With only one scholarship open, Illinois wasn't going to get quantity. But Bruce Weber added a point guard Wednesday who has a chance to provide quality.

   The lone signee, Michael Orris, is a 6-2 playmaker from Crete-Monee who brings a different look than freshman Tracy Abrams.

   Calling Orris ``the best point guard in the state of Illinois,'' Weber described him as a gym rat who's always coaching up his teammates, and is very content to pass the ball. And Weber expects him to assume a significant role quickly.

   ``He has the maturity and competitive spirit and toughenss. He'll make a push right away,'' the coach said. ``With our guard situation a year from now, Tracy gives us the toughness, the physicality--kind of a bulldog point guard. Michael is a little more cerebral.''

   Orris averaged 10.2 points and 6.2 assists last season, helping Crete-Monee (25-4) to its first sectional championship. 

   Orris, who played his first two prep years at Palatine, may even be bringing along a friend. Mike LaTulip, a 6-foot guard from Prospect who's a pal of Orris, turned down some mid-major offers for the opportunity to become a preferred walk-on at Illinos.

    Orris originally committed to Creighton because he apparently preferred a smaller school. But he decommitted last spring and agreed to come to Illinois in September.

   ``He loves to play; he plays all the time,'' Weber said. ``I don't know if he's ever answered the phone straight up when I've called him.''

    Beyond his smarts and enthusiasm, Weber likes Orris' hard-nosed approach.

    ``It's kind of ironic because both of his parents are ministers,'' the Illini coach said. ``Off  the court, Michael's a good quality kid. But when he gets on the court, he has a little feistiness to him, which is always a positive thing. We're really pleased.''