Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:05 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Hello everybody!...What a wild night last night in Clemson with the Illini mens basketball team! They had the biggest comeback to win in school history as they rallied from 23 points behind to beat the Clemson Tigers.
Meanwhile...the Illini women rallied from 17 down in the second half to win by 15 points at Wake Forest.
Quite a night...
Lets get to some questions
Chief from Findlay, il — 11:05 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Just curious as to what it's like after a road game like last night? What happens right after the game, how much time do you usually have to get from the arena to the plane and so on? Heard you saying last night that you had to get out of there to catch the plane home. Does the UofI have the same pilots and plane for every game? Thanks....AND GO ILLINI AND BIG TEN
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:08 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Chief,
The plane we needed to get to after the game was the team charter flight plane. It was waiting at the airport near Clemson University for us to fly back home on last night.
The radio team always flies with the basketball team...which makes getting back home a lot easier than flying a commercial flight.
Usually...once the final buzzer sounds...we have about an hour before the bus leaves the arena to go to the airport.
BC from the Windy from Chicago, Il — 11:09 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Hi Brian,
Is the Alex Legion experiment over or can he still find a way to help this team?
I'm really having my doubts.
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:15 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
BC,
I think Alex brings some good things to the table. He is an excellent long-range shooter...and when he gets hot (see Orange and Blue game)...he is scary good.
Alex just needs to work on his defense. The Illini have been tinkering with a zone from time to time...and I think Alex could stay on the floor longer if they used him as part of a zone defense. At the same time...the coaching staff is hoping that he can improve enough on defense so that his shooting skills can be used more effectively.
Mike W. from East Grand Rapids, Michigan — 11:15 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
I recall over a year ago how excited I was that Alex Legion was transferring to Illinois. What's happened to him? He played 2 minutes last night. Has he missed his window?
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:17 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Mike,
Thanks for the question. You might see the anwswer above for my comments on Alex. Right now Brandon Paul has passed him on the "depth chart" (to use a football term)....but that doesnt mean Alex cant make a contribution somewhere along the way.
Enzo from Hollywood, CA — 11:17 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Brian - Which comeback do you think was more impressive, last night's game or last year's game against at Northwestern?
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:22 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Enzo,
Great question!
The Northwestern series has been dominated thru the years by the Illini...but the Wildcats always seem to put up a pretty good fight. That Northwestern game was unique in the sense that the Illini never had the lead until McCamey hit that game winner.
In my mind...Last night's win at Clemson was more impressive than that one because in Evanston the crowd is usually about half Wildcats/half Illini.
There were probably 20 people cheering for the Illini in Littlejohn Coliseum last night... and to come back from 23 down in the second half on the road against the #18 team in the country is a big-time accomplishment.
Both games were a lot of fun to broadcast though.
AK from Crystal Lake, IL — 11:24 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
1. You have seen some amazing Illini comebacks in the last several years. Where does one from last night rank?
2. What football coaching changes do you expect on the Illini staff for next year?
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:26 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
AK,
The comeback last night at Clemson is definately one of those Top 5 moments that I have been a part of in my career.
The Illini looked defeated in the last 5 minutes of that first half...and to lay it all on the line in the second half and knock the aggressive Tigers back on their heels(paws?) at home was very impressive. I will always remember last night's game.
I dont really have a prediction on what coaching changes will be made....but there will probably be some. We should know something fairly soon.
Jimmy from Normal, IL — 11:27 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
What was the flight like home with the team?
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:28 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Jimmy,
The flight home was what you might expect after that remarkable comeback. Lots of smiles and laughter. They needed it after what happened in Las Vegas.
bd from Champaign, IL — 11:28 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
So what the heck really happened with the technical foul on Weber last night? What I saw on TV seemed to show a clipboard banging to the floor a bit behind and several feet to Weber's right by the bench and then the ref hit him with the T. Either Weber had the clipboard and tossed it back (even if done in disgust, not sure that should be called a T) or, as I've heard, Weber didn't even have the clipboard in the first place and someone else dropped it or it fell off a chair.
What the heck happened?
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:31 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
BD,
To be honest...I really dont know what exactly happened on the technical foul.
I did not have a TV replay monitor near me and did not see what you may have seen on television.
The people working at the radio station e-mailed me during the game and said that the clipboard just fell to the ground and the official must have thought that Coach Weber threw it.
That is the best answer I can give you.
joe from chicago, il — 11:31 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
legions struggling, but dont you think that maybe the clemson game just isnt a good matchup for him? i could see him playign well against a purdue, northwestern or michigan st.
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:33 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Joe,
In that scrambling, pressing defense Clemson played...Legion was probably going to have trouble because you have to be able to handle the basketball under extreme pressure. That is not necessarily his strong suit. You may be right about the teams you mentioned that he might do well against. It seems like he hit double figures in a game against Michigan State last year...as well against Purdue.
Illini fan in the lou from st louis, mo — 11:34 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Brian,
Do you know if the rumor I heard is true that either in 2010 or 2011 season the illini have to play at western michigan for basketball? Is it true this was part of the football deal? If so when does western michigan come to the illini in football?
