Bertrand emerging as force for Fighting Illini

Once Joseph Bertrand found some middle ground, he found his niche on the University of Illinois men’s basketball team.

For Bertrand, the middle ground consists mainly in the lane, usually about 5 feet from the basket to the free-throw line. It’s in that area where the 6-foot-5, 195-pound redshirt sophomore swingman does the bulk of his offensive damage, dropping in floaters with the greatest of ease.

It’s not as sexy as throwing down dunks or draining 3-pointers, something many college players Bertrand’s size seem obsessed with, but it’s something that suits the 2009 Sterling High School graduate just fine.

“We’ve got players like D.J. [Richardson] and Brandon [Paul] who can shoot from the outside, and Meyers [Leonard] is great inside,” said Bertrand, who has attempted just two 3-pointers this season, missing both. “I don’t try to do too much on the offensive end. When I see an opening, I take it.”

Since becoming a starter six games ago, Bertrand has averaged 12 points while connecting on 32 of 53 field goal attempts, a cool 60.3 percent. He’s averaging 7.1 points and 2.6 rebounds overall.

With a shooting percentage of .592 (61-for-103), Bertrand has emerged as the Illini’s most efficient offensive threat. Only Leonard, who is 103-for-176, or .585 percent, and scores a lot of his points on dunks, has a comparable shooting percentage.

Bertrand noted Illinois coach Bruce Weber really hasn’t talked to him too much about his offensive game, however, instead preaching rebounding and defense.

“He’s always talking to me about rebounding, that I need to get in there and help out on the boards,” said Bertrand, who possesses a vertical leap in the 40-inch range.

For two-plus seasons, Bertrand had trouble getting on the court. He redshirted as a freshman after suffering a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee prior to the season.

A year ago, Bertrand played in just 15 games and averaged 1.1 points, thanks in part to a crowded backcourt that included Richardson, Paul and the graduated Demitri McCamey. He didn’t get down on himself, despite the lack of playing time.

“I just came to practice every day and worked hard on my game, and now it’s paying off,” Bertrand said before practice on Wednesday. “Coach never gave up on me, and when I got my chance, I was ready for it.”