Illini Freshmen Discuss the Season

D.J. Richardson

What are your thoughts on playing your first real game? "I can't wait to get out there and just get started. This is what I've wanted my entire life, to play college ball and Friday's my first day. So I'm ready."

You've been scoring. Do you think you are going to continue to be one of the main offensive options? "Hopefully I will. I'm just going to play the role that coach gives me. I just take open shots when there are opportunities for me to score. I'm going to do whatever it takes for our team to win, that's what I'm here for."

What are your thoughts on guarding the other team's top scorer? "I love to shut down top players. It's a goal for me. I like to set goals for myself. I think holding the other team's best players to under 10 points is a good goal."

Would you rather hold a guy under 10 than score 20 of your own? "Hold a guy under 10 points... Really I just want to make sure we win though."

A lot of people talk about the change in pace from High School to College. About how much faster it gets... How do you feel? "It's a lot quicker. The speed's faster, and the players are stronger. There's also a lot more people there watching so that can sort of pump you up."

How comfortable are you with Weber's offense? It can seem confusing at times for a fan. "I'm getting comfortable with it... it's about moving and picking and getting your teammates open for the shot, getting them the ball. It's a good offense."

You weren't on the team last year, but I'm sure you watched. Do you think this year's squad will be more dangerous offensively? "Hopefully we will. We have a lot of talented players... we did last year too. but I think we have more athleticism to get to the basket which will lead to more points."

Brandon Paul


What do you think about the team at this point? "I thought we came out a little slow the other night. We need more energy to start the games. I think we have a really good team, but it's a work in progress."

What do you think led to the slow start in the last game? "I think we were looking forward to the actual season starting, and we weren't thinking about that game as much as we should have been. Once we got into it and picked it up, we did better."

The new recruiting class signed today, and people are talking National Championship with your class and this one together. What do you think about talk like that? "They're all great players, and I think the line-up is just going to keep getting better. We try not to think too far ahead, but that's definitely one of our long term goals."

You started the final exhibition game. Do you care if you start or not the first real game? "I told myself it didn't matter if I started or not, but the more I thought about it.. it would be pretty cool to start my first college game."

D.J. says the key to the offense is to move and get guys open. Is that how you see it? "Yeah, you have to keep moving. Coach Weber is always yelling about not standing still. I think it's a great offense to be in for a guard, you just need to make sure you are clean with your passing."

What are you looking to accomplish in the game on Friday? "I want to work on my defense. I think I've shown that I can score, I've done pretty well on the offensive end. I want to show the coaches that they can rely on me on defense."

We're always hearing about the defense. That's pretty important to Weber isn't it? "(Laughing) Yeah, if you're going to play, you gotta play defense."