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October 15th,
2006
By Joel Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Illinois
Fighting Illini
Overall Rank:
#28
Conference
Rank:
#4 Big Ten
2005-06:
26-7, 11-5, 2nd (t)
2005-06
postseason: NCAA
 Illinois
and Coach Bruce Weber have a little reloading to do. Long gone
are the days of Deron Williams and Dee Brown and the Final
Four. Yet, there are enough weapons on this team to continue
the success Illini fans have become accustomed to seeing at
Assembly Hall.
Who’s Out:
The
loss of Brown and James Augustine, the team’s top two scorers
last year, means a couple new scorers have to emerge. Brown
averaged 14.2 points and 5.8 assists during his senior campaign,
while Augustine averaged 13.6 points and 9.1 rebounds.
Who’s In:
Illinois
brings in a solid group of newcomers, which they will need to
provide depth all over the floor. Trent Meacham averaged 6.4
points and 2.7 assists two years ago at Dayton before
transferring to the Illini. The 6-2 guard is a solid long range
shooter and will battle for the starting point guard spot. Up
front the big name is Brian Carlwell. The 6-11 center is a
decent scorer in the post and a big time defensive presence on
the other side of the floor. He’ll have some growing pains
early, but big things are expected from the Maywood, Illinois
product. Power forwards Richard Semrau and C.J. Jackson will
battle for minutes under the basket. Semrau already has a nice
scoring touch and can run the floor quite well for a 6-9, 230
pounder. Jackson, who was a medical redshirt last season, has
the strength to battle with just about anybody in the Big Ten.
Who to Watch:
There
definitely isn’t a lack of shooting in this Illinois backcourt.
Rich McBride, who is suspended indefinitely after being charged
with a DUI, and Jamar Smith took around 75% of their total shots
from behind the arc. That’s alright when the duo combined to
make 149 three’s and Brown is in the backcourt to provide a
threat to get to the basket. Without Brown, the pressure will
fall on Chester Frazier to run the show and add another dynamic
to the backcourt. Frazier, who averaged 1.3 points and 1.9
assists in limited minutes as a freshman, showed promise when
given the opportunity. He only turned the ball over 21 times,
while dishing out 50 assists. Not spectacular numbers, but with
a year in the system, the assist to turnover ratio could get
even better. If Coach Weber opts to go small and start that
trio, the depth on the perimeter will have to be handled by
Meacham and returnee Calvin Brock, who only averaged 6.4 minutes
in 17 contests last year.
Final
Projection:
Brian Randle is
the top returning rebounder with 5.4 per contest. Randle is
expected to take over the load left by Augustine in the scoring
and rebounding department. He’s a superb athlete who just needs
to become a leader and stay out of foul trouble. Warren Carter
and Marcus Arnold will battle for minutes at the four. Carter,
a 6-9 senior, has continually showed promise, but has lacked
consistency throughout his time in Champaign. Marcus Arnold
averaged 3.5 points and 2.4 rebounds his first year at Illinois
after transferring from Illinois State. Shaun Pruitt took major
strides last year in becoming a major force under the basket in
the Big Ten. The 6-10 center averaged 6.2 points and 5.1
rebounds as a sophomore and should see a nice increase in
production now that Augustine is gone. Illinois has enough
talent and athleticism to be in the top 25 all year long. The
questions arise around the issue of leadership and if some of
the young guys can answer the call, the Illini will be in the
NCAAs for the eighth straight season.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Chester Frazier,
Sophomore, Guard, 1.3 points per game
Rich McBride,
Senior, Guard, 10.0 points per game
Brian Randle,
Junior, Forward, 8.5 points per game
Warren Carter,
Senior, Forward, 4.8 points per game
Shaun Pruitt,
Junior, Center, 6.2 points per game
Also: Interview w/
Illinois Head Coach Bruce Weber
Also:
Big 10 Preview & Ranking
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