Sterling grad Bertrand may get start against Boilermakers

One thing’s for sure. Illinois redshirt sophomore guard Joe Bertrand wasn’t a one-hit wonder.

Bertand scored all but two of his career-high 19 points in the second half to rally Illinois from a double-digit deficit in a loss to Missouri while making all nine of his shots, and he sank his first four attempts and scored 13 in the 81-72 double-overtime win over Minnesota in the Big Ten opener Tuesday.

In the process, Bertrand made a strong case for a starting spot when Illinois (12-2 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) plays at Purdue Saturday (3 p.m., ESPN2).

“I’m happy for him,” said Illini coach Bruce Weber. “Now you go to Purdue and small ball.”

If playing four guards and one big man is the plan, the 6-foot-5 Bertrand is the obvious option. While power forward Tyler Griffey struggled defensively against athletic, mobile matchups and hasn’t become a threat offensively, Weber may have found something in Bertrand, who was 6 of 10 from the field in 31 minutes against the Gophers.

“Joe stayed to what he can do well, the straight drives to the basket and the little pull-ups,” Weber said. “You have to feel good for the kid. He’s been very patient.

“He definitely adds to our team. We’re better offensively because you’ve got more weapons to get to the basket.”

While Weber wasn’t sure if the Big Ten is a small-ball league, “around the country, it’s coming to that,’’ he said.

Purdue often goes small, with senior Robbie Hummel logging some time at power forward and center. The 13 consecutive field goals without a miss isn’t a school record, but it’s a game-changer for Bertrand.

“I feel comfortable on the court,” Bertrand said. “At the beginning [of the year], I was kind of tight. I didn’t want to make a mistake instead of playing my game.

“I don’t want to try to do too much. That’s when I make a turnover and get down on myself.”

Defensively, he can match up with mobile forwards, such as Minnesota’s Rodney Williams and Missouri’s Kim English. Yet, his contribution appears more on offense.

“We’re a good transition team when I’m on the court,’’ Bertrand said. “It’s another athletic guard who can run.”