For more on UI basketball, click here to read Paul Klee's blog.

For video of Jereme Richmond, click here

High school basketball returns to the Assembly Hall on Saturday with the third annual WDWS/News-Gazette Shootout at the Hall. We asked staff writer Jeff Huth to identify 10 things fans will need – and want – to know before heading to the Hall.

Illini connection

When the idea for the Shootout was conceived, a paramount goal was the showcasing of University of Illinois recruits on their future home floor. It's a connection that has steadily grown, from two Illini-to-be in the inaugural Shootout to four last year to five in 2008. The future Illini roll call on display Saturday includes Joseph Bertrand (Sterling), Crandall Head (Chicago Crane), Meyers Leonard (Robinson), Brandon Paul (Gurnee Warren) and Jereme Richmond (Waukegan).

Who's missing?

If the topic is Illini recruits, not many. Of seven high school players who either have signed with Bruce Weber's program or given the UI coach an oral commitment, only two will not be at the Assembly Hall. Actually, a sixth could have joined the list had D.J. Richardson remained at Peoria Central for his senior year. Instead, Richardson transferred to Findlay College Prep in Henderson, Nev., and will be occupied with his own game Saturday. So will fellow Illini signee Tyler Griffey, although he will be in the state. Griffey's Wildwood (Mo.) Lafayette team is competing Saturday in the Best of the Midwest Shootout in Marion.

Area connection

As usual, there's an area presence in the Shootout field. Centennial, which is 2-0 in this event, is back for its third straight appearance and will cap the night's action against Bertrand's Sterling team. Fellow Champaign school St. Thomas More will make its Shootout debut – and tackle the tall task of defending the 6-10 Leonard – against Robinson. Another Shootout newcomer from Champaign County, Mahomet-Seymour, will open the day's action against fellow Corn Belt member Olympia in a game that counts in the conference standings.

Who's missing II?

Local fans will take note of the fact Champaign Central and Urbana aren't in the field this year. A Maroons team with several marquee names (Verdell Jones III, Donald Stewart) participated in the first two Shootouts, while the Tigers made their debut last year. Look for both schools to return in the future and for other Champaign County teams that have yet to play in the Shootout to rotate into the event as well. Organizers want a field that appeals to area high school and Illini fans, so yearly selections will be guided by the availability of UI recruits and recruiting targets along with a representation of county teams.

Conflict avoided

A year ago, the Shootout had some competition for prep basketball fans in central Illinois. The Heartland Diversity Officials Association Shootout made its debut in Bloomington on the same date as the 2007 event in Champaign. This year, there's no such conflict. The HDOA moved its event a week earlier, to Dec. 6.

As it turned out, HDOA Shootout organizer Ronnie Jones would have been forced to pick a different date than the second Saturday in December because the U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington already was booked for a pro hockey game. But Jones says he would have done so anyway, even if the Coliseum had been available Saturday.

"I was looking to avoid having (the two shootouts) on the same weekend," the HDOA president said. "(Coliseum officials) gave me (available) dates and I just selected a date that was convenient for me."

Although tickets purchased for the HDOA Shootout rose from about 700 in its first year to between 1,200 and 1,300 last weekend, Jones expressed disappointment in the sparse turnout by some schools' fans. Still, Jones says he's committed to continuing the event next year and even has set the date: Dec. 6. Assuming the Shootout at the Hall sticks to its calendar spot next year, there again would be no scheduling conflict.

Contacts avoided

With no Illini men's basketball game Saturday, look for Weber to spend a chunk of his day taking in the action from the court-level stands. It's that rare day on the recruiting calendar when, instead of hitting the road to view prospects, Weber and his staff can stay in town and accomplish the same.

There are limits, however, to the coaches' interaction with players. According to Chris Peacock, UI assistant athletic director for compliance, here are the restrictions Weber and his staff will be operating under Saturday:

"Generally, no contact is allowed with any prospects or their parents until the day after the event (other than unavoidable and incidental contact). The one exception to this is our coaches can have contact with the parents of the prospects who have already signed a national letter of intent, but not the prospects themselves."

Talent hunt

Recruits and commitments aren't the only players Weber and his staff will keep an eye on Saturday. UI coaches are known to be interested in several other players in the Shootout, including sophomore guard Chasson Randle of Rock Island, sophomore wing Wayne Blackshear of Chicago Curie, and senior forward Jonathan Mills of Chicago North Lawndale.

Box-office shuffle

Tickets can be purchased Saturday at the Assembly Hall, although folks who arrive during the morning might need to ask on-site personnel which of the two exterior box offices is handling Shootout sales at that time. Both the entertainment ticket office and the athletic ticket office will open at 9 a.m. Because tickets for the Feb. 6 Rascal Flatts concert go on sale at 10 a.m. today at the entertainment box office, the athletic box office will handle Shootout sales at the start of the day. Once the rush for Rascal Flatts tickets subsides, sales of Shootout tickets will be moved to the entertainment box office for the remainder of the day. That move is expected to take place no later than the afternoon. If you're uncertain which box office to go to, a UI ticket official recommended checking with an on-site gate worker.

Ticket talk

Ticket prices are $15 for floor level and $10 for sections A, B and C, with admission good for all games. All seats A, B and C are general admission. Tickets for students and children in sections A, B and C are $5. There is no discount for floor-level seats. If you leave the arena and intend to return, be sure to get your hand stamped by a gate worker.

Park and go

Free parking is available at any of the four quadrant lots immediately adjacent to the Assembly Hall. All four lots are scheduled to be open throughout the event.