Tate: Frankly, McCamey reminds me of another Illini
Ask Tate and Turpin about Illinois' NCAA tournament chances — or will it be the NIT? — here.
CHAMPAIGN – Like Frank Williams a decade ago, Demetri McCamey produces sleight-of-hand magic at times. But like Williams, the UI's 2001 Big Ten Player of the Year, McCamey and his personality are not always in tune with what fans expect of their Illini leader.
His problem is that he hits peaks that he can't always return to. He's like the soprano who hits high C on Friday and coughs at the precise moment on Saturday. It's called inconsistency.
Two years ago in the Big Ten tournament, the then-freshman went 6 for 6 on treys and bagged 26 points in a 74-67 overtime upset of Purdue. He was shaky (3 for 11 on treys) the next two days with single-digit outputs in a 54-50 win against Minnesota and a 61-48 blowout loss to Wisconsin.
What not to expect from a freshman?
Well, for all his improvement – his 139 Big Ten assists this season missed the conference record by two – there are games when erraticism rears its ugly head ... his task becoming ever more difficult because opponents concentrate so heavily on him.
Such was the case as Illinois' NCAA tournament hopes faded in Sunday's 72-57 loss to Wisconsin.
On a roller coaster
McCamey had a rough day that got rougher as it progressed. When Illinois climbed within 55-50, he followed Mike Davis' air ball with an off-balance miss of his own. And at 58-50, his frustration boiled over as he was whistled for an intentional foul (the refs got that one right) and was reminded by coach Bruce Weber, who benched him briefly, to return to the huddle when he wandered off.
This is the same McCamey who racked 25 points with seven assists in a home win against the Badgers last year, and garnered another 27 points in Wisconsin's only home loss this season, 63-56 on Feb. 9. It should be mentioned that, two games prior to defeating the Badgers last year, he went 0 for 9 at Michigan State, and five days after throttling the Badgers he was part of incredible UI ineptness in a 59-36 loss at Minnesota.
History appears to be repeating itself. McCamey produced 49 points and 18 assists in consecutive defeats of Michigan State and Wisconsin last month, and doled out 16 assists at Purdue on Feb. 20 ... only to enter the Big Ten tournament Friday with a severe case of struggles.
This is happening, in part, because he is the one source of Illini offense, and opponents are bent on slowing him down. He is so necessary. On an off day, garnering four assists, he still had twice as many as the combined efforts of the other five UI players with at least 20 minutes. It reminded of the Minnesota game when McCamey had 10 assists and the rest of the team managed four.
Just the beginning?
Illini problems Sunday, of course, went far beyond McCamey. The quicker Badgers outhustled the Illini from the outset, outrebounded them 40-30 (with 17 offensive boards) and made clutch shots when they needed them. Weber couldn't find anyone to guard Jon Leuer, who flashed NBA skills with 20 points in 26 minutes. Swift guards Trevon Hughes and Jordan Taylor combined for 34 points and 19 rebounds while across the way McCamey and freshmen wings D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul made four baskets in 20 shots. Illinois reached the free throw line more than usual – Wisconsin will foul rather than allow an easy shot – but had just three field goals in the first 17 minutes of the second half.
What does it mean? Just this: In a 10-8 Big Ten season, the Illini went 2-6 against the top four. And with those four expected to come back strong next season – pardon the repetition – Illinois will be hard pressed to improve on a fifth-place finish unless their tall, slender frontline gets stronger, quicker and develops some playmaking skills.
For the time being, we will all concentrate on the longshot opportunity awaiting in Indianapolis. If the stars are aligned, Illinois is capable of an upset or two. Make a few threes, and anything can happen. But Illinois is operating at a clear disadvantage. By necessity, they lean too heavily on McCamey, and you can never be certain whether he is up to such heavy lifting.
Loren Tate writes for the News-Gazette. He can be reached at ltate@news-gazette.com.
I can see the comparison, but I absolutely loved Frank Williams game and the Illini teams from his years here. Maybe it was because his supporting cast was so much better and they were actually a fun team to watch. If Frankie had been passing to Cole and Tisdale instead of Cookie and Serg then maybe I wouldn't have enjoyed that team either. This has been my least favorite Illini team in the modern era, and I am really indifferent on DMac. Of course, that is a step up from how I feel about the rest of this team. I wouldn't be surprised if DMac leaves for the NBA, regardless of where he might be drafted, just so he doesn't have to play another year of Weber-ball.
