing hurt, playing arguably the best defense in the Big Ten and learning to run the offense, something that didn't come naturally.

Without Frazier, that leadership might come from some surprising places, including 6-3, 175-pound D.J. Richardson, a guard from Peoria who is one of four freshmen Illinois adds this season.

"He's always playing defense," Weber said. "He doesn't take plays off. Yesterday he ran into a wall on a loose ball."

Illinois' other talented freshmen include guard Joseph Bertrand (6-5, 175) from Sterling; guard Brandon Paul (6-3, 180) of Gurnee; and Tyler Griffey (6-9, 220) a forward from Wildwood, Mo.

The Illini also are considering adding one more player at guard, Jeff Jordan, Michael Jordan's oldest son. He left the team earlier this year, saying he wanted to focus on school and life after basketball, but recently approached the team about a return.

Weber expects to make a decision by the end of the week.

"The key words we're looking for are total commitment, to make sure he is totally committed," Weber said. "I think it's rough to be Jeffrey Jordan. I've said that over and over and over."