Quick take: 5 Things from O&B Scrimmage

Why the change in Demetri McCamey? Click here to find out.

View photos of Sunday's event here.

Listen to the radio broadcast of the scrimmage here.

Beat writer Paul Klee's five things that stood out at tonight's Orange & Blue Scrimmage at the Assembly Hall:

The Demetri show
Illinois hosted its annual coaches clinic on Saturday. About 165 high school coaches watched the team practice, and Demetri McCamey drew "oohs" with a no-look bounce pass that Mike Davis converted into a layup. The dazzle was still there Sunday - McCamey had 11 assists. But it was the passes he didn't make that shows why coaches have faith in their primary point guard. McCamey had just one turnover in 21 minutes. "He's the best player," associate head coach Wayne McClain said. "He dominated." And he did so without scoring much (13 points). Coaches don't want McCamey to settle for three-pointers, and he fired up just three, making one. There's been a bounce to his step lately - especially in a highlight-reel, left-handed dunk attempt in practice Saturday - and it's become clear this is McCamey's team to lead. "He's playing like you hope he could," Weber said. McCamey's teams also went 3-1 - "He should have been 4-0," Weber said, if not for a late lead swing - the only stat that matters.

Offense 1, Defense 0
A positive was that 171 points were scored in 32 minutes. A negative was that 171 points were scored in 32 minutes. So is that a sign of good offense or bad defense? Probably a little of both. "I think we've got more scoring weapons. But I think we're always going to try to (defend)," McClain said. "That's been our strength. I just think we haven't had as many weapons (in recent years). We go from a team that hardly can score, to a lot of guys that can score now." Weber always will emphasize defense, and this group has a long way to go on that end. Here's a guess their film session today will focus on the defensive lapses in the scrimmage. "We're getting the ball out and pushing it," said center Mike Tisdale, who had 21 points in 21 minutes. On the plus side, you probably won't have to endure a game in which Illinois scores just 33 points. But you probably won't see many games where Illinois holds an opponent to 38. And we can all agree that's probably a good trade-off.

The pressure's on
Coaches have watched film of Louisville as they try to work some of Rick Pitino's fullcourt pressure into their own gameplan, and they toyed with a press on Sunday. "I like the fullcourt press," said freshman D.J. Richardson, who added that he's used to fullcourt pressure because that's what his team played at Findlay Prep. That seems to be the consensus among the players - they want to use more fullcourt pressure - and Weber said the team's depth lends itself to more fullcourt pressure. But recent Illinois teams haven't used a press very often, and it figures to be a wrinkle more than a staple. "I think slowly but surely we'll try to figure it out," said Weber. The coach said he also would like to use some zone in the exhibition game against Missouri Southern on Friday.

No. 33 for 3
Coaches have altered their approach with streaky shooting guard Alex Legion. Instead of harping on his defense, "We told him to just play," assistant Jerrance Howard said. That means even more of a green light on offense, and Legion responded with a Scrimmage-best 28 points. "Coach told me the other day (Tuesday) in the scrimmage, 'Just run and whenever I'm open, shoot,'" Legion said. That's music to Legion's ears, and a sparse crowd of about 3,500 fans gave him the loudest ovation when he checked out with 1:10 remaining. "I told the coaches to get him out at the end. He made his last shot, make him feel good about himself," Bruce Weber said. It would be a plus for the Illini if Legion can secure a spot in the starting lineup. That would keep his confidence up and allow them to bring scoring off the bench with freshman Brandon Paul.

Poll dancing
Thursday's the day when you find out if Illinois is considered a Top 25 team. That's when the preseason AP Top 25 is released. Weber indicated the Illini probably deserve to be right on the bubble of the Top 25. "I always say we're probably in that top 40 in the country," he said. "How do the freshmen come along? How well do we guard? We can definitely be a top-25, top-20 team. But a lot of things have to happen before we really grab that thing and hold onto it." Thursday also is when the Big Ten hosts its annual media day in Chicago and the top three vote-getters are announced. Michigan State-Purdue will be 1-2, with Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota or Ohio State in the third spot.

Comments

Add a Comment