Loren, be creative and bold, what do Weber, Guenther, boosters and fans do right after the tournaments to turn this recent disappointing 4 year trend around big time? We expect much more consistent play and winning, academic success, Big Ten leadership, and deep tournament success, annually.
I've said it before and will say it again and that is we are and have been reaping the harvest of several years of poor recruiting. Illinois is inconsistent because we don't have talent that is comparable to the upper teams in the league. Some teams we can match up with such as Purdue or even MSU on occasion but, the glaring talent disparity was obviously apparent against OSU.
That said this team does or should have had enough talent to get wins against teams like Utah, Bradley, Minnesota, Georgia and Northwestern in Evanston. And that brings us to another deficiency. Good old fashioned toughness or tenacity. That and consistent effort and energy. While competing for the B10 title was too lofty a goal for this bunch, just getting into the NCAA should not have been.
Given all the recruiting issues since Bruce arrived we have seen that shortcoming improve with the 09 class and the 10 class is one of the better ones in the country. The 2011 looks at least above average so far. But, can he motivate them and get them to listen? That too seems to be an issue at least with this year's team but it's hard to change a player’s inherent nature. You can't make a Mike Davis or Tisdale into Chester Frazier, Dee Brown or Lucas Johnson from an attitude standpoint. If Chester was part of this team I guarantee you we would have at least two or three more wins and at least off the bubble.
No, this isn't a cry to fire Weber at least not right now. But Illini nation is getting increasingly impatient as the seasons roll by and 05 becomes nostalgia. Weber probably deserves a chance to coach what should be his best talent that he has recruited since coming here. But, if Weber can't get a Sweet 16 or better showing by 2012 with that bunch then he may never have a better chance. At that point a change should at least be strongly considered if not made. Illini nation is getting impatient and rightfully so.
calling out DMac once again this time by a guy who should know better. This team is just not that good. The freshmen are freshmen, our bigs are soft and we have no 3pt shooter. That is obvious. DMac is first team all big ten on a mediocre team. Instead of celebrating that point you call him out after a huge loss. The kid carried the team all season while Frank had a team that had much better talent and was successful. He is the guy you need to stop and the better teams have done it. He has had a great season and it is a joke that you rip him in your lame column.
I would happen to agree that on any given night you are not sure what you will get from McCamey. But I will also say I like how the young man has improved. Part of his inconsistency now is that he is routinely keyed on by the other team. The issue now is how to elevate his game to that top tier level (which he has shown he can attain) more often. In the end it is the supporting cast which lets him down. Brandon Paul makes more then his fair share of freshman mistakes. The fact that people were so high on this kid as a freshman shows how delusional Illinois fans can sometimes be. I still root for the kid, and he will be good someday when he gets more experience, but the talk I saw before the season about the kid was laughable.
The reasons we are an NIT team.
1. BW’s inability to develop one of the best athletes that he has recruited in a long time. Brandon Paul. In October I was hearing reports on how BP was consistently the best player on the floor in practices and he got off to a fast start in the regular season (many claimed one and done, Dwayne Wade clone etc etc.) He progressively became a head case throughout the year because of the lack of coaching and mentoring by Weber.....he should have never been removed from the starting line up early.
2. BW inability to give Griffey adequate minutes. It was obvious to many that the guy has talent and deserved more time, where was he against Wisc?
3. Schyer, Collins, and Turner, Ivan Shumpert.....all in state, top level recruits and we did not get one of them, I don't want to hear the stuff about we never had a chance with these recruits etc etc......two of the three Collins and Turner were heavily leaning towards Illinois (remember at that time we were riding the wave of a finals appearance) and then in the 12th hour switched.....
Weber is a good guy and being the head basketball coach at Illinois is a tough with job with high expectations but not getting a NCAA tournament win in five years (minimally) is not good enough.
Yes, McCamey made some really bonehead plays like that fadeaway airball with game on the line followed by an intentional foul giving Wisky 2 shots and possession. But McCamey can't be expected to carry the Illini all by himself. Along with his shot McCamey's playmaking also was off but with other teams concentrating on him other players have to step up if Illini are going to beat good teams. It's great that Tisdale and Cole's outside shots were dropping but if McCamey's, DJ's and Paul's outside shots aren't falling those guys need to feed Tisdale, Cole and Griffey who also can hit outside and force other team to relax on McCamey. Badgers put on a passing and shot selection clinic for Illinois. Illini passing and shot selection have been a chronic issue all year long when they lose. Passing the ball around and driving to the hoop for high percentage shots and draw fouls is the recipe for success for most good-to-great teams. McCamey needs playmaking help from all the players, who need to pass it around for the better shot or drive it to the hole. Defense, especially interior defense by bigs is also critical to success.
