Leonard, Illini hit it big
CHAMPAIGN — Less than a month ago, when Illinois opened this season, the unknowns far outnumbered the proven commodities.
National recognition? There was none.
But at least one person expected the new Illini would be sitting at 8-0 for the first time since 2005-06 — and on the verge of a Top 25 berth.
Bruce Weber.
"I did. Our staff did," he said after Illinois showed a bright future already might be here with an 82-75 win against No. 19 Gonzaga in front of 15,879 on Saturday. "I thought we were capable of that."
After its biggest nonconference win at the Assembly Hall since the 2004-05 Final Four season, Illinois allowed you to wonder: What else are these Illini capable of?
If Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson come out blazin' in the same game — like they did with 32 points — Illinois is more than capable of staying in the AP Top 25 after receiving zero (zero!) votes in the preseason poll. The News-Gazette's ballot will include Illinois on Monday.
If Meyers Leonard plays like an NBA draft pick — "He's got a bright future," Gonzaga mountain Robert Sacre said — this season has as much potential as any since the 2005-06 campaign. (But you might want to search for an additional big man for coming seasons.)
And if they continue to play with passion — and isn't that what makes this team so enjoyable? — Saturday's triumph is just the beginning of a new era.
"I think it shows people that we're a force to be reckoned with," said Paul, who had 13 points, five assists and four rebounds.
The Top 25 rankings will be released Monday. The Illini, who were unofficially No. 33 last week, could earn a spot for the first time since Jan. 27 of last season.
But polls weren't the focus after Illinois broke a five-game losing streak against ranked opponents. The Illini had dropped 12 of 14 to Top 25 teams. Plus, Gonzaga (5-1) was the highest-ranked nonconference team to visit the Hall since No. 1 Wake Forest in 2004.
Twice in the postgame news conference, Paul, who played a leading role, gave an unsolicited "shoutout" to the Illini bench players, who played a bit role. The gesture showed there is a tight locker room these days — a welcome sign for a team with seven new guys.
"It was a team effort," Leonard said. "It takes five guys."
"It was a great basketball game," Gonzaga coach Mark Few said.
There are fewer than 20 unbeatens remaining, and as one of them, Illinois gradually is finding its spot back on the basketball map.
With 21 points in the biggest challenge of his career — quite literally, actually — Leonard scribbled his name there, too.
Sacre, the 260-pound center who seems to grow on every possession, bullied the Illini for the third straight season. This time, Illinois had someone to bully back. His 21 points (in 24 minutes) and six rebounds highlighted the finest performance of Leonard's young career.
"Super athletic. He runs the floor like a deer," said Sacre (16 points). "He's a good player. I should've respected him a little more, I feel."
Here's another step in Leonard's evolution: On Friday, he practiced with the Illini at 3:30, then attended the team dinner and scouting report. Then at 9:30 he was back in the gym practicing his post moves. Now, cut out the pouty faces after the official blows his whistle and it's all good.
"I think they're getting more confidence in me," Leonard said. "They know if it comes in the post and I'm not able to make a move I'm going to find the open player."
"I think Brandon and Meyers, they could be two of the better players in the country," Weber added.
In a hallway after the game, Few told Weber that Richardson and Paul were the difference-makers against Gonzaga's youthful backcourt. Saturday's game marked the first time in 18 games, dating to last season, they each scored at least 13 points in the same game. Usually it's one or the other.
"Nobody in America runs as good of a motion offense as Bruce does," Few said. "He's really as good of a coach as there is in the country, both offensively and defensively."
I love this team. The athleticism, the depth, and most of all, the resiliency. There were at least three times in the game yesterday where last year’s team (specifically, our 4 senior “leaders”) would have folded like origami. Sure this year’s team is inexperienced and makes mistakes, but they continue to fight, they don’t buckle under pressure and they play hard every possession. Great win, great crowd, oskee wow wow!
Let's be real: Illinois yesterday looked just like last year's Illini. Some games, Illinois came out and lit up the net, and everyone said they were good. But most games Illinois couldn't hit the broad side of the barn, and this offense doesn't generate easy shots.
So yesterday, Illinois shoots 53% and outguns the Zags. Our defense stunk, Leonard couldn't find the basket outside of 3 feet, and he got, what, 6 rebounds? against a smaller opponent. Big deal. They will be in big trouble against a team that plays defense, or when they just have an off shooting night (which a college team of jump shooters will often have). Can Illinois win when they shoot 43%? Last year's team could not. That's still the question today.
