Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:00 AM on Thu, 03/04/2010
Great to be with everyone today! Illini in a must-win situation on Sunday at 11 am against Wisconsin.
Lets get to questions
troy from danville, illinois — 11:00 AM on Thu, 03/04/2010
Back when Lou Henson was coach, they always had the coaches radio call in show on nights before road games regardless of where it was being played. They even held it in the opponents arena the night before the game. I don't know why you can't do that now for the Bruce Weber call in show? I don't see how it could be a inconvience at all!
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:09 AM on Thu, 03/04/2010
Troy,
Thanks for the question. Basically it just comes down to what time the team travels to the opposing team's city. There are several factors. One is the players class schedule. This year the players classes are done by the early afternoon....so the team will practice at Ubben Center from 3:00 pm until about 5:30pm. They then shower and head for the airport.
We have had several Tuesday night games this year so the team always leaves on Monday night. The flights are usually around 6 or 6:30 pm. So when the Bruce Weber Show would normally be starting at 7 pm ....the team would either be in the airplane or just landing or (if they went by bus).... the bus would be arriving.
Based on that flying schedule...there is no physical way to be in place for a radio show.
I cant speak on when or how they used to do the Lou Henson Show. The travel setup may have been different back then.
It varies from coach to coach.
DJ from Richardson, TX — 11:11 AM on Thu, 03/04/2010
Brian,
Looking to next year who do you see as the starting five?
Also, Is it possible that with the added recruits and the improvement of the freshman this year that Mike Davis will be fighting for minutes?
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:21 AM on Thu, 03/04/2010
D.J....Just a pure guess on my part....and as the year goes on it could change
I think at the start of the year it could be the same lineup you have now..McCamey....Richardson...Paul/Cole...Davis and Tisdale...with Jereme Richmond pushing to be a starter pretty quickly.
I think Leonard will be a great backup for the big men down low....
And we will see how strong Crandell Head is after sitting out this season with a knee injury.
Also...Joseph Bertrand is likely to get some time running the point...
To say the least...it will interesting to see who gets the most minutes each game
Tim from Marshall, IL — 11:22 AM on Thu, 03/04/2010
Why does this team not attack the boards more? As athletic as McCamey and Davis is, and Tis inside, why not push the ball inside more. Their outside perimeter shots sure aren't falling.
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:25 AM on Thu, 03/04/2010
Tim,
Bruce Weber is always pushing his guys to rebound more....especially Davis and Tisdale. He was hoping to get more consistent rebounding from Keller. One thing that has been missing is rebounding from the guard position. They have not been able to replace the rebounding that Chester Frazier gave them the last couple of years.
The coaching staff wants to get the ball inside more...especially against zone defenses. But getting the ball inside also requires good passing...and Bruce Weber has said several times this year that passing is a weakness for this team.
Laurie Jamieson from Bellevue, wa — 11:26 AM on Thu, 03/04/2010
Any news on who the Illin might be able to add to the 2010 class, now that Semrau is not returning? Hopefully a player-maker with McCamey-like skills.
If this doesn't look likely, do we have anyone now that is being groomed to give us more play-making ability and also more dribble-drive penetration?
Brian Barnhart (moderator) — 11:29 AM on Thu, 03/04/2010
Laurie,
Dont know what the plans are for Semrau's scholarship. They could just hold onto it and save it for the next class since they have so many seniors on the roster next year.
I believe that Bertrand could be a guy with some play-making ability and passing skills...but we will see how he comes back from his knee troubles. He is moving pretty well in practice right now.
Great to be with everyone today! Illini in a must-win situation on Sunday at 11 am against Wisconsin.
Lets get to questions
Back when Lou Henson was coach, they always had the coaches radio call in show on nights before road games regardless of where it was being played. They even held it in the opponents arena the night before the game. I don't know why you can't do that now for the Bruce Weber call in show? I don't see how it could be a inconvience at all!
Troy,
Thanks for the question. Basically it just comes down to what time the team travels to the opposing team's city. There are several factors. One is the players class schedule. This year the players classes are done by the early afternoon....so the team will practice at Ubben Center from 3:00 pm until about 5:30pm. They then shower and head for the airport.
We have had several Tuesday night games this year so the team always leaves on Monday night. The flights are usually around 6 or 6:30 pm. So when the Bruce Weber Show would normally be starting at 7 pm ....the team would either be in the airplane or just landing or (if they went by bus).... the bus would be arriving.
Based on that flying schedule...there is no physical way to be in place for a radio show.
I cant speak on when or how they used to do the Lou Henson Show. The travel setup may have been different back then.
It varies from coach to coach.
Brian,
Looking to next year who do you see as the starting five?
Also, Is it possible that with the added recruits and the improvement of the freshman this year that Mike Davis will be fighting for minutes?
D.J....Just a pure guess on my part....and as the year goes on it could change
I think at the start of the year it could be the same lineup you have now..McCamey....Richardson...Paul/Cole...Davis and Tisdale...with Jereme Richmond pushing to be a starter pretty quickly.
I think Leonard will be a great backup for the big men down low....
And we will see how strong Crandell Head is after sitting out this season with a knee injury.
Also...Joseph Bertrand is likely to get some time running the point...
To say the least...it will interesting to see who gets the most minutes each game
Why does this team not attack the boards more? As athletic as McCamey and Davis is, and Tis inside, why not push the ball inside more. Their outside perimeter shots sure aren't falling.
Tim,
Bruce Weber is always pushing his guys to rebound more....especially Davis and Tisdale. He was hoping to get more consistent rebounding from Keller. One thing that has been missing is rebounding from the guard position. They have not been able to replace the rebounding that Chester Frazier gave them the last couple of years.
The coaching staff wants to get the ball inside more...especially against zone defenses. But getting the ball inside also requires good passing...and Bruce Weber has said several times this year that passing is a weakness for this team.
Any news on who the Illin might be able to add to the 2010 class, now that Semrau is not returning? Hopefully a player-maker with McCamey-like skills.
If this doesn't look likely, do we have anyone now that is being groomed to give us more play-making ability and also more dribble-drive penetration?
Laurie,
Dont know what the plans are for Semrau's scholarship. They could just hold onto it and save it for the next class since they have so many seniors on the roster next year.
I believe that Bertrand could be a guy with some play-making ability and passing skills...but we will see how he comes back from his knee troubles. He is moving pretty well in practice right now.