Sitting here at halftime of Duke-Wisconsin game, I am reminded why the ACC Big Ten Challenge should be renamed "ACC Beatdown"  I'm not convinced the Colonial Conference wouldn't be a better set of foes.  You'd think the conference would sneak one out someday.  I guess not.

After an incredibly frustrating recuruiting run, Coach Weber finally found some folks willing to play for him.  More specifically Coach Tracy Webster resumed his recuiting for Kentucky while actually be employed by Kentucky.  Bruce deserves no free pass whatsoever for the last 2 years of recruiting, but I can say with confidence Weber's supposed up front, honest recruiting style was not the primary culprit.  Jerrance Howard comes in and literally days later DJ Richardson (Peoria HS),  Joseph Bertrand (Sterling), and Brandon Paul (Warren T'ship) all sign.  All better than becoming Walkon U.

Add in late Summer commit Mike Davis and Juco  Rodney Alexander and here we are.

So, what are we besides 4-1?

I have watched enough already to know we will be surprisingly competitive in conference.  We should finish 3rd or 4th.  I'd take it, given I had deeper concerns prior to the season.

While Brian "Glass Joe" Randle is simply someone I feel sorry for at this point, I am surprisingly encouraged by the flashes of legitimate talent we actually currently have.  Despite being thin at guard, the newer interior guys are all going to be ok...

 Bill Cole - After watching him post either 2 or 4 points  (you'd think I could remember each great play) in the IHSA title game back in '06, I was underwhelmed.  I am feelin' good.  He has a knack for the ball thus far on defense and can make the occasional shot.

Mike Davis - Explosive, but is unlikely to see much time.  Decided last minute to come to Illinois instead of prep school.

Brian Carlwell - Crud.  I had high hopes.  Right now he is not fit, physically or mentally, to be on the floor.  I have no idea how much of this is due to nearly being killed at the hands Jamar last winter.  Fortunately we have other guys, however young who at least appear to be capable of filling in. 

I am disappointed in Richard Semrau to date, but will playing time is tough to distribute among so many.  Gotta earn the time. 

Mike Tisdale - The reigning Whitest Man in America will figure it out.  By about game 6 of the Big Ten season he will like be begging for mercy, but I predict a seecond wind down the stretch.

Rodney Alexander - Is the surprise good juco transfer.  Not that I was really going to miss Warren Carter (whose +/-, to borrow the hockey term approached Absolute Zero), but he has alreaddy picked up slack that I did not expect.

Moving on the guards...

Chester Frazier - He comes back after the death of his father in April with something I was really a hoping for, a jumper that may end up requiring respect.  He's not quite the penetrator I thought he'd be, but he is an excellent rebounder and finds the 50/50 loose balls my good buddy Bill Self used to talk about.

My hopes for the Steve Holdren Experience have abruptly ended, as he can only guard players who are phyically tied to him so they can't run by.  That said, I bet he will make a big shot somewhere along the way.

The young McCamey is just that...young.  His confidence outweighs his skill at the moment, as they did with Deron Williams as a freshman.  While comparing him to Deron will always be unfair, the body type and some of the demeanor are quite similar.

Jeff Jordan - I now understand why his best scholly offer was Valpo.  He is a turnover machine, only seeing the floor because of Dad right now. 

Calvin has always been 'my guy', and might finally escape the cave that is Weber's doghouse.  I have always considered him a guy who will progress faster with minute.  He is finally earning those minutes.

More to come post Maryland.

Go Illini...Kill Turtles