University of Illinois Fighting Illini Men's Basketball Preview - 2008-2009 Season
Summary of 2007-2008 Season
The Illini team finished the season with a 15-19 record. It doesn't seem like much good could have come from a season like that, and that would be true. It was the worst season that Illini basketball has seen in some time. What's worse, the Illini were in the NCAA Title game just a few
seasons back. It's a startling drop for a basketball program that had been on the rise.
Chief (pun intended) among the reasons for this decline are average recruiting and, of course, Eric Gordon's de-commitment and subsequent signing with the arch-rival Indiana Hoosiers. Coach Bruce Weber has brought in some pretty good basketball players in the '05-'07 recruiting classes, but he could not bring in that one difference-maker for last year. Gordon would have been that man last year, but Demetri McCamey may be able to develop into that man in the future for the Illini. Apparent poor team chemistry and Jamar Smith's suspension sealed the deal on a poor season.
However, there were a few bright spots during the season. Demetri McCamey showed the ability to lead the team as a freshman. He was willing and able to take the big shots and he improved as the year went on. Chances are that he'll be the starting point guard for Illini basketball until he leaves Champaign. In addition to McCamey, freshmen Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis received valuable playing time, especially down the stretch.
Player profiles are available for many of the players by clicking on their names.
Backcourt
The Illini team finished the season with a 15-19 record. It doesn't seem like much good could have come from a season like that, and that would be true. It was the worst season that Illini basketball has seen in some time. What's worse, the Illini were in the NCAA Title game just a few
Chief (pun intended) among the reasons for this decline are average recruiting and, of course, Eric Gordon's de-commitment and subsequent signing with the arch-rival Indiana Hoosiers. Coach Bruce Weber has brought in some pretty good basketball players in the '05-'07 recruiting classes, but he could not bring in that one difference-maker for last year. Gordon would have been that man last year, but Demetri McCamey may be able to develop into that man in the future for the Illini. Apparent poor team chemistry and Jamar Smith's suspension sealed the deal on a poor season.
However, there were a few bright spots during the season. Demetri McCamey showed the ability to lead the team as a freshman. He was willing and able to take the big shots and he improved as the year went on. Chances are that he'll be the starting point guard for Illini basketball until he leaves Champaign. In addition to McCamey, freshmen Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis received valuable playing time, especially down the stretch.
Player profiles are available for many of the players by clicking on their names.
Backcourt
Related information
Most Comments Today
- Hot News Quickies - Friday, July 3, 2009 News happnes while you sleep - get your Hot News Quickies her! 30 Comments
- David Carradine Second Autopsy Results Results of the second autopsy of 72 year old actor, David Carradine, have bee... 25 Comments
- Divorce and Partial Custody: Coping with Normal Parental... Divorce and partial custody are a difficult row to hoe for us men. Please un... 21 Comments
- Tips for Parents Living with a Sexual Predator in Your Ne... When you know a sexual predator is returning home to your neighborhood, what... 15 Comments
- Psychic Children: Dealing with My Intuitively Gifted Gran... This is the third installment in a series based on the true facts about two o... 15 Comments
- A Banana a Day While looking through my saved emails recently, I found several containing in... 15 Comments






Posted on 09/26/2008 at 5:09:07 AM
Posted on 09/26/2008 at 5:09:55 AM
Restaurant Chef
Posted on 07/17/2008 at 1:07:28 PM
Chris R
Posted on 07/17/2008 at 9:07:50 AM
Erich Rosenberger M.D.
Posted on 07/17/2008 at 8:07:28 AM
Michelle M. Guilbeau-Sheppard
Posted on 07/14/2008 at 5:07:10 PM