Weber seeing intensity he's sought from Illini

CHAMPAIGN — Basketball coach Bruce Weber says he'd like to bottle the intensity No. 13 Illinois used Monday night to win its season-opener against UC-Irvine.

The Illini led 42-18 at halftime before coasting to a 79-65 win.

On Tuesday, Weber said Illinois' hustle and defensive work in the first 20 minutes were better than anything he saw from last year's 21-15 team.

Brandon Paul led Illinois with 18 points. All were on three-point shots and nine came in three-straight first-half possessions that buried the Anteaters.

Weber says he challenged Paul in the offseason to become a better shooter. Now, he wants the sophomore guard to learn to play hard when he gets tired.

Illinois next faces Toledo at home Wednesday.