CHAMPAIGN | Many fans might not think crispness of play in exhibition games is all that important.

But Illini basketball coach Bruce Weber and his staff are charting every possession and keeping track of who treats these games as though they are of grave importance.

Through one exhibition game, point guard Demetri McCamey received poor marks and he has been challenged not to do it again in Sunday's exhibition finale against Lewis University (4:30 p.m., Assembly Hall).

Weber and his staff spent a good part of the offseason talking about factors that went into last season's 16-19 record and ways to avoid a repeat. Illinois either led, was tied or was within two points in the final two minutes of 10 of those losses, an indication that they were a team that could not close the deal.

At times they blew sizeable leads.

This season, the staff is making a concerted effort to teach this team to play better once it gets a lead and to treat all opponents as though they're a potential national champion.

"We were disappointed Demetri didn't play at a higher level," Weber said Thursday. McCamey scored four points and was 1-for-9 shooting in an 82-61 victory over Florida Southern, a game Illinois led by 30 early in the second half.

"Some of it is mental preparation," Weber said. "We talked about it before the game. Respect the game. Respect the opportunity. Respect the opponent. We learned the hard way last year.

"We talked about playing with leads, about playing for yourself and not looking at the score. You have to push yourself to be better.

"It's a key for Demetri and a key for our whole team. We ask them to not just look at today, but look at the big picture. How much improvement can I make?"

One players who has been making steady improvement is Richard Semrau, a redshirt sophomore who has played in just 13 games in his first two seasons, largely because of injuries.

As a freshman, Semrau played in the first five games before a chest contusion became infected and required surgery. That season ended up becoming a medical redshirt. Then as a sophomore, he appeared in just eight games due to a knee injury.

This season, the 6-foot-10, 240-pounder has proven to be a much improved post player.

"He has been totally forgotten by everyone," said Weber, who admitted that Semrau came to the coaching staff wanting to know if they had written him off.

"I told him, 'Richard, I haven't given up on you. It's just been this situation. But you have to prove you're a player.'

"In a way, he's a freshman. This is a new learning situation for him. He feels better about himself, and confidence is huge. I've asked him many times, 'Are you a player or not?' He has taken that as a challenge and he's a good enough athlete that he can become a player."

Semrau had seven points and six rebounds against Florida Southern and he figures to get playing time in the post Sunday along with Mike Tisdale (who twisted his knee in practice this week but should be ready to go Sunday) and freshman Stan Simpson.

Simpson played well in short stints last week and Weber said they will meet next week to talk about whether to play him or redshirt him.

"He's probably more talented than I thought," Weber said of the 6-9 newcomer from Chicago Simeon. "He picks things up better but he has to do it on a day-to-day basis, both on the court and in the classroom. We'll have to evaluate it. I've talked to his mom several times and I've talked to Stan about it.

"It would be nice if he could play, but if he's not going to play a lot of minutes, there's no sense in doing it."

If Semrau's progress continues, it will make it less urgent for Simpson to play, Weber said.