Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:06 PM CST
Illini eager for chance at Blue Devils
Weber's group could face Duke next week
By MARK TUPPER Staff Writer
mtupper@herald-review.com
CHAMPAIGN - Quite naturally, the Illini basketball players are itching to play Duke.
Trouble is, there are a half dozen hurdles to clear before they'll get the chance.
Illini coach Bruce Weber said Tuesday he had received text messages Monday night from players who were watching Duke beat New Mexico State. Playing Duke gets any player's blood pumping, and Illinois could be meeting the Blue Devils next Tuesday in Hawaii.
First, though, there's a long, long flight to the islands and a journey through several time zones that has knocked even seasoned travelers for a loop.
Then there's a game against the University of Hawaii late Friday night in Honolulu.
Then there's another flight to Maui.
Then there's a first-round game Monday against Arizona State in the EA Sports Maui Invitational.
If Illinois wins that game, and if Duke defeats Princeton, only then will Illinois have a chance to go up against the Blue Devils, who in three visits to the Maui Invitational have a 9-0 record.
Weber's message: Let's go one step at a time.
''Hawaii is our first focus,'' Weber said Tuesday. ''The Duke game is a ways away. We have to play Hawaii first. Then we have to beat Arizona State to even have a chance to play Duke.
''That will be our dilemma as a coaching staff: to make sure our kids not only deal with the travel and the atmosphere and being on the beaches, then understanding how important Hawaii is and making sure you beat Arizona State.
''It's definitely different than our situation last year when we had a lot of home games and then a game in Chicago. We're going to have to grow up fast or have ourselves in a little bit of a bind.''
To prepare for the trip, Weber consulted with fellow Big Ten coach and friend Tom Izzo of Michigan State.
To start the 2005-06 season, Izzo decided to play Hawaii in Honolulu as a prelude to the Spartans' appearance in the Maui Invitational. That plan backfired slightly when Hawaii ambushed the Spartans, 84-62.
''He told us a couple of things,'' Weber said. ''One, make sure you leave with enough time to get your body clocks adjusted. He said to give yourself 48 hours to do that.''
The Illini team traveled Tuesday night by bus to Chicago, then planned to board a commercial flight to Honolulu today.
''We'll arrive Wednesday afternoon (Honolulu time), then have the game Friday night,'' Weber said.
Izzo also said his team suffered from dehydration and cramping.
''So we know it's really important to get the kids drinking fluids before the flight, during the flight and after the flight,'' Weber said. ''And we have to be careful with practices. Tom thought they went a little too hard, and it took too much out of them.
''But he thought it helped them when they got to Maui to have already played a game over there.''
Team officials have even factored in a little time for sight seeing prior to Friday night's game. The team will tour some of the beach activities and may check out Pearl Harbor.
Weber said he and his assistants have spoken with players who were disappointed in their playing time in the season-opening victory over Northeastern on Sunday. Richard Semrau and Brian Carlwell didn't play.
''Obviously, they are disappointed,'' Weber said. ''Kids want to play. It's part of the transition. Other guys wish they had more minutes.
''Everyone is fighting for minutes. We do have competition. That's a good thing, but we have to be sympathetic. They are young kids, so we have to stay on top of it and make sure they understand the situation. I tried to talk to them over the last week and warn them what was coming. Some have listened a little better, and others don't see what's coming.''
Weber is already expecting there to be a Hawaii media buzz interested in the arrival of Illini freshman Jeffrey Jordan, son of NBA legend Michael Jordan.
''I think there will be some attention brought to him, yes,'' he said. ''The New York Post ran an article after Sunday's game. There was the thing on the Today Show. Dan Patrick (ESPN radio) called today, and that was his focus. Whenever Michael Jordan is involved, it gets some attention.''
The rest of the Maui Invitational field is Marquette, Chaminade, Louisiana State and Oklahoma State.
Weber to sign one
Stan Simpson, a 6-foot-9 senior from Chicago Simeon, is expected to be Illinois' only signee when the NCAA's fall signing period opens today. Weber has another scholarship available for the 2008 class and is thought to be pursuing a junior college forward.
Mark Tupper can be reached at mtupper@herald-review.com or 421-7983.
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