Illinois goes where McCamey goes
In the past two games, McCamey went nowhere, and the Illini dropped two Big Ten Conference basketball games. In losses to Ohio State and Indiana, the defensive strategy was simple: Take McCamey out of the game.
It's been said for years. No. 20 Illinois goes as guard Demetri McCamey goes.
"It's all eyes on me,'' said McCamey after Illinois fell 52-49 against the Hoosiers Thursday.
Any hope for a big season is slipping away for the Illini, who were expected to be playing for NCAA seeding rather than sliding back onto the tournament bubble.
The Illini lost for the fourth time in the last five games, and those giddy days in December following wins over North Carolina and Gonzaga seem like ancient history.
The Illini (14-7 overall, 4-4 in the Big Ten) host Penn State Tuesday (8 p.m., BTN). The first priority is getting McCamey back up to speed. He failed to reach double figures for the second consecutive game, and the Illini offense couldn't get over the hump without a big game from the preseason all-Big Ten pick.
Against Ohio State, McCamey scored five points on 2-for-11 shooting with defense from freshman Aaron Craft and senior Jon Diebler. Indiana coach Tom Crean said he learned something from watching the Ohio State film.
When Illinois attempted to win its fifth straight game against the Hoosiers and third consecutive game at Indiana, McCamey faced aggressive physical defense, primarily from senior guard Jeremiah Rivers. McCamey scored six points on 2-for-11 shooting. He had three assists with five turnovers.
"It all begins with Demetri McCamey,'' said Crean. "The pass and the assist are just as important to him as a basket. When you play like that, that's a special guy. He's the energy source.
"This is the epitome of what Jeremiah Rivers is all about. It's not about the stats. When you put his speed, strength, toughness and athleticism with that mindset, a lot of really good things can happen.''
Indiana secured its first win against a ranked opponent in the three seasons under Crean. The Illini were held to season low scoring and managed just five field goals and 17 points in the second half.
"Now, it's about the future and the seniors stepping up and leading this team and trying to get to the NCAA Tournament," McCamey said.
A bye weekend gives Illinois a chance to get away from it for a day, but the Illini sounded eager to get back in the gym and fix a season sliding in the wrong direction.
"I'd rather get back out there and play,'' said Illinois forward Mike Davis, who scored 14 points against Indiana, "but it's good to get in the gym. We have to get ready and protect the home court.''
The Illini have been unable to get off to a fast start in the Big Ten. Illinois reaches the halfway point in the conference schedule Tuesday, and it doesn't get any easier with road games against
Northwestern, Minnesota, Michigan State, Ohio State and Purdue still on the horizon.
"Now, the most we can be is 5-4 (at the halfway point),'' Weber said, "and we have a very difficult second half.''
John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com.