Talk with Illinois men's basketball beat writer Paul Klee
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:31 PM on Wed, 09/08/2010
Time for another Illinois basketball chat. Be here about 30 minutes today. Fire away. Klee
Luke from Champaign, IL — 12:32 PM on Wed, 09/08/2010
How are the B-ball workouts and weight training going? Will there be many conditioning - stamina workouts too?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:34 PM on Wed, 09/08/2010
Luke- Strength coach Jimmy Price has told me many times he's ecstatic with the players' commitment to offseason training. That hasn't always been the case in the past. With the rookies, he actually likes that the freshmen didn't have a great deal of weight-training prior to their arrival, so he's working with a clean slate and can teach them the correct way. Klee
Jeff from Urbana, IL — 12:36 PM on Wed, 09/08/2010
Klee,
Thanks for the chats! You do a great job. Do you have any info on what DJ Richardson's potential is?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:39 PM on Wed, 09/08/2010
Jeff- Seems rare that a Big Ten FOY would get overlooked, but that's kind of been the case this offseason. A lot of the buzz is around the freshmen and a renewed commitment from the seniors. But D.J. is going to be play big minutes- on a team without many defensive-minded guys, he's one of your best stoppers. Wayne McClain thinks DJ Richardson can be an NBA guy. Most important with D.J. is that he improves his ballhandling. One of the staffers says D.J. sometimes has a tendency to push the ball instead of dribble the ball, if that makes any sense. The coaches want to see him get to the basket more. At times when he was shooting well, he relied too much on his jumpshot. He was more a slasher in high school. I expect him to have a strong sophomore season. Said he's put on about 5-10 pounds since the end of the season. Klee
Jon from Batavia, IL — 12:41 PM on Wed, 09/08/2010
Hi Paul - I think Meyers can play a big role this year by being an intimidating defender inside and an agressive rebounder. His offense can be a work in progress. Is this how the coaches see his role and how is he progressing in workouts?
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:45 PM on Wed, 09/08/2010
Jon- I think the most important thing for Meyers Leonard is to be patient and not get frustrated. Tyler Griffey did a good job of that last season. Leonard is playing behind a senior that's going to get big minutes. Down the road I think he's going to be one of the better big men you've had at Illinois. But it could take a year or so. Coaches have asked him to work on two offensive moves - "A killer and a counter," as he put it - and to watch his foul trouble on defense. Klee
Miggy from Moline, IL — 12:46 PM on Wed, 09/08/2010
With a crowded (loaded!) backcourt going into the season, what are the thoughts on PT for Paul and Bertrand? On an unrelated matter, what sort of feedback was Tisdale given in terms of development for a pro career? I imagine his worst-case scenario would be getting solid Euro deals, but would be interested to hear if anyone thought he would be good on someone's bench.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:50 PM on Wed, 09/08/2010
Miggy- Brandon Paul is going to get minutes. Coaches want to "tighten up" his game. Fewer deep jumpers and more getting to the basket. Jerrance Howard keeps telling me Brandon Paul is going to have a big season. We'll see. Klee
Robert from Gainesville, Flordia — 12:51 PM on Wed, 09/08/2010
It seemed to me that the Illini guards seemed to have a hard time feeding the post last year and that was one of the factors that made Mike and Mike take a lot of jumpers last year. My question is, is that a skill that can be developed by the gaurds and is that a point of emphasis this summer and fall.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:52 PM on Wed, 09/08/2010
Rob- Mike Tisdale has said a few times the guards are doing a better job of getting them the ball in the right spot. He likes how Jereme Richmond throws an entry pass. Helps that Richmond is 6-6 or 6-7 - he can pass over his man at times. Klee
Chelsey B. from Milwaukee, WI — 12:58 PM on Wed, 09/08/2010
Good afternoon Paul! Love your chats, just thought I'd throw that in there! Now I know the mens basketball season tickets & mini packs are available as we speak but how much are regular tickets? I don't want a package or anything. I just wanna buy a ticket for myself and my husband.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 12:59 PM on Wed, 09/08/2010
Chelsey- Single-game tickets go on sale Oct. 26 at 9 a.m. That's your best bet. Klee
Matt M. from Monticello, IL — 01:02 PM on Wed, 09/08/2010
Paul, thanks for these chats. They are really great. One thing that has been on my mind recently regarding the basketball team is the chemistry. It seems like we are going to have more talent and experience than we have had in a long time. However, will these guys play together as a team? Do they have the mental toughness to play like warriors every game or do we have to wonder what team is going to show up for a game? I really don't want to see any more pouting on the bench or people trying to walk through huddles this year (that isn't good for Bruce's blood pressure). To me, this is what we need if we are going to have a successful year...by successful I mean, fighting for the B10 title and going deep in the NCAA tournament. Thank you.
