Talk with the former Illini star turned radio analyst.
Jerry Hester — 10:59 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Hi everyone. Jerry Hester here. Thanks for dropping by. Looking forward to chatting with some of the best Illini fans around. Let's get to some questions.
Don from Urbana, IL — 11:01 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
do you keep in contact with your former teammates?
Jerry Hester — 11:03 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Don
I keep in contact with a lot of former teammates. Kiwane Garris, who was roommate in school, we actually live about 10 minutes from each other today. We left school and both moved to the south suburbs of Chicago. Jarrod Gee is another one - w talk quite a bit. Brian Johnson, we were probably the two biggest practical jokesters in Illini history. Talk to Chris Gandy now and then. Just talked to Bryant Notree, T,J, Wheeler. The question is who I don't keep in contract with. It's all about being part of the orange and blue.
Bob from Aurora, IL — 11:03 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Jerry,
If you were in a shooting slump, how did you correct it?
Jerry Hester — 11:06 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Bob
I talked about this last night: the way you go about getting out of a slump is going to he basket and getting something easy. You just need to see that ball go through the basket. That's the way to get your confidence back. My senior year, I wasn't shooting well from 3. Coach Kruger told me, the next game don't shoot a 3. Take a step in. I did that for a game. After not worrying about a 3, the rest of the year I may have shot over 40 percent from 3. When you concentrate on that line, sometimes it can be a detriment.
Doc Rabbit from Wilmington, NC — 11:06 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
With our "weaker" interior post defense...why don't we change it up, from time to time, with a zone??? At least make other teams PROVE they can make the 3 with pressure in their face???
Jerry Hester — 11:07 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Doc
Zone will probably be more of a problem from a rebounding standpoint. Defense, man to man, is pretty good. We've forced teams in to difficult shots. Coach Weber doesn't go zone much, so I don't even know if that's an option.
Stephano from Chicago, IL — 11:08 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Jerry:
Have you ever seen a player hyped like Alex Legion play so poorly on the offensive end? Is he any good in practice?
Jerry Hester — 11:10 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Stephano
I don't get a chance to see much practice because I live in Chicago. Not Alex Legion's fault that he got hyped. He was a good player in high school. My senior year, I had surgery and had to sit out a year. This was after three years of playing in college. The start of my senior year was a struggle - and here's someone who hasn't played hardly at all. Eventually he will be a good player. He's learning how to play the game. Give him time. He took some bad shots but he'll learn.
Jerry Hester — 11:11 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
This is Jim Rossow, sports editor at the N-G. Wanted to mention that Jerry is playing in a charity basketball game in Sullivan on Saturday. It's for a food drive. Check out the Decatur Herald & Review's Web site for more info.
Nice gesture by Jerry. Lots of former Illini will be there for a good cause. Back to the chat.
Ken from Champaign, IL — 11:12 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Jerry,
how often, if at all, do former players from the UI get together and talk about basketball?
Jerry Hester — 11:13 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Ken
When we see each other, we always talk basketball. I see Bardo a little bit here and there and we talk Illinois basketball. Gill, Altenberger... we don't set a date to meet and talk basketball, but we see each other a lot. Hey, I talk a lot. I'll talk to anyone about Illinois basketball.
Danny from Deerfield, IL — 11:14 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
What do you think is the biggest thing to look for down the stretch of the Big 10 Season is for Illinois? I'd say it's Mccamey's maturation into a crunch time scorer. Pretty much since Luther's been gone, we've been lacking a player who can just get a shot or to the line when he wants to. We saw flashes of this against Wisconsin- then nothing really at Minnesota. I know Illini fans say Davis and Mccamey show up in big games, but at what point do you say, it'd be nice to ALWAYS show up?
Jerry Hester — 11:17 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Danny
For Illinois, the key is to play like they have been at home. They have to steal some on the road, but that's hard to do not just in the Big Ten but around the country. I think Demetri is the one player on the team who can create is own shot and create shots for others. The strength of this team has been its balance. Right now, it's being taken away a little bit because Meacham is in a struggle right now. Demetri is learning this year that it's not just about the game. Between his youth and his learning, the light bulb will hopefully come on and he can do it consistently.
