CHAMPAIGN - As one watches the ever-evolving landscape of Illini basketball coach Bruce Weber's program, one thing becomes increasingly clear: The three-guard attack that served Illinois so well on its way to the national championship game in 2005 is going to become the cornerstone of this team's future.

The addition this week of Westchester St. Joseph point guard Demetri McCamey - as well as the continued pursuit of Simeon point guard Derrick Rose - is a reminder that Weber's motion offense is appealing to guards and that guards appeal to Weber.

Even without adding another guard, the wheels are in motion for a future offense that includes Eric Gordon, the lavishly gifted guard from Indianapolis, Jamar Smith and McCamey.

That's not to cut guards like Chester Frazier or Trent Meacham out of the picture, but if you're looking for star-quality candidates, Gordon, Smith and McCamey fit that description.

The success of a three-guard attack hinges, in part, in the ability of the guards to help with the rebounding. Once a coach commits to three guards, he's leaving his team vulnerable on the boards unless the guards have an appetite and an aptitude to go to the glass.

Deron Williams was willing to help. So was Luther Head. Even Dee Brown chased down his share of loose ball rebounds.

Gordon, an incredible leaper, and McCamey, who is 6-foot-3 and at least 210 pounds, would seem to be great candidates to contribute as rebounders. Perhaps Smith can show some inclination in that regard as well.

Anytime the discussion turns to the future of Illini basketball, Smith, it seems to me, is the forgotten man.

Everyone who follows recruiting knows about Gordon. Everyone who follows recruiting is currently buzzing about McCamey, because he's the latest addition. They'll both arrive in 2007. And everyone who follows recruiting is starving for any shred of information on Rose. ("Where's he going? When will he decide? Please, anything.")

But Smith is the one proven college commodity. He can shoot the basketball. He is athletic enough to add an attack-the-basket element to his game. And he's the perfect guy to have in a penetrate-and-pitch offense that needs a hired gun lurking beyond the 3-point line.

While everyone seems to be hand-wringing about Derrrick Rose, Smith is in the gym every day, determined to become the best 3-point shooter in college basketball. Don't bet against him doing it.

OK, about Rose, who seems to be zeroing in on Illinois, Memphis and Virginia. Rose may be great, and he is, but if forced to choose, I'd take Gordon hands down. Gordon is a stunning athlete, a better shooter and more versatile. In a backcourt together, they'd be amazing. Rose, whose recruiting is being handled by his brother, Reggie, will be a prize catch for some lucky school. Maybe it will be Illinois. Maybe not.

The point is, regardless of Rose, the addition of McCamey, who also is a strong, Big Ten-sized defender, means Illinois already has in place the makings of another outstanding three-guard lineup.

Weber has surrounded them with big men who can shoot (Richard Semrau, Mike Tisdale and Bill Cole) and an anchor in the middle (Brian Carlwell).

What's missing long range is an explosive small forward. McCamey's teammate, Evan Turner, was targeted to fill that need. Then, shortly after saying Illinois was looking like his favorite, he jumped on Ohio State's take-it-or-leave-it offer, a scholarship dangled as first-come, first-served bait for Turner or Alex Tyus of Cincinnati.

Tyus also has interest in the Illini and Weber could go that way, but not by giving up on Rose. If anything, the events of this week should remind us of a couple things.

One, Weber and his staff continue to struggle for the top blue-chippers in Illinois. That said, he has rebounded nicely with additions like Gordon and Semrau, not to mention Jamar Smith and now McCamey. And in a few years, he might look like an absolute genius for snapping up players like Tisdale and Cole.

Two, everyone wants to know what the top recruits are thinking. And yet even when a player like Turner expresses his preference for one school, his quick-flip decision to go another direction is a reminder that young people making big decisions are bound only to themselves and their most recent whims.

And, three, Illini fans can always take faith in knowing that Weber will, as we say, "coach 'em up." He remains one of college basketball's best teachers, and his ability to make it happen with a three-guard attack is a proven commodity.

Derrick Rose or not, three very good guards already are on the way.

Mark Tupper can be reached at mtupper@herald-review.com or 421-7983.