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Illinois Fighting Illni (Last Year: 21-15, 10-8 in Big Ten)
2010-11 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Mike Tisdale (Sr)/Meyers Leonard (Fr)
PF: Mike Davis (Sr)/Tyler Griffey (So)
SF: Bill Cole (Sr)/Jereme Richmond (Fr)
SG: D.J. Richardson (So)/Brandon Paul (So)/Crandall Head (Fr)
PG: Demetri McCamey (Sr)/Joseph Bertrand (Fr)
Gone: PF-Dominique Keller, C-Richard Semrau, PG-Jeffery Jordan (transfer-Central Florida), G/F-Alex Legion (transfer-Florida International), C-Stan Simpson (transfer-John A. Logan)
2010-11 Outlook:
On paper, the Illinois roster has it all. There is talent and depth at every position. Coming off a season in which the Illini underachieved and just missed out on the NCAA Tournament, Bruce Weber’s bunch has the potential to not only compete in the Big Ten; but on the national scene as well.
It all begins in the backcourt where Demetri McCamey returns to run the show. McCamey made strides during his junior season with his all-around offensive game. He morphed into a solid distributor, finishing second in the nation in assists per game. There are still questions about his maturity and ability to be the true leader that this team needs. Plus, getting him to play defense is like The Situation not to showing off his abs to girls at a club. It is almost impossible.
D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul showed flashes during their freshman seasons, but were riddled by inconsistencies throughout the year. Richardson will start alongside McCamey while Paul will be a valuable asset off the bench. Freshman Crandall Head, the younger brother of former Illini standout Luther Head, missed his senior season of high school due to torn ACL, but is healthy and should contribute along with redshirt freshman Joseph Bertrand who also missed last year with an ACL injury. The crop of guards has good size as all five players are between 6-3 and 6-5, and can play either the one or two.
There is plenty of experience up front as well with senior starters Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale. Davis had somewhat of a disappointing junior year in terms of his scoring but was still solid on the glass averaging 9.2 boards a game. Tisdale has shown steady improvement during his collegiate career, adding a reliable mid-range game to his arsenal. He still lacks any real physicality down low though which often gets him into foul trouble.
Tisdale’s future replacement is waiting in the wings in 7-foot freshman Meyers Leonard. He is more athletic and aggressive on the glass than Tisdale but is still developing his all-around offensive game. Leonard will provide size off the bench while sophomore Tyler Griffey brings his effort and work ethic to the floor.
Bill Cole emerged as the team’s starting small forward, and is the classic example of a glue guy who does not put up big numbers but does all the little things required on a winning team. He will really be pushed by the incredibly athletic Jereme Richmond who helped the U.S. U-18 team win gold this summer at the FIBA World Championships.
I am still skeptical on the Ilini making it all click this season. But if Weber can get the most of out his veterans while also bringing the freshmen into the mix, Illinois will be a dangerous team.
Player to Watch: Jereme Richmond, SF
From a raw, athletic standpoint, Richmond has all the tools to be a dynamic wing player on the college level. Throughout his high school career, he has gotten by on that athleticism, but will need to become a more fundamental player to excel at Illinois. As a freshman, he could very well be the Illini’s best slasher, and if he applies himself, could also be a major factor on the defensive end due to his length.
Key Non-Conference Games:
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NFL Picks - Nov. 20
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
