When freshman guards D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul kicked off the season with hot starts and spots in the starting rotation, it was easy to forget about the another freshman waiting in the wings. But in Saturday’s loss to Michigan State, it was a different newcomer making his case for the spotlight.

Forward Tyler Griffey came into the game early for junior center Mike Tisdale, who was plagued by foul trouble all afternoon. And Griffey didn’t just play additional minutes. He led Illinois with seven rebounds, and with his 12 points he was one of only three Illini scoring in double digits against the Spartans.

Head coach Bruce Weber said the performance may have earned Griffey more minutes in the games to come. But Illinois wasn’t the only school on Griffey’s radar before committing to the Orange and Blue.

Can you tell me a little bit about why you picked Illinois?

“I picked it because, you know, my relationship with the coaching staff — coach Weber, coach Price, coach McClain, and coach Howard. And just, you know, it was the perfect distance away from home. I can get away from my parents, but they can still come up and see me whenever they want.”

Do your parents come to a lot of the games?

“Yeah, they do. My dad comes to most of the weekend games, my mom comes to the Tuesday games — the week games — because she stays at home. But my uncle comes to a lot of games, too. He’s bought a place up here and he stays a couple nights every game. And he’s really helped me stay motivated, stay focused, stuff like that. He played professional football with the Oakland Raiders, so he’s been through all the athletic stuff. He’s really kept me grounded, kept me motivated.”

So he bought the place after you committed to Illinois?

“Yeah, over the summer when I got up here. He was coming up so much and staying in a hotel, he was like, ‘Why don’t I just buy a place?’ So he bought a little apartment and it works out really good for him. My parents stay there when they come up, so it works out well.”

Does it give you a place to crash sometimes when you need to get away or study?

“Sometimes I do that, but I live in the dorms with (freshman guard) Brandon (Paul). It’s just a good way to get away. When he comes there, I come stay with him and stuff like that. It’s cool.”

Were there any coaches, players or even family members influencing you for Illinois?

“Not really, when it came down to it, it was between Mizzou and Illinois, Mizzou being the home-state school. And like 70 percent of my graduating class went to Mizzou, I kind of just wanted something different, you know, get away, and I chose Illinois. And coach Weber and coach Price were on me since the beginning, since like my freshmen year, and I just built a good relationship with them, felt comfortable (with) them, visited campus a couple of times (and) liked what I saw.”

Were there other teams you considered along the way besides Mizzou and Illinois?

“Most of the Big 12, Big Ten schools. Purdue, Virginia were in there, Kansas — schools like that. But really when it came down to it was Mizzou and Illinois.”

Are you still happy with your choice?

“Absolutely, I love it up here.”

What’s it been like to see more minutes as the season goes?

“It’s been a fun year so far. I just got to keep motivated, keep working hard. Coach has done a good job of keeping me motivated and stuff and telling me my time will come. And I just come to practice every day to push the guys and make this team be better in any way I can.”