Talk with Illinois men's basketball beat writer Paul Klee
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:33 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Good afternoon everyone. Time for another Illinois basketball chat. Joining you from Port Jefferson, N.Y. For the first time in three (four?) chats we're not chatting while someone else is driving. We're in one spot.
Illinois just left the hotel for its shootaround at Stony Brook Arena. The coaches and players haven't seen it yet. I got the tour last night. Seats about 4,500, though A.D., coach, sports info, no one seems to have an exact figure. It's no more than 5,000 seats, but they're opening up the upper track to standing-room only.
"I'm sure Illinois isn't thrilled to be here," Stony Brook coach Steve Pikiell said, but from a basketball standpoint this is a fascinating matchup. These matchups just don't happen.
This is the first time Illinois will play a road game in the NIT. It
Jake from Shelbyville, Il — 12:34 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Paul,
I understand that originally they were going to play the Stony Brook game in a 1600 seat facility. Now they say it will be in another venue that will seat, according to some, 4000 people and according to others it will seat 5000. What is the real story as to where they are playing and what is the seating capacity? Thanks
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:38 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Jake- This is the first time in two seasons the Seawolves will play a game at Stony Brook Arena - and it won't play there next season, either. The arena's renovations were stalled due to a freeze on state funding, so the facelift is ongoing. Stony Brook has been playing at Pritchard Gymnasium - think Centennial's gym, but painted red - that seats 1,650. Illinois fans should be thankful their Illini aren't playing there. It's an upset waiting to happen.
Their A.D. told me the Arena seats between 4,100 and 5,000. They are expecting a sellout, but I'm not so sure. Seawolves basketball, while on a high, doesn't get much more than a slice of the New York sports pie.
"There's Giants fans, Jets fans, Mets fans, Yankees fans, Syracuse fans, St. John's...," as Pikiell said. This was a Division III program until 11 years ago.
The seats are slightly removed from the court, so the fans aren't right on top of the bench. Still, it's unlike Kohl Center/Breslin/The Barn in that it's so small, compared to what Illinois is used to.
Klee
Clay from Eads, Tennessee — 12:40 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Did Dominique Keller make the trip to Long Island? Has he kissed and made up with Coach Weber?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:41 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Clay- Yes, Dominique Keller is here. He'll be in uniform tonight. Here
Bill Stephenson from Cordillera, Co — 12:41 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Watching CBS sports and they keep saying the Minnesota win at Illinois was a difference maker. Didn't we kill them at their house earlier?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:43 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Bill- Illinois and Minnesota played just once this season, a two-point Gophers win at the Assembly Hall. If you had to pinpoint one game, I think that loss was the difference-maker for Illinois.
Klee
Ted from Naperville, IL — 12:44 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
I don't have ESPNU. How can I see the NIT game?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:45 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Ted- The game will be streamed on ESPN360.com. Klee
MB in Hooseirland from Casket Country, IN — 12:46 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Paul: What were the final regular season Matto standings? How did this year's team compare to last years in total Matto points for and against?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:51 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
MB- Last year, in 34 games, Illinois finished with 1,120 Matto points. The opposition had 926. This year in 33 games, Illinois has 1,099 Matto points. The opposition has 964. With a decent effort tonight the Illini will pass last season's total. D.J. Richardson (163) and Billy Cole (157) are in a race for the Matto crown. Demetri McCamey (147) isn't far behind.
Klee
Joe from Springfield, illinois — 12:52 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Who do you think will get the Iowa or DePaul job?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:53 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Joe- Hearing lots of names for both. That DePaul hasn
Scott from Clinton, Illinois — 12:54 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
How do you see the 4 and 5 position shaking out for Illinois next year with Davis, Tisdale, Griffey, Leonard and Richmond all capable of playing one of the spots?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:56 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Scott- With this season still going on, I see Tisdale and Davis as starters, Griffey and Leonard off the bench. I see Jereme Richmond as a starter, playing the 3 and 4, with the option of JR having spot duty bringing the ball up the court. His versatility is a gift. Klee
Mike from Champaign, IL — 12:57 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Klee-
You ribbed Bob yet about picking ASU to go all the way in the NIT?
