NORMAL - This didn't figure to be an easy transition. Tim Jankovich kept telling himself that. In fact, he was prepared for a lot of stressful days and nights. | ISU basketball season details | ISU Basketball schedule

"I thought it was going to be like dental surgery," he said.

When Jankovich became Illinois State's basketball coach in March 2007, he was determined to lay a foundation for the program's future. Defense, not offense, would be the Redbirds' top priority. Anyone who failed to go all out on the defensive end - and saved their energy for offense - wasn't going to play.

End of discussion.

If only a root canal could be this painless.

"It's like they completely bought into it and accepted it and embraced it," said Jankovich.

Defense quickly became ISU's calling card in the 2007-08 season. The Redbirds' aggressive man-to-man defense paved the way for a 25-10 season, tying the school record for victories. In games in which ISU held the opponent to 60 points or less, the Redbirds were 18-1.

"That's why I believe in it so much. Most teams in the country are not going to shoot well every night," said Jankovich. "Defense is effort and commitment."

The leaders of last season's defensive charge - Boo Richardson, Dom Johnson and Anthony Slack - are gone. But those remaining are determined to keep the focus the same this season.

Senior Emmanuel Holloway figures to become the defensive stopper in the backcourt, making life difficult for opposing point guards much like Richardson and Johnson did, while also being able to guard taller wing players. Meanwhile, junior Dinma Odiakosa would like to turn Slack-like on the back end in swatting shots and grabbing rebounds like a maniac.

"We're definitely coming around to the way we had it last year," said Holloway. "It's not there yet, but we have to get accustomed to getting our wind and playing good defense for long periods of time as we did last year."

Richardson and Slack made the Missouri Valley Conference All-Defensive Team last season. But one or two men don't make a defense, warned Odiakosa.

"As a team we have to play collective defense and help each other so if your man gets beat, someone covers for you," said Odiakosa. "In the post, guys have to dig in a little bit. That helps the team in general. I try to do what I can to help everyone out."

Jankovich's favorite stat when poring over the box score after games is opponent's field goal percentage. Last season, ISU finished second in school history in that category (.405), along with being No. 2 for points allowed per game (59.3).

The 6-foot-2 Holloway has a simple defensive philosophy.

"I try not to let my man get as many (points) as he's averaging. I try not to let them score, period," said Holloway, who had 32 steals. "I try to make them earn it the night I guard them."

The 5-8 Richardson was a sparkplug at the front of the defense, picking up his man fullcourt. When he went out of games, Johnson usually hawked the opposing point guard. Holloway got that assignment later in the season when Johnson was sidelined.

"If you do have quickness at the point and can control the primary dribbler, everyone can get in a more aggressive position," said Jankovich.

Jankovich thought Odiakosa could have joined Richardson and Slack on the all-Valley defensive team last season. The 6-8, 240-pound Odiakosa approaches things a little differently than Slack.

"He talked a lot on defense (to the opposing player). I don't talk as much on defense as he does," said Odiakosa, who blocked 20 shots. "He put his whole energy on defense, which is real good. Energy-wise, I'm the same way."

ISU appears to have more firepower offensively this season to help out Osiris Eldridge. With Champ Oguchi, Lloyd Phillips, Holloway, Landon Shipley, Brandon Holtz, Alex Rubin and Sead Odzic, there will be no shortage of 3-point shooters on the court.

Yet it will be defense that probably determines how far this Redbird team can go. Would it be asking too much for the defense to match last season's effort?

"If you look at the length and athleticism of this team, we can be as good as last year and even better," said Odiakosa.

---

High School Basketball Pick 'Em

Think you know everything about high school basketball? Challenge your friends or other online users by picking the winners of each week's games. Sign up here.