Talk with Illinois men's basketball beat writer Paul Klee
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:33 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Good afternoon everyone. Thanks for coming by for another Illinois basketball chat. Lots to talk about. I'll be here for about an hour. Fire away.
Klee
larry harnly from springfield, illinois — 12:33 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Do you expect Richmond to start at a wing position next season? Can the Illini be real good if Richmond is not real good? And don't you think Richmond and Weber will clash over his attitude? Put Leonard in that category, too. l
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:35 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Larry- Yes, I expect Jereme Richmond to be starter. He
Pat from Chicago, IL — 12:38 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
on twitter, DMac says the team was down about the ncaa snub until they got a text from weber - do you know what the text said?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:41 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Pat- Thanks for following us on Twitter. We
Kramer116 from Chicago, Illinois — 12:41 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
There have been rumors of a big time visitor for tomorrow's game against Dayton, any idea who will be visiting for the game tomorrow?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:41 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Kramer- Wouldn
Chris from Girard, IL — 12:42 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Klee,
After watching the Dayton/Cincy game and trying to decide who I would rather see the Illini play I thought even though Dayton was more athletic Illinois would have a better chance than playing Cincy's 40 minutes of zone. What are your thoughts?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:42 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Chris- You wanted to play Cincinnati. At this point in the NIT it has less to do with a scheme and more to do with a will. As our friend Jeff Shelman, a former Big Ten beat writer, said yesterday, some teams have a will to lose. That
Jacoub from Chicago, IL — 12:46 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Do you think Dayton plays similar to Missouri and do you think Illinois will have their names on the back of their jerseys next year?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:47 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Jacoub- They
Larry D from Lambertville, MI — 12:47 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
I thought I had read somewhere that Illinois will play a game at Western Michigan next season. Is there any truth to that? If so, I will defintely go. I just have a hard time believing it. Thanks for the info.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:50 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Larry- Yes, Illinois is obligated to play a road game at Western Michigan. I don
Flach from Chicago, IL — 12:51 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Which matchup would you be most excited to see in the NIT championship game?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:51 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Flach- Illinois-North Carolina. I
Randall from OKC, OK — 12:52 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Klee, thanks for the chats. What has the media turnout been for the NIT games so far?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:53 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Randall- The media contingent covering the Kent State game was just like it would be for any other home game, and I expect it will be the same tonight. Only three print/online media traveled to Stony Brook: John Supinie (GateHouse News), Chris Hine (Chicago Tribune) and The News-Gazette (Tate/Klee).
Jason from Milwaukee, Wisconsin — 12:56 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Paul-
Who is more valuable to the Illinois basketball program -- Jerrance Howard or Bruce Weber?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:57 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Jason- Love your town, hope this isn
Bruce from Paxton, IL — 12:57 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Still waiting to hear how you think the addition of Leonard will impact Tisdale's PT and starting position. Any thoughts?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:58 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Bruce- If Meyers Leonard were available right now, he should get serious minutes tonight. That
Bruce from Verona, IL — 12:59 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Any update on tickets sold for tonight?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:02 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Bruce- As of five minutes ago, 7,600 tickets have been sold for tonight's game. Considering the quick turnaround and the stage, another respectable showing for Illinois fans, who don't surprise me anymore. Klee
that dude from Bath, IL — 01:04 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Paul,
If McCamey comes back, are we a pre-season top 15 team next year?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:05 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
TD- I wouldn
Bob from Peoria, IL — 01:07 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
I'll go ahead and ask about Siakam. Is the fact that he's been shifted to 2010 the reason we haven't offered him yet? I mean, there were rumblings of this pretty much all year (that he was going to be moved up). Do you see this being something that gets sorted out in May, contingent on Demitri's decision?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:09 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Bob- Way back on September 23
Pat from Chicago, IL — 01:13 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
hey paul, great work all year and thanks for providing fans great access to the program! Question - in 99, it felt like U of I was on the verge of something special. the year before we didn't make the tourney, but our roster was loaded the next season plus we had studs coming in (frank, cook, griff). 99 to 06 was great. I know there are a million variables, but if you had to guess at this moment, do you think this next season could also start another strong era?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:18 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Thanks Pat. This season should have been the start. That it wasn't, I think that gives you pause and makes you hesitant. The players are in place. Certain aspects have to be ironed out, including players-coaches relations. Too often there's been a divide there. Should Illinois make and win a game in the NCAA tournament? Yes. Will it happen? I think so, but I also thought that should have happened this season.
