Good news, Marcus Griffin, Robert Archibald and Damir Krupalija fans.

Illinois is going to throw the ball inside and let the bigs run over opponents for baskets.

Illinois head coach Bruce Weber wants to emphasize getting the ball into the post.

And even better news – junior center James Augustine may have learned how to play inside like Griffin, Archibald and Krupalija.

For a team without a returning true low-post banger to have a special season and make it to St. Louis, someone must fall in love with the block.

And Augustine may have had the necessary special summer – being a counselor at the Reebok high school basketball camp and attending the Clifford Ray big man camp – to propel the Illini to the Final Four.

“He came back saying he can play with anybody,” said Weber.

That is unexpected news from a player who would be more willing to pass the ball out of the post than to lay the ball off the glass for two.

Augustine has always been a little hesitant in the post.

Last year, he started looking comfortable when he developed a left-handed jump hook, but still wasn’t at home.

But a funny thing happened over the summer – Augustine found out he could play with anyone.

At the Reebok camp, Augustine played in counselor games and went toe-to-toe with Syracuse All-American Peter Warrick, Arizona State All-American Ike Diogu, Villanova’s Jason Frazer and Connecticut’s Charlie Villanueva.

“(Augustine) was definitely one of the best prospects there from the feedback we got,” Weber said.

Then came the camp held by Ray, a former Golden State Warrior.

No other college players were there. Number one NBA draft pick Dwight Howard was.

Augustine held his own against those who get paid to play the sport.

“I went out there and played well,” Augustine said. “It brings back the confidence I can play with pro guys; I can bring it back to the college game.”

The pros taught Augustine the nuances of the game: how to get a rebound by using more than his athleticism, how to position his body to get an easy layup before the ball gets to him, how to develop more than one post move.

The talk of the off-season – when it didn’t center on Dee Brown’s health – was which other post player could improve their play, earn more minutes and become the missing piece to an Illini title run.

What if the improvement comes from one of the already established starters? It could be as good for Illinois to have a good starter turn into a superstar.

Especially at center.

Big men are tougher to find in college basketball than Illinois football victories.

Deron Williams, Luther Head and Brown are already scary good.

An improved Augustine could make them unstoppable.

“We’ve always known James is an unbelievable athlete,” said Illinois senior forward/center Jack Ingram. “It just took him going to that camp where there was all these NBA guys where he was competing against a (Detroit Pistons forward) Tayshaun Prince every night. It is one of those things once he believes he can do it, the sky’s the limit.”

The weight of a national championship does not rest – or shine off of – Augustine’s Lucas Johnson-esque shaved head.

He could become a First-Team All-Big Ten player, and Illinois could still fall short of reaching its goal.

Lots of factors play into a special season.

Great defense. Great shooting. Confidence. Being hot at the right time. Being healthy. Getting a good NCAA Tournament draw.

But an improved Augustine in the post means there is one less road block on the 180-mile trip from Champaign to St. Louis.

Bobby La Gesse is a senior in communications. He can be reached at [email protected].