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Klee's chatting at 12:30 today - submit questions here

College basketball writer Paul Klee spent Tuesday at Illinois media day. Here are 10 questions the Illini answered:

1. What's been the focus of the Illini's fall workouts?

Simple: "Defense and rebounding," coach Bruce Weber said. Illinois wasn't a terrible defensive team last season, but it wasn't up to Weber's standards. The 2009-10 group ranked 49th nationally in defensive efficiency, according to Ken Pomeroy. That's down from recent seasons (fourth in 2008-09, 21st in 2007-08 and third in 2006-07.) Weber considers D.J. Richardson the team's best defender last season. He commended Brandon Paul on being disruptive at times, and he thinks Crandall Head can be "a defensive stopper." Those are all underclassmen. Strangely, it's the old guys that can be sieves. "If our seniors have great years defensively, we'll have a chance to be very good," Weber said. From one-on-one rebounding drills to two-on-two defensive drills, the early focus has been clear: get boards and get stops.

2. What's the starting lineup for the season opener?

Take last season's starting five – Demetri McCamey, D.J. Richardson, Bill Cole, Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale – and insert Jereme Richmond in Cole's place. That's not an indictment of Cole, who has worked his tail off during the offseason and still will play a valuable role as a senior. "He's going to have to earn it, there's no doubt," Weber said of Richmond in the starting lineup. It's more a testament to Richmond. On some days I've thought he's been the team's best player. It's not about scoring with Richmond. There will be games where he scores four points and impacts the Illini as much as anyone. "Sometimes it's making the simple instead of the flashy play that makes you a great passer," he said. Richmond said his natural position is small forward, though he's comfortable as a primary ballhandler. "Starting or not starting, that's not really what I'm focused on," Richmond said. "I'm more focused on competing against my guy in practice, which right now is Bill Cole, and making him better as well as making me better. As long as everybody's successful I'm happy with that."

3. What's different about Mike Davis?

Two years ago Bruce Weber tossed a couple players out of a practice. One of those was Mike Davis, whose slumped shoulders and poor body language finally touched a nerve with the coach. "My dad's been harping on it since high school: 'Your body language, your body language, your body language,'" Davis said. He recognizes his on-court demeanor could use a lift. And that's the first thing Weber mentioned Tuesday when his 6-foot-9 senior was the topic of conversation. "Mike Davis has really done a nice job maturity-wise," Weber said. Davis said improved body language is "a priority," since he's a senior and others follow his lead. "I just tell myself, 'Next play. Next play,'" he said. "You can't rewind time and go back to the play before that if you messed up."

4. Should you be concerned about Mike Tisdale's shins?

It's not a huge concern. But it's enough of a concern Tisdale went in for an MRI. The tests showed no structural damage, Weber said. Tisdale was sidelined for at least three workouts with pain in his shins but went through an entire conditioning session Monday. "I went full speed and actually ran the best (times) I ever have," he said. Remember, the big fella – you will immediately notice a thicker physique – is running around with about 25 more pounds than his legs are accustomed to carrying. Ideally, the starting center would average fewer than his 28 minutes last season. That would mean freshman Meyers Leonard is effective and allowing Tisdale a breather. "I think the best thing for Mike Tisdale is Meyers Leonard," Weber said. "But also the best thing for Meyers Leonard is Mike Tisdale."

5. How's Demetri McCamey?

He was flexing his new tattoo – it's on his right biceps – before Tuesday's practice. So he's still a cut-up. The best source on the current lead guard, however, is the former lead guard. "He's been a lot better attitude-wise, just soaking stuff in and being a leader. It takes time," Chester Frazier said. "He hasn't talked back in a long time. You ask him to do something, he's done it." As a graduate assistant, Frazier wore a suit in Tuesday's team photo. "(Not wearing a jersey) takes some getting used to," he admitted. Regardless, staffers have been pleased with McCamey. He's on the preseason Wooden Award list. Weber said McCamey should be in the running for All-American status. "It just depends on if we win. We all know the guys that win get all the accolades," Frazier added. "His numbers were good enough to be an All-American last year. But of course we didn't win and didn't make it to the (NCAA) tournament. I think if he puts up similar numbers and we win some games, I definitely see him being an All-American."

6. Which recruits will attend Illini Madness?

The list is long and impressive – and, as always, subject to change and no-shows. Rock Island senior Chasson Randle will be making his official visit. It's important for Illinois to have a good showing to contend with Randle's visits to Purdue and Stanford. Committed prospects Tracy Abrams, Nnanna Egwu and Mycheal Henry are expected to be there Friday. Also keep an out for Steve Taylor (Simeon, 2012), Jabari Parker (Simeon, 2013), Tommy Hamilton Jr. (Whitney Young, 2013), Jahlil Okafor (Young, 2014), Paul White (Young, 2014), Paul Turner (Westchester St. Joe's, 2014), Larry Austin (Springfield Lanphier, 2014) and Malik Yarbrough (Zion-Benton, 2014). There are others, and we'll list all of those in attendance in our Live Report from Huff Hall on IlliniHQ.

7. Who wins the dunk contest at Illini Madness?

Give me Jereme Richmond. He has this between-the-legs, tomahawk dunk that sizzles. He's also the favorite anointed by seniors Mike Tisdale (a dunk champion while at Riverton) and Mike Davis (the Illini dunk champion as a freshman). "If I were to pick anybody it would be Jereme, by a long shot," Tisdale said. "We've got people that can dunk. But he's a whole nother level." Brandon Paul is the reigning dunk champion and said he's undecided if he will compete Friday. The elder Illini seem content to step aside and allow the whippersnappers a chance at dunking immortality. "We'll let the young guys do it," said Davis, who pegged Joseph Bertrand, a three-time high school dunk champion, as a darkhorse. "Jereme, Joe, D.J. (Richardson), some athletic kids that have a lot more energy than me right now. I'll sit back and watch those young guys do it for the fans."

8. How's Crandall Head's knee?

The freshman guard takes part in most workouts. He sat out a session or two recently, simply to rest the surgically repaired knee that cost him his senior season of high school. "I'm probably about 95 percent," Head said. Weber said the coaches are "taking it slow" with Head. "Crandall, his knee, he still struggles with it," Weber said. "Every five or six days it starts wearing on him." Head's role as a freshman remains to be seen. They'd like him to be a defensive stopper as a freshman, while turning it up on offense later in his career. He graded himself with a 'B' so far in workouts. "I'm just going to go out, like Bruce said, and be a defensive stopper," Head said. "That's how I'm going to get my playing time."

9. What's the latest on ticket sales?

Season ticket sales have surpassed last season. Student season tickets are approaching 2,800. The DIA now is pushing the mini-pack, which includes nine nonconference games and the Orange & Blue Scrimmage. The mini-pack goes for $128 and about 300 have been sold. The selling point with the mini-pack - a new package this season - is that it includes the North Carolina game, which figures to sellout quickly when single-game tickets are up for grabs on Oct. 26.

10. What's the immediate goal?

The coach said his sights are set on the two-game tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York City - just over a month away (Nov. 18-19). "The most important goal right now is to be ready for Coaches vs. Cancer. If we can compete with those teams and be successful, we're going to live up to some of those expectations of being a Top 20 team," Weber said. "To be a special team - and I've talked about this - we have to guard and we have to win close games. That's got to be the emphasis. If those things happen we have a chance to be very, very good. There's no doubt."