Game 3: Presbyterian at UI men

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GAME 3

UI men vs. Presbyterian, 7 p.m. Saturday

LINEUPS

PRESBYTERIAN (0-2)

Probable starters

G Zach Faircloth 6-2 Fr. 8.5

G Chase Holmes 6-4 So. 14.0

G Khalid Mutakabbir 6-4 Fr. 4.5

F Jake Troyli 6-9 Fr. 12.5

F Walt Allen 6-4 Jr. 5.0

Top reserves

F Jay Reynolds 6-10 Fr. 2.5

F Ryan Hargrave 6-6 Fr. 4.5

ILLINOIS (2-0)

Probable starters

P Name HT. YR. PPG

G Demetri McCamey 6-3 Jr. 10.5

G D.J. Richardson 6-3 Fr. 9.5

G Brandon Paul 6-3 Fr. 21.0

F Mike Davis 6-9 Jr. 12.0

C Mike Tisdale 7-1 Jr. 9.0

Top reserves

F Dominique Keller 6-7 Sr. 9.5

G Alex Legion 6-5 Jr. 4.0

F Bill Cole 6-9 Jr. 3.0

FACTS & FIGURES

Site: The Assembly Hall (16,618), Champaign.

Radio: Brian Barnhart and Jerry Hester call the action on WDWS 1400-AM, WHMS 97.5-FM, WDAN 1490-AM, WDNL 102.1-FM and WPXN 104.9-FM.

TV: Big Ten Network. Brent Stover is on play-by-play duties, and Illini great Kendall Gill provides the expert analysis.

Series: First meeting. UI coach Bruce Weber has never faced the Blue Hose, either.

Coaches: Weber (154-57 in seventh season at Illinois, 257-111 in 12th season overall); Gregg Nibert (344-250 in 21st season at Presbyterian and overall).

KLEE'S STORYLINES

1

Jordan's return

In practice Thursday, Jeff Jordan did his usual, pushing the tempo. He also hit three consecutive jumpers, causing associate head coach Wayne McClain to applaud the junior guard. Jordan doesn't need to make shots for his junior-season debut to be successful tonight. Illinois has enough scorers. But he can fill one of the few voids Illinois has shown so far: "A backup for Demetri (McCamey)," Bruce Weber said. When McCamey subbed out of the game against Northern Illinois, the Illini's ball handling went south. Jordan was sidelined for the first two games after playing in a non-NCAA-sanctioned 3-on-3 tournament in the offseason. Jordan, who has appeared in 59 games, and McCamey are the only guards with at least one full season of college hoops under their belts. "He gives us some maturity," Weber said. "I think his attitude has been great. He appreciates being there. Now he's trying to earn our trust back."

2

Paul on fire

He's the same humble, chilled-out 18-year-old that he was two weeks ago. But Brandon Paul isn't surprised at what he's done in two games: 22 and 20 points, shooting 57 percent on threes (8 for 14) and three turnovers in 59 minutes. "One of my top goals is being Big Ten Freshman of the Year," he said Friday. Paul has been spectacular against the light competition provided by SIUE and NIU. But the competition in Illinois' practice sessions isn't light – and he's scoring points in bunches there, too. "He's got a really nice pull-up jumper," Weber said. "I hope he can use that." Coaches say there's room for improvement in Paul's shot selection. "The same shot that's a good shot in the first half isn't necessarily a good shot in the second half," Weber told the team. But they are all in favor of a freshman start that has turned NBA heads. "Every day I push him. If I see him down in practice, I say, 'Brandon, you're quiet,' " freshman D.J. Richardson said. "The next thing you know, he made three or four more threes."

3

Illinotes

Weber spent part of Friday at Winnetka New Trier. He wasn't recruiting, but watching his daughter Emily represent Centennial at the IHSA diving championships. The senior's score of 282.40 made her one of 12 divers to qualify for today's state final. ... Weber anticipates "another two or three weeks" before Joseph Bertrand (knee) can return to practice. The freshman guard, who returned too soon after knee surgery in September, has experienced swelling in his right knee and calf muscle and a bone bruise, Weber said. ... Dominique Keller got hit on the back of his left hand Thursday in practice and wore a protective pad on the hand Friday. The senior said he'll play today. ... Weber said some players have put too much focus on starting vs. coming off the bench. His message: "Just play good and I'll keep you in the game." ... Tipoff for Tuesday's home game against Wofford is at 8:45 p.m. (ESPNU).

PREDICTION

No. 23 Illinois 87, Presbyterian 43

The Big South Conference has enjoyed a solid half-decade. Virginia Military and Gardner-Webb won at Kentucky. Winthrop had it rolling under Gregg Marshall. Radford is one to watch next March. And in its third season at the Division I level, Presbyterian College has pieced together an ambitious schedule that will pay the bills and test the young Blue Hose: at No. 22 Clemson, at No. 23 Illinois, at No. 6 North Carolina, at No. 15 Ohio State, at No. 18 Dayton, at Marquette and at Florida. (Phew.) Win one of those and the Big South can add another recent feather to its cap. (News-Gazette prediction record: 2-0).

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