Moderator: The Illini play next on Sunday against Ohio State...which is now a battle for first place. Should be fun.

Lets get to questions.

Positive Z, Champaign, Illinois: Good Morning: Can the Illini keep this pace up? What do you think happened to make this turn around? The second coming isn't around the corner is it. Ha Ha..Go Illini Nation. Good show Brian.

Moderator: Positive Z,

Several things have been going on at the same time to result in the improved play.

One is the steady improvement of the freshman. Richardson has been pretty consistent all season....Griffey has emerged as a solid contributor...and while Brandon Paul has been up and down....he is starting to figure out what is a good shot and what is not a good shot.

Mike Davis has made it through his recent funk and Tisdale has made a big difference in a lot of games. But most of all...Demetri McCamey has been not just good...but spectacular. We all knew he was the best player on the team....and he has stepped up his game to a different level in the last few games. The Illini really miss him when he is not on the floor and they are feeding off of his ability.

Another reason for the better play is the Illini players seemed to have taken ownership of their own team. It is one thing for the coaching staff to remind them every day of what needs to be done. But it is something else for the players to realize that they need to be held accountable to each other as well as the coaches and they have responded to the leadership of Demetri McCamey and Bill Cole.

They have also improved defensively....moving to the top of the big ten in field goal percentage defense....

El Marco, Champaign, Illinois: Illinois has had a big problem this year with inbounding the ball under their own basket. At least once a game, they either turn it over or have to call a timeout. Who is responsible for the sets they use and coaching it?

Moderator: ElMarco,

The team works on inbound plays every day...especially on gamedays. I personally dont think the Illini have any more trouble getting the ball inbounds than other teams. I just think we tend to watch our own team closer than others. I dont have any numbers to back me up and you may be right...but I tend to notice it if a problem becomes persistent.. and I havent noticed a serious problem on inbounds.

All of the coaches help with inbound plays. If there is a mistake .....it is simply a matter of execution.

Chris, Monticello, IL: Are people already planning for the Rams to move training camp to C-U? Or should we expect a preseason game or two?

Moderator: Chris

Too early to tell what effect a potential owner of the St.Louis Rams living in Champaign-Urbana might have.

Might be interesting to see if fans in Central Illinois might follow the Rams a little closer. Right now the Bears are dominant here...with the Colts trying to reach into Eastern Illinois (they are on the radio in Danville)

I know the Rams and Bears have played pre-season games against each other before...Why not at Memorial Stadium? I would vote for it.

Ms. Grench, Fithian, IL: Any ideas as to why we have to hear how "young" the Tar Heels are? Especially by Dicky V and his cohort .... Last time I looked the ILLINI have 3 freshmen who play a lot of minutes and Wildcats have 4 - 5 who play most of the time.. Is it because they really need a reason for their losing? :)

Moderator: Ms Grench,

The Illini have been getting a lot of contributions from freshmen this year and are starting to win some games with them. I dont know what the Tar Heels issues are right now (they are near the bottom of the ACC)...but freshmen develop at different rates.

Whatever the reasons for the Tar Heels struggles....you know how Dickie V is when it comes to Duke and Carolina!!

Drew, Urbana, Il: Brian,

I noticed the team seemed much more relaxed and looked like they were having a blast pre game vs mich st. Has this been soemthing that you have noticed changing in the shootarounds of late? Thanks for another great call by Jerry and yourself Tuesday night!

Moderator: Drew,

Thanks for listening to the radio broadcasts and I appreciate your comments!

The team has been more "loose" ever since the team meeting after the Northwestern game. I think they realized how close to the brink of missing the NCAA Tournament they were... and the juniors realized they didnt want to live through what happened to them their freshman season (a losing record).

Having fun is important...and winning helps keep the fun coming.

Moderator:

Hawk, Illiopolis, IL: Brian,

I just wanted to say how much I enjoy listening to you call a game. Regardless of the score, I always feel better about the game when I listen to you guys.

Would you consider being the play by play voice for The Illini your 'dream job'?

