UI-Texas A&M CC notebook

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After approaching an Assembly Hall record with a gritty defensive effort, the Illini drew high praise from Bruce Weber.

"I thought the last 13-15 minutes of the first half, our players played as hard as any team I've ever been associated with, in that stretch," Weber said.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi scored just 12 points in the first half of a 72-53 loss to Illinois on Sunday. That was the fewest points scored by an Islanders team in a half.

The Assembly Hall record for fewest points scored in a half by an opponent: 10, managed by Southern Mississippi on Dec. 3, 1984. By shutting down passing lanes and pressuring the ball, the Illini held the Islanders scoreless for more than 10 minutes in the first half.

"It seemed like we were everywhere," Weber said. "That's what we've really preached."

The energy seemed to come from everywhere, too. Weber said "Trent (Meacham) was spectacular" in drawing three offensive fouls, and the coach said a fourth charge could have been called. Chester Frazier was parallel to the floor as he dove over an opponent to secure a loose ball, and Mike Davis pinned a layup attempt against the backboard.

"Right now that's what we're trying to preach: the hard work, the hustle," Weber said. "Those are constants."

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Most of the time when Michael Jordan walks into a gym, he's the main focus. He probably was Sunday, but His Airness had a celebrity rival.

Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose attended Sunday's game and sat courtside, about five rows in front of Jordan in the courtside bleachers near the tunnel. He arrived with older brother Reggie Rose, an influential figure in the Chicago AAU scene.

The draw for Rose presumably was the Chicagoan-rich roster of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Seven Islanders are from the Chicago area, including senior Tim Green, who played with Rose at Simeon, and sophomore Antonio Topps, who played with Rose on the AAU circuit.

"It's nice that Derrick would come down and follow them up," Weber said. "When you think about it, Derrick's (20) years old and still a kid and those are his buddies. It's good. And our guys all know Derrick, too, Demetri (McCamey), Stan (Simpson). Great to have him here."

The UI coaching staff was aware Jordan would be in attendance; he hinted as much after watching an Illinois practice Thursday. The Rose clan was a game-day surprise and was put on the Illini guest pass list.

In an ironic twist, Derrick sat in a familiar seat. On a recruiting visit in 2006, shortly before he signed with Memphis, he sat in the front-row bleachers for the Orange and Blue Scrimmage. He wore orange Nikes that day. Reggie Rose rocked an orange-and-blue jacket and shirt combo on Sunday.

"It's cool that he (Derrick) came by, took time to come down and watch the game," Mike Davis said.

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Illinois fans can thank Tracy Webster for Mike Davis. The former UI assistant, now an assistant under Billy Gillispie at Kentucky, was the first to target Davis when he saw the forward in the spring of 2007.

"He (Webster) just kind of stayed in touch (with Davis)," Weber said.

The initial plan was for Davis to go to prep school for one year, and he went so far as to apply for admission to a prep school on the east coast. Under that scenario, this would have been his first college season.

Thirty-six games into his UI career, Davis enjoyed a breakout game Sunday with career highs of 20 points and 14 rebounds.

"They're an athletic team," Davis said of TAMCC. "So we knew had to box out all night."

Weber is thankful for Davis' family. When Davis was struggling last season, he got a call from Steven Davis, his father. Weber sounded shocked at Steven Davis' assessment.

"Last year we had some parent issues. I got a call from his dad. And I said, 'Oh no, not again,' " Weber said. "His dad said, 'Why do you play him?' And I said, 'What did you say, Mr. Davis?' He said, 'I watch him. He doesn't play hard. He doesn't box out.' "

Davis' work in practice still could use work, Weber said. Along with Demetri McCamey, Davis is the player singled out most often for his practice habits.

"That's helpful when you're a coach and you have a parent back you up," Weber said.

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In his second game at Illinois, junior college transfer Dominique Keller made an impact. He scored nine of his 11 points in a five- minute span in the second half. He added four rebounds in 15 minutes as a reserve.

"If he keeps doing that, those minutes are going to go up and up," Trent Meacham said.

Coaches have emphasized an aggressive approach with Keller. Assistant coach Wayne McClain told him to "get your nose bloody," Weber said, as an example.

"Get your nose bloody every game and give somebody else a bloody nose," Weber said of the exaggerated instructions.

While Davis is the athletic forward that Illinois could use, Keller is the physical forward that can substitute for Davis and provide a different look.

"I thought he was a little more aggressive (Sunday)," Weber said.

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It will be a while before T.J. Bell plays college basketball. But the high school freshman from Charleston certainly has the look of a future collegian.

The 14-year-old said he is 6-foot-7 and first dunked in the summer between his seventh- and eighth-grade years. Bell was one of the recruits in attendance at the Assembly Hall.

He is also the son of Eastern Illinois women's assistant Quacy Timmons. The EIU women faced the Illini earlier Sunday.

"I think it's a great university," Bell said of Illinois. "I like coming to games. I like the surroundings. It seems like a good community."

DeAndre McCamey, a junior point guard at Westchester St. Joseph, and DeJuan Marrero, a freshman out of Gary (Ind.) Bowman, also were among the recruits in attendance.

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Illinois' next opponent, Vanderbilt, plays in an unusual setting. Memorial Gymnasium has the team benches positioned at the ends of the court instead of on the sideline.

"It will be a little different," Weber said. "I have tendency not to stay (in the coach's box) as it is. So I wonder what the heck I'll do there. They might have to put – like (with) little kids – the rope that only goes so far to latch me up."

The elevated court at Memorial Gymnasium "is kind of like Mackey (Arena at Purdue)," said Weber, who will coach at Vanderbilt for the first time.

Illinois has several ties with Vanderbilt. On a summer tour to China, Mike Davis and Demetri McCamey played with Vanderbilt junior Jermaine Beal. UI assistant Jerrance Howard coached the team in China.

As a freshman at Dayton, UI senior Trent Meacham played a game at Vanderbilt. He said the Commodores beat his Flyers.

"It's a tough place to play," Meacham said, adding, "It's just a different environment."

The reason Illinois and Vanderbilt secured a home-and-home series is the close relationship between Weber and Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings.

"Kevin's one of the best offensive coaches I've ever been around," Weber said.

According to the Vanderbilt athletic Web site, Memorial Gymnasium is sold out for the Illinois game Thursday.

- More coverage from Illinois' win against TAMCC: video highlights, Mike Davis shines for Illini, the N-G grades and one-time UI recruit in attendance.

- The N-G's 2008-09 college basketball preview guide.

pklee@news-gazette.com

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