The Illinois post players are easy to tell apart.

Sophomore Aaron Spears is the biggest. Junior Jack Ingram has brown hair. Junior Nick Smith is the tallest. Sophomore James Augustine has very short black hair. Freshman Warren Carter is the thinnest of the group.

Differences aside, there is very little separating these players on the court.

The big men will show their similarities Sunday in Illinois' first exhibition game against the Illinois All-Stars at 4 p.m. in Assembly Hall.

"I think we're all pretty much the same player," Augustine said. "Everybody can dribble. Nick can pass a little better. Jack can shoot a little better. Nick can shoot a little better. Warren and I are a little quicker, moving faster. We have our ups and downs being in the post but I think we are pretty much similar players."

Each player's best individual skills will be highlighted a little bit more with the motion offense the Illini are implementing this season. For the post players, Augustine says there is not much difference between this offense and the high-low offense run last year under Bill Self.

"It has pretty much the same concepts but you've got to read it yourself," Augustine said. "Coach Self had certain places you had to be at certain times. This year you read it yourself and know where to go."

Even though the same concepts are used in both offenses, the Illini are still picking up the nuances of the motion offense.

"It is pretty difficult for everyone to get used to it just because we are not used to playing on our own," Augustine said.

Augustine and Smith are the two returning post players for the Illini. Spears redshirted last season after tearing his lateral meniscus in his left knee six games into the season. Ingram also redshirted. He sat out the season after transferring from Tulsa. Carter spent last season playing high school basketball for Lake Highlands High School in Dallas.

What the Illini may lack in experience they make up for in depth. Illinois head coach Bruce Weber is going to make sure all the players get plenty of time on the floor to earn their minutes for the season opener Nov. 22 against Western Illinois.

"I'm just going to make sure the coaches say (it has been) four minutes, (it's time to get the next two in the game)," Illinois head coach Bruce Weber said.

With Sergio McClain suiting up for the Illinois All-Stars, Assembly Hall fans will be treated to a trio of Peoria natives on the court. McClain, from Peoria Manuel, played for the Illini from 1998-2001.

Senior point guard Jerrance Howard, from Peoria Central, played against McClain last year. McClain was a member of the EA Sports All-Stars who lost to Illinois in an exhibition game last year.

Freshman forward Brian Randle, from Peoria Notre Dame, will be facing McClain for the first time in Assembly Hall.

"I never really thought about it," Randle said. "He has come in here a couple of times, he played a little bit (at practice). I guess if he's playing it is Peoria against Peoria, so to speak, and I think the crowd will enjoy it. The ex versus the new."