Dec. 06--Illinois coach John Groce said he found a message left on his desk that former player D.J. Richardson had called.
Groce wouldn't elaborate on what Richardson wanted to discuss but said, "Let's put it this way. He cares about defense."
The theme Saturday in Champaign, where Illinois put together a second-half surge to put away Western Carolina 80-68, was all about sending messages.
Guard Kendrick Nunn, a team captain who has started every game while healthy since last December, didn't start.
Fellow guard Malcolm Hill, another team captain, sat for more than eight minutes at the start of the second half.
"Obviously, Malcolm is a good player," Groce said. "He has done a lot for us. Rebounds, assists, steals guards. I just thought we needed more out of him than what he gave in the first half."
Nunn didn't start because starters were based on coaches' defensive grades off Wednesday nights' defensive meltdown in a loss to Notre Dame.
After allowing Western Carolina (3-5) an 11-0 run to tie the game 50-50 in the second half, Illinois (4-5) clamped down for a 7-0 run. The Catamounts answered again to tie the game 59-59, hitting 7 of 12 3-pointers after halftime.
Finally, Illinois' defense snuffed them out. But there have been only spurts of such effectiveness this season.
"Our defense got really stingy," Groce said. "I've been waiting to see that in the guts of the game. I was really happy to see that."
Versatile 6-foot-10 redshirt freshman Michael Finke scored a career-high 24 points.
Nunn, despite being relegated to the bench for the first couple of minutes after tipoff, also registered a career high with 27 points.
But for this Illinois season to be salvageable -- and don't look now but the Big Ten season tips off after four more nonconference games -- it's the defensive execution that needs juicing.
"We needed to make a stand for what we're about," Groce said.
Western Carolina entered the game shooting only 29.5 percent on 3-pointers and 39.9 percent from the field overall. Against Illinois, the Catamounts made 11 of 24 3s (45.8 percent) and connected on 43.8 percent overall from the field.
Groce said the Illini, who have suffered a staggering amount of injuries this season, also need more vocal leadership out of captains Nunn and Hill.
"(They're) OK," Groce said. "I'd like more. They know that. I want them to take ownership of the team. They have to take responsibility now and help others. The way you do that is by leading by example, of course, but it's also leading by voice. They can really give more."
Hill, who shot 2 of 4 in first half, finished with 10 points.
It's also important to consider forward Leron Black isn't fully healthy after a preseason knee injury. But in nine minutes before fouling out he produced no points and just three rebounds.
Groce was encouraged by the play of freshman guard Aaron Jordan, who had eight points, two steals and a lot of hustle.
"It all starts with his attitude," Groce said.
Groce said Richardson's message resonated with him.
"I just think about him and all the guys we've coached here and what we've stood for defensively," Groce said. "That's important and I owe it not only to this team but to those guys."
Illinois has a few more games before Big Ten play starts to let that message sink in for the rest of the team.
sryan@tribpub.com
