Seems those Illinois-Purdue ties extend to their starting lineups.

Just as Bruce Weber brought Demetri McCamey off the bench in Illinois' season opener, Matt Painter brought his best player off the bench in Purdue's season opener. E'Twaun Moore was spelled by Decatur's own Lewis Jackson in the starting lineup as Purdue walloped Detroit 82-50 on Friday.

Compare these post-game comments to see the similarities.

Weber: "I expect him, just like I did Dee, Deron and Luther, to be the best worker, the hardest workers, on a daily basis. If he does that, it's going to make it a lot easier on me and it's going to help the team in the long run."

Painter told the South Bend Tribune: "I started the guys I thought had the best practices. I really don't care (if Moore was okay with the situation). I'm focused on the five guys who deserved to start. You have to reward guys."

How to explain these decisions?

From the Keady-Weber-Painter school of thought, sending an early season message is more important than putting the most talented starting lineup on the floor. McCamey is Illinois' best player. Though Robbie Hummel was voted Big Ten preseason Player of the Year, the Boilers will tell you Moore is their best player. And both guys played starter's minutes (McCamey played 29, Moore 23).

McCamey will be fine. I've watched him dominate practices and pickup games, though it happened more often when Jamar Smith was in the mix. He has the ability to do that most of the time, and that's what Weber said he wants to see. Apparently, that's what Painter wants to see from Moore.

Regardless, good for Lewis Jackson. The News-Gazette's reigning State Player of the Year is leaving a mark (very) early in his college career. I still think you'll see Jackson, a dynamic point guard, impact his team as much as any freshman in the Big Ten. And I think he'll be on the All-Freshman team, because he's perfect for what Painter wants to do. Purdue has the league's top three returning three-point shooters hovering around the perimeter, and Jackson can drive and kick to his heart's content. And he's a bulldog on defense, which is Purdue's calling card.

Jackson's height -- he's generously listed at 5-foot-9 -- scared away some recruiters. Not Painter. I asked the coach if he had reservations. Painter said, "We don't worry about Lewis as much as I think other teams will worry about Lewis."

Not to mention that Lewis Jackson dunked as a 5-foot-2 seventh grader.

So give it up for Decatur.

And take it easy on Demetri. There are alot of people who want to see him succeed, and he's going to carry Illinois at times this season.

pklee@news-gazette.com