With the College Basketball 2009-2010 Season just around the corner, we are providing season previews & predictions for all NCAA basketball teams to give you the betting edge this year. Follow the best College Basketball Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2009-2010 basketball season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Basketball in our recommend online sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2009 NCAA Basketball Season Previews here.
2009-2010 Illinois Preview Picks, & Odds.
Illinois 2008-2009 Record: 24-10, 11-7
Illinois 2008-2009 Post Season: NCAA
Illinois Coach: Bruce Weber (152-57 at Illinois, 255-111 overall)
Illinois Projected Starters:
- Demetri McCamey, Junior, Guard, 11.5 points per game
- D.J. Richardson, Freshman, Guard, DNP last season
- Alex Legion, Junior, Guard, 3.5 points per game
- Mike Davis, Junior, Forward, 11.3 points per game
- Mike Tisdale, Junior, Center, 10.2 points per game
Illinois Player to Watch: Mike Davis
Illinois Key Losses: G Calvin Brock, G Chester Frazier, G Trent Meacham
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2009-2010 Illinois Season Preview
That ugly first-round exit against Western Kentucky left a bad taste. But there’s no denying that Illinois did a good job of getting back on track last season after missing (he NCAA Tournament in 2008.
Most encouraging, the sophomores who learned under fire last year will be juniors this season and they will be joined by what is easily coach Bruce Weber’s best recruiting class at Illinois.
The three junior returning starters – playmaker Demetri McCamey, center Mike Tisdale and power forward Mike Davis – need to become more consistent. But those three, along with Kentucky transfer Alex Legion, a shooting guard who was a non factor last season – give Weber the chance for some serious junior achievement. Mix in senior forward Dominique Keller plus a freshman quartet that figures to assert itself, and Illinois should have another winning combination.
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Illinois Backcourt
The possibilities are intriguing on paper. Demetri McCamey has a ton of skills. Legion still oozes potential. And newcomers Brandon Paul, D.J. Richardson and Joseph Bertrand headline Weber’s gaudy recruiting class.
The question is, can they turn their potential into success?
That’s particularly problematic because the key departees – Chester Frazier and Trent Meacham – were glue guys, as was third senior Calvin Brock, And Michael Jordan’s son, Jeff, a former walk-on, has left the team despite an encouraging sophomore campaign as a defensive specialist.
Finally armed with some depth, Weber hopes that will breed competition that spurs the Illini to improvement. McCamey, who will set the tone on the perimeter, needs to overcome a maddening tendency to follow an All-Big Ten performance with some real clunkers.
The trio of freshmen obviously will have a learning curve, but they are promising enough that they could develop quickly.
The real X factor, though, remains Legion, a pure shooter who needs to step up his defense, among other things.
Illinois Frontcourt
As with its perimeter, Illinois has intriguing possibilities inside. Davis is the kind of long, lean, skilled athlete seen more often in the ACC than the Big Ten. And with another 25 or 30 pounds, Tisdale – a 7-1, 235-pound bean pole who can score from 15 feet out – eventually could wind up helping an NBA team. But both Mikes need a lot of polish, and they had offseason setbacks.
A broken left ankle prevented Davis from gaining summer experience in the World University Games, and Tisdale hasn’t been adding weight as quickly as he’d like. Still, based on experience alone, they figure to continue to make strides.
Keller, who has a knack for scoring, figures to provide energy, particularly if he improves his all-around game. Incoming big man Tyler Griffey, who likes to face the basket, could earn a role. So could 6-9, 225- pound redshirt freshman Stan Simpson, who has the inside bulk Illinois lacks.
2009-2010 Illinois Predictions
If the Illini continue to make strides, they could have a big upside.
With talent, Weber has shown he can be successful at the highest level. A lot depends on his juniors overcoming the flaws they showed at times last year. The mini also will need help from their freshmen.
But if a few things come together, the Illini should be able to hold their own in an improving Big Ten. Illinois Finish in the Big Ten: 5th
Illinois Projected Post-season Tournament: NCAA
Illinois Betting Odds
Illinois Odds to Win 2010 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament: +10000
Illinois Odds to Win the Big Ten: +1200
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Illinois Basketball Handicapping Picks
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