Self works on lineup for Thunder
game
With the regular season just one week away,
Illinois head coach Bill Self is starting to see his team gel.
But Self hasn't finished his lineup.
After Monday's win over the Athletes in Action, Self has a better
idea of who will be in his rotation when the Illini take on the NBC
Thunder Friday night at Assembly Hall.
"It's a good chance for me and my staff to get a look at a serious
substitution pattern," Self said.
"I have six, seven, possibly eight guys in mind," Self said. "I'm
still looking at the ninth and 10th."
Self voiced concern over Illinois' after the 91-56 Illinois win against
AIA. When facing the Thunder, Self hopes the defense can be in the
right place at the right time.
"We want to improve on defensive positioning, be able to guard the
ball without getting beat, putting your hands on the person," Self
said.
Growing pains
It's not easy being rookies.
Illinois' two freshmen, Brett Melton and Nick Smith, have been thrown
into the world of college basketball in the past few weeks.
"Brett has a chance to contribute this year because we're definitely
not going to redshirt," Self said. "He has worked hard; he's going
to make himself into a good player before the season is over."
At times, the transition has been tough for Melton, just because of
the increased level of talent.
"Everyone's so much faster, so much stronger and so much smarter but
I'm adjusting," Melton said. "I'm working hard every day so hopefully
I will be where I want to be at the end of the season."
Smith said that the physical part of the game has been his greatest
focus so far.
"It's hard to adjust to it if you're not as strong or as fast as these
guys," Smith said. "You know what it's going to be like but doing
it's hard."
Mahomet Pride
Playing in Assembly Hall on Monday night against the Athletes in Action,
Melton was getting a chance to live a dream.
"When I hit that first three I got chills through my body," Melton
said. "It was amazing."
Melton grew up in nearby Mahomet, a 20-minute drive from the Illinois
campus.
"Ever since my freshman year I wanted to come to Illinois," Melton
said.
Melton showed that by committing to the Illini before his junior season
in the fall of 1998.
The redshirt is coming?
Self is still not sure whether Smith will redshirt for the 2000-2001
season, but he expects a decision to come soon.
"There is a great chance we will redshirt Nick," Self said. "We will
make a decision after a week's more of practice."
Smith thinks, however, that a redshirt most likely something in his
future.
"It doesn't bother me a whole lot," Smith said. "I want to play a
little bit with this team; it doesn't bother me that much."
With the year off, Smith will look to add weight to his 7-2, 240 pound
frame.
"I want to improve physically, get stronger so I can play better with
these guys," Smith said.
Big men feeling fine
Knee pain from senior Marcus Griffin, a sprained ankle for sophomore
forward Marcus Griffin, and knee surgery for junior forward Damir
Krupalija had the team worried.
The ulcers can finally go away for Self.
"They are fine," Self said. "Damir was sore today, but we thought
that was going to happen." |
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