2009-2010 Illinois Predictions
2008-09 Record: (24-10, 11-7 Big 10)
Coach: Bruce Weber (7th year, 152-57 at Illinois)
Assistants: Wayne McClain, Jay Price, Jerrance Howard
Ret. Starters/Lost: 3/2

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Overview: Another year, another 20+ winning season for Bruce Weber. He certainly earned it last season with defense as not one player on the Illini averaged more than 12 points per game. They’ll need more scoring this season from their “Big Three” of guard Demetri McCamey (11.5ppg, 41.1% FG), forward Mike Davis (6-9, 11.3ppg, 8.1rpg) and 7-1 center Mike Tisdale (10.2ppg, 53.1% FG). They do have to replace two quality guards in Trent Meacham (10.2ppg) and Chester Frazier (5.3apg). Freshman D.J. Richardson (6-3, 175) will have to replace Meacham at shooting guard (with McCamey playing point). He’s a good defender and ballhandler, who can allow Meacham to freelance at the wing. Junior Alex Legion (6-5) is also back after a difficult season, after sitting out the first semester after transferring from Kentucky. He’ll have to step up his game and his defense to earn back Weber’s faith. Up front, 6-7 senior Dominique Keller(5.9ppg) is the perfect glue guy and role player off the bench. Freshman Stan Simpson (6-9, 225) also returns after sitting out his first season and provides shotblocking and defense in the paint. Another possible contributor from the wing is 6-5 Joseph Bertrand.

Outlook: Illinois will defend as well as anybody in the conference, but can they score enough to keep up with the elite teams? They don’t appear to have a dominant scorer though Davis and McCamey have the skills

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