CHAMPAIGN — Trent Meacham played a decade in Europe after his Illinois basketball career with stops in Austria, Germany, France and Italy. That makes the Centennial grad and former Illini guard something of a subject matter expert when it comes to the type of experience current Illinois players Kasparas Jakucionis and Tomislav Ivisic gained playing in Spain and Montenegro, respectively.
Jakucionis arrived at Illinois this summer after playing for European power FC Barcelona last season. While the Illini freshman primarily played for Barca’s second team, he got some playing time with the club’s top team in both ACB and Eurloeague action. Ivisic played the past three seasons for SC Derby in the Adriatic League.
“Both of those guys have been playing against grown men, so I think they’re better prepared,” Meacham said before Illinois’ 86-80 win against No. 20 Wisconsin on Tuesday night at State Farm Center. “It’s a different style. The spacing, the passing, the creativity really comes out in European players. Those guys really have it, and it’s different than what we’ve had…