Talk with Illinois men's basketball beat writer Paul Klee
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:32 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Good afternoon everyone, thanks for coming by another Illinois basketball chat.
A pair of Illinois staffers made the NBA rounds last week. Wayne McClain spent a day with Luther Head
Andrew from Charleston, Illinois — 12:33 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
How much impact on recruiting will the ESPN Gameday coverage have for Illinois in your mind? Also, I would imagine Weber will try and line up potential 2011 recruits to visit for that game, that would have to be a selling point! GO ILLINI!
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:35 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Andrew
cam from mahomet, illinois — 12:38 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
do you think we get Nnanna Egwu
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:41 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Cam
Rob from Bloomington, IL — 12:42 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
What are the chances Jeff Jordan rejoins the team?
Matthew from Chicago, Il — 12:42 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Klee, thanks for taking my question. Is JJ coming back to the basketball team???
neil from mahomet, illinois — 12:42 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
is jeff jordan coming back this year
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:44 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Matt, Neil, Rob, others
David from Elmhurst, IL — 12:47 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Is the possibility of Jeff Jordan returning to the team related to the health of Joseph Bertrand and his availability to start the season? How do you see the roles for each?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:49 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
David- No, Jeff Jordan's return has nothing to do with Joseph Bertrand's health. Joseph Bertrand opened eyes with a tip-dunk off a missed jumper yesterday. He's not 100 percent, but he went through probably 75-85 percent of the drills yesterday, and he participated in all of the conditioning drills (running, sprints). So that's a positive sign, and it appears Al Martindale and the athletics training staff has done a fine job helping Joseph and his right knee get back in order after surgery.
Not certain if you'll see him playing at Illini Madness, but I think you will.
Klee
Mike from Chicago, IL — 12:50 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Klee -
Do you expect Jordan to issue a statement to the media, "I'm back", version 2?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:51 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Mike- If it happens I suspect Illinois would release something, not Jeff Jordan, even though he did announce his college decision through a press release, you might remember.
Klee
Luke from Carbondale, IL — 12:53 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
When will Illinois ever schedule a game with SIUC? The folks down here are dying for a Chris lowery vs. Bruce Weber showdown.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:57 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Luke- I've said this several times before, but it's not just about Illinois agreeing to a game. SIU has to agree to a game, as well. That hasn't happened. The most likely possibility - at least right now - is a three-game series in C-U/C'Dale/Chicago. That's something both staffs talked about during the offseason.
Here's what Bruce Weber said on Saturday about the possibility of a game with SIU: "I've got to convince Mr. Guenther it's a good move somewhere along the line."
I'll continue to push this series, Luke. Needs to happen, for the fans and the atmosphere, if nothing else.
Klee
Big Ben from London, England — 12:59 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
I get the idea that Illinois fans are placing an incredible amount pressure on these freshmen to perform (especially the guards). I worry that the expectations are too high, much like they were for Legion last year. It seems to take about a half season for players to understand the motion offense. Something that obviously plagued Legion last year, plagued players in Weber's first year, and could plague the freshmen this year. Is Bruce doing anything differently to alleviate the steep learning curve? Are the players learning the offense from the veterans before Bruce is allowed to hold official practices?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:05 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
BB- Offseason pick-up games don't have a lot of structure, so there's not much learning of the offense going on. There's more of that in the workouts going on now, but they'll learn in earnest after the first official practice Oct. 16. Expectations are too high for these freshman. I've tried to curb them. These aren't blue-chip prospects, each has holes in his game and the '09 class as a whole, nationally, wasn't that strong. Over time I think it will be an excellent recruiting class - but this is also a veteran team they've joined - that Illinois fans will love. And as a rule I think expectations are always too high for freshmen.
Still, these freshmen are going to play minutes, so the early part of their season will be analyzed closely. I see D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul, in particular, playing significant minutes. One coach told me Tyler Griffey might be the first or second big man off the bench - if the season started right now. There's a great deal of competition at the moment - that's rarely a bad thing.
Klee
Kush from Chicago, IL — 01:06 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
We've heard a lot about losing Frazier, Brock and Meacham from last year's team. One ability that Meacham brought to the Illini was his 3 point shooting to stretch defenses. I can't think of too many 3 point specialists on our roster: maybe Paul, D.J., McCamey? Who do you think will be our best 3 point shooter percentage-wise for this year?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:08 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Kush- Percentage-wise, I'd say Alex Legion. His stroke is pure in workouts - but games aren't workouts. I think Demetri McCamey will take the most threes, and he very well could lead the team in three-point shooting percentage. He hit a couple well-guarded threes yesterday.
