Miami (Ohio) won't make it easy for Illini
Illinois has some trouble of its own when it comes to scoring during this young basketball season. When the Illini host Miami (Ohio) tonight at Assembly Hall in the first game of a key two-game swing for Illinois, the Redhawks won't make it any easier.
Miami hasn't allowed an opponent to score 70 points or more in its last 43 games. A sturdy defense combined with a deliberate offense cuts down on the scoring opportunities for its opponents.
"They play a possession game,'' Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. "It would be like Ohio State's three yards and a cloud of dust (years ago in football), keep plodding along and getting first downs.
"They exploit your weaknesses on defense. They will find somebody they feel they can attack. They space you and make that person guard. They have great discipline and toughness on defense. They make you earn everything you get. Nothing comes easy.''
Illinois meets Missouri on Saturday in the annual braggin' rights game in St. Louis. The Tigers are the last power conference opponent before the Illini enter the league race.
But before the Illini get a crack at extending their win streak to eight games in the series against the Tigers, Miami is a team that's sneaky good. The RedHawks already have wins over Xavier and Mississippi State with near misses against Louisville and Southern Cal.
Miami's five losses are by a total of nine points, including two one-point losses on late game-winning baskets. The RedHawks strength of schedule is ranked No. 2 in the nation.
Not much came easily for the Illini during a 58-35 win over Western Carolina Monday. The Illini were 3-for-17 from the 3-point line, missed five of their first six free throws and had as many turnovers (15) as assists. Even Weber noticed the crowd's reaction when the Illini finally made two consecutive free throws. The Illini spent extra time on free throws in the last two weeks.
"All I know is we've shot a bunch,'' Weber said. "It was actually kind of humorous when Demetri (McCamey) made them and the crowd went nuts. It's sad, but it's humorous. You have to laugh at yourself, I guess.''
Illinois junior guard Trent Meacham is expected to play after missing the game Monday with a sprained ankle, Weber said. Meacham didn't practice Tuesday to rest the ankle. Without the non-scholarship guard, Illinois' offense lacked an outside scoring threat against Western Carolina.
Miami defeated Chicago State 74-68 Tuesday, a surprising result against the Redhawks' defense. The 68 points were the most scored against this season against Miami. The Redhawks' scoring defense, which allows 58.6 points per game, entered the week at No. 25 nationally. Miami was the only team to hold every opponent under 70 points last season.
"We're a very defensive-oriented team,'' said Miami forward Tim Pollitz. "We focus on our defensive pressure. That's the name of our game. We frustrated the heck out of USC and Louisville because of our scrappy play. We've surprised teams. We've been doing this lately against bigger opponents.''
Miami sometimes gets the drop on power conference teams who aren't prepared for such a grinding game. Since the Illini rallied from a 16-point deficit to edge Miami 51-49 last season at the Sears Centre in the Hoffman Estates last season, the element of surprise is gone, said Miami coach Charlie Coles.
"If teams know what they're up against, we sometimes have a hard time,'' Coles said. "I know coach Weber is going to make sure they know what they're up against, so we might be in trouble. It's harder if we can't sneak up on them.''
Miami junior forward Michael Bramos, who leads the Redhawks with 19 points a game, is questionable with a sprained ankle.
NOTES: A recent MRI taken of Illinois sophomore reserve center Brian Carlwell's sprained knee showed more damage than expected. He will likely miss at least three more weeks after sitting out the last three weeks. Weber mentioned the possibility of a medical redshirt. Carlwell is only walking on a treadmill and riding a stationary bike. . .
John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. For more coverage, read Illini Talk blog at www.sj-r.com <http://www.sj-r.com> and www.pjstar.com <http://www.pjstar.com> .
Illinois (6-3) vs. Miami (5-4)
6 p.m., Assembly Hall, Champaign (Big Ten Network, Illini Sports Network)
ILLINOIS (6-3) ppg rpg
F Brian Randle Sr. 6-8 9.8 4.7
C Shaun Pruitt Sr. 6-10 11.9 7.7
G Trent Meacham Jr. 6-2 11.5 2.0
G Calvin Brock Jr. 6-5 8.8 4.1
G Chester Frazier Jr. 6-2 5.9 6.0
MIAMI (5-4) ppg rpg
F Tim Pollitz Sr. 6-5 17.8 6.4
F Eric Pollitz Jr. 6-5 3.9 2.4
C Tyler Diekers Jr. 6-8 4.8 4.9
G Alex Moosman So. 6-0 5.0 1.2
G Kenny Hayes Jr. 6-0 9.0 4.1
Noteworthy: Illinois leads the series 4-0 after Frazier hit the game-winning basket with 18 seconds left last season. Pruitt had 12 points and 10 rebounds last season against Miami. Frazier, who scored 10 points, was the only other Illini to reach double figures. . . Miami forward Michael Bramos, who is questionable with a sprained ankle, scored a career-high 36 points in a 63-62 loss to Dayton. Tim Pollitz had a career-high 26 points against Chicago State Tuesday, when Bramos didn't play . . . Miami was picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference east division. . . Miami is located in Oxford, Ohio.
Key for Illini: Improve an offense that was out of sync Monday against Western Carolina. And don't look ahead to Missouri.
Key for RedHawks: Limit the easy opportunities for Illinois' offense and make it more difficult on a team trying to find its groove.
Key quote: "Last year when we picked up our intensity and spread them out, they had a little trouble. That has to be one of our goals. To use our athleticism and depth, make it hard on them to earn baskets and wear them down.'' -- Illinois coach Bruce Weber.
Prediction: Illinois 59, Miami 50