Klee
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:18 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Thanks Pat. This season should have been the start. That it wasn't, I think that gives you pause and makes you hesitant. The players are in place. Certain aspects have to be ironed out, including players-coaches relations. Too often there's been a divide there. Should Illinois make and win a game in the NCAA tournament? Yes. Will it happen? I think so, but I also thought that should have happened this season.
Klee
BW from Tyngsboro, MA — 01:19 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Bob: Is Dominique Keller going to have another great game tonight?
Yes or No?
Why? What's he going to do special?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:24 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
BW- Hope he plays well. I'd like to see the Texan finish his college career strong. It's his final home game - for real, this time.
CJ from Sebring, FL — 01:25 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Will Illinois suffer any recruiting blowback from missing the NCAA two of the last three years? Seems to me that the negative recruiting pitches just got easier for some against Illinois.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:27 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
CJ- This topic always reminds me of a game during the 2007-08 season. It was on Jan. 6, 2008. Illinois had just lost to Penn State
Jon from Batavia, IL — 01:33 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
PK - I know it is difficult to criticize a guy who gets a lot of double doubles, but I just think Mike Davis could be SO much better if he would use two hands more to shoot, rebound, and pass. When he does he has much more control and strength. Do coaches get on him for this in workouts?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:34 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Jon- Sure, they get on him about everything. I think he
Steve from Champaign Co, IL — 01:36 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Is your constant reference about Davis's double doubles that big of a deal? His stats are one thing, but they are over shadowed by his lack of energy, attack, and leadership, and his muffled body language and attitude. The DD stats haven't been used about others players in the past like they are with him yet he is not the only Illini to have DDs. They over represent and hype him way too much and he is going to see more of the bench next year IMHO.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:40 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Steve- Thanks for writing in. We welcome all opinions in this space, even if they're wrong. I could care less about muffled body language if a guy's getting me 18 boards against Ohio State. Klee
roach from monticello, il — 01:41 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Loren has taken the position that the team has overachieved since each player has a weakness. You have consistently (to your credit) maintained that the season wouldn't be truely successful without at least on NCAA win. How much give and take have you had with Loren on this, and how do you convince him that having high expectations is okay.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:46 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Roach- Clever name. I have give-and-take with Loren every day. We spend a lot of time together, in Champaign, on the highway, at the Esquire Lounge, in hotels, at various arenas, in high school gyms. He
Rob from Peoria, IL — 01:54 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
What are the reasons we seem to be recruiting a JUCO PG? As much trouble as these kids have with learning the so-called motion offense, this guy would likely struggle to see the court his 1st year. Then we get our PG coming in the following year. Guess I fail to see the urgency behind this, unless there is a PG that runs the motion currently in JUCO. Thanks.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:56 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Rob- I think Illinois has to be very careful with the prospect of adding a junior college transfer to the current mix. A mix of veterans (five returning starters), youth (three incoming freshmen) and a first-year upperclassmen expecting to play big minutes (juco) could be a chemistry experiment waiting to explode.
I asked Bruce Weber yesterday if recent experiences with juco products like Rodney Alexander, etc., would affect how he approaches the juco route in the future:
Spiny Norman from Luton, Bedfordshire, UK — 01:59 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Thanks, Paul for all the hard work and great coverage over the year. Given this, are you personally disappointed in not covering an Illini NCAA tournament run instead of the NIT? As a pro, I know you put that aside, but it must make it harder to enjoy the job. Hope to see you in CU giving Bob a hard time for many years.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 02:03 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
SN- I'm blessed with a great job. And I'm not very good at giving a company line. But in this case, the NCAA vs. NIT isn't really a deal with me. It's not easier or harder to cover the NIT - you approach it the same. Cover the heck out of it and do it again the next day. The NIT presents any number of storylines, just from a journalism standpoint. The road game at Stony Brook was a trip. I thoroughly enjoyed that unique situation and got a handful of good stories out of it. Our friend Will Leitch, who was courtside at Stony Brook Arena, described the scene best: "This is fascinating."
And Bob's an easy target. He has - no joke - a giant box of cinnamon rolls on his desk. I don't know why.
