Recent Struggles Has Weber Concerned About Illini: Coach Says Team is Lacking Leadership
By David Wilhelm, Belleville News-Democrat, Ill.
Jan. 7–CHAMPAIGN — Illinois coach Bruce Weber typically overflows with optimism. That wasn’t the case Saturday when his Illini were thrashed 62-44 at Assembly Hall.
“If they’re not humbled now, I don’t know what we can do,” said Weber, who’s trying to remain calm in a season that appears to be in a downward spiral. “We’ve got a lot of doubters right now. I’ve got to help them get through it. I’ve got to be there for them.”
Illinois (12-5 overall, 0-2 in the Big Ten) shot 24 percent from the field (14-for-58) and suffered its third straight loss. Ohio State, ranked sixth, is 13-2 and 2-0.
Senior Warren Carter was Illinois’ only double-digit scorer with 11 points. The other four starters, Brian Randle, Shaun Pruitt, Chester Frazier and Jamar Smith, combined for 19 points on 7-for-30 shooting.
Senior Rich McBride, who averaged 10 points last season, had four points and was 0-for-6 on 3-pointers, helping drag Illinois’ performance from beyond the arc to 3-for-23.
“Rich was our third-leading scorer last year,” Weber said. “He’s made shots; that’s been his thing. He’s suffering.”
Many in the capacity crowd of 16,618 served up a derisive cheer when McBride swished a 3-pointer from the left corner in the second half. The shot was negated when officials called a foul away from the play on the Buckeyes.
Weber lamented the Illini’s lack of self-esteem and their ongoing search for a go-to guy.
“They have no confidence. I’ve talked to them,” he said. “I don’t think we really have a leader right now. I think it’s pretty obvious. Maybe this will help us come together. We need each other right now.”
Buckeyes coach Thad Matta said he expects the Illini to rebound.
“Illinois right now is one of the top college basketball programs in the country,” said Matta, a native of Hoopeston who grew up following the Illini. “You’re not going to win every game. The job that coach Weber and his staff have done here … he’s won 90 percent of his games. It’s amazing.
“Illinois is an extremely talented basketball team. This is a tough place to play. We caught them on a good day for us.”
Oden’s day
Greg Oden, the Buckeyes’ 7-foot, 280-pound freshman center, had seven points, 15 rebound and four blocks in his eighth game of the season. He missed the first seven games as he recovered from surgery on his right wrist.
Oden’s most impressive play came when he dunked an out-of-bounds lob pass from Mike Conley Jr. that put Ohio State ahead 55-31 midway through the second half. It was one of Conley’s game-high eight assists.
“I would say Greg is probably maybe 50 percent–maybe not that much,” Matta said. “He still doesn’t have that movement, and it shows. I look forward to the day he gets it back and I don’t see that cast on.
“He’s such a special kid. He’s such a unique kid. I think his priorities are right. The other thing I love about Greg is when you spend 15 minutes with him, it makes you a better person.”
Captains in the house
The Illini honored many of their former captains during a halftime ceremony, including Brian Leonard of Belleville, Mannie Jackson of Edwardsville, Tom Michael of Carlyle and Don Freeman of Madison.
Former coaches Harv Schmidt, -a captain in 1956-57, -and Lou Henson also were honored, as were Kenny Battle, Perry Range, Victor Chukwudebe, Doug Altenberger, Skip Thoren and Stephen Bardo. Henson was dressed in an orange corduroy sportcoat.
Contact reporter David Wilhelm at dwilhelm@bnd.com or 345-7822, ext. 22.
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Copyright (c) 2007, Belleville News-Democrat, Ill.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
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