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CHAMPAIGN - Not long ago, Demetri McCamey and Mike Tisdale were the focus of recruiting rankings, not two of the reasons Illinois is in the Top 25 rankings.

And the Illini sophomores have a rough recollection of where they were ranked.

"Probably around, like, 51 or something like that," McCamey said.

"Like 100-something," Tisdale estimated. "Nothing major."

Among those in the Illinois fandom that track recruiting, the 2007 recruiting class more often was met with an "ugh" than an "uh-huh!" But the rapid development of the 2007 class is now a big reason No. 23 Illinois is tied for second place in the Big Ten entering a game today at Wisconsin (8 p.m., ESPN).

Sophomores McCamey (12.0 points per game), Tisdale (11.6) and Davis (10.3) are the team's top three scorers in Big Ten games. Those three sophomores have started 20 consecutive games for an Illinois (18-4, 6-3 Big Ten) team that has yet to endure a losing streak. McCamey leads the Big Ten in assists in conference games.

McCamey (No. 72 on Rivals.com, No. 71 on Scout.com) and Tisdale (No. 125 on Rivals.com) were the only members of the original class to earn national rankings, and the Illini class did not register on the team rankings of Scout or Rivals.

"I think we felt good about it. I'm not sure it got as much publicity as we thought it should," coach Bruce Weber said of the 2007 class. "Mike Tisdale was still pretty skinny and came from a Class A school (Riverton). Mike Davis was kind of an unknown. Demetri had the most publicity, but he still had his tendency to be up and down and all over the place."

Classmate Jeff Jordan has been a valuable reserve in one-plus seasons, though Bill Cole has yet to find a niche in the rotation. Another product of the 2007 class, Alex Legion, has played 18 college games after transferring from Kentucky, but he's a talented scorer who can be a major contributor down the road.

"I think the biggest thing is they've all improved," Weber said.

Deron Williams, in 2003-04, was the last sophomore to lead Illinois in scoring.

"I think we've got a good group going, a pretty good core," Tisdale said.

In the Big Ten, sophomore success is not unique to Illinois. The league's top three scorers are sophomores: Penn State's Talor Battle, Michigan's Manny Harris and Ohio State's Evan Turner. The Big Ten likely will have a sophomore named Player of the Year for the first time since Indiana's Jared Jeffries (2002).

"I think on every team there's a semi-super sophomore," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.

There were recruiting misses in 2007, as well, and that led to a class that arrived with minimal buzz. (Ohio State's Evan Turner comes to mind.) And Illinois' second-year contingent has room for improvement – "The big dudes just got to put on a little more size," senior Calvin Brock said – though it has exceeded expectations.

Those of recruiting analysts, at least.

"We're learning every day and getting better. That's the biggest thing: How are you going to approach every day?" McCamey said. "I think Tisdale and Mike Davis, they're doing a good job in the frontcourt, and me and Jeff in the backcourt. Then we've got Alex coming along, a transfer from Kentucky.

"I think the future's bright for us. We've got to keep getting better all the time."