Randy- Illinois is about eight weeks from having to make any redshirt decisions. Now, they could make that decision sooner, though I don't suspect they will. Stan Simpson does not want to redshirt - players rarely do - and there has been little or no discussion of the possibility between the player and the coaches.

Do I think Stan Simpson should redshirt? It's far too early to tell. They're only about 2 1/2 weeks into workouts. My first thought is, No. I'm not a proponent of redshirting freshmen. Who knows if a program (or the player) will want a fifth year when it comes around? Cases in point: Warren Carter and Shaun Pruitt. Both players were ready to move on with their playing careers and lives when their four seasons were complete. As Warren told me, "I'm ready to have a job, make some money." Good for him.

That will be one of the questions we'll follow as the season draws closer.

As for "RS," I assume you mean Rich Semrau. We had a story on IlliniHQ about Rich Semrau's progress last Sunday. It's under Men's Basketball.

Klee

NV- Looking forward to seeing Nevada freshman Luke Babbitt this season. At one point, we figured we would be covering the former Ohio State recruit in the Big Ten. He's very, very good.

Rich Semrau is in a walking boot due to an ankle sprain. It happened last week, on Thursday, I believe. Illinois says the boot is just a precautionary measure, and that Semrau probably will be back on the court later this week.

I talked about Semrau's minor injury on our radio show Monday. You can listen to the podcasted version on IlliniHQ.

Klee

Ramon- Southern Indiana is an option for Jamar Smith, and he told reporters today that's where he's headed. We'll have to take his word on it. He certainly has options, as numerous programs (Division I, II and otherwise) have placed calls to the Illinois basketball offices in reference to the shooting guard. Initially, I wondered if other programs would be hesitant to take a player with his background. Thankfully that hasn't been the case.

I spoke with UI assistant Wayne McClain about Smith's situation and where he goes from here. A fellow Peorian, McClain was almost a father figure to Jamar during his time at Illinois, and he knows the situation as well as anyone.

"To this day, it just puts a dark cloud over my head. I think about it when I wake up and it depresses me a little bit every day," McClain told me. "Now, I don't judge him, because I've learned a lot about it in dealing with what he has and the disease he has. And I don't think that's an excuse.

"Until you get it, and you have to deal with it, it's easy to sit back and say, How silly was that? Dealing with it directly and hearing people talk and knowing what he went through, I can say that it's hard. It's harder than what people might think."

Jamar Smith said today he's an alcoholic, and that's what McClain was referring to. Be very careful when judging this situation. As much of a blow as it is to Illinois basketball, consider what it must be like for those close to Jamar Smith.

I'll have more on Jamar Smith's situation later this afternoon on IlliniHQ.

Klee

Eric- When Illinois plays at Minnesota on Jan. 29, it will be four days shy of the 10-year anniversary of the Gophers' last win against Illinois. Crazy streak, that one.

As far as the schedule, it all evens out. It's worked to Illinois' advantage just as often as it's worked to their disadvantage. In 2004-05, the Illini only had to play nationally ranked Michigan State one time. In 2005-06, the Illini only had to play nationally ranked Ohio State one time. It hurts them this year, but it evens out.

There's not a conspiracy against Illinois.

Klee

Matty Lotto- Good question, let's do the math. I found a Titleist DCI 9-iron on EBay for $75. So, I would say a Paul Klee tournament-used 9-iron would go for about $14,925 less than Deron's game-worn Olympics jersey went for at the Point of Hope live auction last week. (Deron's jersey went for $15,000, if I remember correctly. Jerry Colangelo matched the bid, as well, with the funds raised going to five different charities.)

If Klee signed the 9-iron with a magic marker, its value would depreciate considerably.

So if you bid $5, it's probably yours.

Do work, Matty.

Klee

Rob- Calvin is currently participating in workouts at Ubben. He brings something to the team it otherwise wouldn't have - a versatile swingman who can defend several positions. Bruce Weber likes how Brock plays on the baseline, and the fifth-year senior is one of their better offensive rebounders. Whether that translates into a considerable role this season is yet to be seen. There's certainly PT available.

Klee

Seth- I think everyone in attendance was awed. If Illinois had its way, the Illini probably would have made sure more recruits were in attendance. This was the perfect environment to wow recruits.

In this case, I think the atmosphere was more impressive (to recruits) as the personnel on the court. For example, Meyers Leonard is 16. He wasn't born when the Flyin' Illini were around, so that aspect is probably lost on some of the younger recruits. But to have 15,000-plus at an exhibition game in September, I think that made an impact. In talking to Joseph Bertrand, Brandon Paul and Meyers Leonard, all of them were impressed by the atmosphere.

Brandon Paul said his official visit is scheduled for Oct. 10-12, the weekend of the basketball practice at Memorial Stadium. Bertrand and Leonard both said they hope to make it down (and up) for a couple games during the basketball season.

Klee

Ryan- Thanks for the kind words. I think there are dozens of programs who could pull off an event like A Night of Legends, but few have. Guys like Rod Cardinal and Kent Brown -- there are others -- put a ton of work into orchestrating the attendance of alumni from Houston (Marcus Liberty) to Chicago (Kendall Gill) to Italy (Kiwane Garris). But yes, there are numerous programs with comparable histories. Putting all of that history in one building is a different matter.

Tom Crean's going to recruit well. He has a fine reputation in recruiting circles, and that, along with Indiana's name, is going to draw some of the nation's better prospects. I don't see it impacting Illinois' 2009 and 2010 classes, mainly because the Illini are in such an enviable position, with seven committed prospects. After that, it's anybody's ballgame. In Indiana's case, I'd be more worried about Purdue. Those guys have it rolling.

The recruiting scenario I'm watching - at least in regards to the state of Indiana - is the battle for Indianapolis star Marquis Teague. Purdue and Indiana are and will be involved, and I think Marquis Teague could be the type of watershed recruit that dictates which in-state program controls recruiting momentum going forward. He might be a one-and-done type of player. He's that good.

Klee