Moderator: Good afternoon everyone. Thanks for coming by the weekly Illinois/college basketball chat. The best time of year is upon us.

The college basketball season opens Monday with Presbyterian at Duke (ESPNU). Purdue will be watching – the Boilers host Duke in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

We have four tickets to giveaway for Sunday’s exhibition game against Lewis at the Assembly Hall. Tipoff is at 4:30 p.m.

There's a record number of questions in the que today. Keep them coming. I will get to as many as I can before heading off to Illinois' second practice this week.

Klee

Carl, Joliet, IL: Do you think the Big 10 can win the Big 10/ACC challenge this year? I am saying that the ACC wins this year, but the BIG 10 will crush the ACC in the next couple years with the outstanding recruiting of Purdue, Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan State, Indiana ( All top 25 class in 2009, 2010).

Moderator: Carl- No, I don't see the Big Ten winning the Challenge this season.

A) The matchups don't favor the Big Ten. I see seven wins for the ACC.

B) The ACC is better. Before the Big Ten crushes the ACC, it needs to simply become competitive (0-9).

Michigan State (5-3) is the only Big Ten team that has a winning record in the Challenge. The Spartans are also involved in the marquee game of this year's Challenge – a Dec. 3 matchup with No. 1 North Carolina at Ford Field. You might remember the Michigan State-Kentucky game at Ford Field a few years ago. Over 78,000 attended that one, and this one might top it. Not to mention: Ford Field is the site of the Final Four in April.

But yes, you're right about the Big Ten's recruiting. The Big Ten is on a recruiting upswing that should transform the league over the next three seasons. Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin have strong classes lined up in 2009 and 2010, while Michigan State, Ohio State and Purdue have continued their recruiting successes. I don't see another conference better equipped for the 2009-10 season and beyond.

Combine that with the level of coaching - the additions of John Beilein, Tubby Smith and Todd Lickliter only made it stronger - and the Big Ten is about to get really good.

Klee

Mitch, Barry, Illinois: Paul, who has the best mid-range jumpshot on this years team? Will Webers motion offense get a lot of open look 12-15 foot jumpshots with the pick and roll?

Moderator: Mitch- Alex Legion has a refined mid-range game. He's spent hours working on that shot since he arrived in January, coming around invisible screens or chairs at the team’s practice facility. I like the floater that Trent Meacham is using, as well.

Rich Semrau told me yesterday coaches are pushing him to utilize the pick-and-roll. Demetri McCamey and Semrau connected on a pick-and-roll in practice yesterday, and it led to a layup.

Klee

Rob A., Oswego, NY: How deep do you think Coach Weber will go this year? I count five bigs (Semrau, Davis, Tisdale, Keller, Cole), and five guards (Brock, Frazier, Jordan, Meacham, McCamey)--not even counting Legion. Who is the odd man out?

Moderator: Rob- Bruce Weber said he wants to use these two exhibition games to help trim the playing rotation to 8 or 9 guys. That's as deep as he wants to go, to get a more fluid substitution pattern. I'm sure that rotation will evolve during the season, but he would like to enter the season with a rough draft.

The odd man out? Whoever doesn't defend.

And Weber wants a second defensive stopper. He used Jeff Jordan as an example of one candidate for that role.

"Last year we had Brian Randle and Chester (Frazier). We had two of the best defensive players in the league," Weber said. "They could just limit people. I don't think we can do that. We have to do it as a team, help each other out."

Klee

David, Savoy, IL: Will Daniel Dufrene be the starting running back for the Illini when they face Western Michigan? Troy Pollard looked very impressive last season, why hasn't he played much this season - is he still not 100%? Thanks.

Moderator: David- I polled Bob Asmussen, our football writer, for his thoughts on your question. Here's what Bob said:

David,

It's possible Daniel Dufrene will be the starter. I don't have a final answer yet and probably won't get it until later in the week. If it isn't Daniel, it will be Jason Ford. Make me guess and I'd say Dufrene will start.

Troy Pollard is healthy again and is ready for more work. Besides recovering from knee surgery, he also had a high ankle sprain to come back from. With Mikel Leshoure out for the season, Pollard will get more carries.

Bob

BigT, Philo, IL: I think it would be better if the schedule table on IlliniHQ.com's basketball page had links to the box score and show the cumulative record. Is this possible?

Moderator: BigT- Good idea. I'll see if that's possible -- shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks. If anyone has ideas or complaints about IlliniHQ.com, feel free to send them to sports editor Jim Rossow (jrossow@news-gazette.com) or Paul Klee (pklee@news-gazette.com).

Klee

Jesse, Billings, MT: If you had to pick a clear-cut leader on this years team who would you say that person is? Do you believe Coach Web would agree?

Moderator: Jesse- Can't tell you how much I miss fishing the Big Horn River outside Billings. The black caddis hatch in August - awesome.

