Talk with Illinois men's basketball beat writer Paul Klee
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:32 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Good afternoon everyone. Look forward to a chipper chat today after Illinois' big win last night. Had some travel issues and we're still working our way back from Madison. Hester's driving and Klee's chatting. I'll be here for about an hour, fire away.
Klee
Scott from St. Louis, MO — 12:34 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Wisconsin basketball is boring to watch!! Has Wisconsin had any first round draft picks in the last decade?? I can think of four that we've had. How does Bo Ryan sell that to incoming freshman? Knowing that you have no future in the NBA if you go to Wisconsin.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:39 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Scott- I would disagree. Wisconsin's success over the past decade is astounding. UW has the best Big Ten record since 2001-02, just ahead of Michigan State and Illinois. And since you asked, the Badgers have more guys in the NBA (4) than the Illini (3).
Sammie from Champaign, IL — 12:40 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Did Wisconsin look lethargic to you last night? Their game seemed really off, I know they are missing their best player but they have been playing better - off night?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:44 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Sammie- I think much of it had to do with Illinois and its game plan. Bruce Weber saw in film study that Demetri could exploit the pick-and-pop, and they worked it well. In the first half you saw Demetri kick it back to Mike Tisdale for open jumpers. Then Wisconsin had to defend Tisdale and that gave Demetri more room to work.
Illinois had several chances to fold, and it didn't. Prospects were dim when Wisconsin led 22-11.
"Any time you get an opponent down by 10 points, you want to make that deficit larger," UW's Jason Bohannon said.
And Wisconsin didn't play well. The Badgers shot just 35.7 percent, their lowest mark in a home game this season. But I think that's a credit to what Illinois took away.
Klee
Pogo from Springfield, MO. — 12:45 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Paul....your work on behalf of the fans is simply superb. I feel obligated to state that with every query because it is true.
Given that Weber seems to have a penchant for big guards and not having seen Abrams play, do the Illini have any guards on the radar with a tight handle, deadly shot, and could likely be the fastest player on the court? If Abrams fills the bill, let me know.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:48 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Pogo- Thanks. Tracy Abrams is the closest to what you describe, in terms of a player on Illinois' radar. His shot is much better now than what it was a year ago, but it could still use some work. He's not big, though. Jerrance Howard likes to joke with Tracy about his height. I think Tracy has a challenge, though, and that's to transition from a combo-guard role at Mt. Carmel to a point guard role at Illinois. Illinois is planning on Tracy Abrams running the point. Out of necessity, he plays more of an off-guard role for Mt. Carmel.
Klee
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:49 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
And it's a good question too. I think the biggest need for Illinois might be a swift point guard that can really defend. I think a Lewis Jackson-type would be ideal. Klee
Al Ryle from Champaign, Il. — 12:51 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Ithink Dmac tests the NBA waters if he is a first rounder he has to leave and Ithink Joseph Bertram could move to point having seen him play. Your thoughts?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:55 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Al- I asked Demetri about it again last night. He said he's not thinking about anything past this season. It's on his mind, though, and I'd be more concerned if it wasn't.
Here's what Demetri said when I asked him last week if he would consider putting his name in, just to go through workouts:
"That's not on my mind right now. I'm just thinking, 'Illinois basketball, Illinois basketball.' Coach Weber's been through it with Dee, Deron and Luther. I'm going to look at him for advice. If it looks good I'll go try it, because nothing bad can happen. You can pull out and see where you compare to other top players that are trying to get a job. It would be a good opportunity. But at the same time I'm just thinking about Illinois basketball and trying to help us get to the NCAA tournament."
There ya go.
Klee
Nick from Mahomet, IL — 12:56 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Paul-
2 questions-what is your All Big 10 team right now? I would have McCamey, Moore, Turner, Hughes, Shurna right now. Battle probably deserves it but his team wouldn't be any worse if he wasn't there so I can't go for him.
2nd question-is there any hope Stan Simpson can be a player, even just a 10 minute player, in 2 years when Mike/Mike are gone?
Thanks for your thoughts
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:02 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Nick- McCamey, Turner, Hughes, Lucas and E'Twaun Moore/Robbie Hummel. I'd have to ask the Purdue and Illinois coaches on the final one. I like to survey coaches when I have a toss-up. But I'd lean toward E'Twaun Moore. Every time I flip on a Purdue game, he's hitting that hard-to-block floater in the lane.
