2008 Illinois Basketball Predictions & Season Preview

Written October 14, 2008 by Luke Knight

Last year was a bit of an embarrassment for Illini basketball, and rightfully so. A 5-13 Big Ten record and 16-19 overall are hard to imagine after the years of watching Dee Brown, Luther Head, James Augustine, and Deron Williams. As early 2005, the Illini were in the National Title game. Last season Coach Bruce Weber endured his second losing record in 29 years as a Division I assistant and head coach. The issues of Illinois was less X and O and more discipline and a value for the team concept. The departure of senior Shaun Pruitt, the team’s leading scorer and rebound, may be more of a gift than a curse for an Illini team that has lost 20 Big Ten games over the past two seasons, which is the most over a two-year stretch since the 1979 and 1980 seasons when they lost 21. Illinois should be back on track this season, but the NCAA basketball odds makers agree that another NCAA Tournament Berth will be a stretch. Illinois is +20000 odds at BetUS to win the National Title this season.

Sophomore Mike Tisdale is the heir apparent to Shaun Pruitt’s center position and will need to fill big shoes if Illinois is going to find a solid frontcourt rotation. Tisdale is a 7’1” sophomore, who got himself up to 235 pounds. Tisdale isn’t the banger that the Illini could use, but instead more of a pick-and-pop specialist. He was third on the team in blocks. Mike Davis has the athleticism to develop into a big-time forward for this Illini team, but consistency is a question mark. Bill Cole, who battled a knee injury, and Dominique Keller, a JUCO transfer, will battle with Davis for the starting position.

Point Guard Demetri McCamey, a sophomore coming off an All-Big Ten Tournament selection, has his eyes on the NBA before his senior season, but he will control the backcourt this season. McCamey excelled in offseason workouts with some of those Illini faithful mentioned above. He’s a big-bodied guard and he can pass and score. Alex Legion, a former Top-50 recruit for Kentucky, transferred to Illinois in January and will be eligible after the first semester this season. Legion had a rocky relationship with Billy Gillispie at Kentucky, but got along well with Jerrance Howard, who is now an Illinois assistant. Legion is expected to be one of the Illini’s top options. Trent Meachem shot 40% behind the 3-point arc and Chester Frazier is Illinois’ premier defender, but both could see their minutes slashed with the arrival of Legion. Jamar Smith, largely considered to be Illinois’ best player was dismissed from the team in August.

Final Analysis

Illinois needs to find some successful rotations if they are going to be successful, but perhaps more importantly they need to find some discipline and start focusing on the team concept. Bruce Weber has some highly regarded teams coming in to Champaign in 2009 and 2010. We have the Illini as a middle team in the Big Ten Conference, better than some, but not at the elite level. Making the National Tournament could be stretch this season, but the NIT seems a good bet. Check out BetUS where they are +750 odds to win the Big Ten Conference.

For more NCAA basketball picks each day see who are handicappers are taking. They are experts who know basketball betting inside and out, enabling you to make more money with your wagering!