Men's basketball preview: Illinois

Posted October 13, 2010 11:00 pm

By Lindsey Willhite

Illinois

Coach: Bruce Weber (173-72, 8th year)Last year: 21-15, 10-8 (5th in Big Ten)Key players lost: NoneNewcomers: F Jereme Richmond, C Meyers Leonard, G Crandall Head, G Kevin Berardini (walk-on)First practice: 6:30 p.m. Friday.First exhibition Lewis, Oct. 29First game: UC Irvine, Nov. 8Initial issues: The Illini are one of the four featured teams in the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament, which means they start the season earlier than ever and must prepare for showcase games at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 18-19. With 11 stud athletes who all believe they should play, Weber is trying to take advantage of the depth by emphasizing the running game.