I hope the team saw yesterday's NIT games. UConn and Carolina won narrow games, ASU loses at the buzzer. All of those teams had home games too.
Do you think the players anticipate what a struggle this game might be? Weber does...but we've all seen that there's no guarantee the team will follow suit.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:02 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Mike- Good to hear from you. Haven't seen Bob since I left for Long Island. He'll hear about it. Your guy once picked Illinois football to go 13-0, so it's not unusual. As for the upsets, there were six NIT games last night, and three were upsets. Bruce Weber, who coached on the other side of this matchup, knows exactly what they're getting into. I remember after the loss to Utah, Weber was most concerned with the players getting ready for Bradley the next night, because he knew how Bradley would treat the matchup.
In this case these are East Coast kids, passed over by high-majors, playing a power-conference team in their own gym, in the postseason. It's worth mentioning their Muhammad El-Amin, a Lansing guy, grew up a Big Ten fan and watches the Big Ten religiously.
"I always thought I could play in the Big Ten," he told me yesterday.
So there's that.
"He takes some bad shots, and that's okay, because I don't yank my guys unless they don't guard, don't hustle," coach Steve Pikiell said. "But he can score with anybody in the country."
"He
Sam from Urbana, IL — 01:07 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Paul, hope you're eating some great seafood. Will Coach Weber go small if the matchups with our bigs is not working? I'm a big Weber fan but I think it is time to make some in game adjustments earlier rather than later... This game is bigger than what most people realize. This would be a true disaster if we were to play horribly and lose. Pull out all the stops, there is no tomorrow. What are your thoughts? Sam
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:10 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Sam- Important for Illinois to dump its M.O. and get off to a fast start. It doesn't want to fall behind and build Stony Brook's confidence. SB is 19-2 when it has the lead with 5 minutes left, so it hasn't blown many leads.
As far as your first point, and I see what you're saying, but I would hope the Illini will emphasize and utilize their height advantage, not run from it. Stony Brook hasn't seen many big guys that shoot from the outside. The concern of the Illinois coaches is SB's guards slashing to the basket and drawing fouls. Like I wrote today, this matchup reminds me of Western Kentucky - on a smaller scale: four strong, quick guards that play with a chip on their shoulder.
Klee
Chase from Champaign , IL — 01:13 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
How's things going Paul? I ran into Bubba last night when I was eating on campus. He said it sure would be nice to go out of his senior year with a win. I replied that only two teams in the country get to do that each year. I hope all the guys have that attitude. Might as well go out and win it. Go Illini!
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:15 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Chase- Bubba's been a model student-athlete at Illinois. He's soaking in every moment of his final few weeks. He also has a signed poster at DP Dough's on Green Street, and how many guys can say that.
Teams with a postseason ban could win their last games, too. USC, for example. Ivy League teams, without a league tournament, could win their last games. Have to think if there are others. But you're right. This isn't what Illinois wanted. This should be an NCAA tournament team and it's a disappointment they're not playing Thursday or Friday. But get over it, win some games, go play at Madison Square Garden. There are worse things.
Klee
Brent from Rockford, IL — 01:18 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Paul, the next time you see Bob, congratulate him on his ASU pick in the NIT bracket!
Now, the Stony Brook team although not overly tall sounds like they are a tough, physical basketball team, is there any truth to that and how scared should be as fans that this might be like the Georgia game all over again?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:20 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Something I thought was interesting, from Stony Brook coach Steve Pikiell. He talked about the New York City "entourages" and how he can't even mess with NYC kids half the time (only one current player is from this state). It sounded a lot like what Bruce Weber has dealt with in Chicago, what Tom Izzo/John Beilein deals with in Detroit. It's on every level.
Bruce from Verona, IL — 01:21 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
What's your take on the guys' attitudes? Have they recovered enough from Sundays' disappointment to get out of there with a win?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:24 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Bruce- We'll see tonight. This is truly an anything-could-happen game. I don't think anyone - on either side - knows exactly what will happen, which Illinois team will show up, and what the crowd will be like. There isn't a precedent for this - on either side.
I do know the SB coach has a plane flight for a recruiting trip to the Canary Islands on Monday.
