Klee: A chemistry test

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Illini follow NCAA tournament from afar

This isn't where the Illinois players want to be, playing in the NIT. It was NCAA tournament-or-bust for these guys. Truth is, with their spring break starting today, some of them would rather be on a beach somewhere than preparing for Kent State's visit Monday. That's just the way it is.

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By Paul Klee

Monday, November 16, 2009 8:59 AM CDT

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Ask the expert: Paul Klee, college basketball beat writer

Q: What's a concern you have for Illinois?

A: Finding another dependable ballhandler - to spell Demetri McCamey - is one. But more important I want to see how the upperclassmen respond when two freshmen become mainstays in the starting lineup. To me, it's been clear for weeks in practice that Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson should be in the starting lineup. That means senior Dominique Keller and junior Alex Legion would come off the bench. So far they've been solid teammates. The lone senior, Keller used the offseason to help integrate the new guys with the older guys.

What Illinois doesn't want is a repeat of the 2007-08 season. That team was torn apart with a divide between the upperclassmen and a big freshman class, and the result was a forgettable 19-loss debacle. I don't think this close-knit team experiences the same chemistry problems. But it's worth watching how the veterans handle their roles.

Ask Tate & Turpin about the Illini here

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Not putting alot of stock in the print media, it seems the Mike Davis comment of Paul after the SIU-E game "Sometimes he lollygags out there" was harsh after hearing Hester rip Davis for his lack of effort in the exibition games.

Posted by Highbanks00 on November 16, 2009 at 9:23 AM | Suggest Removal

Couldn't agree more, Paul. Alex is the key, If it's like last year, the better Paul plays, the more pressure Alex will feel and the tighter he will play. Let's hope he breaks the cycle. You couldn't help but notice Friday, that after Paul drained three, three's, Alex subbed in and proceeded to miss essentially the same shots. Was he thight, or getting a bad bounce? We shall see.

Posted by jturner on November 16, 2009 at 11:29 AM | Suggest Removal

Why the fuss? Play the guys that are making plays and scoring points including playing defense. It may be that Legion just does not have that special skill that players need at the D1 level.

On the other hand I hope he develops into the player that people seem to expect.

Posted by Jam on November 16, 2009 at 4:38 PM | Suggest Removal

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