Time to empty a full notebook after another halftime lead got away at Michigan State:

I have a feeling I know what you’ll read in every game story in the morning after Chester Frazier grabbed the attention of writers after the game by expressing his frustration over the behavior of some unnamed players in the final minutes of Saturday’s loss to Michigan State.

In short, he said players were arguing and getting down on themselves, and he plans to talk to those he felt were guilty of the unconstructive behavior.

“I don’t know what happened,” he said. “We just quit. We’re not used to playing from behind and it showed, and we kind of cracked when we got behind. We were winning the whole game. We were up by seven to start the (second) half. They went on a few runs and we didn’t punch back.”

Frazier, of course, has been outspoken about the problems last year’s team encountered with internal dissension, including bickering on the court. And he has been vocal in saying that the biggest difference this season is chemistry.

So, seeing some of last year’s problems re-surface, in a game the Illini had within their grasp, had to be frustrating.

I would imagine Frazier will waste no time in meeting with the teammates he felt were at fault because he seemed agitated after the game. Frazier was asked why the arguments might have happened.

“Personal reasons I guess,” he said. “People have personal reasons why they want to argue, but we have to stay together as a team.”

Check out more of his comments in Sunday’s Post-Dispatch.

Coach Bruce Weber didn’t mention that he had seen any bickering, but he was openly enraged at forward Mike Davis, after the sophomore threw a towel at the scorer’s table as he came off the floor late in the game. Davis threw his towel in the same manner one other time but no one on the bench seemed to notice.

Weber sat Davis down and lit into him good.

“He threw his towel and you don’t throw your towel if you made a mistake,” Weber said. “Don’t embarrass yourself and the program on national TV by coming to the bench and throwing your towel. He’s gotten some press and national attention and now you have to deal with it. If you want success and notoriety, you have to live up to it. When things don’t go perfect, you can’t blame other people.” …

It was a good day for Alex Legion, who kept the Illini in the game by scoring 15 points and hitting three of five 3-pointers. With Trent Meacham having a second consecutive poor shooting game and Demetri McCamey missing all nine of his shots, the Illini needed someone to score, and Legion and Calvin Brock did the trick.

“Bruce has done a great job with him,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said of Legion. “He’s a guy who didn’t defend very well and he’s getting better. He’s going to keep working on shot selection but in that system I think it’s the perfect spot for Alex.” …

Illinois seemed to gain a huge advantage when Michigan State was whistled for its seventh foul of the second half with more than 13 minutes remaining. But the Illini never could take advantage of that situation.

They attempted only three free throws the rest of the game and missed them all, including the front end of a one-and-one by Meacham with 5:15 left and Illinois leading by a point. Meanwhile, Michigan State built its lead with free throws.

“We went small and didn’t get it inside,” Weber said. “You get free throws in transition, with inside post presence and putbacks. We had some offensive rebounds but obviously not enough to make a difference with getting to the line.” …

Izzo had some interesting thoughts on the atmosphere at Breslin Center. He said the arena hadn’t been so alive in “five or six years to be honest.”

“Our team and fans have to get back to being a No. 1,” he said. “We haven’t been there as a team and students, and other programs have raised their level a little bit, copied things we’ve done and surpassed us in some ways.”

Izzo felt much of the emotion was generated by the pre-game ceremony in which former player Morris Peterson had his jersey retired.

He also went on a rant about Weber and how he has been treated after being asked if he was surprised by the Illini’s success this season.

“Not as much as most of you,” he said to the media. “Bruce has been under so much scrutiny the last two years, most of a ridiculous nature. But recruiting is tough sometimes. Losing players early is tough. Maintaining a standard of winning 30 games is tough. Last year’s team played so hard and was in about 90 percent of its games. …

“He’s an incredible coach. There’s no better defensive coach in the country. … The abuse he has taken in Chicago is a downright shame. Does it surprise me? No.” …

Frazier took a nasty fall with five minutes left when he was fouled by Kalin Lucas while the two were fighting for a rebound. Frazier was undercut and landed hard on his tailbone and back and had to leave the game. In fact, he went to the locker room for a bit.

When he returned, he walked past the bench and went straight to the scorer’s table to check in.

“I guess I’ll be fine,” he said. “We’ll have to see in the morning.” …

The fears that Weber had about rebounding were realized as Michigan State beat the Illini on the boards 42-30. The Spartans had 18 offensive rebounds and missed only 33 shots from the field. They had four players with six or more rebounds.

“A lot of their players have a knack for the ball,” Calvin Brock said. “Plus it doesn’t hurt to have a lot of size like they do. They’re a physical, tough team and aggressive on rebounds.” …

Illinois will get right back to work to prepare for Ohio State’s visit to Assembly Hall on Tuesday night at 6.

“They have to be coachable and keep our heads above water because we have a huge week,” Weber said. “If we’re going to stay somewhere in the race, we have to get home wins.”