Moderator: Hawk,

Thanks so much for your kind comments! I just try to paint as clear a picture as I can and let the excitement of the crowd mix in with my call of the game.

Yes...this is a job I thought about often... whether I was broadcasting major/minor league baseball...hockey... or high school/college football and basketball.

I just wasnt sure that I would ever be in a position to get the Illini job. I am so happy the opportunity came when it did after my major league baseball contract in Anaheim, California ran out.

Having grown up 5 miles from Memorial Stadium and the Assembly Hall....I really enjoy working for and cheering for the Illini at the same time. It works out perfectly.

Bruce, Morganton, NC: Will McCamey consider going pro at the end of the season?

Moderator: Bruce,

It probably depends on how he finishes the season.

He does have the option of putting his name in the draft and then pulling it out.

I think if he had his senior year at Illinois to improve even more...he could enhance his NBA draft status a great deal.

If Demetri has another full season like the one he is starting to have now...the sky would be the limit.

NaplesIllini71, Naples, FL: How is Joseph Bertrand's rehab doing?

Moderator: NaplesIllini,

Joseph's rehab is going great. He is participating more and more in practice everyday.... and it is exciting to think about what he will bring to the table next year.

Jayne, Mahomet, IL: Which will be harder against Ohio State, stopping Evan Turner or protecting the rim from easy layups and rebounds?

Moderator: Jayne,

Ohio State is playing better lately than anyone in the league. Evan Turner will probably be the player of the year in the league (despite missing some of the season with his back injury).

The Illini defense has been better in defending against easy layups and rebounds.....so I would say slowing down Turner is the key to the game....and not letting someone else have a career game.

BILL, Westville, ill: Bill Cole catching that pass and layup with a foul in the wisconsin game WOW. I hadn't seen that much athleticism from him. Play BOLD from the bench and we have a chance to win this conference.

Moderator: Bill,

Cole is a good athlete who has taken advantage of the playing time he is getting this year. He works extremely hard and does all the little things that help a team win games.

He is also a good shooter (he just needs to shoot a little more when open...in my opinion).

It was a great move under the basket!

RW, Highland, IL: Brian do you think we now need a backup point guard for next Year, if D Mac goes Pro

Moderator: RW,

Bruce Weber has been using Jeff Jordan as a point guard at times this year to get McCamey over to the shooting guard spot.

He has also been working DJ Richardson and Brandon Paul at point guard as well...but they are still a work in progress on that front.

I am pretty sure Joseph Bertrand will get chances to play the point guard spot next year as well.

Jeremy, Santa Monica, California: The unsigned recruits at the Michigan State game, do you know who was there? And any words from the recruits? Thanks kindly.

Moderator: Jeremy,

I am not sure who all was there on Saturday. I heard from someone that Mike Shaw was there...but you might send that question to basketball beat writer Paul Klee. He follows the recruiting front much closer that I do.

I am pretty sure though that signed or unsigned...the Illini had a bunch of recruits/potential recruits at the Assembly Hall for that game. It was a great atmosphere

Jay, Rockford, Illinois: One of the Illini problems that still bothers me is their spacing on the floor. When McCamey drives the lane other players stay in close and don't spread to the sides or top of key for kickback passes. Am I missing something--

Moderator: Jay,

I do think the offense does "bog down" at times during games...but if you look at the stats...the Illini are scoring 77 points a game. So while not perfect...they have been able to put the ball in the basket.

Dave C., Champaign, IL.: Brian,

Do you know if we've improved our chances of getting Mike Shaw after last week's visit and the win streak. I know there was talk of him going to Louisville with Blackshear but since he's not made a commitment I wonder if he might be thinking he'd look good in orange and blue?

Moderator: Dave C,

I would love to see Mike Shaw in the orange and blue. I am sure he was impressed by the atmosphere at the Assembly Hall last Saturday night. Kids do change their mind quite a bit though.

Moderator: thanks for joining me on the chat....talk to you soon!