Meyers Leonard has discovered that a couple of his most common achievements are also among the most likely to elicit an enthusiastic reaction from fans, especially those in Champaign, Ill.

An athletic 7-foot-1 center, the Illinois sophomore is often spectacular with his dunks and blocked shots. He has been known to take time to enjoy the moment.

But the pursuit of blocked shots, in particular, is becoming a distraction, coach Bruce Weber said.

"The shot blocking has become a new toy,'' he said. "He's gotten good, but he's got to learn he can't block every shot. He's got to pick his times when he has angles. Sometimes he's sitting back, waiting to block shots and not guarding his man."

After serving as a backup to Mike Tisdale last season, Leonard is growing into his role as a focal point for the Illini. He will receive his sternest test to date when Illinois (7-0) faces No. 19 Gonzaga (5-0) at 2:15 today at Assembly Hall.

The game also offers the strongest opponent for the Illini, who have started a season with seven consecutive wins for the first time since 2006.

Gonzaga will counter Leonard with 7-foot senior Robert Sacre, who averages 16.6 points and 8.2 rebounds.

"It's a great example for Meyers to learn,'' Weber said. Sacre ''has Meyers by 20 pounds, so it's a little bit of a different body type. Meyers might be a little longer. It's a good way to learn."

Illinois needs Leonard to avoid foul trouble. But if he doesn't, the Illini can turn to freshman center Nnanna Egwu, who has been used on the floor simultaneously with Leonard at times.

Leonard hasn't quite grasped some aspects of the offense, or at least his role. In a win at Maryland this week, Weber was trying to set up situations toward the end of the game to get the ball in his center's hands.

Leonard kept leaving the post. Weber finally asked him: "Why do you think we ran that play? I said, 'To get you the ball.' "

"I have to do things on the offense end, and I'm comfortable doing that,'' Leonard said. "A couple of times this year I kicked the ball out to Sam (Maniscalco) or found other guys. I'm a fairly good passer so I'm able to find people. But I've come to realize I have to be a focal point of the offense and really control the game and control the paint."

He has played well enough to average 12.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.1 blocks and shoot 57 percent. But Leonard and the entire team will be asked to improve their game in coming weeks against better competition.

That process started at Maryland, where point guard Maniscalco came up huge down the stretch. As the team's only senior, he is a needed source of leadership and took command of the game offensively in the final 10 minutes while contributing some heady plays.

Brandon Paul also showed signs of emerging from an early funk that has seen him shoot 33 percent and slip to fourth on the team in scoring with a 9.1 average.

Weber said the first month has been about integrating new players and having everyone figure out his role.

"The win (at Maryland) was nice but the whole part is learning, even for myself,'' he said. "We have so many news guys, so many different roles. When it comes down to it, our whole team has a new role."