I don't like leaving out John Shurna, though. He deserves a mention but I don't know who he would replace on that list. Here's something to think about: if John Shurna becomes an All-Big Ten selection, the All-Big Ten list would include three players from the Illinois Wolves program (McCamey, Turner, Shurna). Remarkable.
I've seen nothing in workouts to make me think Stan Simpson will play minutes at Illinois. Wish I could tell you differently.
On a related note, Stan didn't travel to Wisconsin last night. Officials told me he had classwork to deal with.
Klee
Stan from Milwaukee , WIsconsin — 01:08 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Hey Paul,
I was at the Kohl Center for last night's win -it was awesome. I was surprised at the Wisconsin fans, they only got loud a few times (other than complaining over every foul, which is typical there). Would you agree that the fans were a little quieter than normal?
Stan
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:11 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Stan- Hope you enjoyed the game. The Grateful Red stood out to me. The student group arrived (very) early - and some sections of the Red left early, too, with about one minute left on the clock. That's not something that happens very often. I'm sure you've seen this, but Bo Ryan's Wisconsin teams were 51-0 at home against unranked Big Ten teams.
I felt there was a "stunned" feeling in the Kohl Center last night. That 11-point lead was there... and then it wasn't. The Demetri Show took over.
Klee
Brian from Urbana, IL — 01:13 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Klee,
1) How many wins does Illinois need to feel "safe" in the tournament? It seems like 20 would be pretty good, but you never know.
2) A few weeks ago in the insider, you said UNC might miss the tournament. It is looking pretty likely right now unless the can have a major turn around, starting tonight or win the ACC tournament
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:18 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
What's up Brian. This could change, but I feel Illinois is in the NCAA tournament and would be more than comfortable with two more wins. I know that just gets you to 19 wins... but the Vandy, MSU, Wisconsin wins are serious wins.
That said, outside the visitors locker room, I saw an Illinois team last night that has its sights set much higher than 19 wins. These guys don't seem to understand they're not supposed to win the Big Ten.
As for UNC, there were signs back in December they would struggle, so I felt comfortable writing that. It's a matter of getting better guard play out of their young guys, and the ACC has a number of veteran guards to take advantage of that youth.
Klee
AK from Crystal Lake, IL — 01:19 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Did Hester learn any Polish when he was in Poland?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:20 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
AK- Jerry says, "Dzien dobre." He also ate a Polish dog last night.
Klee
sue from medford, oregon — 01:21 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Paul, thanks for the chats and your outstanding coverage. i don't know how you are able to write so much and do it so well. I am confused by one thing in tuesday's preview, you said wisconsin has the big ten's best record since 2002 (102-94) which you said is just ahead of MSU (97-46) and the Illini (94-49). can you explain? Go Illini! Go Paul!
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:22 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Sue- Thanks. Yes, Wisconsin has the best Big Ten conference record since 2001-02 (102-42). Michigan State (97-47) and Illinois (95-49) are second and third in that time, respectively. Klee
Larkin from Springfield, IL — 01:23 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
I know you've been critical and down on McCamey because of his lapses and defense, but will you finally give him his due now Paul?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:26 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Larkin- My man, you must be thinking of someone else. As fans and coached piled on Demetri McCamey for his weaknesses, I
Scott D. from York, PA — 01:27 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Thanks for doing the chats. They're great. Just how good is Demetri? He's been carrying the team for more than just the past 2 games, and now seems to be getting even better. Is he capable of performing at this level consistently?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:29 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Scott- On offense he's been spectacular at times - and remarkably consistent, given the attention he's getting from opponents. It's no different in practice. He gets where he wants to get.