Klee
Tino Martinez (Big Ten Dog) from Vittum Park, IL — 01:09 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Klee - What do you think the Top 3 toughest games will be in the upcoming season?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:10 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Tino- At Clemson, at Michigan State, at Purdue. And Illinois won't sneak up on anyone in the Big Ten this season. Klee
Bernard Lomax from Paradise Island, NY — 01:11 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Klee - Who is the biggest X-Factor in the success of the Illini this coming season?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:13 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Bernie- I'd say three guys: Dominique Keller, D.J. Richardson and Alex Legion. Keller, because the frontline needs some girth, and he's the only one that can provide that. Richardson, because that would allow McCamey to move off the ball and be more of a scorer. Legion, because if he can average double-digits it takes a load off the other guards.
Klee
Ryan from Urbana, IL — 01:14 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
How do you see Brandon Paul being used this year? Will he be that spark off the bench, like Jamar Smith was used as a freshman? I think the kid has a tremendous scoring ability and looks like the best NBA prospect from our 2009 class.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:15 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Ryan- Solid comparison. If Brandon Paul's freshman season mirrors Jamar Smith's, Illinois would be thrilled. Right now I think he's one of the first two players off the bench. Long way to go, though, before the season opener.
Klee
DNebs from Chicago, IL — 01:16 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Klee - I am convinced that Coach Weber is one of the best coaches in college basketball. As far as man crushes go, I rank Coach Weber #2, behind Hub Arkush at #1, but in front of Steve Stone at #3. Can you back that statement up so that all my friends know that I am right?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:19 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
DNebs- No offense, but I'm going to stay away from that one. Klee
Beezer's Kid from Champaign, IL — 01:20 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Klee - Do you have any preseason updates on current Illini NBA players looking to make teams?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:25 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
BK- It looks good for Luther Head with the Pacers. That's the word from the UI staff, which was in to see a Pacers workout last week. The Pacers play the Nuggets in Taipei on Thursday. You'll have to get up early, but it's on NBA-TV at 6:30 a.m. Their game Saturday night also is on NBA-TV (11 p.m.)
Shaun Pruitt's dad said in an email yesterday that Shaun is "fighting hard to get that 15th roster spot with Golden State." Pruitt had two points in 11 minutes in their first exhibition game. You might see him Saturday when the Warriors play the Suns on TNT. His future with the Warriors likely will depend on the health of their frontcourt. Two of their big guys currently are sidelined with injuries.
Overseas, Trent Meacham had 13 points in 30 minutes in his first professional game, with the Wels franchise in Austria. Chester Frazier's first game is Friday in Germany.
Klee
Mike from Decatur, IL — 01:26 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Paul: I have mixed emotions about a Jordan return. I hope if he returns it does not retard the delovment of any of the freshmen guards. I think they need as many minutes as they can get. All three of them could get valuable time in the games prior to the Big Ten. On the other hand Jeff did show promise. I do not see him playing the following year at all, so I hope he stays retired.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:27 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Mike- That could very well be the case, and we welcome all opinions in this space. Klee
Jerry from San Antonio, Texas — 01:27 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Last year, the Vegas College Invitational TV coverage was ESPNU for the semi's on Friday, and ESPN2 for the finals on Saturday. Do you know, if this same coverage will be for this year, too?
Thanks
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:27 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Jerry
Stefan from Champaign, Illinois — 01:31 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Hi Paul,
Where is Bill Cole in the coaching staff's mind right now? He has had a couple of flashes so far in his career but hasn't ever been able to see significant playing time. I have always felt that he could be a tall, shooting guard, who could guard the opposing team's small forward at the other end. Am I crazy?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:34 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Stefan- Bill Cole said he thinks his playing time will be determined by how he plays in the practice sessions leading up to the two preseason games. He's hit some shots, and that's a plus, but I think Bruce Weber wants him to prove his worth as a defender. I do believe Weber when he says he will look to his bench more often early in the season. He watched how Tom Izzo used guys like Idong Ibok and Marquise Gray early in the season, and how they were better-prepared in February and March because of it. Those guys were bit players, but they played a role in the Spartans' run.
