Weber State Recap

This was generally a nice game to recover from the Maryland disaster. Weber played everyone except Jamar Smith (out for year) and Brian Carlwell (out injured knee), due to the huge lead that was built on solid defense and Meacham's shooting. Trent Meacham had a career high with 26 points on 11-15 shooting. Box Score

-Something is still wrong with Shaun Pruitt, probably a hip problem. He missed two dunks early and seemed out of sync. I would rest him if his injury is affecting his play.
-Randle played some good defense, but scored only 2 points on 1-5 shooting.
-Frazier played well, made some shots and ran the offense when in there.
-Tisdale had more minutes today and looked really good against this kind of competition. He had some nice shots and a dunk.
-Davis played really well, had a back door dunk and a tip dunk of a miss, and nice jumper. He continues to show huge potential, and now everyone should know why he wasn't redshirted. I can see him contributing in the Big Ten season.
-Rodney Alexander did not get many minutes today. He seems to be in the doghouse from the Maryland game.
-Jordan got some playing time and did not play that well.

In the post game interview, Weber was very candid about how he doesn't know which guys to put in the game. He has a lot of guys and some of the reserves look better than the starters, but the starters are the best defenders and rebounders generally speaking.

After watching this game, I think Tisdale, Davis and McCamey could see a lot of playing time this year. And if Meacham can shoot like this, he should be a starter the rest of the year.

Weber State Preview

Weber State should not be underestimated by the Illini, even though they have themselves back at the friendly Assembly Hall for a game. Weber State made the NCAA tourney last year and are coached by highly respected Randy Rahe. Weber State has a bunch of new players this year, after losing two starters, David Patten and Dan Henry. Juan Pablo Silveira is a highly rated guard, who averaged 11 points per game last season and shot 45 percent from three point range (better shooter than any Illini). Weber State's leading scorer thus far has been Arturas Valeika, a 6-9 forward from Lithuania. Valeika has been averaging 14.8 points per game this season for the Wildcats.

The Illini will need good perimeter pressure today. Three of the Wildcats are shooting better than 50% from three point range this season: Billings, Valeika and Van Brocklin are all hot from outside in the early season.

Illinois represents one of three key non-conference games this year for the Wildcats in building their tourney resume. Other games are with BYU and New Mexico.

The Sporting News rates the Weber State Wildcats as the number three team in the Big Sky conference this year. The Wildcats are coming off a blowout at the hands of Utah, 72-52.

For the Illini, they need to get Randle, Pruitt and Frazier back on track, and continue the strong play of Brock and Alexander. If they go deep in their rotation, it would be good to see more of Tisdale, Cole and Davis.