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By Joel Welser
jwelser@collegehoops.net
2006 NCAA Tournament Capsule:
Illinois
Illinois Fighting Illini (15-6)
Big Ten:
2nd(t),11-2
RPI: 12
AP: 9
Big Wins:
at North Carolina (68-64), Michigan St (60-50), Iowa (71-59)
Bad Losses:
at Indiana (60-62), Penn St (65-66), at Michigan (64-72)
Last NCAA
Appearance: 2005, National Runners-up
Top Players:
Dee Brown, Sr,
G, 14 ppg, 6 apg
James
Augustine, Sr, F, 14 ppg, 9 rpg
Rich McBride,
Jr, G, 11 ppg, 2 apg
Brian Randle,
So, F, 8 ppg, 5 rpg
If defense wins
championships, look out for the Illini. Bruce Weber’s squad holds their
opposition to under 40% shooting, which is good enough to rank in the top 20
in the nation. The offense isn’t too shabby either with Dee Brown, Rich
McBride and Jamar Smith on the perimeter and James Augustine, Brian Randle
and Shaun Pruitt in the paint. Keep an eye on Pruitt, a 6-10 sophomore who
has started every game this season, but has recently become a much bigger
part of the offense. When foul trouble strikes Augustine, Illinois will
need Pruitt to be an offensive threat, otherwise the perimeter gang has a
tendency to hoist up too many three balls.
Likely
Finish: Sweet Sixteen
NBA Draft
Profiles:
▪
Dee Brown
▪
James
Augustine
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