Chris Hine covers the Illinois Fighting Illini for the Chicago Tribune. You can find his work at:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/
Hine can also be found on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/ChristopherHine
Baltimore Sports and Life thanks Mr. Hine for answering a few questions about the Fighting Illini. Depending on the results of Maryland’s game vs. Pittsburgh, and the Illinois vs. Texas match-up, the Terps could face Bruce Weber’steam Friday.
Baltimore Sports and Life: “Last year Illinois ended their season in the National Invitation Tournament after finishing21-15 overall, and 10-8 in the Big 10. Expectations for this year are obviously on the rise, as the team is currentlyranked 13th Nationally. What have you liked so far in Illinois’ 3-0 start? (Blowouts over UC-Irvine, Toledo, and SouthernIllinois).”
Chris Hine: “They’ve had a strong commitment to defense, something which was sorely lacking last year.Bruce Weber made his preseason practices all about defense, so much so that he ran very little offense. And it’sshowed in their three early wins, they’re a much-improved defensive team. Offensively, they still need to cometogether, but the defense is better.”
Baltimore Sports and Life: “If Maryland winds-up facing Illinois, I will look forward to seeing Terps Center Jordan Williams go against Illinois’ 7’1 Senior Center Mike Tisdale. I know Tisdale is known as a good shooting Center,but people have previously questioned his aggressiveness inside. Is that improved?”
Chris Hine: “Tisdale added a lot of muscle in the offseason. He still isn’t the most aggressive player on the court, buthe’s not as easy to push around this year. The coaches would still like him to rebound a little more to take pressureoff Mike Davis, but the offseason commitment he made to adding muscle shows. And like you said, he’s a greatshooter for someone who’s 7-1. Don’t be surprised to see him pull the trigger on a couple threes — and hit them.”
Baltimore Sports and Life: “If the Terps have to face Illinois, they will be facing the Senior Demetri McCamey whoflirted with the NBA last-Spring, and was 1st-Team All Big-10. McCamey is currently leading Illinois in scoring, and isaveraging 8 assists to 2 turnovers. He is shooting 42% from 3 (compared to 34.1% last-year). What is the strength of McCamey’s game?”
Chris Hine: “His court vision and his passing. All you have to do is watch the tape of the Southern Illinois games.He found guys I didn’t think were open and threaded the needle with no-look passes. He ran their fast break withoutmaking any mistakes. That’s his meal ticket to the NBA after this season. If he plays well, Illinois is a tough team tobeat.”
Baltimore Sports and Life: “Freshman Forward Jereme Richmond was a McDonald’s All-American, and isaveraging over 20 minutes of playing-time so far. Tell us about what you have seen in Richmond, andthe rest of the Freshman class.” (Illinois’ recruiting class was ranked 7th Nationally)
Chris Hine: “Richmond is so versatile. He’ll take you off the dribble, he’ll post you up and fade away, and he’llprobably trash talk you while he’s doing it too. He’ll play a few different positions. He could play point, on a wing, oreven the 4. He also is a great student of the game. Understands its nuances well and talks intelligently about it offthe court. As for Meyers Leonard, he can run, he’s got a developing post game and could be a really great playerwhen he develops.Right now, he’s a little raw and loves setting illegal screens and committing offensive fouls, but a lotof recruiting analysts were high on Leonard and it’s easy to see why. He can also shoot a little bit. Crandall Head isalso a work in progress. Needs to develop his shot a little bit and is coming off an ACL tear from last year which kepthim off the court all season. But he can take it to the hoop and can show off some freakish athleticism at times.Give him sometime to develop too.”
Baltimore Sports and Life: “All 5 Fighting Illini starters are back from last-year, and beyond Tisdale, and McCamey that also includes Senior PF Mike Davis who lead the Big 10 in rebounding last-year. 6’9, 220 pounds, is he thebest Illinois post-defender? Offensively does he play with his back to the basket?”
Chris Hine: “He gets most of his points from offensive putbacks or jumpers. He is a good shooter. One of the areashe’s had to work on his this offseason is his ability to take guys off the dribble.He tried it the other night and I believegot fouled. That’s something you wouldn’t have seen him done last year. He doesn’t play with his back to thebasket as much as Tisdale does. You can hear Weber often yell “Get it to Tisdale” when he’s inside the post.Rarely is it “Get it to Davis.”
Baltimore Sports and Life: “Maryland has two Freshman guards who figure to receive a lot of playing-time. Illinoiswent through that last-year with the Guards DJ Richardson, and Brandon Paul. Where has their games matured asSophomores?”
Chris Hine: “Brandon Paul seems to have taken a step in his sophomore year. I say that with a bit of hesitancy rightnow because he started hot last year and fell off as the season wore on. But he’s more consistent, is better when hetakes the ball to the basket, which was a real problem last year, and he thinks twice before firing up 3-pointers whenthe better option would be to work for another shot. He’s also improved as a ball-handler to the point where he’s thebackup to McCamey, which was a question mark before the season. But he’s a natural wing and a length, athleticone at that. As for Richardson, last year he was Illinois’ go-to defender. He was constantly put on the other team’sbest player. He wouldn’t shut them down, but he’s only going to get better in the area. Offensively he hasn’t had as good a start as Weber wanted, but he’s still a decent shooter and a threat to knock down the 3.”
Baltimore Sports and Life: “Do you expect Coach Weber’s team to compete with Michigan State for theBig 10 Title?”
Chris Hine: “I do. The Big Ten is going to be competitive. And MSU is going to be right there at the top,so is Ohio State, but if Illinois can keep playing good defense, they’ll be right there.”
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.