Illinois has already played four games this season. The team has already traveled to Philadelphia and played North Carolina.

Saturday, all of the Illini will be on the court for the first time this season.

With the suspensions of guards Luther Head, Richard McBride and center Aaron Spears, No. 11 Illinois (3-1) has been shorthanded this entire season. The entire Illinois roster will be at head coach Bruce Weber's disposal Saturday against Arkansas (4-0) at the United Center in Chicago (11 a.m. ESPN).

"Our whole mix has been thrown out of whack over the last three weeks," Weber said.

The Illini are adjusting to the motion offense on the court. Now, they are in the process of adjusting to playing with different players during a game.

"They have been practicing with us and doing well, so they should be fine," Illinois sophomore guard Dee Brown said.

McBride, a freshman, will make his Illini debut in Chicago. McBride has been suspended the last four games for violating team rules, and the Illini can't wait to get their sharpshooting freshman back on the court.

"I think he will make a huge impact," Brown said. "He is probably one of the best shooters we have on the team. He will be a great addition."

Weber said McBride was playing great in the Illini's exhibition games before he was suspended. McBride did not make the trip to Philadelphia or North Carolina with the team and missed practicing with the team while they were on the road.

"Now you'll have a couple of days of practice to see how he fits in," Weber said. "Depending on the how the game goes, you can't predict injury or foul trouble. He could get some minutes."

Head and Spears have been in the lineup for the last two games.

Head has been the team's sixth man since returning to the lineup. Before his suspension, Weber said Head picked up the motion offense faster than anyone else. Now, Weber feels Head has not played to his ability thus far this season.

"I was trying to figure out a word and the word that came to me was from that Austin Powers movie, mojo," Weber said. "He lost his mojo. He lost that confidence. Maybe mentally you're drained. We have to get his mojo back — get his confidence back.

"When you lose your confidence what do you do? You come back in the gym and start from scratch."

Spears has been thrown into the mix of Illinois post players fighting for time on the court. Spears' minutes have been limited. He was limited to six minutes of action against North Carolina.

"Aaron really hasn't gotten as much playing time as he probably would like to," Illinois sophomore guard Deron Williams said. "That is going to take time, and he'll have to work his way into the rotation."

By adding the three new faces, the Illini are back at full strength and ready to move on with the rest of their season.

"(They add) just a more complete package and more bench depth," said Illinois sophomore forward James Augustine.