Oh, and Leonard had better learn to run the court. His jogging up and down will cost them big against teams when Illinois doesn't shoot 53%.
Ok here we go again. Bruce beats a overrated team that looks like we are better than we are. Now we will lose to some nobody, be lucky to finish 5th in the Big 10, and squeek into the tournament. I've seen this song and dance too often. When are you idiots going to stop praising him for being a good coach. Hey, ever heard of a dribble drive Bruce? Tossing the ball outside the 3 point line and trying to be this defensive juggernaut is stupid. It's not getting us anywhere. We should be a top 10 program year in year out. Illinois produces plenty of talent (most go to Kentucky, Memphis, etc.) yet we are over joyed to get the 10th rated guy from the state. When is someone going to stand up and demand more out of this joke, Bruce Weber.
I've been here for years and I'll say it again.
FIRE BRUCE WEBER!!!
LTL... If you knew half of what you think you know...i'm sure you still wouldn't know sh*t. I'm not a big Weber fan either, but don't come on a board an spit in this teams face. Most people could not imagine a start like we have ENJOYED. We havn't seen heart and hustle like this from our Illini in some time. Meyers not running the floor? He didn't do anything outside of 3 feet? What game were you watching? Meyers runs the floor like nobody we have ever had at that position. The game I was watching I saw Meyers score away from the bastket several times. Gonzaga will be a 30 win team. This is their best team since Adam Morrison played there. Ohio State murdered Duke, so are you going to tell me that Duke are over-rated too? I don't know, and it's very apparent you have no idea what will happen this season, but to predict us going to the NIT is a bit premature being as we havn't even started conference play yet. Until we actually lose, or play like we have the last 2-3 seasons. Keep your crap and unfounded comments about the team to yourself. We are 8-0 and the team is getting better every game, quit crying and go pop a xanax, relax and enjoy the orange and blue.
And the Sleepy Gazoo keeps up with the shameless cheerleading -- Myers Foul Machine Leonard is somehow now ready to turn pro because of one game against an overrated team -- and a performance in which the pouty Foul Machine sat the wood for a stretch.
The Sleepy Gazoo is always ready to hype the Illini based on flimsy evidence. Remember how far the football team was going to go according to the Sleepy Gazoo Tribe while it was beating up on small schools?
How about waiting to see how they fare against UNLV and Mizzou before passing out the crowns? How about seeing whether they can actually compete in the conference?
You watched with your eyes shut. Free throws don't count as "scoring away from the basket."
ESPN gave him credit for 2 "jumpers" -- neither was more than a few feet from the hoop. http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/playbyplay?gameId=313370356
Slow down there COWBOY,,,,Weborn wins despite himself, not because of himself. Geez, they played 12 and still darn near lost. They got some lucky DJ shots, and if you think Leonard is here, has arrived think again. The only reason Sacre did not take over is that they doubled him. The Zags did not worry about him and he got lucky that he made a few prayers. Had smart guy Weborn went Zone in the first half we would have won by 20, but stuborness gave way to brains. The Zags changed D all over the place, and if not for hot shooting and us being home, we would have an L
One more thing,,,Weborn was the most surprised we won, as much as anyone. And,,,if you had only Leonard on Sacre the entire game, ENTRIE GAME, one against the other, well here is how it would end up. Leonard would sit for 15 min. of the first half with two fouls, and then foul out in the second half with a total of 14 min. played, 6 points, and 7 rebounds...Understand,,,that is how far away Leonard is.
Lol... if you would have read my post... I wasn't handing out crowns, or cheerleading... I stated facts, Yes I was defending ML, but I do not think he is going to be the greatest center to play the game nor do I think he will be ready for the pros at least until after his junior year. Yeah we are 8-0, and yeah there certainly are teams out there who have lost already this season that could beat us. BUT that doesn't mean we shouldn't be happy for an 8-0 start considering this team was a big ? mark before the season started. They are putting the effort in to pull out these games, last year we would have lost this game. Say what you want about Weber good or bad, I don't care lol. Just give the kids some credit, they are busting their tails out there. They are getting better each game. UNLV will be a close one, hell when the Bonnies come to town next week it will probably be a good game. Mizzou is another story, it's going to take a great game to beat those boys. I feel like the effort will be there, but they have to grow up a lot before then.
