Talk with Illinois men's basketball beat writer Paul Klee
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:30 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
What's up everyone. Time for another Illinois basketball chat. Be here for about an hour. Fire away.
Klee
Edgar Cunningham from Houston, TX — 12:32 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Hey Paul, I've heard a lot of hype about Jereme Richmond since he played here for the USA team. I know the season hasn't started yet, but could this kid be a potential early NBA pick? If so, do you think he'll leave Illinois after his 2nd year or so? Has he talked NBA and does he know what team he wants to play for?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:34 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Ed- I don
Matt from Bev Hills, CA — 12:35 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Hey Paul -
Great updates so far this summer. Sounds like the team has a drive we did not see before.
Hopefully the competition at each position will get this team ready for the tough schedule ahead.
Knowing that the players don't run a real offense during summer pick up games, did you get any sense that this team will be more active, with better passing and off the ball movement than in years past?
Those were elite qualities of the Final Four team.
Go Illini!
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:37 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Matt- This is a better passing team than last season. And there
Eric from Chicago, IL — 12:39 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
What is your guy feeling on what will happen with Shaw? I see that WVU and Mr. Thuggins are in the mix now, so that has got me a little worried.
How aggresively has the staff been recruiting other options at the 4 lately?
Thanks -- love the chats.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:40 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Eric- It
Kyle Bendsen from Decatur, IL — 12:41 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Klee,
How big of a deal is the Korie Luscious situation for Michigan State? Also, I haven't seen a lot about Joseph Bertrand. Is he still going to be used as a backup point guard or are they going to keep the duties of the position between McCamey and Richmond? Thanks.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:44 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Kyle- Kyle- I don
JW from Winnetka, IL — 12:46 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Klee - interested in your thoughts on the increasing frequency of injuries among young athletes. We have seen it recently at Illinois with Head, Egwu and Bertrand. Dr. James Andrews, perhaps the world's best sports-injury surgeon, is actively campaigning to address this issue. It can no longer be dismissed as a natural consequence of athletics. Overuse injuries, particularly with teenage basketball players are on the rise. Any comment?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:48 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
JW- Athletes get injured. It happens. Maybe it happens more now. Athletes are stronger and bigger. A Hummer crashing into a Ford Ranger is going to cause more damage than a Ford Ranger hitting a Ford Ranger. And kids are playing more games than they were 10-20 years ago. Surely that
MR from Chicago, IL — 12:52 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Bruce seems to have a lot of eggs in the Tracy Abrams at PG basket. Funny, because her isn't really a PG. How is the staff addressing this need on the recruiting trail? Randle? Yogi?
Also, Carmello to Da Bulls?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:55 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
MR- Illinois will look to add a PG in
Paulie from Normal, ILLINOIS — 12:56 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Paul, What is your prediction for the final record of the Illini this coming season? What seed do we get? How far in the NCAA do we go? Of course, assuming we meet the expectations of making the NCAA.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:56 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Paulie- Let's stick with the nonconference. Illinois should get a split in NYC. Win the UNC game at home. Split with Gonzaga/Missouri. Anything more is a bonus, anything less is a bummer. Doesn't look like Tony Mitchell will be eligible at Missouri, which is a blow for Mike Anderson. Klee
Dan from Los Angeles, CA — 01:01 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
I get one Illini road trip this year. If you were to pick between going to the UI-Gonzaga game in Seattle or the UI-Texas game at MSG, which do you recommend?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:05 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Dan- Take the Illinois-Texas game - then you'll get a second game (UI-Maryland or UI-Pitt). And then promise the wife a tour of the Redhook Brewery outside Seattle and hit the Gonzaga game, too. (Free pitchers of Redhook ESB at the end of the tour.) Regardless, both should be fast-paced matchups with NBA talent. Klee
Drew from TH, IN — 01:06 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Paul, can you break down the odds one of our '11 recruits plays in the Mickey D game at the United Center next year?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:08 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Drew- So much of those selections is based on reputation. Mycheal Henry has the best chance- but he was relatively late to the national rankings, etc. Had this conversation with our guy Cavan Walsh the other day. The 2011 Mr. Basketball race should be interesting. We'd put Blackshear/Henry/Anthony Davis as the top candidates. And there will be others. Tracy Abrams should be in there. If Davis doesn't transfer to play better competition, that would hurt his candidacy. But Blackshear and Henry should put up big numbers once again. Klee
KB from Champaign, IL — 01:11 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Klee, how many players deep do you think the bench consistently goes this year. It seems there is depth everyone. Are we going to be making line changes every timeout like Dayton did?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:14 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
KB- Too early to tell. Weber has told me several times he wants to extend the bench. I like an eight-man rotation, maybe nine. I don't think it was Dayton's quick-change approach that whipped Illinois; I think it was their attitude. The Flyers were tougher and more aggressive.
