Richmond's short stay a real conundrum

I've had a seat behind Illinois' bench for the last 10 basketball seasons.

When you're situated less than five yards from the home team, you learn a little about the game and a lot about the people playing and coaching it.

I've never seen anybody on Illinois' bench — not even an assistant coach — stand up and order Bruce Weber how to coach his team.

Except for Jereme Richmond, the freshman forward who announced Tuesday that he's headed into the NBA draft and won't be coming back.

During a Big Ten home game this season, Richmond rose from his seat in the middle of the bench (with water cup in his hand) and walked toward Weber yelling that Illinois' defender needed to front the other team's post player.

He was insistent, repeating himself at least once. He offered specifics on how to get his plan accomplished. Moreover, Richmond's take sounded like a worthy scheme to try.

And that moment helps to explain the conundrum that was Richmond's truncated stay in Champaign — not to mention his challenge as he hits the pros.

Clearly he owns an advanced skill set and an accelerated knowledge of the game.

At the same time, he has zero clue how to handle himself in a team environment where coaches and teammates deserve a modicum of respect.

Or, more likely, Richmond has zero desire to handle himself correctly.

There was the scrap with teammate Brandon Paul after the Big Ten tournament loss to Michigan ... the multiple off-court problems that forced him to sit out Illinois' pair of NCAA Tournament games ... the times where he seemed to respond only to assistant Jerrance Howard's coaching.

NBA teams are going to demand explanations for these problems. He's not such a no-doubt talent that they'll give him a pass.

In addition, Richmond owns a power forward's game with a small forward's body at this stage.

While he projects to be a solid perimeter player, he went 2 of 12 on 3-pointers this season and canned perhaps 15 shots beyond 15 feet.

He needs playing time, which he won't get anywhere in America except the D-League. He needs someone to squash him and mold him, but D-League coaches aren't paid to babysit.

He needs at least one more year of college ball, but Illinois' news release indicated Richmond shifted his workout base to Chicago and will hire an agent soon enough.

As for the Illini, who received a a grand total of 685 minutes and 236 points out of Richmond during their 1,595-day relationship, there are just six scholarship returnees from this season's 20-14 squad.

Those six players, led by rising juniors D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul, have played all of 2,244 minutes against Big Ten opponents.

To put that into perspective, the graduating Demetri McCamey played 2,706 minutes against Big Ten competition.

Junior-to-be Tyler Griffey, the forgotten man on this year's squad, suddenly has a golden opportunity to play 30 minutes per game.

Incoming freshmen Mike Shaw and Mycheal Henry also have additional incentive to devote themselves to basketball for the next six months.

Meanwhile, Richmond needs to devote just as much time to non-basketball issues as his game.

It will go a long way toward determining whether he develops into a 10-year pro or one of those guys desperate for a 10-day contract.