Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:01 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Hello everyone! I look forward to today's questions and it looks like we are starting to get some overlap with the start of basketball season. Lets get going!
Chris Roberts from Mahomet, iL. — 11:01 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Hello Brian,
Do you think the Hawkeyes will finish
the regular season undefeated and
also where would you rank Kirk F.
nationally as a head coach?
I hope the game on Sat. isn't too
scary for you to call! Thank-You!
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:06 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Chris,
I am with you on the "scary" stuff and Halloween! We turn back the clocks this weekend.... so maybe the Illini can "turn back the clock" and play the way they did against Michigan in Ann Arbor last year (45-20 win and over 500 yards of offense!)
I think very highly of Kirk Ferentz. His teams always play with solid fundamentals and they dont beat themselves. As we have seen this year...they hang close and then make a big play or two and put the game away. Think about it...they have won at Penn State (on a "whiteout" night)...at Wisconsin...at Michigan State...and at Iowa State (who just beat Nebrasks)..pretty impressive
W. Spearman from Yuma, Az — 11:07 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Corey Cooper cancelled his visit this
weekend. Has Illinois lost him? Also
since Fiedowitz has reopened his re-
cruitment, is he also lost?
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:10 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
W.Spearman...
Good to hear from you in Arizona!
I dont know the exact status of those two young men right now....but as you know....college football rcruiting is not an exact science and recruits can change their minds several times over the course of the year.
You might direct a question on these guys to Bob Asmussen. He follows the recruiting stories very closely.
Jake from Shelbyville, Il — 11:11 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Brian,
What is your opinion of the preseason poll and where they have the Illini ranked? I think this will be good for the Illini so then if things fall apart, which we all hope doesn't happen, then maybe some of the rabids won't be on the attack so much. Enjoy your broadcasts, you do a nice job.
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:14 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Jake,
Thanks for your kind comments on the broadcasts!
I think the pre-season ranking for Bruce Weber's team is about right (#20-25 in most polls). That gives you a chance to move up as the season goes along and yet you dont have the early season pressure of trying to live with high expectations. I also think the rankings are about right for a team that is counting on several freshman to play some key roles as the season develops.
Joe Podraza from Chicago, IL — 11:15 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Are the folks in Champaign aware of how very weak the Chicago Public Leage is in football? No freshman team - no sophomore team - maybe 25 players on the varisty - very limited facilities and maybe 2 or 3 coaches.......
Compare that to the coaching and experience Stanzl got in Ohio and Clausen in California!
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:19 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Joe,
I think most people in Champaign are aware that the Chicago Public League produces more Division 1 basketball players than football players.
You probably know better that most that there are a lot of good football players in the Chicagoland area...especially in surburban Chicago and the collar counties.
That being said....Recruiting experts generally agree that the best players nationwide seem to come from Florida, Texas, California and Ohio. It has been that way for a few years now.
mike from decatur, illinois — 11:20 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Was a team announced this week for the Shootout at the Hall and do you know anything about the Thanksgiving shootout at Washington H.S. that features Quinsy Miller versus Brehm Prep?
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:24 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Mike,
Our sports editor Jim Rossow tells me that there still a few teams to be announced for the field at the Shootout at the Hall. They did not have a team announced this week because of coverage of the Orange and Blue Scrimmage...Jim says the entire field will be announced a week from tomorrow (Friday November 6th).
For more info on the teams already announced you can go to the Shootout icon on IlliniHQ.com and info on the team will be there.
As far as the shootout at Washington HS...you should probably send that question to basketball beat writer Paul Klee.
Bill from Champaign, IL — 11:25 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Thanks for the chat -- I appreciate it.
If the Illini don't show signs of fight out of the gates on Saturday, do you think that the Boo birds will be out in full force for the remainder of the game?
Here's to hoping the Illini can pull one out ...
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:27 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Bill,
We have already heard some "boo-birds" this season at Memorial Stadium. I understand that fans pay for the tickets and have the right to express their opinion and their frustration with the season. But I still believe that booing should be limited to pro sports.
