University of Illinois Fighting Illini Basketball 2009-10
Mike Davis Going After a Rebound versus Presbyterian
An Early Season Look at Fighting Illini Basketball
We are three games into the 2009-10 NCAA Basketball season but the University of Illinois is looking very impressive. The Fighting Illini squad has very talented mix of solid young freshman and some experienced upper classmen.
The player who has stood out over the first three games is Freshman Brandon Paul. Paul has been the leading scorer in two of the first three games. There has been a balanced attack for the Fighting Illini in each game.
Freshman D.J. Richardson scored 15 points in the 94 to 48 victory over Presbyterian. The contest against Presbyterian was the first game of the Las Vegas Invitational. Mike Davis had 12 points and 9 rebounds, one shy of a double-double.
Jeff Jordan returned to action versus Presbyterian after sitting out the first two games for violating NCAA rules. Jordan is the oldest son of NBA Hall of Famer, Michael Jordan.
The veteran leadership of the team will be provided by Demetri McCamey, a three year starter. Mike Davis is a solid scoring and rebounding forward. Center Mike Tisdale has bulked up to become an imposing presence in the middle.
The bench strength of the Fighting Illini includes the likes of Alex Legion, Dominique Keller, Bill Cole, and Richard Semrau. Other players looking to contribute to the rotation include Freshman Tyler Griffey, Stan Simpson, and Joseph Bertrand, who is currently injured.
Coach Bruce Weber is surrounded by a very talented team that will only get better in the next few years.
The non-conference schedule for the Illini is pretty tough playing foes Gonzaga at the United Center, Boise State, Utah, Bradley or Oklahoma State in the Las Vegas Invitational, Georgia on a neutral site, at Clemson for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, Vanderbilt and the annual border war versus Missouri in St. Louis.
The Big Ten will be a very strong as conference play begins in January. Michigan State is being picked to win the conference. Purdue, Ohio State, Michigan, and Illinois look to battle the Spartans in the standings.
Look for the young Illini to succeed and make it to the field of 65. This is a very solid team that will only get better as the season goes on. Fans start chanting, "ILL..................INI"!