Klee
The Big Ten Guy from Chicago, IL — 01:35 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Klee - What do you think of the recent ESPN.com column that ranked the Illini #6 All Time? I have my own set of rankings that I will release at a future date, and I didn't have the Illini that high. How bout you?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:38 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Big Ten Guy- I look forward to your rankings, send them my way. The Sagarin rankings seemed to put a lot of weight in consistent winning over the last seven decades, and if you go by that criteria, Illinois came in at No. 6. So you can't really argue against it, going by their formula. But I would have a hard time arguing Illinois as the No. 6 alltime program. That's too high.
Klee
Josie from Naperville, IL — 01:39 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Last year you said Legion really struggled with ball handling and passing. Have these improved to where, if not a strenth, at least they are competent enough for Big Ten play?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:41 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Josie- Alex certainly has worked on those areas. "He's in the gym probably more than any of our guys," Weber said Saturday. With Alex Legion, it's a wait-and-see process. I think he's a better player than he was five months ago. He's a more confident player. I'd like to see a killer instinct, a competitive streak, but we won't know if that's there until he does it in a game. He's talented. He hits shots that few of his teammates can. How he performs as a junior is difficult to predict. I'm eager to see Alex in the early part of the season, probably more than any other player.
Klee
Jason from NYC, NY — 01:43 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Handful of questions....all re: BWeb's coaching staff:
- Can you breakdown the responsibilities of the assistants? Does each have a specific role or area of focus (either formal or de facto)?
- BWeb's had a remarkably stable group of assistants. To what do you attribute the stability? In your view, is the lack of turnover a good thing?
An aside....thanks for your work covering the O&B. You've taken the NG and HQ.com to a new level, and clearly stand above your current and, in my experience, previous peers there.
Best,
JM
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:56 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Jason- The assistants' duties change daily. Bruce Weber was on the road recruiting yesterday, and the assistants ran workouts. One day last week Jerrance Howard and Jay Price were on the road, so the other coaches ran workouts.
Weber does everything. His energy seems to be limitless. I think Wayne McClain is invaluable in workouts. That's just my opinion.
The stability on the staff is a plus and a minus. Players know what to expect, and the coaches know what to expect from each other. At times this staff disagrees on different topics - whether it's in recruiting or in the playing rotation or whatever - but I think that's healthy. You want different viewpoints. For a while that stability led to things getting stagnant and stubborn, though. For example, in several cases they refused to extend early scholarship offers, and it hurt them with guys like Evan Turner. They finally got away from that approach, and the program is better for it. The UI staff is in a good place right now.
Thanks for the kind words.
Klee
Jen from Champaign, Illini — 01:57 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Paul, these chats are as great as you. who is your favorite illini to interview?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 02:03 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Jen
Paul Klee (moderator) — 02:04 PM on Wed, 10/07/2009
Going to wrap this up. Thanks for your time and all of the questions. We spent some time with D.J. Richardson in Peoria last weekend. Look for it on HQ on Sunday.
Good afternoon everyone, thanks for coming by another Illinois basketball chat.
A pair of Illinois staffers made the NBA rounds last week. Wayne McClain spent a day with Luther Head
How much impact on recruiting will the ESPN Gameday coverage have for Illinois in your mind? Also, I would imagine Weber will try and line up potential 2011 recruits to visit for that game, that would have to be a selling point! GO ILLINI!
Andrew
do you think we get Nnanna Egwu
Cam
What are the chances Jeff Jordan rejoins the team?
Klee, thanks for taking my question. Is JJ coming back to the basketball team???
is jeff jordan coming back this year
Matt, Neil, Rob, others
Is the possibility of Jeff Jordan returning to the team related to the health of Joseph Bertrand and his availability to start the season? How do you see the roles for each?
David- No, Jeff Jordan's return has nothing to do with Joseph Bertrand's health. Joseph Bertrand opened eyes with a tip-dunk off a missed jumper yesterday. He's not 100 percent, but he went through probably 75-85 percent of the drills yesterday, and he participated in all of the conditioning drills (running, sprints). So that's a positive sign, and it appears Al Martindale and the athletics training staff has done a fine job helping Joseph and his right knee get back in order after surgery.
Not certain if you'll see him playing at Illini Madness, but I think you will.
Klee
Klee -
Do you expect Jordan to issue a statement to the media, "I'm back", version 2?
Mike- If it happens I suspect Illinois would release something, not Jeff Jordan, even though he did announce his college decision through a press release, you might remember.