Thanks
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:36 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Fan in St.Louis,
I dont remember the exact details of the Illinois-Western Michigan contract agreement...but it does seem to me there was a game in Kalamazoo at some point in the future. I just dont remember the exact situation on that...Sorry.
I do know that Western Michigan is coming to Champaign on Sunday December 13th at 1:30.
Lou Lucchesi from Bloomingdale, IL — 11:36 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Lou, Bloomingdale, IL when will joseph bertrand start playing?
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:39 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Lou,
At one point..I think the coaching staff was looking at having him back sometime later in December...but right now he is out for the foreseeable future. At some point...I think a redshirt year would become the best option for Joseph.
AK from Crystal Lake, IL — 11:39 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
You don't use your trademark phrase 'How do you like that!' enough during basketball broadcasts. How come? I love that!!!
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:43 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
AK,
I didnt realize I didnt use it last night. Now that you mention it...it would have been appropriate to use that phrase last night.
I think I did use it in the Wofford game at some point.
I didnt do the games in Las Vegas so I didnt get to use it there either.
I think I did use it after the opening drive of the football game at Cincinnati last Friday.
A "trademark" phrase has to be used carefully....Otherwise it doesnt mean as much when you use it. Kind of like when Dick Enberg says "Oh My!!"....You save those kind of phrases for special occasions.
JE from Decatur, IL — 11:44 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Who is next to verbal in basketball? Will Stan Simpson every play and i think he would look good in SIU- C'dale uniform.
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:46 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
JE,
I dont know who the next verbal might be for the Illini. I know they were hoping that Bradley Beal would be the next one. Obviously he went to Florida...which is better than him going to Mizzou or Kansas.
Your recruiting questions are probably better directed at beat writer Paul Klee. He keeps daily watch on the recruiting world.
Brad from Champaign, IL — 11:46 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Do you think the fact that the Clemson crowd was decked out in orange played a part in the Illini's ability to come back last night? (Meaning, the crowd was never a factor.) Littlejohn even played the same music as the Assembly Hall.
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:48 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Brad,
Good question! I dont know if the players noticed what the crowd was wearing last night. But I do know they could really HEAR them VERY well. It was very loud in that building.
steve from chamapaign , illinois — 11:48 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
what about bandon paul he sure did look good last night?
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:49 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Steve,
He did look great. That slam dunk last night was one of the more athletic moves I have seen by an Illini player in quite a while.(maybe Brian Randle?)
There were 16 NBA scouts there last night to watch the game. I am sure they made a note of #3 for the Illini.
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:51 AM on Thu, 12/03/2009
Sorry...Gotta run!
We have volleyball tonight on WDWS at 7 pm ....so the last Ron Zook Show will be on tonight on Lite Rock 97.5 WHMS at 7:05. We will have an interview with Coach Zook and several senior football players.
Also dont forget the football/basketball doubleheader on Saturday.
See you on the radio.
Hello everybody!...What a wild night last night in Clemson with the Illini mens basketball team! They had the biggest comeback to win in school history as they rallied from 23 points behind to beat the Clemson Tigers.
Meanwhile...the Illini women rallied from 17 down in the second half to win by 15 points at Wake Forest.
Quite a night...
Lets get to some questions
Just curious as to what it's like after a road game like last night? What happens right after the game, how much time do you usually have to get from the arena to the plane and so on? Heard you saying last night that you had to get out of there to catch the plane home. Does the UofI have the same pilots and plane for every game? Thanks....AND GO ILLINI AND BIG TEN
Chief,
The plane we needed to get to after the game was the team charter flight plane. It was waiting at the airport near Clemson University for us to fly back home on last night.
The radio team always flies with the basketball team...which makes getting back home a lot easier than flying a commercial flight.
Usually...once the final buzzer sounds...we have about an hour before the bus leaves the arena to go to the airport.
Hi Brian,
Is the Alex Legion experiment over or can he still find a way to help this team?
I'm really having my doubts.
BC,
I think Alex brings some good things to the table. He is an excellent long-range shooter...and when he gets hot (see Orange and Blue game)...he is scary good.
Alex just needs to work on his defense. The Illini have been tinkering with a zone from time to time...and I think Alex could stay on the floor longer if they used him as part of a zone defense. At the same time...the coaching staff is hoping that he can improve enough on defense so that his shooting skills can be used more effectively.
I recall over a year ago how excited I was that Alex Legion was transferring to Illinois. What's happened to him? He played 2 minutes last night. Has he missed his window?
Mike,
Thanks for the question. You might see the anwswer above for my comments on Alex. Right now Brandon Paul has passed him on the "depth chart" (to use a football term)....but that doesnt mean Alex cant make a contribution somewhere along the way.
Brian - Which comeback do you think was more impressive, last night's game or last year's game against at Northwestern?
Enzo,
Great question!
