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CHAMPAIGN – On a powerhouse roster at Findlay Prep, D.J. Richardson wasn't the go-to guy.

Sometimes he wasn't Option A, B or C – at least on offense.

"I was in the perfect spot," Richardson said. "We had a team full of all-stars."

The Peorian won't be asked to be an all-star as a freshman at Illinois, either. But some of the Illini's all-stars played as though they were more interested in watching Sunday NFL games than closing the exhibition season with a flourish.

So Richardson took over, scoring 23 points as No. 23 Illinois outlasted Quincy 84-63 at the Assembly Hall. The contest was more competitive than the final score would indicate; Quincy trailed by one with 10:04 remaining.

"Tonight, he almost saved us," coach Bruce Weber said of Richardson, who dazzled with eight straight points during one stretch in the second half.

That was the good. But it wasn't all good for Illinois.

This season Weber opened his motivational bag of tricks early. He didn't single anyone out, but he pointed in the direction of the upperclassmen expected to lead the Illini. Guys like Mike Davis (four points in 25 minutes), Dominique Keller (two in 15) and Alex Legion ("In 13 minutes he took 10 shots," Weber said), for example.

"As a coach, obviously talent is important," Weber said. "But if you have a talented player that has no passion, that doesn't do you very good."

In his defense, Davis led the Illini with 10 Matto points, a formula used to calculate hustle. And there's been a slight adjustment for the big men thus far. The drive-and-dish days of Chester Frazier have been replaced with the drive-and-look-to-score days of Richardson and Brandon Paul, so the big guys aren't getting as many open looks.

The top three big men attempted just 11 shots. The four top guards fired up 41.

"Obviously, we didn't have great mental preparation to be ready to play," Weber said.

The exhibition finale provided yet another example of how the 2009-10 season could be a roller coaster ride. Richardson struggled in practice last week, yet he was their best player Sunday. Meanwhile, Davis had several practice days "where he was the best player on the court," Weber said.

Which Illini performs like an all-star probably will be a day-to-day guessing game.

"We haven't experienced playing in front of other people's fans yet, so we still have a lot to learn," Richardson said.

In one season at prep school, Richardson often toiled in the shadows of guys like Avery Bradley (a freshman at Texas), Tristan Thompson (a Texas recruit) and Cory Joseph (a top-10 prospect). He showed again Sunday he can score, too, but still wants to be the defensive stopper at Illinois.

"The day before, we do a review of the (opposing) team. Afterward, I say, 'Coach, I want to guard him.' He'll say, 'Next game you'll guard him,' " Richardson said. "I prepare every night to guard the best player."

Notebook. Illinois opens the regular season at home Friday against SIU-Edwardsville. ... Illinois' 2010 recruits – Crandall Head, Meyers Leonard and Jereme Richmond – were in attendance Sunday. Each said he would sign a letter of intent Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period. ... A pair of 2012 prospects from Indiana also were at the game. Broad Ripple's Ron Patterson and Lawrence Central's Jeremy Hollowell said they have Illinois offers. Patterson said it was his second visit to Illinois; Hollowell said it was his first. ... Weber withheld redshirt freshman Stan Simpson for a second straight exhibition game: "He's got to show us that it's really important to him." ... Freshman Joseph Bertrand (knee) didn't play. "We're hoping by Tuesday we'll get him back in," Weber said.