Klee
When will Illinois ever schedule a game with SIUC? The folks down here are dying for a Chris lowery vs. Bruce Weber showdown.
Luke- I've said this several times before, but it's not just about Illinois agreeing to a game. SIU has to agree to a game, as well. That hasn't happened. The most likely possibility - at least right now - is a three-game series in C-U/C'Dale/Chicago. That's something both staffs talked about during the offseason.
Here's what Bruce Weber said on Saturday about the possibility of a game with SIU: "I've got to convince Mr. Guenther it's a good move somewhere along the line."
I'll continue to push this series, Luke. Needs to happen, for the fans and the atmosphere, if nothing else.
Klee
I get the idea that Illinois fans are placing an incredible amount pressure on these freshmen to perform (especially the guards). I worry that the expectations are too high, much like they were for Legion last year. It seems to take about a half season for players to understand the motion offense. Something that obviously plagued Legion last year, plagued players in Weber's first year, and could plague the freshmen this year. Is Bruce doing anything differently to alleviate the steep learning curve? Are the players learning the offense from the veterans before Bruce is allowed to hold official practices?
BB- Offseason pick-up games don't have a lot of structure, so there's not much learning of the offense going on. There's more of that in the workouts going on now, but they'll learn in earnest after the first official practice Oct. 16. Expectations are too high for these freshman. I've tried to curb them. These aren't blue-chip prospects, each has holes in his game and the '09 class as a whole, nationally, wasn't that strong. Over time I think it will be an excellent recruiting class - but this is also a veteran team they've joined - that Illinois fans will love. And as a rule I think expectations are always too high for freshmen.
Still, these freshmen are going to play minutes, so the early part of their season will be analyzed closely. I see D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul, in particular, playing significant minutes. One coach told me Tyler Griffey might be the first or second big man off the bench - if the season started right now. There's a great deal of competition at the moment - that's rarely a bad thing.
Klee
We've heard a lot about losing Frazier, Brock and Meacham from last year's team. One ability that Meacham brought to the Illini was his 3 point shooting to stretch defenses. I can't think of too many 3 point specialists on our roster: maybe Paul, D.J., McCamey? Who do you think will be our best 3 point shooter percentage-wise for this year?
Kush- Percentage-wise, I'd say Alex Legion. His stroke is pure in workouts - but games aren't workouts. I think Demetri McCamey will take the most threes, and he very well could lead the team in three-point shooting percentage. He hit a couple well-guarded threes yesterday.
Klee
Klee - What do you think the Top 3 toughest games will be in the upcoming season?
Tino- At Clemson, at Michigan State, at Purdue. And Illinois won't sneak up on anyone in the Big Ten this season. Klee
Klee - Who is the biggest X-Factor in the success of the Illini this coming season?
Bernie- I'd say three guys: Dominique Keller, D.J. Richardson and Alex Legion. Keller, because the frontline needs some girth, and he's the only one that can provide that. Richardson, because that would allow McCamey to move off the ball and be more of a scorer. Legion, because if he can average double-digits it takes a load off the other guards.
Klee
How do you see Brandon Paul being used this year? Will he be that spark off the bench, like Jamar Smith was used as a freshman? I think the kid has a tremendous scoring ability and looks like the best NBA prospect from our 2009 class.
Ryan- Solid comparison. If Brandon Paul's freshman season mirrors Jamar Smith's, Illinois would be thrilled. Right now I think he's one of the first two players off the bench. Long way to go, though, before the season opener.
Klee
Klee - I am convinced that Coach Weber is one of the best coaches in college basketball. As far as man crushes go, I rank Coach Weber #2, behind Hub Arkush at #1, but in front of Steve Stone at #3. Can you back that statement up so that all my friends know that I am right?
DNebs- No offense, but I'm going to stay away from that one. Klee
Klee - Do you have any preseason updates on current Illini NBA players looking to make teams?
BK- It looks good for Luther Head with the Pacers. That's the word from the UI staff, which was in to see a Pacers workout last week. The Pacers play the Nuggets in Taipei on Thursday. You'll have to get up early, but it's on NBA-TV at 6:30 a.m. Their game Saturday night also is on NBA-TV (11 p.m.)
