Illini News ... Not All Of It Good

Some important Illini news on this 17th day of September, 2009.

First off, Martez Wilson is out for the season with a herniated disk in his neck. Bodes well for the next two games against Ohio St. and Penn St.

Next up, John Supinie says that Alex Legion can start for the Illini this season ... if he earns it.

Also, the dude who spearheaded the fight against the Chief passed away.

Here's an optimistic article that notes the Illini football team has 8 games remaining against bowl teams from last season.

Finally, a solid article about Red Grange. What a beast.

Illini football has the week off. They need it.

The Four Fives

That is a photo of Chester Frazier, senior point guard for the Illini and one of four players on the roster currently averaging between 5.0 and 5.9 points per game.

I have taken to calling these four guys by an original and rather uninventive name: The Four Fives.

Who are the Four Fives, you ask? They are Chester, Alex Legion, Calvin Brock and Dominique Keller.

What a pack o' beasts.

Chester is the heartbeat of the team, the scuffler, the senior leader, the glue. He can aggressively dish the rock but has the caution and know-how of a senior to avoid turnovers. He is the key to the team. He averages 5.6 points per game.

Alex is the new guy, the recently-ineligible guy, the guy with the murky past. He transferred from Kentucky with some baggage but the legends of his shooting ability are ... legion. The man has long arms and can shoot the rock, silkily. One day soon the things that need to click will click. He will be score in bunches. He averages 5.5 points per game.

Calvin is the fifth-year senior, the leaper, the only man left from the Deron-Dee-Luther-Roger-James glory days. He has the motor off the bench, instant energia, as the Spanish announcers might say. If there were hurdles on the court he could hurdle them. He averages 5.6 points per game.

Dominique is the junior college guy, the guy who is learning by leaps and bounds, the guy who earned more playing time by proving to the coaches both on and off the court that he deserved it. He has the great ability to suddenly pop into the lane wide open. And then get the ball and make the shot. He averages 5.9 points per game.

So now that you know the Four Fives, please introduce yourself, make small talk, maybe invite them into your home for a meal. They're good ballplayers.

Sure, people are going to talk about the McCameys, the Meachams, the Tisdales and the Davises, but let it be known: this Illini team isn't anywhere near 17-3 without the Four Fives.

That is all.

Spartans Make Comeback, Beat Illini

Well now, that was frustrating. To be leading the #7 team in the country nearly the entire game, on their floor, only to lose out in the end makes for a frustrating, painful afternoon. Kalin Lucas and Raymar Morgan played a solid second half for the Spartans, and the Tommy Izzo defense locked down in a big way over the last 4:40 or so.

The real story of the game, however, at least from the Illini perspective, was the cold shooting of Demetri McCamey and Trent Meacham. Combined, the two shot 1 for 16, the one being a long three by Trent from the top of the key. A few of Demetri's shots looked like they were going to fall but either rimmed out or flew a tad long. It just happened over and over again. Very annoying to watch.

I do have to hand it to Alex Legion though (not to mention Calvin Brock). Legion had 15 points off the bench and shot the ball with confidence throughout the game. He had a big turnover late when he stepped on the baseline while driving to the basket, but he looks like he is about to break out for a huge game soon.

My bet is it will be Tuesday night against the Buckneyes.