David from Savoy, IL — 11:17 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Who is the best player you ever played basketball with:
1) at the high school level
2) at the college level
3) at the professional level
4) out of any level (this should be interesting...)
Be free to tell stories. I'm intrigued.
Jerry Hester — 11:20 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
David
HIgh schoolL: Howard Nathan, a no-brainer. He was unreal. No other way to put it. I was in awe of what he did.
College: I played with Kiwane and Deon , the top two scorers in history. Deon was a devastating scorer. Kiwane was a really good scorer. Because Deon is No. 1, I'll go with him. Kiwane would be 1A
Professionally: Zoran Strentonivic. A point guard I played with in Poland. He won 3 or 4 Euro League championships back in the 90s. Averaged like 15 assists when I played with him.
tom from bloomington, IL — 11:21 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
What does this team need to do to get out of its "funk'?
Are there other issues affecting the team i.e. lockerroom/chemistry issues?
Jerry Hester — 11:22 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Tom
Nothing about chemistry. This is a tough league. YOu have to make shots to win games, and this team isn't making shots. Right now there are expectations. Since they played so well early, that brings more pressure. They have to deal with it. Hopefully they right the ship against Purdue. This is a different league right now - no gimmes at all right now.
John Morrison - 73 from Washington, D.C. — 11:22 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Do you think the Illini have a realistic shot at making the field of 65 or are we in the all too familiar "collapse mode?"
Jerry Hester — 11:23 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
John
It's too early to panic - 6-4 in the league and 18-5 and still ranked if you beat Purdue. Look at what they've done to this point. Lost to Clemson which just beat Duke. Beat Missouri which just won at Texas. We're obviously in the tournament. We just have to continue to improve and keep winning games.
JT from Chicago, IL — 11:24 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Jerry, Please explain the Illini philosophy of help defense. When I played, it meant to pick up a loose man if someone got beat, if an extra body would help on a drive to the basket,etc, in other words, help when help will do something. It seems like the Illini double up with no apparent purpose on someone not really going to the basket or even close to the basket. Most of the time tonight our help defense, helped a badger shooter get open.
Jerry Hester — 11:25 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
JT
I would agree defensively the team didn't play well last night. When you play Wisconsin, they have so much movement you have to focus all 35 seconds. If you break down, they will exploit your weakness. I think Illinois has 18 wins because they have been good on team defense. Just a bad game last night.
Ryan from Champaign, IL — 11:26 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Do you think Bruce needs to shake up the starting lineup to jump start the offense, or is this just something that he needs to ride out right now?
Jerry Hester — 11:27 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Ryan
Teams still have to pay attention to Trent. Shaking it up, who do you put in there? Legion's in the same boat as Trent right now. Don't panic. Who do you bring in? Calvin is another slasher, you do that and that takes away drives of McCamey. Truth is, Calvin is better off the bench because of the spark he brings.
Jerry Hester — 11:29 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Wade
As far as panic, it's never good to panic. Nothing wrong with being concerned. Tough schedule coming up. There's a mad Purdue team coming in.
I had superstitions. One I had in college and in the pros was that I ate chocolate and drank orange juice before each game. I would be bouncing off the walls waiting to get out there for the games.
Wade from Wheaton, IL — 11:29 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
2 Questions for Jerry
1) How worried should Illini fans be right now? Are the issues fixable or do they hint of a rough end to the season?
2) After last nights whooping, I'm discarding all of my previous superstitions and adopting new ones in the hope they will have an effect on karma to help the Illini win. When you played (or even now) do you have any pregame rituals or practices to help keep karma on the Illini's side?
O&B Bird from Champaign, IL — 11:29 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Jerry - this isn't a question directed towards you (you're still awesome though), but a general statement.
Illini fans need to be LOUD on Sunday and bring it against Purdue. The Paint Crew (Purdue student section) and other purdue fans are coming to the hall (something that hasn't happened for a long time because of consecutive sell outs) SO BRING IT
Jerry Hester — 11:31 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Bird
I agree 110 percent. Everybody knows the fans make a difference. As a former player, I know that. When a team l ike Purdue comes in, we need to show all the support we can.
Two games come to mind from my playing days:
My freshman year, when Glenn Robinson scored 49 at Mackey Arena. My ears popped it was so loud.