"Unless something crazy happens," he said.
Klee
Darrin from Minneapolis, MN — 01:25 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Paul: Does Coach Weber need to get back to the NCAA Final Four before his contract expires to continue at Illinois? I think so.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:25 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
SMH.
Robert Pack from Steamboat Springs, CO — 01:26 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Hey PK,
It's been a fun/aggravating season of up and downs with this team but what do you expect with a young team, who lacks leadership. What do you think will be BW's point of emphais this off season? I'm hoping boxing out and toughness is two items that Coach hammers home
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:29 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Rob- I would say there have been more aggravations. It's also been humbling and I think that's something Illinois needed. In some ways I think the Illinois players saw the glory-years teams of Dee, Deron, Luther, Frank Williams, all those guys, but they didn't witness the work those guys put in to get there. Maybe this helps. We'll see.
Klee
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:29 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Taking a 1-minute break. Internet issues. I'll stick around for another 30 minutes or so.
Lenny from Champaign, IL — 01:34 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Assuming an Illinois victory on Wednesday night (and assuming there will be a home game next Monday), do you have any idea how much the tickets will be and if all the seats will be assigned, or instead general admission?
I'd bet the Hall will be pretty bare with spring break, as well as the usual travelling those fans who won't want to put much support behind the team right now...
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:36 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Lenny- If Illinois wins today, it would host the Tulsa-Kent State winner at the Assembly Hall on Monday. Those teams play tonight. Tickets for a second-round game would be on sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday. I Fund members and season ticket-holders have first crack at reserved seats in A Section ($25). Seating for B and C Section would be general admission ($15).
For what it's worth, the 1996 NIT game against Alabama at the Assembly Hall had an announced attendance of 8,398. Not sure what to expect Monday - if Illinois wins tonight.
Klee
Matt from Troy, IL — 01:36 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Hi Paul,
Whats the general vibe you get from the players regarding playing in the NIT? I could easily see this team not interested in playing anymore and putting out a half-hearted effort. Hopefully I'm wrong.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:37 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Matt- I think this is a case where players aren't interested in practice. But when the lights come on and there are fans in the stands, it will feel like another game, with importance. These Illini usually have played better in these types of games. I think that was part of the problem against Minnesota - the dagger - because the Gophers didn't have a national ranking and it was in the middle of a stretch against ranked teams and they didn't take the Gophers seriously. Then they scored 14 points in the first half.
Illinois needs to take these guys seriously. The fallout of a loss at Stony Brook would be ugly.
Klee
Ralph from Champaign, illinois — 01:41 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
How can you NOT win with the talent that Weber has on that floor? Are the assistants not helping him coach or are the players that bad? Did he miss Chester that much? I remember one of the assistant coaches (Mcclain ) said that Chester was a bad pick up. What if he was on this illini team now?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:42 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Ralph- Wayne McClain adored Chester Frazier. You must be confused on that one. Klee
Ted from Chicago, IL — 01:44 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
First Demitri bumped into Bruce, then Keller ignores him on the bench. And both of them choose to do this in public. Those two are our best player and the 9th man in the rotation. What's going on in the locker room? Do we have a cancer growing?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:49 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Ted- It
behind the curtain jay from Bristol, CT — 01:52 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Any coaches comment on all of the trash talking during the OSU game?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:53 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
BTCJ- This is all Bruce Weber said publicly about the trash-talking involving Evan Turner and Illinois:
Rick from Peoria, IL — 01:54 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Is there a guarantee that Bertrand will be healthy enough to play next year? He seems injury prone to me.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:55 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Rick- Not sure you can guarantee any of the players, on any team, will be healthy enough to play next year. Injuries happen. Joseph Bertrand had an ankle injury at Sterling, a knee and calf at Illinois. The knee had bothered him for a while. We'll see. Klee
Peter from Daytona, FL — 02:04 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Sony Brook doesn't sound in awe of the Illini having watched them play and noting their many issues and flaws. Does Stony Brook really think they can beat us? Do you:
Paul Klee (moderator) — 02:08 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Peter- Stony Brook thinks it can beat Illinois, yes. Most teams enter games expecting to win. This is the first nationally televised game for the Stony Brook program. Yesterday the players were in the locker room watching ESPN and Muhammad El-Amin said, "My parents won't need the (cable) sports pack to see it." Do I think Stony Brook will beat Illinois? I took Illinois by seven but expect a battle. And you don't want to go into the offseason with a loss at Stony Brook. This chat would be, um, interesting over the next five months if that happens. Thanks for the question. Klee
Paul Klee (moderator) — 02:10 PM on Wed, 03/17/2010
Going to wrap this up. Thanks for all of the questions and apologies to those that didn't get answered. The HQ Live Report - the first from Stony Brook Arena - will get started at 7:30 tonight. And we'll have full coverage from Illinois' first NIT road game later on HQ. Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone.