Shaun Pruitt's dad said in an email yesterday that Shaun is "fighting hard to get that 15th roster spot with Golden State." Pruitt had two points in 11 minutes in their first exhibition game. You might see him Saturday when the Warriors play the Suns on TNT. His future with the Warriors likely will depend on the health of their frontcourt. Two of their big guys currently are sidelined with injuries.
Overseas, Trent Meacham had 13 points in 30 minutes in his first professional game, with the Wels franchise in Austria. Chester Frazier's first game is Friday in Germany.
Klee
Paul: I have mixed emotions about a Jordan return. I hope if he returns it does not retard the delovment of any of the freshmen guards. I think they need as many minutes as they can get. All three of them could get valuable time in the games prior to the Big Ten. On the other hand Jeff did show promise. I do not see him playing the following year at all, so I hope he stays retired.
Mike- That could very well be the case, and we welcome all opinions in this space. Klee
Last year, the Vegas College Invitational TV coverage was ESPNU for the semi's on Friday, and ESPN2 for the finals on Saturday. Do you know, if this same coverage will be for this year, too?
Thanks
Jerry
Hi Paul,
Where is Bill Cole in the coaching staff's mind right now? He has had a couple of flashes so far in his career but hasn't ever been able to see significant playing time. I have always felt that he could be a tall, shooting guard, who could guard the opposing team's small forward at the other end. Am I crazy?
Stefan- Bill Cole said he thinks his playing time will be determined by how he plays in the practice sessions leading up to the two preseason games. He's hit some shots, and that's a plus, but I think Bruce Weber wants him to prove his worth as a defender. I do believe Weber when he says he will look to his bench more often early in the season. He watched how Tom Izzo used guys like Idong Ibok and Marquise Gray early in the season, and how they were better-prepared in February and March because of it. Those guys were bit players, but they played a role in the Spartans' run.
Klee
Klee - What do you think of the recent ESPN.com column that ranked the Illini #6 All Time? I have my own set of rankings that I will release at a future date, and I didn't have the Illini that high. How bout you?
Big Ten Guy- I look forward to your rankings, send them my way. The Sagarin rankings seemed to put a lot of weight in consistent winning over the last seven decades, and if you go by that criteria, Illinois came in at No. 6. So you can't really argue against it, going by their formula. But I would have a hard time arguing Illinois as the No. 6 alltime program. That's too high.
Klee
Last year you said Legion really struggled with ball handling and passing. Have these improved to where, if not a strenth, at least they are competent enough for Big Ten play?
Josie- Alex certainly has worked on those areas. "He's in the gym probably more than any of our guys," Weber said Saturday. With Alex Legion, it's a wait-and-see process. I think he's a better player than he was five months ago. He's a more confident player. I'd like to see a killer instinct, a competitive streak, but we won't know if that's there until he does it in a game. He's talented. He hits shots that few of his teammates can. How he performs as a junior is difficult to predict. I'm eager to see Alex in the early part of the season, probably more than any other player.
Klee
Handful of questions....all re: BWeb's coaching staff:
- Can you breakdown the responsibilities of the assistants? Does each have a specific role or area of focus (either formal or de facto)?
- BWeb's had a remarkably stable group of assistants. To what do you attribute the stability? In your view, is the lack of turnover a good thing?
An aside....thanks for your work covering the O&B. You've taken the NG and HQ.com to a new level, and clearly stand above your current and, in my experience, previous peers there.
Best,
JM
Jason- The assistants' duties change daily. Bruce Weber was on the road recruiting yesterday, and the assistants ran workouts. One day last week Jerrance Howard and Jay Price were on the road, so the other coaches ran workouts.
Weber does everything. His energy seems to be limitless. I think Wayne McClain is invaluable in workouts. That's just my opinion.
The stability on the staff is a plus and a minus. Players know what to expect, and the coaches know what to expect from each other. At times this staff disagrees on different topics - whether it's in recruiting or in the playing rotation or whatever - but I think that's healthy. You want different viewpoints. For a while that stability led to things getting stagnant and stubborn, though. For example, in several cases they refused to extend early scholarship offers, and it hurt them with guys like Evan Turner. They finally got away from that approach, and the program is better for it. The UI staff is in a good place right now.
Thanks for the kind words.
Klee
Paul, these chats are as great as you. who is your favorite illini to interview?
Jen
Going to wrap this up. Thanks for your time and all of the questions. We spent some time with D.J. Richardson in Peoria last weekend. Look for it on HQ on Sunday.
Talk to you later.
Klee