Klee
Charley from Bellingham, WA — 02:06 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
If you were coach Weber, how would you strategize for tonight's game? It only seems that their 3-point shooting is their main weakness?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 02:07 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Charley- Dayton isn't a good three-point shooting team, and Illinois would like to turn the Flyers into a three-point shooting team. Dayton is 2-7 when it launches more than 20 threes on the road. I don't think Illinois wants to get into a dunk-off with Dayton. The Flyers have better athletes, especially up front. Chris Wright is a load. I expect an emotional game tonight. I expect a close game tonight. Looking forward to it.
Klee
Paul Klee (moderator) — 02:08 PM on Wed, 03/24/2010
Going to wrap this up, thanks for sticking around. We'll start the Live Report from the Assembly hall around 7 p.m. tonight. Follow us on Twitter for other updates. See you then.
Good afternoon everyone. Thanks for coming by for another Illinois basketball chat. Lots to talk about. I'll be here for about an hour. Fire away.
Klee
Do you expect Richmond to start at a wing position next season? Can the Illini be real good if Richmond is not real good? And don't you think Richmond and Weber will clash over his attitude? Put Leonard in that category, too. l
Larry- Yes, I expect Jereme Richmond to be starter. He
on twitter, DMac says the team was down about the ncaa snub until they got a text from weber - do you know what the text said?
Pat- Thanks for following us on Twitter. We
There have been rumors of a big time visitor for tomorrow's game against Dayton, any idea who will be visiting for the game tomorrow?
Kramer- Wouldn
Klee,
After watching the Dayton/Cincy game and trying to decide who I would rather see the Illini play I thought even though Dayton was more athletic Illinois would have a better chance than playing Cincy's 40 minutes of zone. What are your thoughts?
Chris- You wanted to play Cincinnati. At this point in the NIT it has less to do with a scheme and more to do with a will. As our friend Jeff Shelman, a former Big Ten beat writer, said yesterday, some teams have a will to lose. That
Do you think Dayton plays similar to Missouri and do you think Illinois will have their names on the back of their jerseys next year?
Jacoub- They
I thought I had read somewhere that Illinois will play a game at Western Michigan next season. Is there any truth to that? If so, I will defintely go. I just have a hard time believing it. Thanks for the info.
Larry- Yes, Illinois is obligated to play a road game at Western Michigan. I don
Which matchup would you be most excited to see in the NIT championship game?
Flach- Illinois-North Carolina. I
Klee, thanks for the chats. What has the media turnout been for the NIT games so far?
Randall- The media contingent covering the Kent State game was just like it would be for any other home game, and I expect it will be the same tonight. Only three print/online media traveled to Stony Brook: John Supinie (GateHouse News), Chris Hine (Chicago Tribune) and The News-Gazette (Tate/Klee).
Paul-
Who is more valuable to the Illinois basketball program -- Jerrance Howard or Bruce Weber?
Jason- Love your town, hope this isn
Still waiting to hear how you think the addition of Leonard will impact Tisdale's PT and starting position. Any thoughts?
Bruce- If Meyers Leonard were available right now, he should get serious minutes tonight. That
Any update on tickets sold for tonight?
Bruce- As of five minutes ago, 7,600 tickets have been sold for tonight's game. Considering the quick turnaround and the stage, another respectable showing for Illinois fans, who don't surprise me anymore. Klee
Paul,
If McCamey comes back, are we a pre-season top 15 team next year?
TD- I wouldn
I'll go ahead and ask about Siakam. Is the fact that he's been shifted to 2010 the reason we haven't offered him yet? I mean, there were rumblings of this pretty much all year (that he was going to be moved up). Do you see this being something that gets sorted out in May, contingent on Demitri's decision?
Bob- Way back on September 23
hey paul, great work all year and thanks for providing fans great access to the program! Question - in 99, it felt like U of I was on the verge of something special. the year before we didn't make the tourney, but our roster was loaded the next season plus we had studs coming in (frank, cook, griff). 99 to 06 was great. I know there are a million variables, but if you had to guess at this moment, do you think this next season could also start another strong era?
Thanks Pat. This season should have been the start. That it wasn't, I think that gives you pause and makes you hesitant. The players are in place. Certain aspects have to be ironed out, including players-coaches relations. Too often there's been a divide there. Should Illinois make and win a game in the NCAA tournament? Yes. Will it happen? I think so, but I also thought that should have happened this season.