Associate head coach Wayne McClain always has been an advocate of a quicker pace. And he'd like to see Illinois extend its defense. I asked him how he envisions this Illinois team opposed to last season:
MH from NY, NY — 01:15 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Klee what are your thoughts of Western Michigan being a trap game. It is the game before UNC and around Thanksgiving Break. The game is also being played away from home. How will Bruce get the team to focus on the game at hand?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:16 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
MH- Western Michigan went 8-8 in the MAC and lost its best player. If Illinois loses in the 'Zoo, it has bigger problems. Klee
Mike from Denver, CO — 01:17 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Have you had any twitter beefs lately with any groupies?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:23 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Mike- I have just one groupie. Her name's Maya, and she's a 4-year-old chocolate Lab. Four legs and a wicked-fast tail that often threatens my laptop, so it's clear she's not big on Twitter. She's a sports fan- likes the Denver Broncos (big Kyle Orton fan) and tennis balls. She follows me everywhere. She came from the Champaign County Humane Society last week. Good people over there. I'm working on a media credential for Maya. We'll see what Illinois says. Klee
William Dutkiewicz from Shorewood, Illinois — 01:29 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Mr Klee,
I read very little about Bill Cole. Has he taken his off-season conditioning as seriously as the other returning seniors? What do you envision his role to be? Thank you in advance for your response.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:30 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Will- From what I
Kewanee Chief from Kewanee, IL — 01:32 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Hey Paul, love the consistent Illini basketball updates. It's much appreciated! Keep up the good work! I was pleasantly surprised by the production from Tyler Griffey last year as a Freshman. In a class highlighted by Paul and Richardson, I feel like Griffey did a lot to establish his own identity and worth to the team. I like what I'm hearing about his off season progression (40 in. vertical)!!! Are you seeing more to his game than just a consistent mid-range game and being dependable on the boards? If so, what other strides can we expect to see from Tyler? What new facets will we see as he continues to progress?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:33 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
KC- Coaches want to see Tyler do work in the paint. He
Jeff from Urbana, IL — 01:34 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Klee, nice work on the chats!
Can Jereme Richmond score at will?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:35 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Jeff- He can score, but that
Madilliniken from Madison, Wi — 01:37 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
People seem excited about Illini basketball for 2011-2012 and beyond. I think with 3 senior starters, including your PG, that this year's team has the most potential for success. Your thoughts?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:37 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Mad- I agree. It
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:40 PM on Wed, 09/01/2010
Bruce Weber's throwing out the first pitch at the Cards game on Friday, if you're headed that way. Going to wrap this up. Good chat today. Apologies to those that didn't have their questions answered - we got to as many as possible.
See you in St. Louis on Saturday and back in this space next week. And we talk basketball on Steve Kelly's Sports Talk every Wednesday, including at 5 p.m. tonight. Klee
What's up everyone. Time for another Illinois basketball chat. Be here for about an hour. Fire away.
Klee
Hey Paul, I've heard a lot of hype about Jereme Richmond since he played here for the USA team. I know the season hasn't started yet, but could this kid be a potential early NBA pick? If so, do you think he'll leave Illinois after his 2nd year or so? Has he talked NBA and does he know what team he wants to play for?
Ed- I don
Hey Paul -
Great updates so far this summer. Sounds like the team has a drive we did not see before.
Hopefully the competition at each position will get this team ready for the tough schedule ahead.
Knowing that the players don't run a real offense during summer pick up games, did you get any sense that this team will be more active, with better passing and off the ball movement than in years past?
Those were elite qualities of the Final Four team.
Go Illini!
Matt- This is a better passing team than last season. And there
What is your guy feeling on what will happen with Shaw? I see that WVU and Mr. Thuggins are in the mix now, so that has got me a little worried.
How aggresively has the staff been recruiting other options at the 4 lately?
Thanks -- love the chats.
Eric- It
Klee,
How big of a deal is the Korie Luscious situation for Michigan State? Also, I haven't seen a lot about Joseph Bertrand. Is he still going to be used as a backup point guard or are they going to keep the duties of the position between McCamey and Richmond? Thanks.
Kyle- Kyle- I don
Klee - interested in your thoughts on the increasing frequency of injuries among young athletes. We have seen it recently at Illinois with Head, Egwu and Bertrand. Dr. James Andrews, perhaps the world's best sports-injury surgeon, is actively campaigning to address this issue. It can no longer be dismissed as a natural consequence of athletics. Overuse injuries, particularly with teenage basketball players are on the rise. Any comment?
