Illini basketball: D.J. Richardson sets out to become a playmaker

Illinois Fighting Illini guard D.J. Richardson is looking to become more of a multi-faceted offensive attacker entering his senior season, according to a report by Scott Powers of ESPNChicago.com.

From Powers' article, here's Richardson discussing the differences between what's expected of him this year from seasons past:

"I have to handle the ball, I have to make plays. In (former coach Bruce Weber's system), I just shot the 3, sat in the corner and waited for players to make plays for me. (Illinois coach John Groce) said I have to be a playmaker. I can't be a one-dimension player. That's something I've said to myself. I can't go into my senior year being just a shooter."

204 of Richardson's 336 total shot attempts last season came from beyond the arc, according to the report. In averaging 11.6 points per game, Richardson shot 38.7 percent from the field and 34.8 from the 3-point line, which, as Powers writes, was a career-worst.

Illinois's first game of the season against Colgate will tipoff at Assembly Hall on Nov. 9.