Illini looking for improvement coming back from break
It's not so easy as pointing a finger at one player, said Illinois coach Bruce Weber as Illinois prepared to host Western Carolina in a non-conference basketball game tonight.
Junior point guard Chester Frazier took the brunt of the criticism from fans following the loss to Arizona nine days ago. After that heartbreaking overtime loss in Chicago, even Weber said one answer to Illinois' problem was "get better players.''
Reliable play from seniors Brian Randle and Shaun Pruitt would help, Weber said. So would more production from freshman point guard Demetri McCamey and the rest of the newcomers as the Illini move closer to the start of Big Ten Conference play.
"We have to continue to make improvement,'' Weber said. "That's a general statement. Obviously, the thing that comes to mind is finishing games. Free throws would be part of that. Finding a go-to guy, getting our guys to play with relaxation and poise down the stretch -- those are easier said than done.''
The Illini season already has a different feel after the loss to Arizona in the United Center on Dec. 8, the last game before Illinois took a break for semester finals.
"If you do win that, you have a total different feeling,'' Weber said. "You might be in the top 25. That's how fragile games are, how fragile seasons are.''
Weber's list of home improvement starts at point guard, where he stuck with Frazier because of his tough defense and intensity that sets a tone for the Illini. But Frazier's inability to create scoring opportunities and turnovers limit the Illini on offense.
As bad as Frazier's performance was against Maryland (no points, 0-for-4 from the field, five assists, four turnovers) in his trip back to his home state, the game against Arizona (no points, 0-for-6, five assists, six turnovers) was worse. Frazier has 29 assists and 26 turnovers this season.
"Chester hasn't played well,'' Weber said. "I feel bad for him. We need him because how hard he plays and his defense. We also need him to be more solid. His assist to turnover ratio isn't very good, especially for a junior point guard.
"He's got to find a way to calm down, be the smart guy, take care of the basketball. Make the great play on defense but not make the dumb play on offense. That's got to come if we're going to be successful.''
Frazier made a steal against Arizona freshman Jerryd Bayless with about 1 minute left, then lost a turnover on the ensuing possession. With the game tied, Frazier lost another turnover on Illinois' final possession in regulation.
"He took it pertty hard,'' Randle said. "He's starting to come back from that. I told him we need him to be a leader on this team.''
Weber and the Illini also would like to get more from McCamey, a heralded recruit from Westchester St. Joseph who entered with great expectations. Without more intensity, reducing his turnovers and playing better defense, McCamey will remain as the backup, Weber said. A good start to preseason practice hinted that McCamey was ready to contribute immediately.
"The signs early showed that he was going to,'' Weber said. "He has tons of ability. He has to understand how hard he has to play on every possession.''
McCamey averaged 4.6 points and 2.6 assists while playing 18.8 minutes in the first eight games. His best performance came against Hawaii, scoring 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting. Weber will keep trying to speed up the learning curve.
"He wants me to come in and watch more film, do things like I'm a sophomore and junior and stop doing things that freshmen do,'' McCamey said. "He wants me to pick it up. That's what I want to do. Shooting better, studying film, leading teammates, everything a point guard is supposed to do.''
John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. For more coverage, read Illini Talk blog at www.sj-r.com and www.pjstar.com.
Illinois (5-3) vs. Western Carolina (3-6)
7 p.m., Assembly Hall, Champaign (Big Ten Network, Illini Sports Network)
ILLINOIS (5-3) ppg rpg
F Brian Randle Sr. 6-8 9.9 4.6
C Shaun Pruitt Sr. 6-10 12.0 7.6
G Trent Meacham Jr. 6-2 11.5 2.0
G Calvin Brock Jr. 6-5 8.9 4.4
G Chester Frazier Jr. 6-2 6.3 6.0
WESTERN CAROLINA (3-6) ppg rpg
F Arnold Gore Sr. 6-6 5.2 2.1
F Blake Gallagher Fr. 6-8 5.9 7.1
G Brandon Giles So. 6-6 10.9 3.1
G Michael Porrini Fr. 6-2 13.9 6.1
G Eric Wilson Sr. 6-1 2.3 2.3
Noteworthy: This is the first meeting between Illinois and Western Carolina. Illinois plays at Assembly Hall for the third time this season after six games on the road or neutral sites, the second highest total among BCS schools. Illinois' two homes games through Dec. 16 are the fewest among Big Ten teams. … Meacham is averaging 17 points and 61.5-percent shooting over the last four games. During that span, he has 14 assists and four turnovers with eight steals. … Porrini scored 20 points in a 100-52 loss at Indiana Saturday. The Massillon, Ohio, native reached double figures in all but one game this year. Western Carolina sophomore Nick Aldridge was averaging 18.8 poionts per game before leaving the team.
Key for Illini: Get better point guard play, whether it's from junior Chester Frazier or freshman Demetri McCamey.
Key for Catamounts: Find a way to replace the points lost by the departure of leading scorer Nick Aldridge.
Key quote: "The reality is we're a top 25 team. We have that potential. We're right on the edge. It's make the next move.'' -- Illinois senior forward Brian Randle.
Prediction: Illinois 83, Western Carolina 47