Illini passing and shot slection didn't match Wisconsin. But there are reasons why the Badgers shot better. A 17-8 edge in offensive rebounds gave them more chances plus Leuer helped Wisconsin get a 24-8 edge in points in the paint or 16 point differential - essentially the difference in the game.
This game shows it is the players who are not defending well enough for a win, the players who are not hitting shots and passing the ball enough for a win.
Yes they may be great guys, well liked (which is preferred) but it is the players who haven't mastered these basketball skills and showed them against the best players & teams this season.
Everyone has a free will choice on which school to attend. Just because they don't select Illinois isn't the coaches fault. Illinois doesn't "owe" anyone an excellent team that wins championships yearly like the sun rises from the east. I believe they would prefer to win consistently, but then so does every other school in this world.
Sport is about exercise, team work and entertainment. Remember it is only a game, just a game. We all have much more important issues (within) in our own lives to master. This country has everyone looking outwards instead by the mega-emphasis on sports in the last 50 years.
It is so disheartening to watch each and every game. I am coming very close to giving up on Weber. I used to say he is such a good X's and O's. Coach, but the more I watch the more I doubt my previous mindset. He just refuses to make adjustments. And what is even worse than that? An athletic director that doesn't have a clue when it comes to winning at this level. And what is even worse than both? Loren Tate's continuous support of mediocrity.
Loren,
I agree with you that McCamey can be very unpredictable and inconsistent, but how can you question a guy that is responsible for any successes that have been achieved this season? And as much as I love Frank Williams, Frank never played hard for an entire year like Demetri has done this year. That is one hundred percent no questions asked the truth. I hope you can atleast see that. Frank had all the talent in the world, but even in his junior season he went MIA (didn't attend practice and was unreachable period) from the team for two or three days at a time.
I am mystified by the comments that "it is the players fault" that Illinois is showing so poorly. The coach recruits the players, trains the players, calls the offensive and defensive schemes, and determines the playing time. What part of the game does he not control?
McCamey is playing well, but he never gets an open shot, because only he makes the kind of assists that create open shots. I am extremely frustrated by the (lack of) motion offense that we play. Watch the four players without the ball. They simply stand around until a player gets tied up and someone has to go to the ball or McCamey creates a double team that leaves someone unguarded for his pass. It is without question the worst offensive scheme in the country. I believe this can be proven by the Illinois points-scored ranking over the past four years. If the players can't understand or execute the scheme, then it is a bad scheme and a bad coach.
I've posted before that I hate Weber's demeanor on the floor. His constant raving during play is annoying to the players, the fans, and the referees, and reflects poorly on him and the team. A good coach has the team prepared before the game. If a player misbehaves, underachieves, or doesn't follow the scheme, he quietly benches him. He can make minor adjustments at timeouts. If a coach is jumping around like a lunatic during the game, he is a failure.
Illini82 sums it up well. It's all about recruiting, and Illinois has not recruited well for several years. 80% of the coach's success depends on the players he recruits. Now that recruiting is supposedly shored up, we will see within the next couple years if Weber can mold Illinois into a top ten program again. If not, time to cut him loose.
First of all, no Illini team in recent memory (mid-seventies) has allowed an opponent 17 offensive rebounds in a game at The Hall. This is a terrible indictment of the current team's lack of toughness (are you listening, Class A Riverton??),
Second, we talk of DMac's improvement from year 1 through year 3. How much has Tisdale improved (especially against quality opposition)?? Davis?? Keller?? When do they get called out - by name - on the TV and radio and newpaper interviews - by none other than the head coach??
Lastly, Zook shook up his staff and has brought in what seems to be outstanding new assistants. When will Weber do the same? All of a sudden the newest assistant coach (Snacks) is the hero of the recruiting trail as well as the vocal assistant on the bench. This the same Snacks that Weber passed over when hiring former Purdue assistant Webster. All that aside, just what do assitant coaches McClain and Price do? What studs have they brought in of late (Jamaar Smith and Mike Davis?? WOW!!!). When will these assistant coaches be held accountable in the same manner as the football co-ordinators?
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