My senior year, the first Paint the Hall against Michigan State, it was the loudest I had ever heard Assembly Hall. We had goosebumps in warmups. That would great to see Sunday.
Chris from Findlay, IL — 11:32 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
We appear to be headed to the bubble if we don't change things quickly. Why are we so weak, physically? And why don't we crash the boards on shots we put up?
Jerry Hester — 11:33 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Chris
As far as the strength situation, Tisdale and Davis weren't meant to be body builders. But they're getting stronger. With our athleticism, we can crash the boards harder. Everyone needs to take on Chester's mentality. He's amazing.
Jerry Hester — 11:33 AM on Fri, 02/06/2009
Thanks the questions. Have the Assembly Hall rockin' this Sunday. See you there.
Hi everyone. Jerry Hester here. Thanks for dropping by. Looking forward to chatting with some of the best Illini fans around. Let's get to some questions.
do you keep in contact with your former teammates?
Don
I keep in contact with a lot of former teammates. Kiwane Garris, who was roommate in school, we actually live about 10 minutes from each other today. We left school and both moved to the south suburbs of Chicago. Jarrod Gee is another one - w talk quite a bit. Brian Johnson, we were probably the two biggest practical jokesters in Illini history. Talk to Chris Gandy now and then. Just talked to Bryant Notree, T,J, Wheeler. The question is who I don't keep in contract with. It's all about being part of the orange and blue.
Jerry,
If you were in a shooting slump, how did you correct it?
Bob
I talked about this last night: the way you go about getting out of a slump is going to he basket and getting something easy. You just need to see that ball go through the basket. That's the way to get your confidence back. My senior year, I wasn't shooting well from 3. Coach Kruger told me, the next game don't shoot a 3. Take a step in. I did that for a game. After not worrying about a 3, the rest of the year I may have shot over 40 percent from 3. When you concentrate on that line, sometimes it can be a detriment.
With our "weaker" interior post defense...why don't we change it up, from time to time, with a zone??? At least make other teams PROVE they can make the 3 with pressure in their face???
Doc
Zone will probably be more of a problem from a rebounding standpoint. Defense, man to man, is pretty good. We've forced teams in to difficult shots. Coach Weber doesn't go zone much, so I don't even know if that's an option.
Jerry:
Have you ever seen a player hyped like Alex Legion play so poorly on the offensive end? Is he any good in practice?
Stephano
I don't get a chance to see much practice because I live in Chicago. Not Alex Legion's fault that he got hyped. He was a good player in high school. My senior year, I had surgery and had to sit out a year. This was after three years of playing in college. The start of my senior year was a struggle - and here's someone who hasn't played hardly at all. Eventually he will be a good player. He's learning how to play the game. Give him time. He took some bad shots but he'll learn.
This is Jim Rossow, sports editor at the N-G. Wanted to mention that Jerry is playing in a charity basketball game in Sullivan on Saturday. It's for a food drive. Check out the Decatur Herald & Review's Web site for more info.
Nice gesture by Jerry. Lots of former Illini will be there for a good cause. Back to the chat.
Jerry,
how often, if at all, do former players from the UI get together and talk about basketball?
Ken
When we see each other, we always talk basketball. I see Bardo a little bit here and there and we talk Illinois basketball. Gill, Altenberger... we don't set a date to meet and talk basketball, but we see each other a lot. Hey, I talk a lot. I'll talk to anyone about Illinois basketball.
What do you think is the biggest thing to look for down the stretch of the Big 10 Season is for Illinois? I'd say it's Mccamey's maturation into a crunch time scorer. Pretty much since Luther's been gone, we've been lacking a player who can just get a shot or to the line when he wants to. We saw flashes of this against Wisconsin- then nothing really at Minnesota. I know Illini fans say Davis and Mccamey show up in big games, but at what point do you say, it'd be nice to ALWAYS show up?
Danny
For Illinois, the key is to play like they have been at home. They have to steal some on the road, but that's hard to do not just in the Big Ten but around the country. I think Demetri is the one player on the team who can create is own shot and create shots for others. The strength of this team has been its balance. Right now, it's being taken away a little bit because Meacham is in a struggle right now. Demetri is learning this year that it's not just about the game. Between his youth and his learning, the light bulb will hopefully come on and he can do it consistently.
