By Chris Hine
Mired in a three-game losing streak, the Illini held a players-only meeting Sunday with the blessing of coach Bruce Weber, and decided to name new team captains.
Some of the players shared their opinions on their choices.
Freshman D.J. Richardson's likes junior Bill Cole, who helped organize the meeting, and senior walk-on Bubba Chisolm.
Mired in a three-game losing streak, the Illini held a players-only meeting Sunday with the blessing of coach Bruce Weber, and decided to name new team captains.
Some of the players shared their opinions on their choices.
Freshman D.J. Richardson's likes junior Bill Cole, who helped organize the meeting, and senior walk-on Bubba Chisolm.
Cole said he was inspired to become more of leader after watching a
segment on the Big Ten Network show "The Journey: Big Ten Basketball
2010" featured the leadership qualities of Michigan State's Draymond
Green.
"If you look at Draymond Green from Michigan State, he might not be the most talented player, but he gets those guys fired up," Cole said. "Those guys respect him when he gets on the court because of his voice. He'll go out and call someone out if they're not doing what he supposed to do."
That's a quality Weber is looking for from his team.
Despite limited minutes, Chisolm has the respect of the entire team, Richardson said.
"He tries hard as he can and ties to do everything he can," Richardson said. "Some guys probably won't try as hard as he can and do what he can. I know Bubba Chisolm will try to do anything he can to make the team better."
Senior Dominique Keller's vote would go to juniors Mike Davis and Demetri McCamey.
"People don't think that your best players have to be team captains, but obviously the team feels like those two guys have to do it, so they get my vote," Keller said. "They're out there the majority of the time, they probably get the most pub out of everybody, so I feel like it's better if they take control of the team and that way we can all get back on the same page."
But, Keller added that ultimately, the title doesn't mean too much.
"The meeting was basically about everybody has to be the captain in his own way," Keller said.
"If you look at Draymond Green from Michigan State, he might not be the most talented player, but he gets those guys fired up," Cole said. "Those guys respect him when he gets on the court because of his voice. He'll go out and call someone out if they're not doing what he supposed to do."
That's a quality Weber is looking for from his team.
Despite limited minutes, Chisolm has the respect of the entire team, Richardson said.
"He tries hard as he can and ties to do everything he can," Richardson said. "Some guys probably won't try as hard as he can and do what he can. I know Bubba Chisolm will try to do anything he can to make the team better."
Senior Dominique Keller's vote would go to juniors Mike Davis and Demetri McCamey.
"People don't think that your best players have to be team captains, but obviously the team feels like those two guys have to do it, so they get my vote," Keller said. "They're out there the majority of the time, they probably get the most pub out of everybody, so I feel like it's better if they take control of the team and that way we can all get back on the same page."
But, Keller added that ultimately, the title doesn't mean too much.
"The meeting was basically about everybody has to be the captain in his own way," Keller said.
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It's time for Weber to take control and run this team. If the players don't respond, they sit, even if it means losing the rest of the games. As Ditka would say,"the inmates are not going to run the asylum." If they want to transfer, let em go. You don't see players running teams like Wisconsin, Mich. St.,Carolina, kansan, etc. The players respect the coach because he has EARNED their respect. Weber has not earned it. Quit your crying Weber, and COACH.
So who are the captains? Is it TBD? Bruce Weber is a very good coach. Look at the development of Tisdale and McCamey, who is a football player playing basketball. McCamey has head issues.
I don't know why Chris makes it sound like the season is going down the tubes in every article. The Illini will be fine, but Weber recruits these guys, and he also has to develop the leader in them, show them the way.
Time for Webber to go. He treats his losses like a High school coach would. He loves to glow in the limelight and take credit when they are winning but does NOT know how to right the ship. Yes we need a new captain...a coach that can lead.
Great plan, Coach! The rudderless ship can continue to flounder by allowing the kids to dwell on matters like this rather than challenging themselves. How touchy-feely. This way you can then absolve yourself of blame and lay it at the feet of the players when they end up missing the NIT.
Tom Izzo you're not.