Klee
Thanks Pat. This season should have been the start. That it wasn't, I think that gives you pause and makes you hesitant. The players are in place. Certain aspects have to be ironed out, including players-coaches relations. Too often there's been a divide there. Should Illinois make and win a game in the NCAA tournament? Yes. Will it happen? I think so, but I also thought that should have happened this season.
Klee
Bob: Is Dominique Keller going to have another great game tonight?
Yes or No?
Why? What's he going to do special?
BW- Hope he plays well. I'd like to see the Texan finish his college career strong. It's his final home game - for real, this time.
Will Illinois suffer any recruiting blowback from missing the NCAA two of the last three years? Seems to me that the negative recruiting pitches just got easier for some against Illinois.
CJ- This topic always reminds me of a game during the 2007-08 season. It was on Jan. 6, 2008. Illinois had just lost to Penn State
PK - I know it is difficult to criticize a guy who gets a lot of double doubles, but I just think Mike Davis could be SO much better if he would use two hands more to shoot, rebound, and pass. When he does he has much more control and strength. Do coaches get on him for this in workouts?
Jon- Sure, they get on him about everything. I think he
Is your constant reference about Davis's double doubles that big of a deal? His stats are one thing, but they are over shadowed by his lack of energy, attack, and leadership, and his muffled body language and attitude. The DD stats haven't been used about others players in the past like they are with him yet he is not the only Illini to have DDs. They over represent and hype him way too much and he is going to see more of the bench next year IMHO.
Steve- Thanks for writing in. We welcome all opinions in this space, even if they're wrong. I could care less about muffled body language if a guy's getting me 18 boards against Ohio State. Klee
Loren has taken the position that the team has overachieved since each player has a weakness. You have consistently (to your credit) maintained that the season wouldn't be truely successful without at least on NCAA win. How much give and take have you had with Loren on this, and how do you convince him that having high expectations is okay.
Roach- Clever name. I have give-and-take with Loren every day. We spend a lot of time together, in Champaign, on the highway, at the Esquire Lounge, in hotels, at various arenas, in high school gyms. He
What are the reasons we seem to be recruiting a JUCO PG? As much trouble as these kids have with learning the so-called motion offense, this guy would likely struggle to see the court his 1st year. Then we get our PG coming in the following year. Guess I fail to see the urgency behind this, unless there is a PG that runs the motion currently in JUCO. Thanks.
Rob- I think Illinois has to be very careful with the prospect of adding a junior college transfer to the current mix. A mix of veterans (five returning starters), youth (three incoming freshmen) and a first-year upperclassmen expecting to play big minutes (juco) could be a chemistry experiment waiting to explode.
I asked Bruce Weber yesterday if recent experiences with juco products like Rodney Alexander, etc., would affect how he approaches the juco route in the future:
Thanks, Paul for all the hard work and great coverage over the year. Given this, are you personally disappointed in not covering an Illini NCAA tournament run instead of the NIT? As a pro, I know you put that aside, but it must make it harder to enjoy the job. Hope to see you in CU giving Bob a hard time for many years.
SN- I'm blessed with a great job. And I'm not very good at giving a company line. But in this case, the NCAA vs. NIT isn't really a deal with me. It's not easier or harder to cover the NIT - you approach it the same. Cover the heck out of it and do it again the next day. The NIT presents any number of storylines, just from a journalism standpoint. The road game at Stony Brook was a trip. I thoroughly enjoyed that unique situation and got a handful of good stories out of it. Our friend Will Leitch, who was courtside at Stony Brook Arena, described the scene best: "This is fascinating."
And Bob's an easy target. He has - no joke - a giant box of cinnamon rolls on his desk. I don't know why.
Klee
If you were coach Weber, how would you strategize for tonight's game? It only seems that their 3-point shooting is their main weakness?
Charley- Dayton isn't a good three-point shooting team, and Illinois would like to turn the Flyers into a three-point shooting team. Dayton is 2-7 when it launches more than 20 threes on the road. I don't think Illinois wants to get into a dunk-off with Dayton. The Flyers have better athletes, especially up front. Chris Wright is a load. I expect an emotional game tonight. I expect a close game tonight. Looking forward to it.
Klee
Going to wrap this up, thanks for sticking around. We'll start the Live Report from the Assembly hall around 7 p.m. tonight. Follow us on Twitter for other updates. See you then.
Klee