I actually don't mind the Illini are playing in Oregon. Maybe they will let loose and realize they have nothing to lose. It would help if Coach Weber would give some of the guys the rope to make a mistake or two before yanking them out of the game. I'm sick of seeing them pass the ball along the perimeter only to take a forced shot with the shot clock winding down. They don't have the type of players that can get their own shot in those situations.
What I'd like to see is for Weber to play Jeff Jordan at the point with Frazier out and encourage him to penetrate the lane for passes out to Meacham and McCamey at the 3 point line or a dump to Tisdale for a layup. Jordan has the quickness to get this done if Weber would encourage it.
I'd also like to see more playing time for Alex Legion and Bill Cole. Both players have the ability to stretch defenses. If McCamey or Meacham start slowly with their shot and confidence - get those guys in asap. Between the 4 of them - Weber should be able to find a hot hand behind the 3 point line.
One last thing, if Tisdale is being out-muscled inside - he needs to run the high-post screen with Tisdale and McCamey for a pick and pop 15 footer for Tisdale. That really is his game against bettrer competiton. Unless he has a size mismatch, he cannot establish position in the low post. To see them try to do so without success seems futile.
Look, I will be rooting like crazy for the Illini as always, and in some ways I'm encourage that Frazier isn't playing because I believe their ceiling is higher with him on the bench, but Weber has to take the reigns off a bit and let the kids play to their strengths.
I'm excited about the potential of some of the Illini players and if Coach let's them play the might be capable of a few surprises in the tournament. If he doesn't, I fear they may be one and done.