Good afternoon everyone. Time for another Illinois basketball chat. Joining you from Port Jefferson, N.Y. For the first time in three (four?) chats we're not chatting while someone else is driving. We're in one spot.
Illinois just left the hotel for its shootaround at Stony Brook Arena. The coaches and players haven't seen it yet. I got the tour last night. Seats about 4,500, though A.D., coach, sports info, no one seems to have an exact figure. It's no more than 5,000 seats, but they're opening up the upper track to standing-room only.
"I'm sure Illinois isn't thrilled to be here," Stony Brook coach Steve Pikiell said, but from a basketball standpoint this is a fascinating matchup. These matchups just don't happen.
This is the first time Illinois will play a road game in the NIT. It
Paul,
I understand that originally they were going to play the Stony Brook game in a 1600 seat facility. Now they say it will be in another venue that will seat, according to some, 4000 people and according to others it will seat 5000. What is the real story as to where they are playing and what is the seating capacity? Thanks
Jake- This is the first time in two seasons the Seawolves will play a game at Stony Brook Arena - and it won't play there next season, either. The arena's renovations were stalled due to a freeze on state funding, so the facelift is ongoing. Stony Brook has been playing at Pritchard Gymnasium - think Centennial's gym, but painted red - that seats 1,650. Illinois fans should be thankful their Illini aren't playing there. It's an upset waiting to happen.
Their A.D. told me the Arena seats between 4,100 and 5,000. They are expecting a sellout, but I'm not so sure. Seawolves basketball, while on a high, doesn't get much more than a slice of the New York sports pie.
"There's Giants fans, Jets fans, Mets fans, Yankees fans, Syracuse fans, St. John's...," as Pikiell said. This was a Division III program until 11 years ago.
The seats are slightly removed from the court, so the fans aren't right on top of the bench. Still, it's unlike Kohl Center/Breslin/The Barn in that it's so small, compared to what Illinois is used to.
Klee
Did Dominique Keller make the trip to Long Island? Has he kissed and made up with Coach Weber?
Clay- Yes, Dominique Keller is here. He'll be in uniform tonight. Here
Watching CBS sports and they keep saying the Minnesota win at Illinois was a difference maker. Didn't we kill them at their house earlier?
Bill- Illinois and Minnesota played just once this season, a two-point Gophers win at the Assembly Hall. If you had to pinpoint one game, I think that loss was the difference-maker for Illinois.
Klee
I don't have ESPNU. How can I see the NIT game?
Ted- The game will be streamed on ESPN360.com. Klee
Paul: What were the final regular season Matto standings? How did this year's team compare to last years in total Matto points for and against?
MB- Last year, in 34 games, Illinois finished with 1,120 Matto points. The opposition had 926. This year in 33 games, Illinois has 1,099 Matto points. The opposition has 964. With a decent effort tonight the Illini will pass last season's total. D.J. Richardson (163) and Billy Cole (157) are in a race for the Matto crown. Demetri McCamey (147) isn't far behind.
Klee
Who do you think will get the Iowa or DePaul job?
Joe- Hearing lots of names for both. That DePaul hasn
How do you see the 4 and 5 position shaking out for Illinois next year with Davis, Tisdale, Griffey, Leonard and Richmond all capable of playing one of the spots?