DaisyJ.....I'm sure by now you know that you have issue's that go further than college basketball....right? "Brucy"... huh? Does it somehow make you feel important to belittle Bruce Weber? Do you know him personally, and he allows you to call him that? I really hope you graduated somewhere other than U of I, but I would assume by your spelling and inability to structure a sentence,that you most likely didn't finish high school.....Oh well no big deal.....BTW, it would be spelled "Brucey".....But seeing how you post as if you know all these people personally ,I'm really surprised his wife or daughters didn't correct your spelling, in one of your many e-mails you exchange with them.......
You are so Basketball stupid it's almost funny,that you think your hoops IQ is high when actually you should be riding the "short bus" to watch the games,that is if you even go to them. This is an extremely talented,long and athletic team....they play very well together....And by playing 12 guys and rotating Ibby, Nnanna, and Leonard on Sacre, they got the job done....Why would we play Zone when we was beating them to the bucket with BP slashing off the motion offense, and when he drew the double team, dumped it to ML......I usually don't say to much on here because I respect Mr Klee's article's and Chats....But you really need to check your facts, and stop acting like you can insult these people when you please....You do realize that you are demeaning kids don't you,and now we just knock off a ranked team with 2 guys(Sacre and Harris) who will be first round NBA picks, and you are calling the head coach of Illinois "Brucy".....You show what you are made of every single time you post.....Try to stop living in that little fantasy world you are living in, where you know the coach and players well enough to give them nicknames, and speak about them as they know you.....They don't, or you wouldn't be spewing all this non-scense, you have exposed yourself for what you are.....And it's obviously not an Illinois fan, so why don't you troll on back to the Phog and kiss Bill Self butt over there.....
BTW...when you grow up, you may realize that we are 8-0 and really do have a legit shot at a E 8 this year...and its all due to "Brucy"....So please feel free to Troll On.....
Well said, Lanphier. DaisyJ, might I suggest typing your comments into Microsoft Word and using the spelling & grammar check before you post? Although I'd stand back from the computer when you do it. Your comments are so incoherent, the computer may burst into flames trying to decipher your gibberish.
I cannot believe some of the comments on this site. The Weber haters really have hit a new low and their clearly becoming more and more desperate as this team continues to excel.
First off, Leonard was playing against one of the best centers in the country. Robert Sacre is big, strong and athletic and he came out and said Leonard was a great player and said he ran the floor amazingly well. Leonard held his own against Sacre and made a number of great plays. Who cares if he shot the ball close to the basket, a basket is a basket no matter where or how it is made.
Second, Weber uses his bench all day to wear down Sacre and Gonzaga and keep his star players fresh and that is poor coaching? Last year all you Weber haters could do was complain about him not using his bench, now he uses it (in a big game!) and all of a sudden it is poor coaching? Explain that logic to me, how is a coach using his bench to wear down a team (and a specific player so said players fouls out) bad coaching?
Third, double teaming Sacre was effective. Yet that is also bad coaching?
This team is not perfect, but why don't you Weber haters begin showing some respect for this team. True Illini fans should be thrilled we are doing this good and should be excited for the future of this program. We have the most athletic and talented team since the early and mid-2000's.
NIT bid.....Really,
You are the worst kind of TROLL....If you are really an Illini fan, please stop being one,and if you are an Alum. (I'm sure you are not) but if so, please return your diploma and publicly apologize....
This is the most exciting team we have had since the 2005 campaign...If you can't see that ,you are either an idiot,a troll or just trying to draw attention to yourself....That is really to bad, that Illinois just played a great game and beat a quality opponent, and here you are trying to make yourself the center of attention, I guess I should feel sorry for you, perhaps there is something missing in your life that you feel the need to try and steal someone else's thunder....Have you always been like this, its called being self centered.....
Anyway...I think coach Weber, whom I have been very critical of the last 4 season,has this team playing together very well, he has them prepared for different in-game scenario's,he is playing his bench,and has them gelling excellently.....And most importantly NO other head coach besides coach Weber can take credit for this years team,they are all his....No "well they are Bill Self's Recruits" ...nope gotta give credit when it's due....And coach Weber deserves a lot of credit on how he has handle these guys.....It can't be easy to take 7 new guys mix them in with your existing player and have them mesh right away..but he has done it....
This team has a ton of heart, and a strong will to win....they all seem to have very high Basketball IQ's,.and like 2005 are very unselfish....Expect great things from this team,if you don't I think you will be pleasantly surprised....unless your not a real fan to begin with........