JW- Athletes get injured. It happens. Maybe it happens more now. Athletes are stronger and bigger. A Hummer crashing into a Ford Ranger is going to cause more damage than a Ford Ranger hitting a Ford Ranger. And kids are playing more games than they were 10-20 years ago. Surely that
Bruce seems to have a lot of eggs in the Tracy Abrams at PG basket. Funny, because her isn't really a PG. How is the staff addressing this need on the recruiting trail? Randle? Yogi?
Also, Carmello to Da Bulls?
MR- Illinois will look to add a PG in
Paul, What is your prediction for the final record of the Illini this coming season? What seed do we get? How far in the NCAA do we go? Of course, assuming we meet the expectations of making the NCAA.
Paulie- Let's stick with the nonconference. Illinois should get a split in NYC. Win the UNC game at home. Split with Gonzaga/Missouri. Anything more is a bonus, anything less is a bummer. Doesn't look like Tony Mitchell will be eligible at Missouri, which is a blow for Mike Anderson. Klee
I get one Illini road trip this year. If you were to pick between going to the UI-Gonzaga game in Seattle or the UI-Texas game at MSG, which do you recommend?
Dan- Take the Illinois-Texas game - then you'll get a second game (UI-Maryland or UI-Pitt). And then promise the wife a tour of the Redhook Brewery outside Seattle and hit the Gonzaga game, too. (Free pitchers of Redhook ESB at the end of the tour.) Regardless, both should be fast-paced matchups with NBA talent. Klee
Paul, can you break down the odds one of our '11 recruits plays in the Mickey D game at the United Center next year?
Drew- So much of those selections is based on reputation. Mycheal Henry has the best chance- but he was relatively late to the national rankings, etc. Had this conversation with our guy Cavan Walsh the other day. The 2011 Mr. Basketball race should be interesting. We'd put Blackshear/Henry/Anthony Davis as the top candidates. And there will be others. Tracy Abrams should be in there. If Davis doesn't transfer to play better competition, that would hurt his candidacy. But Blackshear and Henry should put up big numbers once again. Klee
Klee, how many players deep do you think the bench consistently goes this year. It seems there is depth everyone. Are we going to be making line changes every timeout like Dayton did?
KB- Too early to tell. Weber has told me several times he wants to extend the bench. I like an eight-man rotation, maybe nine. I don't think it was Dayton's quick-change approach that whipped Illinois; I think it was their attitude. The Flyers were tougher and more aggressive.
Associate head coach Wayne McClain always has been an advocate of a quicker pace. And he'd like to see Illinois extend its defense. I asked him how he envisions this Illinois team opposed to last season:
Klee what are your thoughts of Western Michigan being a trap game. It is the game before UNC and around Thanksgiving Break. The game is also being played away from home. How will Bruce get the team to focus on the game at hand?
MH- Western Michigan went 8-8 in the MAC and lost its best player. If Illinois loses in the 'Zoo, it has bigger problems. Klee
Have you had any twitter beefs lately with any groupies?
Mike- I have just one groupie. Her name's Maya, and she's a 4-year-old chocolate Lab. Four legs and a wicked-fast tail that often threatens my laptop, so it's clear she's not big on Twitter. She's a sports fan- likes the Denver Broncos (big Kyle Orton fan) and tennis balls. She follows me everywhere. She came from the Champaign County Humane Society last week. Good people over there. I'm working on a media credential for Maya. We'll see what Illinois says. Klee
Mr Klee,
I read very little about Bill Cole. Has he taken his off-season conditioning as seriously as the other returning seniors? What do you envision his role to be? Thank you in advance for your response.
Will- From what I
Hey Paul, love the consistent Illini basketball updates. It's much appreciated! Keep up the good work! I was pleasantly surprised by the production from Tyler Griffey last year as a Freshman. In a class highlighted by Paul and Richardson, I feel like Griffey did a lot to establish his own identity and worth to the team. I like what I'm hearing about his off season progression (40 in. vertical)!!! Are you seeing more to his game than just a consistent mid-range game and being dependable on the boards? If so, what other strides can we expect to see from Tyler? What new facets will we see as he continues to progress?
KC- Coaches want to see Tyler do work in the paint. He
Klee, nice work on the chats!
Can Jereme Richmond score at will?
Jeff- He can score, but that
People seem excited about Illini basketball for 2011-2012 and beyond. I think with 3 senior starters, including your PG, that this year's team has the most potential for success. Your thoughts?
Mad- I agree. It
Bruce Weber's throwing out the first pitch at the Cards game on Friday, if you're headed that way. Going to wrap this up. Good chat today. Apologies to those that didn't have their questions answered - we got to as many as possible.
See you in St. Louis on Saturday and back in this space next week. And we talk basketball on Steve Kelly's Sports Talk every Wednesday, including at 5 p.m. tonight. Klee