Scott- With this season still going on, I see Tisdale and Davis as starters, Griffey and Leonard off the bench. I see Jereme Richmond as a starter, playing the 3 and 4, with the option of JR having spot duty bringing the ball up the court. His versatility is a gift. Klee
Klee-
You ribbed Bob yet about picking ASU to go all the way in the NIT?
I hope the team saw yesterday's NIT games. UConn and Carolina won narrow games, ASU loses at the buzzer. All of those teams had home games too.
Do you think the players anticipate what a struggle this game might be? Weber does...but we've all seen that there's no guarantee the team will follow suit.
Mike- Good to hear from you. Haven't seen Bob since I left for Long Island. He'll hear about it. Your guy once picked Illinois football to go 13-0, so it's not unusual. As for the upsets, there were six NIT games last night, and three were upsets. Bruce Weber, who coached on the other side of this matchup, knows exactly what they're getting into. I remember after the loss to Utah, Weber was most concerned with the players getting ready for Bradley the next night, because he knew how Bradley would treat the matchup.
In this case these are East Coast kids, passed over by high-majors, playing a power-conference team in their own gym, in the postseason. It's worth mentioning their Muhammad El-Amin, a Lansing guy, grew up a Big Ten fan and watches the Big Ten religiously.
"I always thought I could play in the Big Ten," he told me yesterday.
So there's that.
"He takes some bad shots, and that's okay, because I don't yank my guys unless they don't guard, don't hustle," coach Steve Pikiell said. "But he can score with anybody in the country."
"He
Paul, hope you're eating some great seafood. Will Coach Weber go small if the matchups with our bigs is not working? I'm a big Weber fan but I think it is time to make some in game adjustments earlier rather than later... This game is bigger than what most people realize. This would be a true disaster if we were to play horribly and lose. Pull out all the stops, there is no tomorrow. What are your thoughts? Sam
Sam- Important for Illinois to dump its M.O. and get off to a fast start. It doesn't want to fall behind and build Stony Brook's confidence. SB is 19-2 when it has the lead with 5 minutes left, so it hasn't blown many leads.
As far as your first point, and I see what you're saying, but I would hope the Illini will emphasize and utilize their height advantage, not run from it. Stony Brook hasn't seen many big guys that shoot from the outside. The concern of the Illinois coaches is SB's guards slashing to the basket and drawing fouls. Like I wrote today, this matchup reminds me of Western Kentucky - on a smaller scale: four strong, quick guards that play with a chip on their shoulder.
Klee
How's things going Paul? I ran into Bubba last night when I was eating on campus. He said it sure would be nice to go out of his senior year with a win. I replied that only two teams in the country get to do that each year. I hope all the guys have that attitude. Might as well go out and win it. Go Illini!
Chase- Bubba's been a model student-athlete at Illinois. He's soaking in every moment of his final few weeks. He also has a signed poster at DP Dough's on Green Street, and how many guys can say that.
Teams with a postseason ban could win their last games, too. USC, for example. Ivy League teams, without a league tournament, could win their last games. Have to think if there are others. But you're right. This isn't what Illinois wanted. This should be an NCAA tournament team and it's a disappointment they're not playing Thursday or Friday. But get over it, win some games, go play at Madison Square Garden. There are worse things.
Klee
Paul, the next time you see Bob, congratulate him on his ASU pick in the NIT bracket!
Now, the Stony Brook team although not overly tall sounds like they are a tough, physical basketball team, is there any truth to that and how scared should be as fans that this might be like the Georgia game all over again?
Something I thought was interesting, from Stony Brook coach Steve Pikiell. He talked about the New York City "entourages" and how he can't even mess with NYC kids half the time (only one current player is from this state). It sounded a lot like what Bruce Weber has dealt with in Chicago, what Tom Izzo/John Beilein deals with in Detroit. It's on every level.
What's your take on the guys' attitudes? Have they recovered enough from Sundays' disappointment to get out of there with a win?
Bruce- We'll see tonight. This is truly an anything-could-happen game. I don't think anyone - on either side - knows exactly what will happen, which Illinois team will show up, and what the crowd will be like. There isn't a precedent for this - on either side.
I do know the SB coach has a plane flight for a recruiting trip to the Canary Islands on Monday.
"Unless something crazy happens," he said.
