By: Trent Meacham

By: Trent Meacham

By: Trent Meacham

By: Trent Meacham

Inside scoop

Once a month during his senior year, Illinois basketball player and Centennial product Trent Meacham will write a diary for his hometown newspaper. His latest entry, as told to The News-Gazette's Paul Klee:

"What you do is not as important as how you do it." I'm reading Tony Dungy's new book, "Uncommon," and this is a phrase he uses to describe character. It's also a phrase my fiancée, Theresa Lisch, has recently reminded me of. In the sports world of stats and wins and losses and personal glory, it can be so easy to get caught up in all of that. I have to ask myself, "Is my heart in the right place? Am I doing this for the right reasons?" I hope the way I play, and more importantly the way I live, reflects an attitude that's not all about me. Sure, individually I want to play the best basketball of my career to finish the season, but it won't mean anything if I focus entirely on myself. I want to be a part of this team, and help us finish the season playing to the best of our abilities. If we do that, we'll be successful, no matter what anyone says.

I also better listen to what Theresa tells me. And I've got to brag about her – she recently broke the single-season scoring record at Saint Louis University. I'm definitely proud of her accomplishments on the court, but much more so because of the woman she is!

One week from Senior Night and it's hard to imagine playing my last game in the Assembly Hall. It's sad knowing I'll never step on the floor again with an Illinois uniform on. And there's definitely more of a sense of urgency just knowing there's no next year. Still, I haven't thought too much about playing my last game as an Illini, and there's really no time to dwell on that. Besides, I don't think it will hit me until after the season ends. I've enjoyed the journey and want to make it last as long as it can. Even though the regular season is coming down to the last few games, we have it in our minds that we've got a lot of season left. Every game for us is huge, and that's what makes it fun. There's no easy wins. Most games are going down to the wire, and we have to be ready to battle for 40 minutes every night. I know my mom might get a little nervous and likes it when we win by 20, but our mindset is every possession will determine the outcome of the game.

I think all the seniors (Calvin, Chester and C.J.) have a similar feeling coming down to the stretch run. Calvin's been here longer than anyone, and he's been through the best and the worst here at Illinois. It doesn't matter to him; he plays with the same intensity and same energy every day, whether it's practice or a game. From day one, Chester has always played with a lot of heart. It's a testament to the man he is off the court; a person I respect as much as anyone. C.J. has been one of my closest friends on the team since I've been here. He's struggled through injury and been back and forth from football and basketball. His spirits will lift anyone up, and whether it's football or basketball, whichever team he's been with has been successful.

After going the entire month of January without a win away from Champaign, our road win at Northwestern was huge for this team. To be losing the entire game until the final seconds and pull out the win ... I've never been a part of a game like that. We may not have played great for most of the game, but we stayed together and positive as a team and never gave up. Coming from behind for the win was a big step and confidence booster for this team. Hopefully we can use that as we head into the stretch run of this season. The atmosphere at Welsh-Ryan Arena was incredible as well. The Orange Krush and all our fans deserve our thanks! That gym was as loud as any we've played in all year ... we couldn't even hear Coach Weber. It was a game that was just a lot of fun to be a part of, and one that I'll never forget playing in. I also realize how big one shot can be. It can change everyone's entire view of how the teams played. When a game comes down to the final seconds like that, every shot is huge ... I'm just glad Demetri made it, though!

One of the best feelings I've had since being at the U of I was two years ago on Selection Sunday. We really had no idea if we'd get in the tournament or not, and to see our name on the screen was just an incredible feeling. Selection Sunday is three weeks away, and we don't expect the same suspense this year, but we realize we've got a long ways to go. We also won't be satisfied with just an invite this year. For now, I'm just going to enjoy the journey and thank God for where I'm at!

PREVIOUS DIARIES

Jan. 26: Playing as a team link

Dec.  21: Home for the holidays link

Nov. 23: Family matters link

Oct. 25: Dealing with the media link

Sept. 28: Getting engaged link

Aug. 31: Keeping the faith link