Take a closer look at that 22-11 run to close the first half. Demetri had a hand in all 22 points. He had three assists (and one of those was a Tisdale three-point play, so that's seven points from his assists. And he had six field goals (and three were three-pointers, so that's 15 points from his own shots). He flipped a switch and arguably the league's best defensive team had no one to stop him. Klee
larry harnly from springfield, illinois — 01:36 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Take us back to the recruiting of Evan Turner. Was Illinois in the hunt? Why did he select Ohio State? Who would be on your current top five of Illinois preps who got away?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:37 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Larry- I would contend that's the biggest recruiting miss of the past five years or so. Illinois was right there and didn't handle it well. An earlier scholarship offer would have helped. Klee
Ray from Effingham, Ilinois — 01:38 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
In post game comments, Demetri McCamey is sounding more and more like a coach. It is as if he has flipped a switch and is a completely different ballplayer. Have you noticed him taking a more active leadership role recently?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:39 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Ray- He's also communicating with the head coach. It started to improve around the first Iowa game, where lead guard and lead coach were conversing more on the sideline. He's done a good job. He also needs to keep it up. His minutes aren't going to drop from here on out - Illinois will continue to lean on Demetri. Klee
Mark from Normal, IL — 04:13 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Great job on the chats, really enjoy the insight. I am also loving McCamey's emergence as an elite player in the Big Ten, he has earned all of his success, but part of me can't help but look ahead and wonder what this does to the possibility of him leaving for the league after this season.
Look into the future and give us some odds on which Big Ten players might leave school early. Turner looks to be nearly 100%, but what about McCamey, Manny Harris, etc.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 04:19 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Mark- Evan Turner is the only guy I see leaving early. Haven't seen a mock draft where he's outside the lottery.
"When he left us, I said to many people, even before he left, he was going to be an NBA point guard," St. Joe's coach Gene Pingatore told me the other day.
I wonder what's going to happen with Harris at Michigan. Something's off there. But I don't see the Purdue guys leaving. And I think Tom Izzo has used the same approach with Kalin Lucas that Weber has used with McCamey: forget about the NBA and play ball, even if it means an occasional benching. You'll remember that Lucas' benching and McCamey's benching were about six days apart.
I think we're seeing the opposite effect in the Big Ten that we saw in the Pac-10. The Pac-10 was better than the Big Ten for several seasons... and then it lost 18 non-seniors to early entry over the past three years. Now it's in rebuilding mode. But the Big Ten will return most of its better players again next season, so it should be strong again. Hope that makes sense. It made sense in my head.
Klee
AK from Crystal Lake, IL — 04:21 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Illini record in Big Ten play is 9-3. NG (Paul's) record in Big Ten is 11-1. Which one is better? Any comments? :)
Paul Klee (moderator) — 04:23 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
AK- Illinois' record is more impressive. I didn't win at the Kohl Center.
But I can tell you that Tony Bleill, who predicts the women's games, is shaking in his Sorels after I started the Big Ten season with an 11-0 prediction record. As for that bet... I'll take Miller Light, Tony!
Klee
Paul Klee (moderator) — 04:32 PM on Wed, 02/10/2010
Going to wrap this up, Hester needs help navigating. Apologies to those questions that didn't get answered. Look forward to chatting with you next Wednesday and hope to see you Sunday at the Assembly Hall. Should be a dandy.
Good afternoon everyone. Look forward to a chipper chat today after Illinois' big win last night. Had some travel issues and we're still working our way back from Madison. Hester's driving and Klee's chatting. I'll be here for about an hour, fire away.
Klee
Wisconsin basketball is boring to watch!! Has Wisconsin had any first round draft picks in the last decade?? I can think of four that we've had. How does Bo Ryan sell that to incoming freshman? Knowing that you have no future in the NBA if you go to Wisconsin.
Scott- I would disagree. Wisconsin's success over the past decade is astounding. UW has the best Big Ten record since 2001-02, just ahead of Michigan State and Illinois. And since you asked, the Badgers have more guys in the NBA (4) than the Illini (3).
Did Wisconsin look lethargic to you last night? Their game seemed really off, I know they are missing their best player but they have been playing better - off night?
Sammie- I think much of it had to do with Illinois and its game plan. Bruce Weber saw in film study that Demetri could exploit the pick-and-pop, and they worked it well. In the first half you saw Demetri kick it back to Mike Tisdale for open jumpers. Then Wisconsin had to defend Tisdale and that gave Demetri more room to work.
Illinois had several chances to fold, and it didn't. Prospects were dim when Wisconsin led 22-11.
"Any time you get an opponent down by 10 points, you want to make that deficit larger," UW's Jason Bohannon said.
And Wisconsin didn't play well. The Badgers shot just 35.7 percent, their lowest mark in a home game this season. But I think that's a credit to what Illinois took away.
Klee
Paul....your work on behalf of the fans is simply superb. I feel obligated to state that with every query because it is true.
