Having coached at what college basketball politely calls the "mid-major" level, Bruce Weber's respect for Kent State's recent success is genuine.

Kent State, which is Illinois' opponent today in the South Padre Island Invitational in southern Texas, is coming off a 28-7 record that included a berth in the NCAA Tournament. But it was hardly a one-year wonder for Kent State, which has won at least 20 games every season since 1998-99 including 30-6 in 2002 during Stan Heath's only season as head coach.

Jim Christian took over after Heath left for Arkansas and this season Geno Ford, an assistant for four seasons, was elevated to replace Christian, who took the head coaching job at Texas Christian.

"They kept it in the family, in the system," said Weber, who was considered a mid-major coach at Southern Illinois before taking over for the Illini. "Now he's out to prove he can keep the program going.

"One of the toughest things to do at the mid-major level is sustain (success). Creighton has done it. SIU and Miami (Ohio) have done it. Kent State has done it but it's not an easy thing to do. You usually don't get the freshmen who can play right away so you have to develop kids.

"I'm sure they will play with a great deal of energy. Our example to our kids is Miami (Ohio). They beat us at home last year and Kent State finished ahead of them in their conference."

Like Illinois, Kent State is off to an unbeaten start and, also like Illinois, it has a road victory to its credit. Kent State defeated coach Rick Majerus' St. Louis University team 76-74 in overtime and Illinois' first order of business will be to defend Al Fisher, the 6-1 senior guard who dropped 35 points on St. Louis.

But it's not a one-man show. Chris Singletary, a 6-4 senior from Chicago, scored 23 in Kent State's most recent victory over North Carolina-Wilmington. Julian Sullinger is also averaging in double figures.

"Fisher can score the ball and we'll have to stop him," Weber said, who indicated Chester Frazier would get the defensive assignment. "Singletary is a strong-bodied kid from Farragut (High School) who is powerful inside. And they have a bench that has been productive for them."

The tournament, which began with games on campus sites, was in doubt when hurricanes blasted through the area in July. Hotels were damaged. The South Padre Island Convention Center, which hosts the tournament, had its roof torn off and rain ruined the basketball floor. It has since been replaced.

Weber was actually watching The Weather Channel as Hurricane Dolly moved in on South Padre Island and he phoned tournament promoter Chris Spencer, alerting him of the danger.

Weber said he and Spencer even talked about possibly having to transfer the tournament to Champaign, although that would have created some issues since the University of Illinois is hosting the Illinois High School Association state football championship games today and Saturday.

"To be honest, Champaign was the other alternative if they couldn't find another spot that would work out. I'm not sure about the other teams, but we would have been comfortable with that."

Fortunately, however, South Padre Island was able to recover and this tournament is an important part of their tourism business.

So the show goes on, with both Illinois and Kent State looking to extend their early-season success.

mtupper@herald-review.com|421-7983