Media Frenzy

Posted in SPORTS to Illini Basketball to Poetry In The Motion by Rob McColley on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 1:00 pm

For a day in late August, there sure is a lot to tell you about Illini Basketball.

Luckily, I can make it quick — especially because muting the volume on my toy camera kills its internal microphone.

I captured 8 great interviews, I just now discovered, as complete silence. This will save you a lot of time.

The newsiest story of the day went completely unplanned by the sports information staff. Redshirt freshman point guard Kevin Berardini got his first workout with the team this afternoon at Ubben, and will join the Illini this fall as a preferred walk-on.

A 2009 grad of Lake Forest High, Kevin sat out all last year at Loyola Marymount on account of an unpronounceable disease. He'll be eligible immediately. He'd list himself at 6' and 170 but also admitted his mom recently commented on a possible growth spurt and a remarkably increased food intake.

SCHOOLING CHESTER FRAZIER

Planned Media Event #3 concerned ex-Illini Chester Frazier.

Chet saved a bit of cash from his stint as a European professional basketball playa; so instead of returning to Germany this fall, he's enrolled in a master's program, studying educational policy. He'll also be studying the new crop of Illini, and occasionally pointing out their mistakes.

In basketball terminology, he'll be Grad Assistant & Video Coordinator. Not quite sure what all that entails, Chester did say he won't be allowed on the floor at practice (NCAA limits four coaches plus athletic trainers) and that Gary Nottingham's role (which includes video analysis of individual Illini and opponents) will not change.

It's a one year gig, after which Chet hopes to become a full-time assistant coach. His network of coaching contacts includes a number of new hires around his hometown of Baltimore, and Buzz Peterson's staff at Appalachian State. On Senior Day 2009 in Champaign, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said he'd take Frazier for his staff if Bruce Weber couldn't find a place for Chet.

EUROPE WAS OKAY

Planned Media Event #2 featured Tyler Griffey and Brandon Paul talking about balling in Belgium. Illini Assistant Jay Price took the pair, along with a team of collegians, for an eight-day sojourn. Everybody got equal PT, and Price said they'd bonded as a team by the third day.

See Photo Above

Tyler says London is the coolest city he's ever seen. And he got to see all of it from atop the London Eye.

Brandon played point throughout. Tyler worked on his pivot play. At 6'8" and 230 lbs., Tyler does not project as a center. But Brandon could improve his pro potential by becoming an adept ball-handler.

DIVERSION

While all this was going on, Illini Kersten Magrum practiced shooting in Ubben 1.

She piped a mixtape through the speaker system. I shot this photo to the accompaniment of Plain White T's.

Mattoon native Larry Smith retired from CNN Sports to start his own company. But he still enjoys hanging out with sportswriters.

Paul Klee, Larry Smith, Chris Hine and Steve Kelly watch the workout Tuesday at Ubben.

TISDALE AS TAURUS

The final official reason for today's media availability: Mike Tisdale's return from New York, where Mike played the role of European Opponent to aid Team USA's effort in the FIBA World Championships. It worked. Team USA beat Spain, and takes on Greece tomorrow morning in Athens.

Whether it's the 6,000 calories or the weightlifting or the sudden infusion of confidence attained by holding his own against top professionals, something is stirring with young Tisdale. In today's practice he pushed Meyers Leonard all over the floor in one-on-one drills. There's nothing about Meyers that could be described as small.

Moments later Tiz did the same to Griffey. In each case it was not an offensive/defensive advantage. Tiz dominated either way. A lot of it was footwork, and an understanding of proper positioning in the lane. But brute force was the main element. Imagine using the terms "brute force" and "Mike Tisdale" in the same sentence.

Well, believe it.