The WNBA Draft is quickly closing in -- it's April 8 -- so we thought we'd look ahead a bit. Where will Jenna Smith be drafted?

We'll have coverage coming in the weeks ahead, but for now here are two mock drafts. One seems plausible, the other not so much (it has Connecticut with the first pick; that's not true -- it belongs to Minnesota).

The reasonable one suggests Jenna will be drafted by Chicago early in the second round.

No mention of Lacey Simpson in either draft (although one mock doesn't offer any forecasts for the third round). I will readily acknowledge that projecting WNBA potential is one of my biggest weaknesses, but I'm intrigued by Simpson's prospects. With her length and defensive ability -- and eagerness to play it -- she seems like a good prospect for some team that could use a versatile defender off the bench. I'm eager to see where she ends up.

Remember: The WNBA is down to a 12-team league, and each squad carries an active roster of 11.

One note: Keep an eye on the Minnesota Lynx Web site in the coming weeks. I was asked to write a small piece about Jenna for the draft section of their site. It isn't up yet, but I'm told the site will offer an extensive look at the draft and its prospects.

Other notes:

--Here's a look at how I voted in the Big Ten's postseason honors and a few comments about the outcome.

--We'll have a weekly chat at 1 p.m. Friday regardless of whether the Illini win or lose on Thursday. If they win, I'll be chatting from press row at Conseco Fieldhouse. Fire up the questions.

--If you're into the WNIT -- and, barring a Miracle on Hardwood this week in Indianapolis, the Illini will be -- here's some info on the tournament. It has expanded to 64 teams this season. Illinois won't host a first-round game. The Assembly Hall is booked for five days of Cirque du Soleil from March 17-21, the time frame used for first-round games.

--Former Illini Cindy Stein announced Monday that she is stepping down as Missouri head coach at the end of the season. Stein is a 1984 grad and one of the best point guards in school history. Her associate head coach is former Illini star Lynnette Robinson.