The team's leader, at this point, is Chester Frazier. He will be named a captain. The coaches would like to see Demetri McCamey move into that role, and they want to name him a captain, too. But Weber said the sophomore has to earn it.

Klee

Mitch, Champaign,, IL: Hey Paul,

You and I have talked a few times about recruiting. I respect your opinion tremendously. What do you think of the commitment of Shaun Pratl to EIU? I know this isn't Illini related but I thought i would ask since EIU is my alma mater.

Moderator: Mitch- Thanks. Shaun Pratl is a very good get for EIU. He's a big, tough kid, probably 6-6 and 230. With that kind of a frame, he's ready-made to make an early impact in the OVC. Truthfully, I wasn't sure if he would pursue college basketball or football.

Shaun was an honorable mention News-Gazette All-Stater last season. Wouldn't surprise me if he's in contention for one of the 15 first-team spots this season.

Big recruiting pull by Mike Miller and his staff.

Klee

John, Urbana, IL: Paul,

any big surprises for you over the first few weeks of practice and the first exhibition game?

Moderator: John- I detailed the biggest surprise on IlliniHQ.com, on my blog, yesterday. I have been and will be updating the blog every day, so check back from time to time.

Richard Semrau is the biggest surprise. To quote Bruce Weber, "There's no doubt."

Klee

Geno, Warrenton, Missouri: Paul I thought Semura looked pretty good,as the season gets going can you see him becoming a bigger factor with regards to minutes,maybe even starting?

Moderator: Geno- To quote former Wyoming coach Steve McClain, "Again, there's no doubt."

Richard Semrau has turned the corner; the next step is applying it over a two- or three-game stretch. The next step, as one assistant said yesterday, is to "punch back when he gets punched." Don't take that literally. And it's probably a bad choice of words in these circles, at the moment. But you know what I'm saying. Bruce Weber wants the big men to get tougher.

Here's some of what Richard Semrau told me yesterday at Ubben.

"This is my time to prove myself, in practice. Every time I come out here I treat it like it's the time when I have to prove myself to the coaches," he said. "The exhibition games to me are no different than practice, they just mean a little more. If I show them that I understand our system and understand our offense so they trust me."

Measure your expectations for the third-year sophomore. But Semrau can make a difference. He weighed in at 243 pounds yesterday, and he's 6-10.

You can read more Richard Semrau on IlliniHQ.com. And there will be more on him in Sunday's News-Gazette.

Klee

Bill , Kirksville, MO: Is there any chance that Bill Cole redshirts?

Moderator: Bill- Not at the moment, but I like where your head's at. I'm a proponent of not redshirting freshmen, but redshirting sophomores, if you're going to redshirt someone. By then you know what you have, and if he's a guy you want for five years.

Bill Cole has had a tough run thus far. There was the shoulder injury before the Canada trip last year, then the shin injury that cut short his freshman season.

(On a sidenote: the injury Cole suffered, he said, is similar to what Tyler Hansbrough is dealing with.)

Bill Cole told me yesterday he was about three games over the NCAA's limit for a medical redshirt. But he has returned to the court after sustaining an ankle injury last week. He was taped and he wore a brace yesterday, but is hoping to go with one or the other in the second exhibition game on Sunday.

I asked him yesterday where he thinks he stands, in regards to the playing rotation.

"I just want to get a solid spot in the rotation. Like I said before, I just want to help the team win," Cole said. "I think the ankle injury might have set me back, because this is the time when people are claiming their spots. But I think I can bounce back from that. It’s really early in the season. We’re not even to the second exhibition game yet."

Thanks for the question.

Klee

Art, Mahomet, Il: Paul,

What have you heard about Parkland's prospects for this year. I heard their new coaches used to play a litle basketball...

Moderator: Art- Good to hear from you. Parkland and first-year coach Sergio McClain are 1-1 at this point. He will have to juggle a small lineup this season; there are a pair of 6-6 guys, but that's it in terms of size.

This is going to be a project, but I think they will be competitive a year from now. Sergio's name should help recruiting, and Marcus Griffin is an assistant. The Parkland guys often played pickup games at Ubben over the summer.

My question: How about the Orange Krush visits Parkland for one of the first games? Sergio McClain stood in the Krush last season - perhaps they could return the favor.

Talk to you later, Art.

Klee

Mitch, Champaign, IL: What Freshmen nationally will make the most impact this year?

Moderator: Mitch- Ohio State's B.J. Mullens is the Big Ten's best freshman.

“For his size, the things that he does for his size, it’s impressive," teammate David Lighty said of Mullens. "People his size aren’t supposed to be able to move as quick as he does, jump as high as he does.”

But let me give you a guy who, I think, could have the biggest impact on his team among Big Ten rookies - outside of Mullens: Lewis Jackson.

Matt Painter told me on Monday that Jackson, the Decatur product, is "a perfect fit" for what Purdue wants to do. Painter will have at least three shooters on the court at all times, and he said the small and swift Jackson is the ideal set-up guy.

