Moderator: Thanks for stopping by. Some programming notes:

- Asmussen is working on a story about Zook filling one of his staff openings. Apparently there was a backup plan in case Larry Johnson said no.

- Klee, Jackson and Tate are headed to East Lansing this afternoon. They like Illinois' chances. So does radio analyst Jerry Hester, who I talked to this morning for our Big Ten page Q&A.

- If you're going to Tuesday's home game against Ohio State, wear orange and be prepared to wave an American flag at tipoff. They're handing out 16,000 flags and hope the scene is picked up by the networks as part of their inauguration day coverage.

On to some questions.

Trent, Urbana, IL: Jim,

last week you gave out a few names of possible people for celebrity chats. I think anybody off your list (Itch Jones, Mike White, Theresa Grentz, Justin Spring, Jimmy Collins)would be good. But would also add John Mackovic, Craig Tiley, Jerry Colangelo, Dick Butkus, any of the Flying Illini or 04-5 Final Four teams and maybe some former players from all the sports. Also Rod Cardinal might be interesting for all the knowledge and history he would have. Just a few I can think of at the moment. Speaking of Tiley, any chance he becomes the new AD when Guenther retires?

Moderator: Trent

Like Lou Henson's chat, Tom Lemming's was wildly popular in terms of hits. I hope the trend continues.

Rod Cardinal is on my list. No one knows more about Illinois basketball than Brian's dad, who also is as cooperative as they come. I can't tell you how much he's helped the News-Gazette for our many stories looking back at former Illini types.

I e-mailed Tiley earlier in the week, and he has agreed to do an online chat. With the Australian Open starting this weekend, the timing's right. He said he'd love to do it and will get back to me by Sunday. We'll let everyone know when he's coming on.

AD? We did a story on him when he was still the UI tennis coach, and he expressed interest in it then. However, he now runs tennis in tennis-mad Australia. That'd be a pretty big job to give up to become a Big Ten AD.

Bob, Champaign, IL: when and where are those video interviews done with rival players that we see?

Moderator: Bob

We did the interviews at Big Ten media day in last October in Chicago. We made our beat writer, Paul Klee, play TV anchor with our photo editor Darrell Hoemann handling the camera. All in all, they turned out fine.

We did the same thing in football, Asmussen and Hoemann videotaping interviews with one player from each Big Ten team during the league's media gathering in Chicago.

While on the topic of videos, anything you'd like to see? Web site experts have told us videos don't get many hits. What would it take to change that?

Brian, Champaign, IL: Jim,

thanks for the chat with Tom. Hopefully he can come back soon.

If I remember correctly, Bob did an article on him a few years back. Can you give us a link to that story?

Moderator: Brian

Lemming was gracious with his time. With signing day fast approaching, he's swamped. We'll try to bring him back to analyze things in mid-February.

We sent Asmussen and a photographer to Lemming's home for a February 2004 story. Really good stuff. Here's the link

http://www.illinihq.com/news/football/2004/02/01/straight_shooter/

If that doesn't work, head to our Archives section on HQ and go to Feb. 1, 2004. Story's titled "Straight Shooter."

Speaking of the Archives section, if you have a free month or so, breeze through our old stuff, which wans't seen by many readers because we were a pay site for so long. I enjoy reading our Final Four coverage from 2005.

tom, bloomington, IL: Any explanation on why Johnson turned down the Illini? I thought it would have been a great opportunity for him...and our program?

Moderator: Tom

While a great opportunity to make a lot more money, perhaps he didn't want to leave his comfort zone. And Penn State football, which its tradition, fan base and status, is pretty comfortable. A lot more than Illinois football.

Dan Worra, Virginia Beach, VA: What is the most likely solution to the scholarship problem in a couple years when we have one more committed than scholarships available? One player going pro or one player transferring and who would the most likely be in both categories?

Moderator: Dan

You're right to assume player turnover in a couple years. I wouldn't worry about a scholarship crunch until a week before one of the signing days. By then, half the roster could be headed to the NBA, headed to Southern Indiana or headed back home.

Did you see the NCAA's decision to classify seventh-graders as "prospects?" Guess I better get my fourth-grader up to speed.

Marcus, Colorado Springs, CO: Jim,

Thanks for listening to the readers! You guys are doing a tremendous job.

What about these names for an online chat?

Dick Butkus

Bill Murray

Kendal Gill

Dee Brown

Marcus

Moderator: Marcus

Great ideas, all of them, although Dick Butkus might be a tall order. He hasn't been the most media friendly of the many former Illini we deal with. Is Bill Murray still an Illinois fan by the way? Or does Illinois need to get back to the Final Four for that to happen?

I'll add Jerry Hester to that list. He told me this morning he makes sure he wears his Big Ten title ring when he fist-bumps the Illini on their way to the court before each game. He also said he'd beat any of the former-Illini-turned-TV-types in HORSE. And that includes Doug Altenberger.

Billybob, Milwaukee, Wisconsin : Hey Jim,

I know with the renovations of Memorial Stadium, UI was very cautious on trying to keep the building listed as a historic place. Where are they in the process of a historic landmark?

Bill

Moderator: Billybob

Great question. Here's a link to what Illinois said at the time of renovation:

http://www.athletics.uiuc.edu/renaissance/history/recognition.htm

We haven't heard of any updates. I will tell you the folks at the National Register of Historic Places aren't happy when major changes are made. Soldier Field was stripped of its designation in 2006 because it was made to look like a spaceship. Luckily, Memorial Stadium retained much of its same look.

Jim, St. Louis, Mis-ery: It would appear that the Florida State offensive line coach and maybe Johnson from Penn State were attempting to use Illinois' interest to increase their pay check...you agree?

Moderator: Jim

Don't know the answer to that one. That's how it turns out in any business, though. In trying to hire a college basketball beat writer over the years, at least four candidates used our offer to get a raise or a promotion. Fortunately, we wound up with the right guy each time anyway.

Allan Huizenga, Stoughton, Wi.: Jim:

If one were to write a player or coach where would be the address to send the letter or e-mail for that matter. Thank you.

Allan

Moderator: Allan

Best bet is to send the letters to Bielfeldt Athletics Administration Building

Attn: xxxx

1700 S. Fourth St.

Champaign, IL 61820

Or send it to Loren Tate here at the N-G and he can hand deliver it.

oaktree2412, moline, illinois: Interesting about Johnson turning down Illinois...As an executive recruiter I can tell you that things will never be the same for him at Pen nState...the trust level has been broken...

Moderator: Oaktree

As Asmussen pointed out while arguing that Johnson should take the Illinois job, there isn't much room for promotion at State College. Perhaps you're right that his flirtation won't help matters. I don't think it will hurt Penn State recruiting, though, as long as Paterno is on the sidelines (or in the press box).

Moderator: Thanks for the questions.

Remember to follow Klee's "Live from Breslin Center" starting at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. It's info you can't find anywhere else. Plus, he answers every e-mail while sitting courtside.