Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo considers Dee Brown a leader.

Brown does not consider himself a leader.

Izzo coached Mateen Cleeves, the team leader of the 2000 NCAA Title team.

Brown doesn't see himself as leading a team, he says it is just who he is.

Whatever term you want to use for leadership, the Illinois coaching staff wants to see Brown acquire more of it.

"He could be a leader," Illinois assistant coach Wayne McClain said. "I think the guys want to follow him. I think the guys want to look up to him."

At Big Ten Media Day, Izzo commented on how he feels Brown has what it takes to be a leader.

"My best definition of a leader is a guy who does what he is supposed to do and makes sure that other people do the same because that is difficult," Izzo said.

Tuesday in practice, Brown walked up to freshman forward Brian Randle and explained to him that he needs to pass the ball better. Randle had just thrown the ball to junior center Nick Smith and it went out of bounds. For Brown, situations like these are just natural. They have nothing to do with leadership.

"I just do me," Brown said. "You can't force the issue. Leadership is something that you are born with. Something you have in you."

Smith sees Brown as a leader for another reason — the position he plays.

"It's how basketball works," Smith said. "(A team's) point guard is your leader. He is your floor leader. That's just how the game works."

If anyone on the coaching staff can spot a leader, it is McClain. His son Sergio was a three year starter and team leader on two Big Ten Championship teams. McClain sees Brown's personality as the reason behind his leadership.

"Some people have that type of charisma where people just want to follow them," McClain said. "Some guys are just gifted like that. People just tend to look up to them, but I do think you've got to earn that."

To earn that leadership Illinois head coach Bruce Weber wants Brown to show up energized every day, even on days when the energy level is down.

Weber wants a leader to step up when the team needs it. That means making a key shot, driving to the basket, diving on a loose ball or calming the team down when an opponent puts together a run. Weber sees the total leadership package developing for Brown with time.

"You've got to earn that," Weber said. "You've got to earn my respect, you've got to earn the players respect. You've got to make plays when it counts so everyone wants to go to you."

So far this season, Weber is seeing that type of leadership from Brown with consistent effort in practice.

"He has only one day out of the ten where he didn't come ready," Weber said. "That's pretty consistent. Nine out of ten's not bad."

Brown is not the only Illini the team is counting on for leadership. Senior guard Jerrance Howard is a returning team leader.

"He is not the guy you're going to have on the floor all the time, but he comes with the same amount of energy, which is a great example for our younger players," McClain said. "To be a leader, you can't do it by saying you're a leader but do it by how you carry yourself every day."

Weber sees sophomore guard Deron Williams in a similar situation as Brown, a younger player who can step up into a leadership role.

"I reminded those guys you are getting the headlines," Weber said of Brown and Williams. "You're getting your picture on the magazines. We can't have you not be there."

No matter how Brown, Weber, Izzo or anyone else defines leadership, Brown is just going to go out and play his way.

"You know (if you are) doing good I'm gonna give you a pat," Brown said. "If you are doing bad I'm gonna lift you up."

Powell Sits Out Practice

Illinois junior forward Roger Powell sat out of Wednesday's practice with a sprained knee that Weber said was nothing more than a little scare. Weber expects Powell to return to practice Friday. The Illini have today off.

Williams Starts in NBA

Former Illiniois point guard Frank Williams started the season at point guard Wednesday for the New York Knicks. The Knicks hosted the Orlando Magic in the first game for both teams.