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:05 PM on Wed, 09/08/2010
Matt- The players - especially the seniors - have said all the right things. They say it's about the team and winning. Offseason workouts have been outstanding. But it's still a wait-and-see deal with these guys. They said the right things last offseason, too. The difference is, they've attacked offseason workouts with a greater commitment than they did in 2009. So we'll see. I think Illinois will be very good. But that doesn't mean much if they don't produce. Klee
Paul Klee (moderator) — 01:08 PM on Wed, 09/08/2010
Going to wrap this up. Apologies for cutting it short today. Klee
Time for another Illinois basketball chat. Be here about 30 minutes today. Fire away. Klee
How are the B-ball workouts and weight training going? Will there be many conditioning - stamina workouts too?
Luke- Strength coach Jimmy Price has told me many times he's ecstatic with the players' commitment to offseason training. That hasn't always been the case in the past. With the rookies, he actually likes that the freshmen didn't have a great deal of weight-training prior to their arrival, so he's working with a clean slate and can teach them the correct way. Klee
Klee,
Thanks for the chats! You do a great job. Do you have any info on what DJ Richardson's potential is?
Jeff- Seems rare that a Big Ten FOY would get overlooked, but that's kind of been the case this offseason. A lot of the buzz is around the freshmen and a renewed commitment from the seniors. But D.J. is going to be play big minutes- on a team without many defensive-minded guys, he's one of your best stoppers. Wayne McClain thinks DJ Richardson can be an NBA guy. Most important with D.J. is that he improves his ballhandling. One of the staffers says D.J. sometimes has a tendency to push the ball instead of dribble the ball, if that makes any sense. The coaches want to see him get to the basket more. At times when he was shooting well, he relied too much on his jumpshot. He was more a slasher in high school. I expect him to have a strong sophomore season. Said he's put on about 5-10 pounds since the end of the season. Klee
Hi Paul - I think Meyers can play a big role this year by being an intimidating defender inside and an agressive rebounder. His offense can be a work in progress. Is this how the coaches see his role and how is he progressing in workouts?
Jon- I think the most important thing for Meyers Leonard is to be patient and not get frustrated. Tyler Griffey did a good job of that last season. Leonard is playing behind a senior that's going to get big minutes. Down the road I think he's going to be one of the better big men you've had at Illinois. But it could take a year or so. Coaches have asked him to work on two offensive moves - "A killer and a counter," as he put it - and to watch his foul trouble on defense. Klee
With a crowded (loaded!) backcourt going into the season, what are the thoughts on PT for Paul and Bertrand? On an unrelated matter, what sort of feedback was Tisdale given in terms of development for a pro career? I imagine his worst-case scenario would be getting solid Euro deals, but would be interested to hear if anyone thought he would be good on someone's bench.
Miggy- Brandon Paul is going to get minutes. Coaches want to "tighten up" his game. Fewer deep jumpers and more getting to the basket. Jerrance Howard keeps telling me Brandon Paul is going to have a big season. We'll see. Klee
It seemed to me that the Illini guards seemed to have a hard time feeding the post last year and that was one of the factors that made Mike and Mike take a lot of jumpers last year. My question is, is that a skill that can be developed by the gaurds and is that a point of emphasis this summer and fall.
Rob- Mike Tisdale has said a few times the guards are doing a better job of getting them the ball in the right spot. He likes how Jereme Richmond throws an entry pass. Helps that Richmond is 6-6 or 6-7 - he can pass over his man at times. Klee
Good afternoon Paul! Love your chats, just thought I'd throw that in there! Now I know the mens basketball season tickets & mini packs are available as we speak but how much are regular tickets? I don't want a package or anything. I just wanna buy a ticket for myself and my husband.
Chelsey- Single-game tickets go on sale Oct. 26 at 9 a.m. That's your best bet. Klee
Paul, thanks for these chats. They are really great. One thing that has been on my mind recently regarding the basketball team is the chemistry. It seems like we are going to have more talent and experience than we have had in a long time. However, will these guys play together as a team? Do they have the mental toughness to play like warriors every game or do we have to wonder what team is going to show up for a game? I really don't want to see any more pouting on the bench or people trying to walk through huddles this year (that isn't good for Bruce's blood pressure). To me, this is what we need if we are going to have a successful year...by successful I mean, fighting for the B10 title and going deep in the NCAA tournament. Thank you.
Matt- The players - especially the seniors - have said all the right things. They say it's about the team and winning. Offseason workouts have been outstanding. But it's still a wait-and-see deal with these guys. They said the right things last offseason, too. The difference is, they've attacked offseason workouts with a greater commitment than they did in 2009. So we'll see. I think Illinois will be very good. But that doesn't mean much if they don't produce. Klee
Going to wrap this up. Apologies for cutting it short today. Klee