[JNixonParticipant]

#7: Illinois Fighting Illini

Frontcourt- Illinois has a stable of finesse frontline guys. Their starting C is Mike Tisdale, a 7’1 220 guy who is more effective as a stretch C than as a low post guy due to his lack of core strength. Tisdale has a good mid-range shot that’s nearly unblockable due to his height and release point, is a strong pick and roll/pop option at the C spot, and he is a good shot-blocker at the college level. Still, he’s very weak and he has poor leverage to make up for it, he can’t establish position down low well offensively against true C’s, and he’s stiff athletically. He’s a fringe NBA prospect, but I don’t really like him much as a prospect. The starting PF will be 6’9 220 Mike Davis, a nice talent. Davis is a mismatch threat with the ability to make mid-range shots, score off the dribble, and he’s a good passer and rebounder too. He’s more smooth than explosive, and he has a long and wiry build. He needs to get stronger to maximize his athletic potential, get more range on shot to be an even bigger mismatch, and continue to polish his overall skill-set. He’s also not really tough or aggressive yet, which should improve some in time. Davis is an NBA prospect who I wouldn’t be surprised to see slide into the 1st round with a good season and the notoriety of playing on a potentially great team. Providing depth in the frontcourt was Sr. PF Bill Cole, and Fr. C Meyers Leonard. Cole, at 6’9 215 is another perimeter shooting PF with nice touch. He’s not going to provide more than that though. Leonard, 7’ 220, is a talented guy with good athleticism for his size. He can stretch the floor too, and he’s an above average passer too. He lacks strength, which will limit him next year in post D a bit, hurt his ability to finish, and make him less effective as a low post player. Leonard should chip in 5 ppg, 4 rpg, and close to a block a game as a Fr. Also in the fold at the SF spot is the long and athletic 6’8 Jereme Richmond. Richmond is a terror in transition with his length, explosiveness and quickness, and he has developing handles and mid-range scoring ability. He’s rough around the edges a little bit and lacks polished perimeter skills, but his D and athleticism will allow him to get quality rotation time as a Fr. Expect about 8 ppg, 4 rpg, and 1 spg from Richmond, who should be fun to watch next year, but he’s more of a 2012 prospect to me. They have a bunch of finesse guys, and they would’ve been smart to find a banger down low to chance the pace some, but they have serious talent in their frontcourt.

Backcourt- Demetri McCamey is in store for an All-America level season. McCamey is an outstanding talent (15 ppg, 7 apg, 3 rpg, 1.5 spg, on 45% from the field last year), even though people overlook his strengths to find weakness. He is a 6’3 215 PG with the strength to get to the rim and finish, good handles, nice pick and roll ability, the ability to make plays for teammates and for himself, and he performs well in the clutch. McCamey is a solid mid-range player, but his 3-ball is mediocre. He isn’t more than average athletically either, which makes him have to try hard on D to deny penetration and things like that. He’s also had some character concerns, as he’s not seen eye-to-eye with Coach Weber on occasion. Still, I think he will be a good PG for whoever picks him in the 2011 draft. He reminds me of Andre Miller. He’s one of the top 5 PG’s college basketball too. They could run a 3-guard lineup with Soph.’s D.J Richardson and Brandon Paul being their SG and off-guard respectively. The 6’3 195 Richardson (10 ppg in 30 mpg) is a good shooter from the mid-range and from deep (39% from 3) with an understanding of how to move without the ball, a strong defender on the ball, and a player who displayed a good basketball IQ for a Fr. He is pretty well-rounded, and if he has worked on his strength and ball-handling this off-season (I think he has), he should be in store for a nice increase in effectiveness and production, after shooting 40% from the floor last year. I expect Richardson to get about 14 ppg next year on improved efficiency from the field. Paul, at 6’4 195, is a true SG who looks for his shot 1st and foremost. Last year, he was the 6th Man for Illinois in an instant offense kind of role. Paul was ineffective down the conference swing for Illinois, but it’s clear he has potential as a good scorer in college. Paul likes to attack the rim and he’s a good athlete, but he needs to improve his ability to pick his spots and he needs a better shot selection from 3. He’s not a bad shooter like his 27% suggests, but he doesn’t have a mid-range game which hurts his efficiency. The SG spot has depth with 6’4 Fr. Crandall Head figuring to get some time in the rotation. Head is a good athlete and slasher who will put pressure on his man when he’s in the game with his aggressive mentality. He’s not yet a very good shooter, but his athleticism will factor in. Head will be good for 6 or 7 ppg next year while playing solid D. With McCamey looking primed for another big year, Head expected to have an impact a little, and Paul and Richardson a year older and better, this group will be very good.

Overview- If Bruce Weber can’t figure out a way for this team to be very, very good next year he might need to look at himself deeply. This team has all its best contributors back, and they have some of the best talent not only in the Big 10 but in the nation. McCamey is a gamer, I don’t care what you say, and he’s an elite college player. I think with his running the show and everyone a year better and older, this team should be an Elite 8 or Final 4 team. The biggest challenge Weber has to make pre-game is getting these guys to play consistent, and to figure out if he wants to start a 3-guard lineup (McCamey, Richardson and at off-guard Paul) or go conventional (McCamey, Richardson, with Richmond at starting SF). I’d go conventional if I were him.

[ZaratukParticipant]

Thanks this info really helps. Paul or Richardson??

[ZaratukParticipant]

Thanks this info really helps. Paul or Richardson??

[JNixonParticipant]

No problem.

I’d take Richardson, even though Paul has more upside for the long-term

[JNixonParticipant]

No problem.

I’d take Richardson, even though Paul has more upside for the long-term

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

this team reminds me of the team that went to the final 4 a few years ago..

i love that demitri & andre miller comparison…

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

this team reminds me of the team that went to the final 4 a few years ago..

i love that demitri & andre miller comparison…

[ChewyParticipant]

This is a classic case of body vs brains. Richardson is an amazing defender and an increadibly heady player who is always in the right spots on offense and defense. Paul is much more athletic and is always in attack mode (which leads to both stupid mistakes and all star highlights.)

Also, Bill Cole can play some 3 and did so at times last yr w/ Davis and Tisdale up front. His lack of shooting hurts at the 3, but his length really helps their team defense. I do not see why Richmond can’t come up and fill this “long 3” role right away.

[ChewyParticipant]

This is a classic case of body vs brains. Richardson is an amazing defender and an increadibly heady player who is always in the right spots on offense and defense. Paul is much more athletic and is always in attack mode (which leads to both stupid mistakes and all star highlights.)

Also, Bill Cole can play some 3 and did so at times last yr w/ Davis and Tisdale up front. His lack of shooting hurts at the 3, but his length really helps their team defense. I do not see why Richmond can’t come up and fill this “long 3” role right away.

[Author]

Posts