Voice of the Illini chat: 11 a.m. Thursday

Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 11:00am

Talk to the Voice of the Illini Brian Barnhart

Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 10:50 AM on Thu, 11/19/2009

Good morning!

Have to start and leave earlier today due to a prior engagement. It is really busy so lets get to it

Chris Roberts from Mahomet, iL. — 10:52 AM on Thu, 11/19/2009

First of all, Happy Belated Birthday!
I was curious if you would like to
see any new rules implemented into
college football next season? For
example, more camera angles for instant
replay. Thanks and have a great day!

Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 10:55 AM on Thu, 11/19/2009

Chris,
Thanks for the belated birthday wishes!
I dont know of any rule changes yet for next year....but I would like to see them go back to the clock/out-of-bounds rules they had a few years ago. Right now it is kind of confusing for fans (and broadcasters). I know they were trying to shave a few minutes off of game times...but I am not sure that is the way to do it.

Perry D. from Danville, IL — 10:56 AM on Thu, 11/19/2009

Brian
Brandon P. is off to e great start. Is there a player that he reminds you of?
Thanks for the chats.

Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:01 AM on Thu, 11/19/2009

Perry,
You are welcome on the chats anytime.
Brandon is off to a great start and broke Deon Thomas' first game record in the season opener against SIUE. I thought he might score 40 points the other night against Northern Illinois the way he started out...but I think his legs gave out.
In the face...he reminds me of Kendall Gill....
Others say that his style of play reminds them of Dwayne Wade...If he turns out to be THAT good...look out.
By the way... I met his parents the other day at a Rebounders Ladies Luncheon...They are very nice and I had fun visiting with them.

Missing the Illini from Sterling, IL — 11:02 AM on Thu, 11/19/2009

Why arent these Illini games on TV? Seems to me that a top 25 team should not have that problem

Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:07 AM on Thu, 11/19/2009

Missing the Illini,
Good question. I dont know why a couple of these early games are not on TV. I do know that ESPN had a "Basketball Marathon" and chose games to put on their family of networks (ESPN,ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN360)...so I am guessing they had a say in some of these early games.
I know the Presbyterian game on Saturday night is on the Big Ten Network.
The Wofford game next Tuesday is on ESPNU
The games in Las Vegas are on something called HoopTV.net...I am not sure how that works.
After that...you should be set the rest of the year...either on ESPN or CBS or Big Ten Network.

tom from bloomington, IL — 11:08 AM on Thu, 11/19/2009

What is the REAL story with Destiny Williams? It can't just be "homesickness". Is it grades, playing time, locker room/chemistry issues or deeper issues.

Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:11 AM on Thu, 11/19/2009

Tom,

From what I am hearing...it seems to be a combination of some of the factors you mentioned. Those things can sometimes be intertwined when it comes to freshmen. It depends on how they handle it.

tom from bloomington, IL — 11:12 AM on Thu, 11/19/2009

Charlie Weiss is likely to get to 7 wins assuming they beat UConn and they went to a bowl last year and won. Yet, the chatter is that he is likely gone if he doesn't reach 8 wins or may be gone anyway. But here we are in our 2nd losing season in a row and we may be worse than last year and our coach has 4 out of 5 losing seasons yet he is LIKELY SAFE for next year! Does Illinois as an institution has such an inferiority complex that they (RG and Administration) see this as acceptable? If Zook stays it speaks volumes as to our low expectations and general institutional indifference to football. What do you think.

Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:15 AM on Thu, 11/19/2009

Tom,
I just think that there is no "cookie-cutter" approach when it comes to athletic programs and hiring and firing coaches. Each situation is unique.
As far as Notre Dame is concerned... Charlie Weis' contract buyout would be HUGE...you cant assume they will fire him this year.

butkus from chicago, il — 11:16 AM on Thu, 11/19/2009

Brian,

What is your guess for actual attendance at the Fresno game? I amgoing with 8500.

Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:17 AM on Thu, 11/19/2009

Butkus,

Depends on two things. What happens in Cincinnati....and the weather

Joe from Tampa, Florida — 11:17 AM on Thu, 11/19/2009

Hey Brian,

How did you get stuck going to Cincy and Loren Tate gets a trip to Vegas?!?!

Anyways, do ever see Kurt Kittner or Jerry Hester get upset or angry when the Illini do something that seems off? Does their Illini pride ever take over in the booth?

Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:20 AM on Thu, 11/19/2009

Joe,
We had to make travel plans with the football and basketball teams weeks in advance. At the start of the football season it looked like the Cincy game might be important at a national level.
As it turns out...Dave Loane, Jerry Hester and Loren Tate will be in Vegas.

Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:20 AM on Thu, 11/19/2009

gotta run...see you later..and have a great Thanksgiving.