Illinois looking for good showing in Cancun

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Illinois guard Sam Maniscalco says coach Bruce Weber has been preaching more patience and better decision-making offensively. | Darrell Hoemann~AP

Updated: December 23, 2011 8:18AM

At the end of the season, when it’s out of their control, college basketball coaches complain if they’re sent far from home for the NCAA tournament.

At the beginning of the season, when it’s up to them, it seems they go as far away as they can.

That’s certainly the case for Illi-
nois, which will play Richmond on Tuesday in the Cancun Challenge in Mexico (8:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network, 560-AM). The Illini will face Rutgers or Illinois State in the tournament Wednesday (6 p.m. or
8:30, CBS Sports Network, 560-AM).

Illinois won’t earn any big acco-
lades for winning in Cancun. Not winning, though, can exact a hefty price. Illinois learned that two years ago, when it dropped two games — to Utah and Bradley — in Las Vegas and didn’t make the cut for the NCAA tournament.

In addition, the Illini — who
basically are breaking in a new team this season — need to figure out some things before their nonconference schedule toughens up.

‘‘This is a chance to build some confidence,’’ coach Bruce Weber said. ‘‘It’s a winnable tournament. It’s not the field at Maui, but it’s not going to be easy.’’

Richmond, which has reached the NCAA tournament the last two seasons, also is in makeover mode. Only one starter returns for the Spiders, who won 29 games last season, including a 65-54 victory against Purdue at the Chicago Invitational in Hoffman Estates.

And if Illinois faces Illinois State on Wednesday, the Redbirds will be soaring for that opportunity, just as Bradley was in 2009.

‘‘If we play them, they’re going to have a chip on their shoulder,’’ said senior transfer Sam Maniscalco, who had 12 points and five assists
for Bradley when it beat the Illini
72-68 in Las Vegas. ‘‘We have to stick to our principles and do what we do to be successful.’’

Two of those principles are more rebounds and fewer turnovers.

‘‘It’s hard not to float sometimes, but [rebounding] is not really a concern,’’ center Meyers Leonard said. ‘‘We have athleticism and size. The big men just have to keep it a conscious effort.’’

After Illinois committed a combined 43 turnovers in its last two games, Weber wants his players to know when to say when.

‘‘It’s about being patient offen-
sively instead of trying for the home-run play,’’ Maniscalco said. ‘‘He wants us to get out and run. At the same time, you have to make good decisions.’’

Because if you slip on the beach in Mexico in November, it might knock you down on Selection Sunday in March.

‘‘You can’t get these games back,’’ Maniscalco said. ‘‘You don’t want to have any regrets at the end of the season.’’