Illinois 2010 Preview & Predictions

Illinois Fighting Illini Basketball 2010-2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks & Odds

With the College Basketball 2010-2011 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 2010-2011 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 2010-2011 NCAA Basketball Season Previews here.

Illinois Preview Picks, & Odds.

Illinois 2009-2010 Record: 21-15 overall; 10-8 Big Ten (5th)

Illinois Coach: Bruce Weber – At Illinois: 173-72,7 years; overall: 276-126,12 years

Illinois Players to Watch: Demetri McCamey will be gunning to repeat as afirst-team All-Big Ten selection. Freshman forward Jereme Richmond could follow D.J. Richardson as Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Illinois Key Losses: Dominique Keller, F, 6-7, 230 (4.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg); Jeff Jordan, G, 6-1, 185 (1.6 ppg, 1.7 apg)

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2010-2011 Illinois Season Preview

Michigan State, Purdue and Ohio State will be in the Big Ten spotlight going into this season. Don’t be surprised, though, if the league’s heavyweights are keeping an eye on Illinois. Led by an accomplished senior trio and a talented threesome of sophomores, virtually everyone returns from a team that barely missed the NCAA Tournament in 2010. Add in a highly regarded trio of freshmen, and Bruce Weber has the best depth of his seven years in Champaign. Weber, has 11 players capable of delivering quality minutes against top-level opponents. The key pieces are first-team All-Big Ten senior point guard Demetri McCamey and 7-1, 250-pound senior center Mike Tisdale, a skilled shooter who has added nearly 30 pounds of needed weight. Both made big strides in toughness last season, but could use a little more consistency.

Illinois Backcourt

When McCamey, who was second in the nation with 7.1 assists per game, was draining NBA-length treys, he was able to put Illinois on his back and deliver big victories at Wisconsin and against Michigan State. He should have even more help this season, as co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year D.J. Richardson, a stifling defender, adds more offense. Fellow sophomore Brandon Paul and incoming freshman McDonald’s All-American Jereme Richmond both are perimeter players for whom the sky’s the limit.

Illinois Frontcourt

Illinois is so deep up front that the challenge will be for Weber, who generally likes a short bench, to make use of all his options. Tisdale, who led the Big Ten with 58.5 percent field goal shooting, will be backed up by incoming freshman Meyers Leonard, who might be as talented as any freshman center in the country. At forward, senior Mike Davis, who led the Big Ten with 9.2 rebounds a game, will try to finish with a flourish after some inconsistency last season. Sophomore Tyler Griffey, who came on strong at the end of last season, figures to demand playing time. Senior captain Bill Cole, who was a steadying influence, can’t be overlooked, either.

2010-2011 Illinois Predictions

One more win – anywhere – probably would have gotten Illinois off the bubble last season and into the NCAA Tournament.Having finally overcome some early recruit’ ing setbacks, Weber now has the horses to not only return to the Big Dance, but to advance. Illinois Finish in the Big Ten: 4th

Illinois Betting Odds

Illinois Odds to Win 2010-2011 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament: +2500
Illinois Odds to Win the Big Ten: +650

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Illinois Basketball Handicapping Picks

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