Illinois Isn’t a Rank Amateur

Illinois has become comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings and hopes to put down roots, or at least enjoy the neighborhood a little longer.

The Illini are in their fourth week atop the Associated Press poll, marking the school’s longest ranking at No. 1. Coach Bruce Weber said the team is reveling in the moment, enjoying the spotlight and the challenges of top-ranked status.

Illinois would rather win an outright Big Ten championship and hold the poll position going into the NCAA tournament, but this will do for now.

“If you’re 5 or you’re 3, you’re obviously one of the better teams in the country and the kids can take pride in that,� Weber said. “But if you’re No. 1 ... yeah, there is something very special about that.

“It’s definitely a reward for their hard work. And it’s also special because it’s something that hasn’t happened around here too often.�

Illinois (12-0) has been top-ranked three times in school history but was ousted from that spot after only one week in 1952 and 1989. The Illini reached the Final Four in those seasons, and the current group could complete a three-peat.

The Illini are talented and deeper than most, but it’s experience that really sets them apart from the pack. They’re led by upperclassmen in an era when many highly skilled players choose the NBA draft rather than, well, class.

Junior guards Dee Brown and Deron Williams lead a formidable offense that averages almost 85 points. Senior guard Luther Head is a dynamic scorer, and senior forward Roger Powell is a consistent force. Junior forward James Augustine does the tough work inside, completing a group that provides comfort for Weber.

“It’s so rare now that you see teams with a lot of upperclassmen, and it seems like there are only a handful of upperclassmen-dominated teams,� Weber said. “You look at our team, and we’ve got seniors and juniors in big roles for us.

“And then you add to it that they’re all pretty talented guys. They have experience and some toughness, and when you add some talent to that whole mix, it explains why they’re pretty good.�

Wake Forest could attest to that.

The Illini dismantled the then-No. 1 Demon Deacons, 91-73, on Dec. 1 at Champaign, Ill. The Illini, who had been ranked fifth since the first AP poll, vaulted to the top spot after that impressive performance.

“I really didn’t expect anything close to that,� Weber said. “I thought we could win the game. I thought we could do some things against them, but I didn’t think we’d win it like we did.

“There’s no doubt that Wake Forest is a very good team. Wake is a team that will be there down the stretch into late March and maybe even into April, but it was a day for us to get center stage and everything clicked.�

Illinois also routed then-No. 24 Gonzaga, 89-72, on Nov. 27 at Indianapolis in what was expected to be its first test after three season-opening blowout victories. That performance is more significant now considering No. 12 Gonzaga has impressive victories over Oklahoma State, Georgia Tech and Washington.

“It was a short trip for us and a long trip for Gonzaga, but we played well,� Weber said. “Then we get Wake in our place, in one of the biggest games in Assembly Hall in 25 years, and it just all kind of unfolded for us.

“You see what Gonzaga has done and how we played against Wake. People said, ‘Well, maybe Illinois really is OK.’ �

Weber is confident the Illini are only going to get better. Although they have played well overall, the Illini are capable of more on offense.

“We have a lot more potential there,� Weber said.

“Our defense is the reason why we’ve been able to beat so many teams so soundly, but we can do more on offense because we get great guard play. And we can bring the bench along more too.�

Illinois plays host to Northwestern State tonight and No. 22 Cincinnati on Friday in its final nonconference games before opening Big Ten play against Ohio State at Assembly Hall. Illinois might hold the top poll spot for much of the regular season and earn the No. 1 overall seeding in the NCAA tournament, but Weber doesn’t expect an undefeated run to March.

“No way,� he said. “It’s not going to happen in this conference, because it’s just too tough. But we like where we’re at right now.�

It’s all about being comfortable.

Impressive Three

Illinois’ blowout of Wake Forest shook up the polls, but Gonzaga’s wins over Oklahoma State, Georgia Tech and Washington could be bigger come March.

The Zags (10-1) upset three teams expected to contend for conference titles, outlasting No. 3 Oklahoma State on the road Wednesday, outplaying then-No. 3 Georgia Tech at a neutral site Dec. 19 and pounding visiting Washington (then ranked No. 14) in the second half Dec. 1 at Spokane, Wash.

It doesn’t get any better than that in terms of making a statement to the tournament selection committee.

And Gonzaga impressed against Washington after a 17-point loss to Illinois in its previous game, indicating Coach Mark Few hasn’t lost his touch while adjusting to life without key members from last season’s 28-3 team, including Blake Stepp, a two-time West Coast Conference player of the year.

The Zags are loaded on the front line with 6-foot-10 senior forward Ronny Turiaf, considered a big-time NBA prospect, and sophomore forwards Adam Morrison and Sean Mallon. With Turiaf slowed because on an ankle injury against Oklahoma State, reserve junior forward-center J.P. Batista made eight of nine field-goal attempts and scored a career-high 18 points.

Gonzaga faces another challenge tonight at Missouri, and the West Coast Conference is better than it was last season. Things won’t be easy for the Zags, but earning one of the four top regional seedings in the NCAA tournament seems a strong possibility.

Where’s Floyd?

Tim Floyd apparently is on track to become USC’s next coach, but there are still issues to be resolved.

With USC officials partying in Miami before next week’s Orange Bowl, an announcement on Floyd might take a little while.

Meanwhile, interim Coach Jim Saia is 5-2. At least that’ll look good on a resume.

Hot Tar Heels

No. 4 North Carolina has played unselfishly and with passion on defense in a 10-game winning streak.

Is this finally the year Coach Roy Williams wins a national championship?