Illini Look to Rebound from Disappointing Season

For an Illinois fan, it’s been really tough the past few years. 2005 brought a lot of joy, and what appeared to be a lot of potential, for Coach Bruce Weber and the University of Illinois. Yet one year after another, the program has experienced busts, rejection (what’s up Eric Gordon?), and disciplinary issues that have left few expectations for the Fighting Illini. Until last year at least…

Richmond became the symbol of the team's failures

The roster couldn’t have been better: four seniors who had gotten meaningful playing time the year before, a point guard in Demetri McCamey who was expected to make some noise in the Big 10, and a recruiting class that, on paper, was one of the best in the conference. Yet that quickly evaporated throughout a disappointing season that saw a first-round exit from the Big Ten tournament, followed by a second round departure at the Big Dance. The Fighting Illini ended fifth in the Big 10 with a dreadful 9-9 record. And let us not forget (though try as we might) the failure to compete with a ranked opponent. The Illini finished with a 1-7 record in that category. The seniors appeared lazy, the attitude on the court seemed disinterested, and overall the atmosphere just didn’t carry much intensity.

The season ended which could only bring us to look forward to the 2011-2012 season. McCamey, Bill Cole, Mike Tisdale, and Mike Davis were all gone which left not one senior on the team. It was time for guys like Brandon Paul and DJ Richardson to take the reigns as juniors. However, offseason drama with a very promising soon-to-be sophomore, Jerome Richmond, set the Illini back more than a few steps.

Paul and Richardson would like to
make sure that doesn't happen to them

Richmond, for whatever reason, thought that entering the NBA draft was a good idea. Along with that decision, he signed an agent which meant he would not be coming back to U of I regardless of the outcome in the draft. Richmond went undrafted and soon found himself in jail after a death threat and other issues with the law. Well Coach Weber, looks like you’ve got a starting spot open at the power forward position.

Now, don’t get me wrong, this season is not going to be a dramatic turn-around run through the NCAA tournament for the Fighting Illini. But Illinois has a lot of promising young talent in the freshman and sophomore classes. I was able to watch Mike Shaw, Mychael Henry, Tracy Abrams, and Nnanna Egwu play over the summer and I was pretty impressed. Shaw could be the best player on the floor if his work ethic improves whereas Egwu is very fundamentally sound yet will struggle a little with the physicality and speed of the Big 10.

The Illini won’t shut down Jared Sullinger, they’ll have trouble guarding Robbie Hummell, but they show a lot of promise. Bruce Weber has landed himself a very good recruiting class that has unlimited potential. Yet it is up to guys like Paul and Richardson to step in as leaders and be an example for the younger players. I don’t see Illinois winning the Big 10, but I’d be shocked if they didn’t make some noise in the conference.