Ken from Urbana, IL — 11:27 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Brian,
what can you tell us about Coach Zook on last weeks show?
Apparently he was pretty upset with some of the calls
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:35 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Ken,
I think Coach Zook handled the calls pretty well actually. I am sure it cannot be easy to sit there and have someone criticizing you in public and over a statewide radio network.
But hey...these college coaches know that this kind of stuff comes with the territory... and they are getting paid a lot of money to take the good with the bad.
I have not hosted a coaches show yet in the last 8 years (football or basketball) where a coach gets visibly upset when a caller is berating him about something. Mostly ...they either chuckle or just shake their head.
Believe me...Coach Zook and his staff are as frustrated as anybody with the way this season has gone.
Chris from Monticello, IL — 11:37 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Brian,
How do you handle a coach's show when things aren't going so well? I remember hearing at the end of the Turner regime, nobody was calling at all? Now I hear that people are calling and the coach is getting angry about the calls. I'm sure it can't be easy to keep listeners and the coaches happy in a situation like that.
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:37 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Chris,
See above.
Jake from Chicago, IL — 11:38 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Brian-
What have you heard about players quiting/transferring. Bo Flowers has apparently quit and his name is no longer on the roster. I have heard a few stories about players threatening to leave school and more about dissension among the ranks. Any news to tell? Thanks!
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:43 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Jake,
All I know is that Bo Flowers played in a handful of games earlier this year and has not played recently.
I think it would be natural to have some built-up frustration on any team that is 1-6 and has not lived up to big pre-season expectations.
Jim from Paxton, IL — 11:45 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
It seems like Illinois could have success being a stepping stone football program, meaning find a up and coming coach looking to do bigger and better things. He would be motivated to succeed. When he moves on then locate the next one to come in. Results Illinois would be successful, the coach successful, and all would be happy ina perfect world.
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:49 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Jim,
I dont think Illinois has to be a stepping stone program to anywhere. The program has great history and tradition and has had great players play here. With the recent renovations...Memorial Stadium is as good as any stadium that I travel to around the country.
We have had our moments at Illinois....just not enough of them on a consistent basis.
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:50 AM on Thu, 10/29/2009
Thanks for all the questions today and I look forward to basketball and football this weekend!
Hello everyone! I look forward to today's questions and it looks like we are starting to get some overlap with the start of basketball season. Lets get going!
Hello Brian,
Do you think the Hawkeyes will finish
the regular season undefeated and
also where would you rank Kirk F.
nationally as a head coach?
I hope the game on Sat. isn't too
scary for you to call! Thank-You!
Chris,
I am with you on the "scary" stuff and Halloween! We turn back the clocks this weekend.... so maybe the Illini can "turn back the clock" and play the way they did against Michigan in Ann Arbor last year (45-20 win and over 500 yards of offense!)
I think very highly of Kirk Ferentz. His teams always play with solid fundamentals and they dont beat themselves. As we have seen this year...they hang close and then make a big play or two and put the game away. Think about it...they have won at Penn State (on a "whiteout" night)...at Wisconsin...at Michigan State...and at Iowa State (who just beat Nebrasks)..pretty impressive
Corey Cooper cancelled his visit this
weekend. Has Illinois lost him? Also
since Fiedowitz has reopened his re-
cruitment, is he also lost?
W.Spearman...
Good to hear from you in Arizona!
I dont know the exact status of those two young men right now....but as you know....college football rcruiting is not an exact science and recruits can change their minds several times over the course of the year.
You might direct a question on these guys to Bob Asmussen. He follows the recruiting stories very closely.
Brian,
What is your opinion of the preseason poll and where they have the Illini ranked? I think this will be good for the Illini so then if things fall apart, which we all hope doesn't happen, then maybe some of the rabids won't be on the attack so much. Enjoy your broadcasts, you do a nice job.
Jake,
Thanks for your kind comments on the broadcasts!
