CHAMPAIGN - Illini coach Bruce Weber has no intention of losing tonight's exhibition basketball game against Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

But forced to choose between a healthy roster for Monday's regular-season opener and a loss tonight, he'll take a loss tonight.

Weber said he will play it safe and once again sit forward Brian Randle, who continues to rehab from a strained groin. If necessary, Weber will also keep point guard Chester Frazier on the bench following a deep thigh bruise sustained Saturday in practice.

Frazier, however, sounds likely to play.

"Chester has great pain tolerance," Weber said Tuesday. "He was kneed right on the quad muscle, right where he tore it last year. It was very painful, and I think he was scared he tore it again. But once he got through that, he loosened up on Sunday and (Monday) he didn't want to come out of practice. That was good to see.

"Chester has a tendency to run into walls. He ran into C.J. Jackson, which is about the same as running into a wall. I think he will play, but I will not jeopardize his health for next week."

On Monday, Illinois launches a hectic stretch during which it plays eight games in 16 days.

"Brian Randle has gone from walking to a little shooting to some ball-handling and (Monday) a little running. But he will not play (tonight)," Weber said. "Our goal is to get him back involved in practice on Friday and have three days of practice before we play on Monday."

Illinois opens the regular season Monday night against Austin Peay.

If Frazier can play, Weber said he'll go with the same starting lineup he used in last week's exhibition victory over Lewis. That would be Frazier, Calvin Brock, Warren Carter, Shaun Pruitt and Jamar Smith.

Even though Randle is on the mend, Weber is concerned.

"He's a little tentative," Weber said. "He feels the pain. He doesn't want it to happen again, and he's a little cautious. We're slowly building him up. He felt a little more comfortable yesterday, and the next step will be live play.

"But the bad part for Brian is that this just seems like a continuous situation for the last three years. He has missed so many practice reps (with injuries). Here's a kid you hope can have a breakout year, who can become one of the better players in the conference and maybe in the country, and now you lose all this time. It's disappointing.

"For our team, coming together without Rich (McBride) and Brian, it hasn't been a perfect situation. But you have to deal with it and go forward."

McBride is practicing with the team but is suspended for a DUI arrest and won't see his first action until Nov. 21.

SIU-Edwardsville is ranked No. 3 nationally in Street & Smith's Division II preview and returns four starters from a team that won 25 games and reached the Elite Eight of the Division II national tournament.

The lineup includes guard J.B. Jones, an honorable mention preseason Division II All-Ameircan, guard Ty Johnson, who averaged 12.9 points last season, 6-7 forward Mike Hardiek from Teutopolis and 6-foot-9 Doug Taylor.

Hardiek was the MVP of last season's NCAA Great Lakes Regional.

The Cougars are coached by Marty Simmons, the Lawrenceville legend who played at Indiana and brings a style of play that should test the Illini.

"Marty does a great job," Weber said. "They play a system that is difficult to defend. We're playing a team that runs motion and they will run you around flares and curls. Warren Carter and Richard Semrau will have to chase guys around screens like they're not used to doing.

"I hope we do a better job on the boards. I was disappointed in our rebounding against a smaller Lewis team. And we have to get the ball inside. We need more game experience."

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