On the Chicago playgrounds, Deon Thomas was a point guard. Everyone was a point guard. It didn't matter if you were 6-foot-9 or 5-foot-3, as long as you got your chance to run-and-gun.

Of course, things change when you hit the big time. Players post up down low, guys like Deon Thomas make a living in the paint. And for 3 years, that's what he has done.

The 6-foot-9 senior's stellar post play elevated him to the position of Illinois' all-time leading scorer earlier this season. He has poured in at least 15 points per game in all of his four years, and is averaging 19.6 points and 7.2 rebounds this season.

But Thomas insists he is not a center. For now, he just plays one on TV.

"I'm definitely a power forward," he said, reflecting on what is a very rosy NBA future. "I just happen to be very good on the low-post."

Perhaps that is an understatement. Thomas rocked Penn State for 26 points last year at Rec Hall, and left Lion center John Amaechi in a daze.

"About the only one he didn't dunk on today was coach (Bruce Parkhill)," Amaechi said after that game.

The Illinois superstar will get another chance to leave indentations on the foreheads of Penn State's front line at 8 p.m. today in Rec Hall. And, of course, a chance to go against last week's conference player of the week in Amaechi.

"He's pretty much like (Indiana's) Alan Henderson," Thomas said. "He can play on the inside and he can hit the threes very well. I love the competition."

Of course, the competition doesn't always love him. Thomas was a brutal force in the Illini's 88-81 win over Henderson's Hoosiers on Saturday, in which he scored 11 of the team's first 19 points.

"He's just virtually impossible to stop, in a nutshell," Parkhill said.

He led Illinois to a surprise third-place finish in the Big Ten last season, and to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He knows that this year is his last hurrah, and the goals are even higher.

So Thomas is willing to carry this team on his shoulders as far as he has to. Of course, with the way his supporting cast has been working, he may not have to assume that much of a burden.

The Illini lead the nation in rebounding margin at 11.2, and are scoring more than 89 points per game.

"When we build an offense, we start with good inside play," Illinois Coach Lou Henson said. "We have that with Deon Thomas."

Just don't call him a center.