I think the pre-season ranking for Bruce Weber's team is about right (#20-25 in most polls). That gives you a chance to move up as the season goes along and yet you dont have the early season pressure of trying to live with high expectations. I also think the rankings are about right for a team that is counting on several freshman to play some key roles as the season develops.
Are the folks in Champaign aware of how very weak the Chicago Public Leage is in football? No freshman team - no sophomore team - maybe 25 players on the varisty - very limited facilities and maybe 2 or 3 coaches.......
Compare that to the coaching and experience Stanzl got in Ohio and Clausen in California!
Joe,
I think most people in Champaign are aware that the Chicago Public League produces more Division 1 basketball players than football players.
You probably know better that most that there are a lot of good football players in the Chicagoland area...especially in surburban Chicago and the collar counties.
That being said....Recruiting experts generally agree that the best players nationwide seem to come from Florida, Texas, California and Ohio. It has been that way for a few years now.
Was a team announced this week for the Shootout at the Hall and do you know anything about the Thanksgiving shootout at Washington H.S. that features Quinsy Miller versus Brehm Prep?
Mike,
Our sports editor Jim Rossow tells me that there still a few teams to be announced for the field at the Shootout at the Hall. They did not have a team announced this week because of coverage of the Orange and Blue Scrimmage...Jim says the entire field will be announced a week from tomorrow (Friday November 6th).
For more info on the teams already announced you can go to the Shootout icon on IlliniHQ.com and info on the team will be there.
As far as the shootout at Washington HS...you should probably send that question to basketball beat writer Paul Klee.
Thanks for the chat -- I appreciate it.
If the Illini don't show signs of fight out of the gates on Saturday, do you think that the Boo birds will be out in full force for the remainder of the game?
Here's to hoping the Illini can pull one out ...
Bill,
We have already heard some "boo-birds" this season at Memorial Stadium. I understand that fans pay for the tickets and have the right to express their opinion and their frustration with the season. But I still believe that booing should be limited to pro sports.
Brian,
what can you tell us about Coach Zook on last weeks show?
Apparently he was pretty upset with some of the calls
Ken,
I think Coach Zook handled the calls pretty well actually. I am sure it cannot be easy to sit there and have someone criticizing you in public and over a statewide radio network.
But hey...these college coaches know that this kind of stuff comes with the territory... and they are getting paid a lot of money to take the good with the bad.
I have not hosted a coaches show yet in the last 8 years (football or basketball) where a coach gets visibly upset when a caller is berating him about something. Mostly ...they either chuckle or just shake their head.
Believe me...Coach Zook and his staff are as frustrated as anybody with the way this season has gone.
Brian,
How do you handle a coach's show when things aren't going so well? I remember hearing at the end of the Turner regime, nobody was calling at all? Now I hear that people are calling and the coach is getting angry about the calls. I'm sure it can't be easy to keep listeners and the coaches happy in a situation like that.
Chris,
See above.
Brian-
What have you heard about players quiting/transferring. Bo Flowers has apparently quit and his name is no longer on the roster. I have heard a few stories about players threatening to leave school and more about dissension among the ranks. Any news to tell? Thanks!
Jake,
All I know is that Bo Flowers played in a handful of games earlier this year and has not played recently.
I think it would be natural to have some built-up frustration on any team that is 1-6 and has not lived up to big pre-season expectations.
It seems like Illinois could have success being a stepping stone football program, meaning find a up and coming coach looking to do bigger and better things. He would be motivated to succeed. When he moves on then locate the next one to come in. Results Illinois would be successful, the coach successful, and all would be happy ina perfect world.
Jim,
I dont think Illinois has to be a stepping stone program to anywhere. The program has great history and tradition and has had great players play here. With the recent renovations...Memorial Stadium is as good as any stadium that I travel to around the country.
We have had our moments at Illinois....just not enough of them on a consistent basis.
Thanks for all the questions today and I look forward to basketball and football this weekend!
GO ILLINI!