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ILLINOIS BASKETBALL 2008-2009
This year we're going to present an up close and personal look at Illinois basketball from one of our long time members who goes by the name " Carpet". He's provided his take on Illinois Football and Hoops for several years in our forums and has provided our visitors with many a winning day as a result. Look for Carpets take on all the key Illinois hoops games this year!
A LOOK AT ILLINOIS MENS BASKETBALL FOR 2008
Last year Illinois basketball was very hard to watch them slip
to 16-19 for the year, a long fall from the 2005 NCAA
Championship game.
This years team is already 100% better than last years team. I
call it Improvement thru Subtraction. Gone is 6-11 Warren
Carter and his Stone cold hands and attitude.
UP FRONT
6-9 PF Mike Davis, a gifted athletic player who has 2 double
doubles in his first two games this year. This kid will be fun
to watch this year.
6-9 F Billy Cole, a young player who has found the hardwood for
the fist time this year, has talent is work in progress
6-10 Richard Semaru, This kid works the glass very hard, his
weakness his the put back shot within 2 feet, he just isn't good
at the quick put backs.
6-9 Stan Simpson C A Big young bruiser from Chicago Simeon
HS...This is Stan's first year but he has a great street
ball awareness.
7-1 Mike Tisdale C This tall tree has been busy putting on the
weight as Coach Weber has strapped a feed bag around his neck to
put some weight on the big fella. He lacks solid rebounding
skills. He seems some what lost down low.
Illinois strength is not the inside game, they do play well in
the offense, much improved over last year. While they will
improve over time, Any team they play
that has a dominating Center down low will dominate this young
tall line.
A LOOK AT THE GUARDS
6-3 Trent Meechum Guard, this 5th year senior can really shoot
the rock from long range, a real sharp shooter, His game has
evolved from last year, he now can create a shot off dribble
drive penetration. A deadly spot up shooter.
6-3 Chester Fraizer PG Chester is the lone player left on this
squad that played on Illinois 2005 team. Chester is known for
his clamp down defense. This year fraizer
supports a new look, gone are the dreadlocks as he looks to
sharpen his image as a leader. He is not the most talented on
the team but he gives it 1000% all the time.
6-5 Calvin Brock G This kid is so on and off I don't know who
will show up and when, flashed of brilliance and then silence
for many minutes. Best known for his defense
6-2 Jeff Jordan G, Michael Jordan's son a walk on for Illinois,
starting to see some minutes this year and is improving as he
sees more time.
6-5 Demetri McCamey G , Remember this kids name as he is cast
into the starting role as a leader. This Kid can shoot lights
out, give him 6 inches and its bombs away Good. Coach Weber is
leaning on this young Sophomore to play at the level he knows he
is capable of which is NBA level
6-5 Alex Legion G Oak Hill Academy grad in high school, signed
and went to Kentucky for one year, a transfer to Illinois
eligible to play January of this year. Alex is attending
classes at Illinois and has been allowed to practice with the
team as he awaits the NCAA time ban of January. When this
kid gets to play, you are going to see a very dangerous Illinois
team, that will be back to the 3 guard offense of Old. Alex
Legion is the real deal. In practice they say this kid could be
their best player immediately.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This team for 2008 will still exhibit Bruce Webers CLAMP DOWN
DEFENSE.
The motion offense appears to be working very well, something
you did not see last year. Illinois can attack a Zone Defense
with many weapons. A Zone Defense will not beat Illinois this
year as it did last year.
This Illinois team also seems to have a great chemistry in
sticking together, a sense of a band of brothers.
They are a much more athletic team than last year, while they
are young and eager to learn.
A Solid Free Throw Shooting Team ........Did I just say Illinois
is a solid free throw shooting team ?
Yes, and they are, again another night and day difference.
I see a scrappy young bunch of players, talented with a great
head Coach
Illinois should finish about the middle of the pack in the Big
10, this team will continue to get better as the season
progresses.
This is a program that is rising from the ashes and should hit
the 20 win mark this year in games
Be sure to visit the Free Sports Monitor to see what our award winning handicappers have going!
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