“This year’s event is going to be the best yet and my foundation, The Point of Hope and I are excited to be a part of it," Deron Williams said. "The talent is high and the competition looks great.  It is a privilege to be supporting a great event and I wish every team and every player continued success.”

News you can't leave work without:

The fourth Shootout at the Hall will feature a point guard showdown between Chicago Mount Carmel's Tracy Abrams and Peoria Central's Bobo Drummond.

CHAMPAIGN – Perceptions based on experience are not easily changed. So the idea that the Big Ten may be returning to the center ring in the basketball circus will take some getting used to.

Twice a week, we'll spotlight an Illini-related video on YouTube.

Today: Gene Keady goes ballistic at the Assembly Hall.

We've got two to give away for Sunday's exhibition game against Quincy (4 p.m. start).

News you can't leave work without:

Pairings for the fourth Shootout at the Hall will be announced Friday morning.

Each weeknight leading up to the season opener, beat writer Paul Klee will have an update on the Illini or the 2009-10 basketball season: Illinois and Purdue coaches - joined by analysts Stephen Bardo and Steve Lavin - raise money and share stories at the Beef House in Covington (Ind.)

College basketball writer Paul Klee spent Big Ten media day harassing some of the bigger names. We hit them with three pressing - and not-so-pressing - questions. Here's their take on the 2009-10 season: