Sunday, November 8, 2009 9:57 PM CST
Richardson takes charge, leads Illini past Quincy in exhibition play
By MARK TUPPER, Staff Writer
CHAMPAIGN — Later this week, high school basketball recruits Jereme Richmond, Crandall Head and Meyers Leonard will be able to sign letters of intent to attend the University of Illinois.
It will signal a second straight banner recruiting haul for Illini coach Bruce Weber.
On Sunday, they were sitting courtside at the Assembly Hall, dreaming that one year from now they’ll have their chance to shine.
First, though, they got a glimpse of this year’s freshman class and in Sunday’s exhibition game against Quincy, it was newcomer D.J. Richardson who had them cheering.
Richardson gave the Illini a much-needed spurt, scoring eight straight points to launch a breakaway run that led to an 84-63 victory.
Richardson led the Illini with 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting, but until he took charge it was a much closer game.
In fact, Illinois’ lead was only 54-53 with 10 minutes to play. But with Richardson leading the way, Illinois went on a 30-10 run to finish the game.
“I just took open shots,” said Richardson, the guard from Peoria via Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev. “I think that’s what we need, players that are willing to take open shots and knock them down.”
Coach Bruce Weber was not pleased that the Illini settled for 31 3-pointers. But he liked the fact that they made 13 (41.9 percent), including 5-for-8 by Richardson and 3-for-4 by Bill Cole.
Alex Legion scored 12 points and freshman Brandon Paul added 11 for the Illini, who can now focus on the regular-season opener Friday night against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.
Richardson has made a strong impression since his arrival on campus this summer. Weber has constantly praised him for his efforts on defense.
But in two exhibition games, he has averaged 19.5 points, tops on the team.
“He’s had his moments offensively,” Weber said. “In one scrimmage last week he scored 32 points in 22 minutes. He can get some points.
“The thing that has been most impressive over the past two years is his shooting the 3-pointer. His perimeter shooting has really gotten better. He’s always been able to get to the basket, but he shoots it now with a lot of confidence.”
Outrebounded 21-18 in the first half, Illinois led by just one point at 54-53 with 10 minutes to play. Mike Tisdale, who hit all four of his shots, nailed a turnaround jumper for a 56-53 lead to start Illinois’ run.
After Quincy ‘s Courtney Belger hit a free throw, Paul drained a 3-pointer and McCamey followed that with two free throws for a 61-54 lead.
After a basket by Quincy’s Justin Brock, Richardson took over.
Operating against Quincy’s sagging zone defense, he hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key for a 64-56 lead. Then he took a pass from McCamey and made another 3-pointer. Then he faked the outside jump shot, drove hard to the basket and scored on a one-handed bank shot for a 69-56 lead that forced Quincy to call timeout with 5:58 to play.
Following two free throws by Quincy’s Andrew Kueker (16 points), Cole nailed a 3-pointer, Richardson scored on another drive and Mike Davis hit a shot while falling backward along the baseline. That put the Illini in command, 76-58.
Weber was disappointed in his team’s rebounding and overall intensity, but called it, “a typical second exhibition game.
“We probably shot too many 3s because when Mike Tisdale got open in the post, we scored. We didn’t get to the glass. All the things we have talked about since last season, we really didn’t do those things,” Weber said.
“We really haven’t gone against this type of defense. They just packed it in and we didn’t get good ball movement. Hopefully this will be a good learning experience for our team.”
Freshman Joseph Bertrand did not play because of swelling in his knee. Weber said he hoped the rest will make Bertrand available Friday night.
And redshirt freshman center Stan Simpson was withheld as Weber waits to see more intensity, on and off the court.
“He has to show to us that it’s really important to him,” Weber said. “School is important, being here is important, having a passion is important.”
Quincy, which lost at Notre Dame 75-54 on Friday, plays its final exhibition game Wednesday at Illinois State.
Contact Mark Tupper at mtupper@herald-review.com or 421-7983.
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