As Bruce Weber reminded the Illini before their first official practice Friday, the exhibition opener is only two weeks from today. Beat writer Paul Klee breaks down the Illinois and Big Ten storylines as the 2008-09 college basketball season approaches:

3 crucial Illini

Demetri McCamey: Start with ring leader Demetri McCamey, because that's where it starts for Illinois. Bruce Weber wanted to name the sophomore a team captain after an offseason in which I thought McCamey turned the corner. He minded weight room and off-court duties like a veteran. He was dynamic, the team's best player, even with Jamar Smith in tow. And since the coaches began running workouts again, McCamey has reverted back to the indifferent ways that often put him in Weber's doghouse as a freshman. Deron Williams was informed of McCamey's struggles, and late Thursday the Jazz star had a heart-to-heart with McCamey, who idolizes the gold medalist. The conversation wasn't always pleasant, but Deron sees potential in McCamey. Here's the thing: Illinois Wolves coach Mike Mullins and Westchester St. Joseph coach Gene Pingatore would bench McCamey for lackluster effort – Mullins often used the tough-love approach – and their teams still could win. Weber doesn't have that luxury. But the coach isn't going to be any less stubborn – he coaches with the long-term in mind – so you can bet he'll bench his would-be star at some point. Will McCamey develop into the next great UI point guard and early-entry NBA draft pick I think he will be? Illinois' season depends on it.

The Three Seniors: Here's one reason Weber said he hopes Calvin Brock, Chester Frazier and Trent Meacham "have the best years of their careers." Brock is the lone holdover from the 2004-05 Final Four squad. Frazier played backup when Dee Brown won the Bob Cousy Award. Meacham has seen five Illinois teams win Big Ten championships since the Champaign product was 12. Those firsthand experiences with the best of Illinois underlines what's been missing from the past two teams. Most of the players arrived after a golden era and saw only the fruits of the labor, not the labor. They heard of Dee, Deron and Luther winning 37 games but didn't see how they worked to get there. The three seniors should know what it takes. Toss in the fact Brock, Frazier and Meacham could combine for upward of 70 minutes per game – they'll play a lot – and much will be expected of the three seniors.

Mike Tisdale: It's strange, but of the six sophomores, Mike Tisdale is the one coaches worry about the least, but the only one counted on to replace a three-year starter. That minimal concern stems from Tisdale's work ethic. A week after undergoing a minor leg surgery, coaches had to tell him to get off the practice court during a drill. The 7-foot-1 center participated in almost all of the team's drills Friday, the official first day of practice, and he's on track to play Sunday in the Orange and Blue Scrimmage. Guards like Frazier and Meacham prefer playing with Tisdale vs. the departed Shaun Pruitt, largely because he's mobile, spreads the defense and is a better passer. What he's not: a strong rebounder. Everyone from Weber to Tisdale's parents has implored him to improve a rebounding clip of 1.6 boards per game. Tisdale, 19, is young for a sophomore, though Weber hopes he can play about 20 minutes per game. He played 20-plus minutes once last season, when Pruitt was suspended at Ohio State. For comparison's sake, recent centers Pruitt (19.4 minutes as a sophomore) and Brian Cook (24.2) played right around that mark in their second seasons.

3 Illini storylines

Weber's calling: Bruce Weber has a clean canvas to work with: six sophomores, three new players and three seniors who know the drill. After last season's 16-19 disaster, he should have their ear. Some fans already have turned their attention to the 2009-10 campaign, when the first highly regarded recruiting class arrives. Weber doesn't see it that way. "It's great if we have some good groups coming up. But they still have to get here and prove themselves," he said. "And I tell these guys, 'If you do what you're supposed to – in the weight room, in skill development – the younger guys shouldn't beat you out.' I hope these guys keep improving, then we can add that next group to the mix." In 30 seasons as a college coach, Weber has won 17 or fewer games four times. The seasons that followed those down years resulted in berths in the NIT, NCAA Sweet 16, NCAA second round and NIT.

Scheduling matters: One area where Illinois has excelled the past two seasons: scheduling. The 2006-07 schedule, rated 24th nationally, was a central reason Illinois slipped in the back door of the NCAA tournament. The 2007-08 schedule was rated 23rd nationally. "There's a lot of thought that goes into the schedule," said assistant Jay Price, who handles scheduling duties. "You look at who they have coming back, who they are, where you hope they'll end up in the RPI." The schedule this season was pieced together with the idea Jamar Smith would be in the lineup. Still, the schedule is more than manageable. The hope is that Vanderbilt (Nov. 20), Clemson (Dec. 2) and Georgia (Dec. 6) aren't significantly better than preseason projections indicate.

Recruit, recruit, recruit: The coaches have stayed true to their promise of recruiting committed prospects as though they were uncommitted. For example, Illinois soon will make its fourth trip to D.J. Richardson's prep school in Las Vegas, and the coaches didn't miss one of Jereme Richmond's (below) 14 AAU games in July. The first day of the early signing period, Nov. 12, figures to be the program's highlight since an NCAA tournament berth in March 2006.

3 Big Ten storylines

Baby Boilers, Part II: The Boilers should be the Big Ten's preseason favorites. Their coaches believe E'Twaun Moore (right) has All-America potential, but it's the offseason development of center JaJuan Johnson that gives them Elite Eight potential. One NBA scout said Johnson is their top pro prospect. Why the Boilers could slip: They won't sneak up on anyone. Why they won't: Purdue returns the Big Ten's top three three-point shooters, and you know a Matt Painter-coached team will defend.

Recruiting Upswing: Tired of "the Big Ten is down" talk on ESPN? Lately it's been accurate, but that will change soon. The Big Ten is on a recruiting upswing that should transform the league during the next three seasons. Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin have strong classes lined up in 2009 and 2010, while Michigan State, Ohio State and Purdue have continued their recruiting successes. I don't see another conference better equipped for the 2009-10 season and beyond.

Hoosier Slide: This won't go over well in C-U, but here's how you know Indiana remains one of college basketball's elite: that IU will post a single-season record for losses is a national story. When other programs fall off the map, they become irrelevant. The stripped-bare Hoosiers will be a story from the Maui Invitational to the Big Ten tournament. On a large scale, it's like UCLA's 10- and 11-win records in 2002 and 2003. On a small scale, it's like Kentucky's home loss to Gardner-Webb last season. The Bruins and 'Cats drew attention for their failures, and the Hoosiers will do the same. The school record is 17 losses, by the way. That could fall by late February.

3 (exhibition) games to watch

Northern Michigan at Michigan State, Nov. 5 — Here's a guess Tom Izzo (left) shows a tape of Grand Valley State's 85-82 exhibition triumph against the Spartans last season.

Walsh (Ohio) at Ohio State, Nov. 13 — Freshman 7-footer B.J. Mullens will be the third one-and-done center recruited by Thad Matta, following Greg Oden and Kosta Koufos.

Florida Southern at Illinois, Nov. 2 — Only Purdue (Oct. 31) and Wisconsin (Nov. 1) have earlier exhibitions than the Illini, who endured a second strenuous practice Saturday.

pklee@news-gazette.com