CHAMPAIGN – One-hundred miles east of here, first-year coach Joe Tiller works with a 4-1 Purdue team.

Eight hours north and west, first-year coach Glen Mason holds a 2-4 record at Minnesota.

Three hours south and east, first-year coach Cam Cameron already has a win. OK, it came against Ball State, but it still counts.

Of the Big Ten’s four new coaches, only Illinois’ Ron Turner hasn’t put a game in the left-hand column. The 0-6 start isn’t what Turner had in mind.

But the 0-6 start doesn’t make Turner question his decision to come to the school. His faith in his system is unbending.

“I don’t wonder about that at all,” Turner said. “I get upset because I want to win, and I want to see our guys play better and compete better. I don’t ever lose sight of where we’re going and how we’re going to get there. I know we’re going to get there, it’s just a matter of when.”

The fact that “when’’ came earlier at Purdue, Indiana and Minnesota doesn’t surprise Turner.

“I knew coming in, even though I didn’t study a lot of film, that of the four this was probably the one that was the lowest abilitywise and talent-wise and had the furthest to go,” Turner said. “But I also think it has the most potential. It has the biggest upside. It’s the only one of the four I would even consider taking.”

Before he can reach the upside, Turner needs to fix a few problems. He continues to point to the lack of strength and size for his Illini. Strength coach Pat Moorer is working on it, but significant gains will take at least a year. Realistically, it’s more like two.

Turner also faces a facility deficit that hit home at Wisconsin. The Badgers own a state-of-the-art indoor practice facility next to Camp Randall Stadium. When recruits visit Illinois during the season, Turner can’t show them his indoor facility. The bubble hasn’t been inflated yet.

“We need a permanent indoor practice facility,” Turner said. “That would help in our recruiting. That would help in our preparation. That’s the biggest thing right now.”

The lack of an indoor home costs Illinois recruits. “No question,” Turner said. “It’s more than a player or two.”

The 0-6 record isn’t as big of a deal in recruiting. The Illinois coaches don’t avoid the record when talking to high school players. They don’t dwell on it, either.

“We’ll say, ‘We’re not where we need to be,’ ” Turner said. “Positions are open. We’ve got some things in place to be good in the future. We’re laying the foundation for it.”

During the team’s lone off week of the season, Turner and his staff worked on the foundation. The coaches and players spent time on individual skills. No talk about Purdue, next Saturday’s homecoming opponent.

The practices were meant to feel more like training camp. Offense went against defense. Players had to compete to keep their positions.

Then, they rested. The players have today, Saturday and Sunday off.

“I think it will be good for them to get away,” Turner said.

The short week helped the recovery of several injured Illini. Center Tom Schau, out three games with an ankle injury, likely will be back. That moves Chris Brown to left guard.

“That’s hurt us the last few games,” Turner said. “We’re better with Tom at center and Chris at guard.”

Defensive end Ryan Murphy, out three games with a high ankle sprain, also is likely for the Boilermakers. Redshirt freshmen Fred Wakefield and Karleton Thomas shared the position while Murphy was out.

The coaches aren’t lounging this weekend. They are out looking for the next batch of recruits, Turner’s first full class.

“It seems to be going well,” Turner said. “It’s early.”