Tate & Turpin chat: 11:00 a.m. Monday
Monday, March 30, 2009 - 11:00am
Chat with the hosts of "Saturday Sportsline" and "Monday Morning Quarterback."
Chat with the hosts of "Saturday Sportsline" and "Monday Morning Quarterback."
Good morning, gang. 14 questions already. Here we go. Jim and Loren
how do you guys see the freshman doing on next years mens basketball team?
Tom, it is always dangerous to predict about freshmen, but we anticipate that Paul and Richardson will play extensively. The News-Gazette's Paul Klee projected last weekend that they may start at the wings ahead of Alex Legion. But we won't know until we see him play. Jim and Loren
Guys,
how do you think next years basketball team will be? i know the players are talented, but we lose a lot of senior leadership.
Don: We'll miss the seniors. The three sophomores should be a lot better. There is no way to know how the incoming freshmen will perform in Big Ten competition. Considering the returning players from other Big Ten teams, Illinois figures to be in the middle of the pack and certainly behind Michigan State and Purdue. Jim and Loren
Jim, Loren,
what are your thoughts on Mike White? What is he doing these days? I know his teams were fun to watch
Bruce: Mike White is living in California, runs a big camp in the summer and is otherwise retired. He is looking forward to coming back for the spring game for a reunion. He still loves Illinois. Jim and Loren
Loren, it's really been a pleasure to read your thoughts on flyovers during your last several chats. I think I speak for all of Illini Nation when I say that we would love to hear your favorite flyover stories. Also, what kind of jets did they have at the Rose Bowl in 2008? I'm thinking the UI should avoid using those in the future. After all, look how those jets made Illinois play against USC!
Flight Fan: Those weren't jets, those were pigeons. They were my favorites. Loren
Good morning,
Baed on the fact that we are one scholorship short for the 2010 class, do you expect Weber and the staff to sit down with an individual player and tell him he has no future with the Illini to get him to transfer? I know that is cruel but I've read that Henson did that with a player who came in with Brooks Taylor,(can't remember the player's name)
Ashu: Players leave. That's what they do. Last year the Illini lost Rodney Alexander, Jamar Smith, Steve Holdren and Brian Carlwell. We see numerous transfers all over the country every year. Don't ever anticipate that everyone will return, especially those who are told they aren't in the plans. Loren and Jim
What are your thoughts on the baseball team this year?
John: It's a good team, but we won't know much until the weather turns good. The pitching had the advantage this past weekend of cold weather, which really affects hitters, and a weak Michigan State team that came out with a 5-14 record. But I will say it is a special freshman class, really promising. Loren
Looking at next year, regardless of who starts, who is going to replace the toughness of Frazier? It looked like we lacked that all year, to some degree, and esp. when you look at teams like MSU or Purdue. It seems to me that will be the hardest job for Weber.
Scott: We are hopeful Jeff Jordan can provide some of that kind of toughness, spirit and defense. We don't know yet how well those freshman will play defense, but Richardson and Paul are said to be good defenders. We'll see. Jim and Loren
I don't understand the request under security code. I have never had to have one before. It says the recaptcha key isn't authorized for the given domain.
Allan: We're sorry, we don't know what you are referring to. We'll ask someone later to find out. Jim and Loren
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Loren
Is Illinois that good in baseball. Or is Mich St that bad? In other words, can they win the Big Ten?
Brad: Illinois could contend for the Big Ten title although Ohio State is considered better. It depends on the pitching. If the Illini can maintain their Top 25 ranking, they can get in the NCAA tournament even if they don't win the Big Ten tournament at Ohio State this year. Loren
Comment on Missouri. Have they improved since Illinois played them? Also MSU. I'm surprised at how they have played. There was talk all year about being final 4 material, but they never appeared to be that. Comment on them. Thank you! Ignore my 1st question as I figured out the code.
Allan: Yes, we can safely state that Missouri has improved since Illinois played them. Looking back on the Braggin' Rights game, Illinois played better defense than teams they played in the NCAA tournament, but they are obviously better. Don't be surprised about Michigan State WHEN THEY SHOOT. They do everything else well. No team shoots the same all the time. Jim and Loren
Hi Jim and Loren,
I was hoping you could comment on the development and utilization of big men in Weber's motion system here at Illinois. Does the system under-utilize big men, or has the coaching staff struggled to develop big men, i.e, is that a weakness of this regime? It seems that way to me, but you have a little more history and better access for a better perspective.
Jason: Augustine was outstanding in this system, and no pair of big men improved more than Tisdale and Davis did as sophomores. Trouble is, they aren't the physical types that you would prefer. They started from further back. A lot of teams run a version of Weber's motion. Jim and Loren
Testing the security code from the News-Gazette.com chat side.
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What happened to Alex Legion it's like he disappeared! Is he really someone who can help us in the future?
O&B 73: Legion was hurt by not being able to play in the pre-Big Ten games, and fell behind. Then when he entered games, he was lacking on defense and seemed to be hurrying all of his shots. He will have to compete with Paul and Richardson to get in the lineup. It isn't clear whether he can be the player we expected.Jim and Loren
Jim and Loren, What is the date of the highschool boys team camp the university of illinois has over the summer? Is it free to the public to see the games at the Assembly Hall and Ubben?
Mitch: If you call 333-3400, the basketball office, the secretary will give you the dates. We assume the games will again be free for everyone. Jim and Loren
Jim and Loren, Will there be a shootout at the hall next season? I had a great time at the one last December.
Mitch: Yes, WDWS will sponsor the third annual shootout at the Assembly Hall next December. Teams will be announced later but you can bet there'll be some UI recruits there. Jim and Loren
i thank those in charge for not making us watch "the show" reffs like hightower and valentine. When an official thinks that fans are there to see them, they need to give something else a try. Valentine wears different shoes and hightower feels he must talk to all the players so that they can get air time. In the game that Nick Anderson hit the shot against Indiana, hightower was nearly bald. Now he has a full head of air. Guess he felt he needed hair for his tv close ups!!!!!!!
Billy: Everybody should have an opinion, and you clearly do, so stick with it. Jim and Loren
In a previous chat you said that Illinois winning a national championship was "a stretch". If you believe that, and you are close to the program, then why should anyone else believe that Weber can do it? I mean to say it's a stretch to ever win a NC here is a bit depressing for future seasons dont you think?
CJ: It is a "stretch" for anyone to win the national championship because it is the goal of every team and every coach. You need good players, good coaching and good luck, and it shouldn't be depressing to recognize how difficult it is. Weber has been national coach of the year, and has as good a chance of leading Illinois there as anyone else. Teams like Purdue and Missouri are good but find reaching the Final Four very difficult. Jim and Loren
Why want coach play a zone of some sort against the teams that beat us off the dribble?
J.r.: Mainly because they practice hard on man-to-man, are tremendously successful with in, and it is the cornerstone of what they do. Jim and Loren
Thanks, gang, so you next week. Jim and Loren