CHAMPAIGN - Injuries are nothing new in the world of Illini basketball.

But for every ache and pain that comes to Brian Randle, and every raw blister and muscle pull that finds Chester Frazier, there's another day of production for center Shaun Pruitt.

For more than three seasons, Pruitt has been Illinois' iron man. Going into Saturday's game against Arizona at the United Center in Chicago, Pruitt has a string of 75 consecutive starts.

That could be in jeopardy, however, thanks to an ankle sprain Pruitt incurred during practice on Sunday. And although it's a good bet that Pruitt will play, it's also likely he won't be at full strength. And that has Illini coach Bruce Weber reassessing his personnel in the post.

"Shaun has a regular sprain, not a high ankle sprain," Weber said Thursday. "It has slowed him up. He shot free throws on Monday. On Tuesday, he did a little jogging and had therapy. (Wednesday) he played in part of practice. We'll see if he can make progress and how he reacts.

"He's a little tentative with it. He doesn't push off very well, so it may end up being a game-time decision."

If Pruitt can't play, or can play only in a limited role, Weber said Riverton freshman Mike Tisdale would be his first option in the post. It's the backups behind Tisdale that have Weber feeling a bit uneasy.

He already has lost backup center Brian Carlwell to injury. He's out another three to five weeks after suffering a knee injury.

That leaves freshman Mike Davis and redshirt freshman Rich Semrau, both of whom have played mostly at forward.

Weber said the situation might give the seldom-used Semrau a chance to log more minutes.

"Actually, the last couple of weeks, he has started to be a little more aggressive and is trying to get more involved," Weber said. "He has a tendency to do too much. He'll get a rebound, then throw the ball away. He can't quite get it all connected yet.

"But he's really just a freshman. He sat out of basketball three months last year (after an injury and dangerous chest infection) and went through a lot of trauma. We've geared him more toward the center position lately in practice. If we can get him relaxed and playing, this might be his opportunity to play and show some confidence."

Weber foresees a chance to rotate players into the center position.

"I don't think (Tisdale) can go 40 minutes," Weber said. "He's going to have to go in quick bursts. If Shaun can give us a little time, we can rotate those guys. Mike (Davis) is fine for three or four minutes. The endurance and pounding of the game takes a toll on young players."

Even though Pruitt hasn't been real sharp lately, Weber has come to lean on his big senior.

"He is someone who hasn't missed many practices over the last three years," Weber said. "He's had some bumps and bruises, but he always seems to come back and practice and play.

"This is a tough time for something like this because Shaun needs to get some confidence going. It's very frustrating for him, but we've got to deal with it."

Forward Rodney Alexander has also been ailing this week with the stomach flu. Weber expects him to be ready for Saturday's game.

Weber confirmed that he has replaced Alexander in the starting lineup with Trent Meacham, believing it gives the Illini more offensive options at the start of the game.

"I had kind of made up my mind after the first two minutes of the game (against Weber State) on Sunday. I just don't think we're very good offensively with Rodney, Brian Randle and Calvin Brock all in there together. They are all so similar. They are good athletes. Calvin has a nice pull-up jumper, Rodney has been shooting the '3' and Brian is just a great athlete.

"But they don't blend very well. This is no movement, and the passing isn't the best. Hopefully, Trent can deal with it. And, hopefully, Rodney can deal with it. Maybe it will help Rodney to come off the bench and be a spark for us."

Arizona is 5-2 and for the most part has been coached by former Northwestern head coach Kevin O'Neill. Head coach Lute Olson has taken a personal leave of absence, although he attends most practices and has left the door open to the possibility that he may show up for Saturday's game.

There is great mystery surrounding the leave. Olson said it is not for health reasons, and two published reports indicated he has been looking after a matter related to one of his children.

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