Brian Randle might have been lost for the rest of the season with a sprained right shoulder that could require surgery. Demetri McCamey didn’t start and sought an attitude adjustment on the bench. Brian Carlwell announced he was leaving the program.

Negatives came from every corner and eventually a loss to Wisconsin in a rare game where the Illini never seemed to have a chance in the second half.

“There was some frustration,’’ coach Bruce Weber said. “Basically they frustrated us and never gave us a chance to get back in the game.’’

Illinois likely faces its final four regular season games without five scholarship players – Randle, Carlwell, Bill Cole (stress fracture), Richard Semrau (knee) and Jamar Smith (suspension). Seven scholarship players are available.

Granted, only Randle has played a key role this season, but it’s just another sign that a turnaround was not meant to be.

If Randle is done, it is sadly ironic that he will end his injury-riddled career with an injury similar to the one that required surgery and ended his freshman year.

The athletic forward has been an enigma, never living up to expectations that probably reached unrealistic heights when he was named to the watch list for the Wooden Award before the 2006-07 season.

“My heart goes out to Brian,’’ Weber said. “It could be questionable for the rest of the season, to be honest. He’s a great kid, who truly cares, and this will be his fourth or fifth major injury.’’

Meanwhile, Weber is dealing with a freshman point guard who at times needs an attitude adjustment. Incidents last weekend at Penn State apparently led to McCamey starting Thursday’s game on the bench.

Weber spoke at length to McCamey about the situation and also talked to his mother to explain. McCamey said his teammates agreed on the punishment and he seemed understanding.

He responded by scoring all 18 of his points against Wisconsin in the second half, providing the only consistent source of offense for the Illini in the final 20 minutes.

“He has to learn to listen and be coachable,’’ Weber said. “He’s an unbelievably talented kid, but his attitude has got to be right. And if he does that … he has a chance to be very, very special and he showed that in the second half.’’

McCamey became the second player to receive punishment for reasons of attitude in the last month. Center Shaun Pruitt was suspended for the game at Ohio State.

Largely forgotten among those developments on Wednesday was Carlwell’s decision. We might never know what hell the pleasant 6-11 sophomore has endured in the last year after landing in critical condition with injuries resulting from Smith’s accident.

Carlwell had shown signs last season of being a player who could provide solid minutes throughout his career. Then came the accident, the lengthy recovery and the weight gain. Then he injured a knee in November, effectively ending this season with only five minutes played in three games.

“We’ve talked the last couple of weeks about making a go of it, putting the time in,’’ Weber said. “We wanted him here, but it had to be with the right commitment. … I guess he made the decision he did not want to do that.

“If he decides he wants to come back, we’ll discuss that. If not, we’ll help him finish with good academic standing and help him find a school. But he still has to make a decision to put in the time, no matter where he goes.’’