The Northwestern series has been dominated thru the years by the Illini...but the Wildcats always seem to put up a pretty good fight. That Northwestern game was unique in the sense that the Illini never had the lead until McCamey hit that game winner.
In my mind...Last night's win at Clemson was more impressive than that one because in Evanston the crowd is usually about half Wildcats/half Illini.
There were probably 20 people cheering for the Illini in Littlejohn Coliseum last night... and to come back from 23 down in the second half on the road against the #18 team in the country is a big-time accomplishment.
Both games were a lot of fun to broadcast though.
1. You have seen some amazing Illini comebacks in the last several years. Where does one from last night rank?
2. What football coaching changes do you expect on the Illini staff for next year?
AK,
The comeback last night at Clemson is definately one of those Top 5 moments that I have been a part of in my career.
The Illini looked defeated in the last 5 minutes of that first half...and to lay it all on the line in the second half and knock the aggressive Tigers back on their heels(paws?) at home was very impressive. I will always remember last night's game.
I dont really have a prediction on what coaching changes will be made....but there will probably be some. We should know something fairly soon.
What was the flight like home with the team?
Jimmy,
The flight home was what you might expect after that remarkable comeback. Lots of smiles and laughter. They needed it after what happened in Las Vegas.
So what the heck really happened with the technical foul on Weber last night? What I saw on TV seemed to show a clipboard banging to the floor a bit behind and several feet to Weber's right by the bench and then the ref hit him with the T. Either Weber had the clipboard and tossed it back (even if done in disgust, not sure that should be called a T) or, as I've heard, Weber didn't even have the clipboard in the first place and someone else dropped it or it fell off a chair.
What the heck happened?
BD,
To be honest...I really dont know what exactly happened on the technical foul.
I did not have a TV replay monitor near me and did not see what you may have seen on television.
The people working at the radio station e-mailed me during the game and said that the clipboard just fell to the ground and the official must have thought that Coach Weber threw it.
That is the best answer I can give you.
legions struggling, but dont you think that maybe the clemson game just isnt a good matchup for him? i could see him playign well against a purdue, northwestern or michigan st.
Joe,
In that scrambling, pressing defense Clemson played...Legion was probably going to have trouble because you have to be able to handle the basketball under extreme pressure. That is not necessarily his strong suit. You may be right about the teams you mentioned that he might do well against. It seems like he hit double figures in a game against Michigan State last year...as well against Purdue.
Brian,
Do you know if the rumor I heard is true that either in 2010 or 2011 season the illini have to play at western michigan for basketball? Is it true this was part of the football deal? If so when does western michigan come to the illini in football?
Thanks
Fan in St.Louis,
I dont remember the exact details of the Illinois-Western Michigan contract agreement...but it does seem to me there was a game in Kalamazoo at some point in the future. I just dont remember the exact situation on that...Sorry.
I do know that Western Michigan is coming to Champaign on Sunday December 13th at 1:30.
Lou, Bloomingdale, IL when will joseph bertrand start playing?
Lou,
At one point..I think the coaching staff was looking at having him back sometime later in December...but right now he is out for the foreseeable future. At some point...I think a redshirt year would become the best option for Joseph.
You don't use your trademark phrase 'How do you like that!' enough during basketball broadcasts. How come? I love that!!!
AK,
I didnt realize I didnt use it last night. Now that you mention it...it would have been appropriate to use that phrase last night.
I think I did use it in the Wofford game at some point.
I didnt do the games in Las Vegas so I didnt get to use it there either.
I think I did use it after the opening drive of the football game at Cincinnati last Friday.
A "trademark" phrase has to be used carefully....Otherwise it doesnt mean as much when you use it. Kind of like when Dick Enberg says "Oh My!!"....You save those kind of phrases for special occasions.
Who is next to verbal in basketball? Will Stan Simpson every play and i think he would look good in SIU- C'dale uniform.
JE,
I dont know who the next verbal might be for the Illini. I know they were hoping that Bradley Beal would be the next one. Obviously he went to Florida...which is better than him going to Mizzou or Kansas.
Your recruiting questions are probably better directed at beat writer Paul Klee. He keeps daily watch on the recruiting world.
Do you think the fact that the Clemson crowd was decked out in orange played a part in the Illini's ability to come back last night? (Meaning, the crowd was never a factor.) Littlejohn even played the same music as the Assembly Hall.
Brad,
Good question! I dont know if the players noticed what the crowd was wearing last night. But I do know they could really HEAR them VERY well. It was very loud in that building.
what about bandon paul he sure did look good last night?
Steve,
He did look great. That slam dunk last night was one of the more athletic moves I have seen by an Illini player in quite a while.(maybe Brian Randle?)
There were 16 NBA scouts there last night to watch the game. I am sure they made a note of #3 for the Illini.
Sorry...Gotta run!
We have volleyball tonight on WDWS at 7 pm ....so the last Ron Zook Show will be on tonight on Lite Rock 97.5 WHMS at 7:05. We will have an interview with Coach Zook and several senior football players.
Also dont forget the football/basketball doubleheader on Saturday.
See you on the radio.