Given that Weber seems to have a penchant for big guards and not having seen Abrams play, do the Illini have any guards on the radar with a tight handle, deadly shot, and could likely be the fastest player on the court? If Abrams fills the bill, let me know.
Pogo- Thanks. Tracy Abrams is the closest to what you describe, in terms of a player on Illinois' radar. His shot is much better now than what it was a year ago, but it could still use some work. He's not big, though. Jerrance Howard likes to joke with Tracy about his height. I think Tracy has a challenge, though, and that's to transition from a combo-guard role at Mt. Carmel to a point guard role at Illinois. Illinois is planning on Tracy Abrams running the point. Out of necessity, he plays more of an off-guard role for Mt. Carmel.
Klee
And it's a good question too. I think the biggest need for Illinois might be a swift point guard that can really defend. I think a Lewis Jackson-type would be ideal. Klee
Ithink Dmac tests the NBA waters if he is a first rounder he has to leave and Ithink Joseph Bertram could move to point having seen him play. Your thoughts?
Al- I asked Demetri about it again last night. He said he's not thinking about anything past this season. It's on his mind, though, and I'd be more concerned if it wasn't.
Here's what Demetri said when I asked him last week if he would consider putting his name in, just to go through workouts:
"That's not on my mind right now. I'm just thinking, 'Illinois basketball, Illinois basketball.' Coach Weber's been through it with Dee, Deron and Luther. I'm going to look at him for advice. If it looks good I'll go try it, because nothing bad can happen. You can pull out and see where you compare to other top players that are trying to get a job. It would be a good opportunity. But at the same time I'm just thinking about Illinois basketball and trying to help us get to the NCAA tournament."
There ya go.
Klee
Paul-
2 questions-what is your All Big 10 team right now? I would have McCamey, Moore, Turner, Hughes, Shurna right now. Battle probably deserves it but his team wouldn't be any worse if he wasn't there so I can't go for him.
2nd question-is there any hope Stan Simpson can be a player, even just a 10 minute player, in 2 years when Mike/Mike are gone?
Thanks for your thoughts
Nick- McCamey, Turner, Hughes, Lucas and E'Twaun Moore/Robbie Hummel. I'd have to ask the Purdue and Illinois coaches on the final one. I like to survey coaches when I have a toss-up. But I'd lean toward E'Twaun Moore. Every time I flip on a Purdue game, he's hitting that hard-to-block floater in the lane.
I don't like leaving out John Shurna, though. He deserves a mention but I don't know who he would replace on that list. Here's something to think about: if John Shurna becomes an All-Big Ten selection, the All-Big Ten list would include three players from the Illinois Wolves program (McCamey, Turner, Shurna). Remarkable.
I've seen nothing in workouts to make me think Stan Simpson will play minutes at Illinois. Wish I could tell you differently.
On a related note, Stan didn't travel to Wisconsin last night. Officials told me he had classwork to deal with.
Klee
Hey Paul,
I was at the Kohl Center for last night's win -it was awesome. I was surprised at the Wisconsin fans, they only got loud a few times (other than complaining over every foul, which is typical there). Would you agree that the fans were a little quieter than normal?
Stan
Stan- Hope you enjoyed the game. The Grateful Red stood out to me. The student group arrived (very) early - and some sections of the Red left early, too, with about one minute left on the clock. That's not something that happens very often. I'm sure you've seen this, but Bo Ryan's Wisconsin teams were 51-0 at home against unranked Big Ten teams.
I felt there was a "stunned" feeling in the Kohl Center last night. That 11-point lead was there... and then it wasn't. The Demetri Show took over.
Klee
Klee,
1) How many wins does Illinois need to feel "safe" in the tournament? It seems like 20 would be pretty good, but you never know.
2) A few weeks ago in the insider, you said UNC might miss the tournament. It is looking pretty likely right now unless the can have a major turn around, starting tonight or win the ACC tournament
What's up Brian. This could change, but I feel Illinois is in the NCAA tournament and would be more than comfortable with two more wins. I know that just gets you to 19 wins... but the Vandy, MSU, Wisconsin wins are serious wins.
That said, outside the visitors locker room, I saw an Illinois team last night that has its sights set much higher than 19 wins. These guys don't seem to understand they're not supposed to win the Big Ten.
