Weber unloads loud and clear
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Anyone remotely familiar with Bruce Weber knows at least one thing: His voice carries through cement walls like they're not even there.
He proved it again after Illinois' 74-67 loss Saturday at Purdue.
His words carried across a Mackey Arena hallway and overrode Purdue players as they spoke during their postgame news conference.
"It was pretty emotional," said senior Brian Randle, choosing his words carefully. "Pretty intense, although it was a little somber at times."
Weber laced into the Illini after a sour final 15 minutes that portrayed them as weak with the ball, weak on post defense and willing to bicker with each other.
At least part of Weber's tirade was directed at senior center Shaun Pruitt. He scored a team-high-tying 15 points and added 9 rebounds but surrendered 17 points to Purdue big man Nemanja Calasan.
The 6-foot-9 Calasan, who made his second career start, came in averaging 6.9 points.
"Shaun just has to defend better," Weber said. "People isolate him and he's got to fight in the post."
Pruitt, along with every other Illini aside from Randle and junior Trent Meacham, wasn't allowed to talk with the media after the game.
McCamey benched: After looking good in most of Illinois' Big Ten games, freshman point guard Demetri McCamey struggled against Purdue.
He came in with a 22-to-9 assist-to-turnover ratio in league play but committed 5 turnovers with just 2 assists Saturday.
McCamey's last turnover, when he threw the ball away trying to avoid an over-and-back, bought him a seat on the bench for the final 10:32.
"I think it was the first time McCamey, who's played well as a freshman, probably got a little shook," coach Bruce Weber said. "He got a couple 'carry' calls and then he threw some away. You know, he didn't see the man or didn't connect with eyes.
"That allowed them to get the crowd into it, get a couple transition baskets."
Free-throw woes: For the sixth time this season, Illinois failed to break 50 percent at the free-throw line.
The league's worst shooters went 10-for-21 against Purdue, including times when Demetri McCamey, Chester Frazier and Mike Tisdale came away empty despite having 2 shots.
"When they miss, it also takes their spirit out and their heart," Bruce Weber said. "They start thinking, 'OK, here we go again.' "
Purdue hit 22 of 28 free throws to become the 17th Illini opponent in 19 games to shoot the higher percentage. Illinois is 3-8 when its opponent makes more free throws.
"Free throws are an essential part of the game," Purdue freshman Robbie Hummel said. "Free-throw shooting's all just concentration and practice."