A lot of these posts are just disgusting.It has to suck having such a negative outlook on things. This team might not be as good as their record indicates but they play harder and play like more of a team than we have seen in years. They also start a center with lottery quality potential and have a whole slew of bodies they can throw at people. They'll fall on their face eventually but Illinois is going to beat quite a few good teams this year.
I don't come on here much to say anything outside my blog but I had to say something after reading the comments.
Last year people were complaining about Mike Tisdale because he didn't play close enough to the basket on offense, and now people are complaining because Meyers Leonard isn't shooting jump shots. What do you guys want out of your center??
You are misinterpreting the comments.
Tisdale should have been shooting jump shots -- that was what he was good at. But it didn't make him a star; just a servicable college player. The wiser among us realized that.
Likewise, Leonard is so far from being a complete player, it's not even funny. He doesn't run the court. He appears weak (though not as weak as Tisdale). He can't rebound and doesn't get good position. His footwork is pathetic. Yet he is getting feted like he's the second coming of Shaq. He's not. He's a below average college center who has a long way to go to become an above average college center. Again, the wiser among us realize that. And we love to torture the kneejerk fanboys who can't see it.
I have to be honest and acknowledge that I have been critical, and not one of coach Weber's biggest supporters, but you have to give credit where credit is due. The following were positive observations from the game against Gonzaga:
- The team intensity and effort was at a high level
- Utilizing all 12 players was done in a timely and effective manner
- Team maintained composure even when Gonzaga fought back
- Strategy to contain Sacre was well thought out and implemented
There are always going to be areas that the team can continue to improve upon, while the season is still early, we seem to be headed in the right direction and need to support the team including Coach Weber. GO ILLINI!
I disagree with you completely. Meyers Leonard has the whole package which explains why NBA scouts are salivating right now. He's tall, athletic, has great hands, good low post moves that can be devoloped and underrated strength inside, his body type has potential to add a lot more muscle and size. I think he could potentially be the number one pick in next year's draft or the year after. He's got more of an upside then Sullinger.
I liked what I saw on Saturday from this team, I take back everything I'v written on this site, and they're only going to get better. I haven't been this excited to watch Illini basketball since 2005.
The future is bright. I think we'll all be wearing shades.
I watch the games. I state what I see. Last year's team often struggled against clearly weaker teams and generally won because they shot the lights out, not because they outplayed the opponent. This year's team has played exactly one decent opponent -- Gonzaga -- and did so on its own court, and it still had to shoot 53% in order to win. We are not going to beat good defensive teams. And everyone in the Big Ten plays good defense. Weber's motion offense is a joke. It is too easy to defend and doesn't create easy shots.
You keep using last year as your basis for everything... in that case... do you see Butler playing in the title game again this season... just because they have played for the last two? Apparently in your world team's don't get better with different players, the year after a mediocre season. In your world even though we have 4 new starters ... we are the same team? I'm sorry I just do not get your logic. We were 6 points from being 39-0 a few years ago and I'm sure you still had something to complain about then. I, along with many others have suffered through some really tough seasons, but I have never missed a game. If you can show me a legit reason why this team isn't the best he have had since 05, well then let's see it. So far all you have displayed is what you in the minority, think and it's way off base. If you want to sit around and be negative, well I guess there is nothing I can do about that and you are entitled to your own opinion. I'm just here to tell you that your attitude, and opinion suck. Good day Sir... keep on trollin'
Mrs. Lampoon....Brucy Weborn is not just unliked by me but many. If you like to watch kids learn to pass and pick, he is your man. Otherwise, I enjoyed your rant and glad you got all your demons off your chest. Cannot wait for Weborn to write the new book on basketball 101 and mybe you will get him to sign your copy. hahahaha
Wow! Not sure what Laisy J and read ID have been watching. This year's team is playing with energy and attitude. They are refusing to be out worked. You two may call it blind luck or weak opponents or whatever. The facts are that this team is 8-0. They are creating easy buckets for themselves by playing as a team. Not a single player is trying to put the team on their back and carry it for an entire game. Everyone is following Bruce Webers plan. By following the plan they are winning. This team may not win by a large margin or win pretty, but they continue to win. They have the whatever it takes attitude and do not care who gets the credit. Please stop comparing this years team to last years team. The "leaders" that graduated or left after last season had their own agenda's. The fact that they cared more about their agenda's then the team caused the inconsistency.
Go ILLINI!
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