Who is the best player you ever played basketball with:
1) at the high school level
2) at the college level
3) at the professional level
4) out of any level (this should be interesting...)
Be free to tell stories. I'm intrigued.
David
HIgh schoolL: Howard Nathan, a no-brainer. He was unreal. No other way to put it. I was in awe of what he did.
College: I played with Kiwane and Deon , the top two scorers in history. Deon was a devastating scorer. Kiwane was a really good scorer. Because Deon is No. 1, I'll go with him. Kiwane would be 1A
Professionally: Zoran Strentonivic. A point guard I played with in Poland. He won 3 or 4 Euro League championships back in the 90s. Averaged like 15 assists when I played with him.
What does this team need to do to get out of its "funk'?
Are there other issues affecting the team i.e. lockerroom/chemistry issues?
Tom
Nothing about chemistry. This is a tough league. YOu have to make shots to win games, and this team isn't making shots. Right now there are expectations. Since they played so well early, that brings more pressure. They have to deal with it. Hopefully they right the ship against Purdue. This is a different league right now - no gimmes at all right now.
Do you think the Illini have a realistic shot at making the field of 65 or are we in the all too familiar "collapse mode?"
John
It's too early to panic - 6-4 in the league and 18-5 and still ranked if you beat Purdue. Look at what they've done to this point. Lost to Clemson which just beat Duke. Beat Missouri which just won at Texas. We're obviously in the tournament. We just have to continue to improve and keep winning games.
Jerry, Please explain the Illini philosophy of help defense. When I played, it meant to pick up a loose man if someone got beat, if an extra body would help on a drive to the basket,etc, in other words, help when help will do something. It seems like the Illini double up with no apparent purpose on someone not really going to the basket or even close to the basket. Most of the time tonight our help defense, helped a badger shooter get open.
JT
I would agree defensively the team didn't play well last night. When you play Wisconsin, they have so much movement you have to focus all 35 seconds. If you break down, they will exploit your weakness. I think Illinois has 18 wins because they have been good on team defense. Just a bad game last night.
Do you think Bruce needs to shake up the starting lineup to jump start the offense, or is this just something that he needs to ride out right now?
Ryan
Teams still have to pay attention to Trent. Shaking it up, who do you put in there? Legion's in the same boat as Trent right now. Don't panic. Who do you bring in? Calvin is another slasher, you do that and that takes away drives of McCamey. Truth is, Calvin is better off the bench because of the spark he brings.
Wade
As far as panic, it's never good to panic. Nothing wrong with being concerned. Tough schedule coming up. There's a mad Purdue team coming in.
I had superstitions. One I had in college and in the pros was that I ate chocolate and drank orange juice before each game. I would be bouncing off the walls waiting to get out there for the games.
2 Questions for Jerry
1) How worried should Illini fans be right now? Are the issues fixable or do they hint of a rough end to the season?
2) After last nights whooping, I'm discarding all of my previous superstitions and adopting new ones in the hope they will have an effect on karma to help the Illini win. When you played (or even now) do you have any pregame rituals or practices to help keep karma on the Illini's side?
Jerry - this isn't a question directed towards you (you're still awesome though), but a general statement.
Illini fans need to be LOUD on Sunday and bring it against Purdue. The Paint Crew (Purdue student section) and other purdue fans are coming to the hall (something that hasn't happened for a long time because of consecutive sell outs) SO BRING IT
Bird
I agree 110 percent. Everybody knows the fans make a difference. As a former player, I know that. When a team l ike Purdue comes in, we need to show all the support we can.
Two games come to mind from my playing days:
My freshman year, when Glenn Robinson scored 49 at Mackey Arena. My ears popped it was so loud.
My senior year, the first Paint the Hall against Michigan State, it was the loudest I had ever heard Assembly Hall. We had goosebumps in warmups. That would great to see Sunday.
We appear to be headed to the bubble if we don't change things quickly. Why are we so weak, physically? And why don't we crash the boards on shots we put up?
Chris
As far as the strength situation, Tisdale and Davis weren't meant to be body builders. But they're getting stronger. With our athleticism, we can crash the boards harder. Everyone needs to take on Chester's mentality. He's amazing.
Thanks the questions. Have the Assembly Hall rockin' this Sunday. See you there.