Tate & Turpin chat: 11 a.m. Monday
Monday, December 22, 2008 - 11:00am
Chat with the hosts of "Saturday Sportsline" and "Monday Morning Quarterback."
Chat with the hosts of "Saturday Sportsline" and "Monday Morning Quarterback."
Thanks for dropping by. This will be the only chat this week due to the holidays. We'll resume HQ's regular rotation next Monday with Jim and Loren. On to the questions.
Whats the latest on the Assembly Hall renovation plans? It's been awfully quiet on that front lately. How much does the current worldwide economic crisis come into play with this project? Any chance Jerry Colangelo will lend a financial helping hand?
I don't think Colangelo can be a one-man gang. The Assembly Hall project will be impacted by the economic crisis. The recommendation from Dana Brenner's group has been delayed until after the first of the year. They're going to go forward with the recommendation even though nothing may be done OR it may be done in phases. They can't do anything until they have the finances secured. It might be years. Loren
Do you think McCamey's attitude will ultimately end up costing him a starting role down the road in favor of Alex Legion?
Ryan
No, I don't think so. Weber is pushing hard to turn McCamey into a more intense player. But he and Legion don't play the same position. And McCamey will be a key to Illinois' success, more so than Legion this year. I don't think McCamey has a bad attitude. He just has a different nature than Weber. Loren
Did Ray McCallum take exception to the Bo Ryan-esque display of bombing threes while up by thirty? Bruce didn't seem too thrilled after their post-game handshake, and shot McCallum a surprised/angry look.
Matt
The answer is I don't know what McCallum's problem was. Maybe he was upset Illini reserves shot threes late, but I don't know. I do think that Weber, with his Purdue background, and McCallum with his Indiana background probably aren't big buddies. Remember that Klee said this game was scheduled before McCallum took over as Detroit coach. Loren
How good is the JC linebacker Aaron Gress, that commited last week? Are there any big names do you see commiting to us in football that we havnen't seen yet? LB, RB and DB still seem to be areas of need.
Will Abrams committment help to bring other top 2011 players in such as Randle, Blackshear and Shaw?
Tom
We don't know how good Gress will be until we see him at practice in the spring. Zook is still seeking another linebacker.
About Abrams, sure he'll help. He said he's been in contact with other players and he says he hopes two of the top three sophomores will join him at Illinois, and Shaw is one of those. Jim
Loren, if you were Ron Zook, who would you pick for both Offensive and Defensive Coordinators for the Illini? Or, at least, your list of available candidates that you'd see as good 'fit'?
It has been quiet so far on the 'rumor front' in recent days. Curt Mallory to Miami (Oh) school sounds pretty certain at this point.
Charley
I'm not aware of the individuals he is interviewing. I know that the guy who was just hired at Iowa State was under consideration by Illinois.
If Mallory gets the Ohio job - he's the favorite - I think Zook is back to the drawing board.
By the way, Vontae Davis is having a 1 p.m. teleconference to announce his NFL decision. Check on HQ for more.
First I would like to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. My question is do you think coach Webber has given any thought to bringing Mcamey off the bench?
Shane
Merry Christmas to you, too. Weber is in a "teaching phase" with McCamey. Didn't start him the first two games this season and didn't start him in the second half Saturday. But no, we don't think this will carry over because McCamey has played his best in the big games. We'll know more Tuesday night. Jim
Ithink Indiana's penalties were a joke. What is your take
Al
The self-imposed penalties were sufficient and the program has been set back a ways. The NCAA loves it when you fire a head coach - Jim
What can we expect for attendance at the Braggin' Rights game? I know it has been sold out in years past, but I heard there will still a number of tickets available.
Thank you, Happy Holidays, and Go ILLINI!
Eric
I would think they'll fall short of 20,000 - it was 21,941 last season - but we don't know the walk-up situation in this kind of weather. We just hear it's not a sellout.
Misssouri did send back some tickets. Illinois took all theirs.
Loren and Jim, What will be the key to the missouri game tomorrow, breaking there press? Do you think the illini mens basketball team will make the NCAA tournament this year?
Mitch
I do think Missouri plays much like Clemson, and everyone knows the difficulty we had with the Clemson press, particularly with the inability of Tisdale to play in that kind of situation.
There are a number of teams in the Big Ten that are better than we had predicted in the preseason. Consequently, making the NCAAs will be very, very difficult. Starting out at Purdue and Michigan doesn't help.
Jim
Loren --
Keys to the game tomorrow night?
Who has got to play well for the Illini to win?
Wade
The key is handling the Missouri press (see above). I think the guards will have to be able to control the ball and not commit 20 turnovers as we did against Detroit on Saturday night. In addition, someone will have to rebound against a team that sends five men to the board on virtually every shot. Jim
Why is it that teams like Illinois, when they fall of the top 25, it can be tough coming close again? If Duke had a 16-19 season last year and started 10-1 this year, or even 2-1 they would have been ranked. Is Illinois' reputation really not that good in basketball
Chris
Great question. Illinois is not considered one of the elite programs in the nation. Teams that are constantly in the Top 25 seem to be more likely to jump back in there despite last year's record. The new polls come out this afternoon and don't expect Illinois make the cut. By next week, the winner of the Illinois-Missouri game might make the Top 25. Jim
Thanks for the questions. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Jim and Loren