Klee
Paul: Does Coach Weber need to get back to the NCAA Final Four before his contract expires to continue at Illinois? I think so.
SMH.
Hey PK,
It's been a fun/aggravating season of up and downs with this team but what do you expect with a young team, who lacks leadership. What do you think will be BW's point of emphais this off season? I'm hoping boxing out and toughness is two items that Coach hammers home
Rob- I would say there have been more aggravations. It's also been humbling and I think that's something Illinois needed. In some ways I think the Illinois players saw the glory-years teams of Dee, Deron, Luther, Frank Williams, all those guys, but they didn't witness the work those guys put in to get there. Maybe this helps. We'll see.
Klee
Taking a 1-minute break. Internet issues. I'll stick around for another 30 minutes or so.
Assuming an Illinois victory on Wednesday night (and assuming there will be a home game next Monday), do you have any idea how much the tickets will be and if all the seats will be assigned, or instead general admission?
I'd bet the Hall will be pretty bare with spring break, as well as the usual travelling those fans who won't want to put much support behind the team right now...
Lenny- If Illinois wins today, it would host the Tulsa-Kent State winner at the Assembly Hall on Monday. Those teams play tonight. Tickets for a second-round game would be on sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday. I Fund members and season ticket-holders have first crack at reserved seats in A Section ($25). Seating for B and C Section would be general admission ($15).
For what it's worth, the 1996 NIT game against Alabama at the Assembly Hall had an announced attendance of 8,398. Not sure what to expect Monday - if Illinois wins tonight.
Klee
Hi Paul,
Whats the general vibe you get from the players regarding playing in the NIT? I could easily see this team not interested in playing anymore and putting out a half-hearted effort. Hopefully I'm wrong.
Matt- I think this is a case where players aren't interested in practice. But when the lights come on and there are fans in the stands, it will feel like another game, with importance. These Illini usually have played better in these types of games. I think that was part of the problem against Minnesota - the dagger - because the Gophers didn't have a national ranking and it was in the middle of a stretch against ranked teams and they didn't take the Gophers seriously. Then they scored 14 points in the first half.
Illinois needs to take these guys seriously. The fallout of a loss at Stony Brook would be ugly.
Klee
How can you NOT win with the talent that Weber has on that floor? Are the assistants not helping him coach or are the players that bad? Did he miss Chester that much? I remember one of the assistant coaches (Mcclain ) said that Chester was a bad pick up. What if he was on this illini team now?
Ralph- Wayne McClain adored Chester Frazier. You must be confused on that one. Klee
First Demitri bumped into Bruce, then Keller ignores him on the bench. And both of them choose to do this in public. Those two are our best player and the 9th man in the rotation. What's going on in the locker room? Do we have a cancer growing?
Ted- It
Any coaches comment on all of the trash talking during the OSU game?
BTCJ- This is all Bruce Weber said publicly about the trash-talking involving Evan Turner and Illinois:
Is there a guarantee that Bertrand will be healthy enough to play next year? He seems injury prone to me.
Rick- Not sure you can guarantee any of the players, on any team, will be healthy enough to play next year. Injuries happen. Joseph Bertrand had an ankle injury at Sterling, a knee and calf at Illinois. The knee had bothered him for a while. We'll see. Klee
Sony Brook doesn't sound in awe of the Illini having watched them play and noting their many issues and flaws. Does Stony Brook really think they can beat us? Do you:
Peter- Stony Brook thinks it can beat Illinois, yes. Most teams enter games expecting to win. This is the first nationally televised game for the Stony Brook program. Yesterday the players were in the locker room watching ESPN and Muhammad El-Amin said, "My parents won't need the (cable) sports pack to see it." Do I think Stony Brook will beat Illinois? I took Illinois by seven but expect a battle. And you don't want to go into the offseason with a loss at Stony Brook. This chat would be, um, interesting over the next five months if that happens. Thanks for the question. Klee
Going to wrap this up. Thanks for all of the questions and apologies to those that didn't get answered. The HQ Live Report - the first from Stony Brook Arena - will get started at 7:30 tonight. And we'll have full coverage from Illinois' first NIT road game later on HQ. Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone.
Klee