Bertrand’s playing time may increase

CHAMPAIGN – It only gets more difficult from here for the Illinois basketball team.

With the Illini playing two Big Ten games this week, the Illini head into a rugged conference season with the league ranked No. 1 in the RPI.

“Our goal was 12 [wins] in the non-conference,” Illinois coach Bruce Weber said. “Now, you start over right into the Big Ten.”

The Illini are 11-2, with their two losses coming against UNLV and Missouri, both teams are currently ranked in the top 25.

More time for Joe

With sophomore wing Joe Bertrand scoring a career-high 19 points, including 17 in the second half, while hitting all nine shots in the 78-74 loss to Missouri last week, the Illini may have more versatility in the rotation. Bertrand is graduate of Sterling High School.

If junior forward Tyler Griffey or freshman forward Mike Shaw are unproductive, the Illini may go with a small-ball lineup with Bertrand, Weber said.

“I think we can at times,” Weber said. “If Tyler is not getting as much done or Mike Shaw, now maybe you go with Joe at the four and put people in a bind. We’ll play it by ear.

“If Joe continues to play well and shoot the ball well, we can mix it up and give teams a little bit different look.”

Close encounters

With an expected logjam of team in the middle of the Big Ten standings, Illinois will face a string of close games. After several tight wins against mid-majors, Illinois failed down the stretch vs. Missouri.

“That was one of our goals with Missouri,” Weber said. “They hadn’t been in any close games. You have to have discipline at the end of games to finish up and make the plays. Up until that point, I felt pretty good about it.

“There’s a lot of balance and a lot to close games. You have to find a way to make plays.”

Top heavy

Ohio State entered the season as the overwhelming favorite in the league race, but the Buckeyes will get a push from a surprisingly deep conference ranked atop the conference RPI.