Klee

Steve, Urbana, IL: I have high hopes for Mike Tisdale this season. But, fouls seemed to limit his minutes in several games last season (IU, MSU, PUR, PSU, etc.). Last season Mike Tisdale averaged 1 foul every 7.4 min. (obviously fouls aren't distributed evenly). With avg. minutes expected to more than double this year (from 10.4 avg to 20+ avg.), is this a concern of the coaching staff or am i just overreaching?

Moderator: Steve- You're not over-reaching. That's something I wrote about on HQ before the first exhibition game. Mike Tisdale fouls too much. It happens in practice, it happens in games. He had three fouls in the first three minutes of a practice scrimmage last week, and he fouled out in 15 minutes on Sunday.

The big guy has potential, but not if he's saddled with foul trouble. He knows that. Illinois needs him on the court.

Klee

Smokin' Joe, Andalusia, IL: Klee: I know everyone has an opinion on redshirts but I truly believe that Simpson would be better off taking one this year. With Tis, Cole, Davis, Keller and CJ Jackson we have 5 bigs that we could use if need be(though I doubt Jackson is in any rotation).

With the upcoming Illinois classes so guard heavy it would sure be nice to have Simpson around for 4 years after this one. Simpson, Griffey and Leonard would be a great inside nucleous for the next several years to go along with the great guards coming in.

What are your thoughts?

Moderator: Smokin' Joe- My thoughts: Sounds like a solid story idea for Sunday's N-G. And how about we include Loren Tate's list of "10 Illinois Freshman Who Should Have Redshirted."

Stan Simpson doesn't want to redshirt. He said as much again yesterday. It's an interesting dilemma for Illinois; he excels in the spotlight (in games) but has faced the normal freshmen struggles in practice sessions.

Simpson had six points and six boards in seven minutes against Florida Southern.

"I think I played good for the time I’m in," Simpson said yesterday of his play in the exhibition game. "I got rebounds, did what I was supposed to do."

Tate and Klee are currently at odds over the value of redshirting. Tate is also on the golf course right now.

Klee

Clay, Eads, Tennessee: Taking advantage of a NCAA rule change effective last season, the Memphis Tigers have played closed scrimmages with other Division I-A schools each of the last two seasons in place of an exhibition game. Fans and media are not allowed to watch and the coaches can only make the most general of comments about the scrimmage afterwards.

Has Coach Weber thought about holding such a closed scrimmage, perhaps against his old team, Southern Illinois? It would seem that he would get a better gage on his team than he would with the current exhibition games against Division II schools.

Moderator: Clay- It's a great rule. The best closed-scrimmage matchup this preseason will take place Saturday in Denver: Gonzaga vs. Texas.

That looks more like a Sweet 16 game than a scrimmage.

Unless something changes, Illinois and SIU will not play each other, as long as Bruce Weber and Chris Lowery are the coaches at the respective schools. Lowery doesn't want to face Weber; Weber doesn't want to face Lowery. It's mutual. They're too close.

Look for the Salukis to start two freshmen this season: Ryan Hare and Kevin Dillard. Bryan Mullins' leadership is a gift for those young guys -- I hope they take advantage of it.

Lowery suspended Hare for their exhibition opener -- complacency in the classroom doesn't sit well with those guys -- but the Marshall product has a chance to be a very good one in C'Dale. He's a winner.

Clay, I'll check for you on potential scrimmages for Illinois. Thanks for reminding me.

Klee

Al C, Danville, IL: Hi Paul;

I hear that the players are buying into their roles this year. Some of the players last Sunday seem to have a ways to go as far as buying into their roles. Once all the players buy in then this season should be successful.

My question is: What do you see as Bill Cole's role?

Thanks for your reply,

AL C

Moderator: Al- Billy Cole is a realist when it comes to playing time. The formula, in his mind, is simple.

"If you do what the coaches want you to do, you're going to get minutes on this team," he said.

Remember, Bill Cole was flirting with a starting role going into last season. Injuries have bothered him, and that's been frustrating, but this isn't an established frontcourt where minutes are thin. There are minutes to be had.

Bill Cole injured the same ankle when he was in high school at Peoria Richwoods.

"That's probably why it's loose," he said yesterday. But other than that, he said, he did not experience injuries prior to his arrival at Illinois.

An extended period sans injuries would go a long way toward Cole establishing a spot in the playing rotation.

Klee

Moderator: Going to wrap this up. Exceptional chat today, thanks for all the questions. Check back throughout the week for Illinois basketball updates on IlliniHQ.com.

The first two people to email Klee (pklee@news-gazette.com) with their take on the Iverson-Billups trade get tickets to Sunday's exhibition game at the Assembly Hall.

And congratulations to Dr. Dan Grossman for finishing med school. Do something special.

Klee