2009-2010 Season Preview

The Illini overachieved last year by making the NCAAs, but their season ended quickly with their loss to Western Kentucky in the first round. This fall, expectations are much higher for the Illini basketball team. Preseason polls have the Illini in the top 20, and Joe Lunardi has the Illini as a 3 seed right now, a top 12 team. And we haven't even had midnight madness yet.

Let's start with the losses from last year's team. Basically, we lose a ton of experience at the guard position, Chet Frazier, Trent Meacham and Calvin Brock. And we lose CJ Jackson, who never played much basketball at Illinois, but was very popular with his teammates.

The gains are three talented freshmen guards--DJ Richardson, Brandon Paul and Joseph Bertrand. We have been talking about these guys forever it seems, and now they are on campus getting ready to play. The front line gets deeper with Tyler Griffey as a freshman, and Stan Simpson will be a redshirt freshman after sitting last season. Overall, a loss on the experience side, but these are very talented additions for this fall.

Returning starters are three juniors: Demetri McCamey at PG, Mike Davis at forward, and Mike Tisdale at center. Dominique Keller returns as a versatile forward who can rebound and hit three pointers (my personal favorite player last year). Other experienced players from last season include guards Jeff Jordan and Alex Legion, and seldom-used Richard Semrau at forward/center and Bill Cole, a forward.

Basically, Bruce Weber can start an experienced squad without relying on the freshmen, though I expect 1 or 2 freshmen to crack the starting line-up during the season:

Demetri McCamey PG
Jeff Jordan G
Alex Legion SG
Mike Davis F
Mike Tisdale C

Bench rotation: Keller, Griffey, Cole, Richardson, Paul, Bertrand

Right now, it seems likely that McCamey, Davis and Tisdale are a virtual lock as starters on this team, with Legion, Jordan, Keller and Richardson probably vying for the other two starting positions. But this should be a deep and talented team, that gets much better throughout the season as it matures.

And my hope is Bruce Weber allows this team to run the break, especially when Tisdale is on the bench. We might think of 1989 if we see the following group of athletes on the floor: Davis, Keller, Legion, McCamey and either Richardson or Paul.

For Illini fans, this season is not to be missed.

DJ Richardson confirmed by Scout

Here's an article from Scout.com that confirms the Richardson announcement. Story

DJ Richardson Profile from Rivals.com

DJ Richardson Summary and Rivals Profile

-Four Star Rated Player per Rivals
-Height is 6-3
-Weight is 170
-Class of 2009
-Shooting Guard, ranked #9 nationally at SG
-Ranked #54 for the 2009 Class
-From Peoria, IL

DJ Richardson expected to announce for Illini tomorrow

According to HOI 19 Sports, DJ Richardson is expected to announce he has selected Illinois for his college choice. This would confirm earlier rumors (following Jerrance Howard being hired as an assistant coach) that DJ is headed to play for the Illini.

This will be a huge boost to the Illini and Jerrance Howard and Bruce Weber tomorrow, since the past recruiting season has not been easy for the program, and DJ Richardson is a highly regarded shooting guard from Peoria. We will follow this one closely, but it sounds very positive. Apparently, Bruce Weber is headed to Peoria for the announcement tomorrow.

DJ Richardson rumored to be headed to Champaign

DJ Richardson is rumored to be heading to school at Champaign in 2009, according to reports from his coach. Richardson is a highly rated shooting guard from Peoria, and the Illini have always done well with recruiting Peoria-area players.