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Technograph'Heart of this team'
In tough times, Frazier has become the leader of his team
By Courtney Linehan
Posted: 3/14/07 Section: NCAA Tournament Guide 1
Chester Frazier is not Dee Brown.
He doesn't pop his jersey. He rarely pumps his fist. He never wears the terrycloth headband or white cotton knee socks that became Brown's signature style.
It may have felt unnatural to fans watching Frazier - with no grinning orange mouth guard or love of the limelight - transition into his predecessor's role. But this season he has stepped up to the unsavory task of following Brown, the former face of Illinois basketball, as the team's starting point guard and one of its emotional leaders.
In a season defined by adversity on and off the court, the sophomore guard has been asked to give Illinois a jolt of energy in practice and on game day, and to become a stabilizing force in the glare of scrutiny.
"Chester Frazier is the toughest player on this team and one of the toughest players in the country in my estimation," forward Brian Randle says. "What he shows, his determination, is what this team is about."
Frazier has flourished this season, in spite of a series of injuries and personal trials. He had a sprained ankle, pulled groin and turf toe, all before the Big Ten season got underway. Yet he's only missed two games and has started all but five. He averages 7.4 points per game, shooting 59.4 percent from the floor.
Brown shot 35.9 percent as a senior.
"I just play like it's my last day, I play hard," Frazier said last season while benched five games with a strained quad muscle. "If you ask me to jump to the C-section, I'll do it. Anything the team needs, I'll do it."
Which is why he suits up for games other players would sit out and steps up his scoring when Illinois needs him most. In the opening round of last weekend's Big Ten Tournament, Frazier scored a career-high 21 points to lead Illinois over Penn State.
It was the third time this season he has led the team in scoring. Despite being one of the shortest members of the team - he's 6-foot-2 - and playing point, he's been the top rebounder seven times.
He doesn't pop his jersey. He rarely pumps his fist. He never wears the terrycloth headband or white cotton knee socks that became Brown's signature style.
It may have felt unnatural to fans watching Frazier - with no grinning orange mouth guard or love of the limelight - transition into his predecessor's role. But this season he has stepped up to the unsavory task of following Brown, the former face of Illinois basketball, as the team's starting point guard and one of its emotional leaders.
In a season defined by adversity on and off the court, the sophomore guard has been asked to give Illinois a jolt of energy in practice and on game day, and to become a stabilizing force in the glare of scrutiny.
"Chester Frazier is the toughest player on this team and one of the toughest players in the country in my estimation," forward Brian Randle says. "What he shows, his determination, is what this team is about."
Frazier has flourished this season, in spite of a series of injuries and personal trials. He had a sprained ankle, pulled groin and turf toe, all before the Big Ten season got underway. Yet he's only missed two games and has started all but five. He averages 7.4 points per game, shooting 59.4 percent from the floor.
Brown shot 35.9 percent as a senior.
"I just play like it's my last day, I play hard," Frazier said last season while benched five games with a strained quad muscle. "If you ask me to jump to the C-section, I'll do it. Anything the team needs, I'll do it."
Which is why he suits up for games other players would sit out and steps up his scoring when Illinois needs him most. In the opening round of last weekend's Big Ten Tournament, Frazier scored a career-high 21 points to lead Illinois over Penn State.
It was the third time this season he has led the team in scoring. Despite being one of the shortest members of the team - he's 6-foot-2 - and playing point, he's been the top rebounder seven times.
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