As for UNC, there were signs back in December they would struggle, so I felt comfortable writing that. It's a matter of getting better guard play out of their young guys, and the ACC has a number of veteran guards to take advantage of that youth.
Klee
Did Hester learn any Polish when he was in Poland?
AK- Jerry says, "Dzien dobre." He also ate a Polish dog last night.
Klee
Paul, thanks for the chats and your outstanding coverage. i don't know how you are able to write so much and do it so well. I am confused by one thing in tuesday's preview, you said wisconsin has the big ten's best record since 2002 (102-94) which you said is just ahead of MSU (97-46) and the Illini (94-49). can you explain? Go Illini! Go Paul!
Sue- Thanks. Yes, Wisconsin has the best Big Ten conference record since 2001-02 (102-42). Michigan State (97-47) and Illinois (95-49) are second and third in that time, respectively. Klee
I know you've been critical and down on McCamey because of his lapses and defense, but will you finally give him his due now Paul?
Larkin- My man, you must be thinking of someone else. As fans and coached piled on Demetri McCamey for his weaknesses, I
Thanks for doing the chats. They're great. Just how good is Demetri? He's been carrying the team for more than just the past 2 games, and now seems to be getting even better. Is he capable of performing at this level consistently?
Scott- On offense he's been spectacular at times - and remarkably consistent, given the attention he's getting from opponents. It's no different in practice. He gets where he wants to get.
Take a closer look at that 22-11 run to close the first half. Demetri had a hand in all 22 points. He had three assists (and one of those was a Tisdale three-point play, so that's seven points from his assists. And he had six field goals (and three were three-pointers, so that's 15 points from his own shots). He flipped a switch and arguably the league's best defensive team had no one to stop him. Klee
Take us back to the recruiting of Evan Turner. Was Illinois in the hunt? Why did he select Ohio State? Who would be on your current top five of Illinois preps who got away?
Larry- I would contend that's the biggest recruiting miss of the past five years or so. Illinois was right there and didn't handle it well. An earlier scholarship offer would have helped. Klee
In post game comments, Demetri McCamey is sounding more and more like a coach. It is as if he has flipped a switch and is a completely different ballplayer. Have you noticed him taking a more active leadership role recently?
Ray- He's also communicating with the head coach. It started to improve around the first Iowa game, where lead guard and lead coach were conversing more on the sideline. He's done a good job. He also needs to keep it up. His minutes aren't going to drop from here on out - Illinois will continue to lean on Demetri. Klee
Great job on the chats, really enjoy the insight. I am also loving McCamey's emergence as an elite player in the Big Ten, he has earned all of his success, but part of me can't help but look ahead and wonder what this does to the possibility of him leaving for the league after this season.
Look into the future and give us some odds on which Big Ten players might leave school early. Turner looks to be nearly 100%, but what about McCamey, Manny Harris, etc.
Mark- Evan Turner is the only guy I see leaving early. Haven't seen a mock draft where he's outside the lottery.
"When he left us, I said to many people, even before he left, he was going to be an NBA point guard," St. Joe's coach Gene Pingatore told me the other day.
I wonder what's going to happen with Harris at Michigan. Something's off there. But I don't see the Purdue guys leaving. And I think Tom Izzo has used the same approach with Kalin Lucas that Weber has used with McCamey: forget about the NBA and play ball, even if it means an occasional benching. You'll remember that Lucas' benching and McCamey's benching were about six days apart.
I think we're seeing the opposite effect in the Big Ten that we saw in the Pac-10. The Pac-10 was better than the Big Ten for several seasons... and then it lost 18 non-seniors to early entry over the past three years. Now it's in rebuilding mode. But the Big Ten will return most of its better players again next season, so it should be strong again. Hope that makes sense. It made sense in my head.
Klee
Illini record in Big Ten play is 9-3. NG (Paul's) record in Big Ten is 11-1. Which one is better? Any comments? :)
AK- Illinois' record is more impressive. I didn't win at the Kohl Center.
But I can tell you that Tony Bleill, who predicts the women's games, is shaking in his Sorels after I started the Big Ten season with an 11-0 prediction record. As for that bet... I'll take Miller Light, Tony!
Klee
Going to wrap this up, Hester needs help navigating. Apologies to those questions that didn't get answered. Look forward to chatting with you next Wednesday and hope to see you Sunday at the Assembly Hall. Should be a dandy.
Klee