Moderator: Hi again. Time to talk women's hoops, and I must start with an apology. Last week I got so wrapped up in the first part of his question that I overlooked the second part, so I owe an answer to Tim from Urbana. Tim, if you're reading, sorry about that. Better late than never:

Tim asked, What are the prospects of the staff bringing in a true point guard if the last 2009 scholarship isn't used on Kelsey Bone?

Tim, I asked Jolette Law about that last scholarship a few weeks ago, and she said that if Bone doesn't use it, the Illini won't fill it. But I'm going to ask the same question again at the end of the season because of the point guard situation. If Lydia McCully and/or Fabiola Josil don't perform to the staff's expectations this season, might they go after a point guard for that scholarship? I think it's something they'd have to consider. The junior college route might be the best option, although its very difficult to find a really good JUCO point guard that could come in next year and have an impact. I really think the situation boils down to how well McCully/Josil play this season.

Moderator: Then there's an apology that I owe Mr. Jud Wienke. Had a brain cramp last week and for some reason called him "Jeb." What? Jeb? Must've had "Beverly Hillbillies" on my mind. Sorry, Jud.

Moderator: Onward. A no-mistake week, I promise.

Tim, Champaign, IL: Tony,

Is Coach Law using the same formula Zook used when he first got here? Meaning, there is plenty of playing time for the taking if you come in, work hard and prove yourself?

And how many scholarships are available for the next season, 2010 I think it would be now?

Moderator: Tim,

Yes, I think Law is using the same approach in that regard. The Super Six coming in next year will have a great chance to play right away, particularly if this season continues on its current trajectory. The downside of that is Illinois in 2009-10 could have as many as three freshmen on the court at any time, just like they do this year. Patience, indeed, is a virtue.

As far as scholarships, if they don't land Bone, they'll have four to give out for the current class of high school juniors.

Jim, Champaign, IL: Tony,

is there a reason that the freshmen aren't available to the media this season? Or is this a trend that Coach Law will continue?

Moderator: Jim,

Good question. As I understand it, Jolette is concerned about what the freshmen will say to the media. Was told weeks ago that the freshmen would be available after they had a media training session. Evidently, that hasn't happened. As I mentioned in another forum, this is unfortunate because I've interviewed at least three of the newcomers before they ever stepped foot on campus, and all were terrific. Also, they've done numerous interviews during their high school days. And, it's not like they're dealing with a media horde here at Illinois. The contingent covering the team on a regular basis is me, and the Daily Illini. I think the freshmen could handle us just fine.

Will this be a future policy? Wouldn't surprise me. It's too bad because UI fans deserve to know how the freshmen are feeling. And the freshmen deserve to have their voices heard just as much as the team's upperclassmen.

Rod Blagovich, Tentative, Illinois: Will we win any conference games this year?

Moderator: Rod,

Good luck with that whole FBI thing. Tough break.

You offer a very interesting question, though. Things are fluid, of course, but at this point I'm having trouble pinpointing more than four conference wins, all at home. Winnable home games: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Northwestern. If they win four of those five, that's about as much as you could ask. As for road games, the way this team has been playing, I can't see many, if any. Maybe Wisconsin. Maybe Northwestern, although the Wildcats are much, much improved and will be eager to break that long losing streak to Illinois.

At this point, I'd say something like 4-14. Maybe 5-13.

Carl, Savoy, IL: Tony, I've got passes to the Jan. 3 Pack the Hall game against Minnesota. How "packed" do you think it will be? Seeing how the passes are general admission, how early should we get there?

Moderator: Carl,

I wouldn't be too concerned, especially if the team continues to struggle heading into the New Year. I'd be shocked if there were more than 8,000 people there, even with the free tickets. If you're comfortable sitting in B Section, I wouldn't think you'd have to get there more than 15-20 minutes before game time. Plus, because it's an 11 a.m. tipoff, it might be a late-arriving crowd to begin with. My guess is, if you came in closer to tipoff, you'll be in lower C Section somewhere.

Bob, Urbana, IL: Can the team turn this season around? It doesn't seem like the schedule gets any easier.

Moderator: Bob,

I agree -- schedule isn't kind, especially in the next few weeks. On the 20th, it's No. 2 North Carolina. Then Purdue. Then at Penn State, where Illinois never wins. To get it turned around, in my opinion, they'll have to maintain some degree of interest/confidence/hope after that stretch because it is followed by some winnable games like Wisconsin and Minnesota. One of the biggest problems with having a young team is that once things go sour, it's very hard to get it turned back in the other direction. Freshmen aren't as resilient as upperclassmen, and as we know, the Illini are awfully light on upperclassmen these days.

Tom, Champaign, IL: Tony,

Responding to your comments earlier. Said it wouldn't surprise you if there was a policy that the freshman won't talk to the meida under Coach Law. If that were to be the case, wouldn't that possibly mean even less coverage for the team then there already is? Is that something that is common is women's basketball? Meaning freshman are off limits to media.

Moderator: Tom,

It might mean less coverage, from this standpoint, anyway: It's pretty tough to do a big centerpiece on Destiny Williams if you can't talk to Destiny Williams. From the N-G's standpoint, I can tell you we'll do everything we can to maintain our level of coverage, but as my editor, Jim Rossow, has suggested, a lack of access can play a part in some coverage decisions. (As an example: If next year's team is freshman-heavy, and we can't talk to the freshmen, it wouldn't make much sense to send a reporter to Columbus for the Ohio State game if we can't talk to the stars of the game.) We want to do what's best for our readers, and that means covering the team to the best of our abilities, given the limitations we face. I should also say that if the current season continues as it has, we'll place an emphasis on covering the Super Six during their final season in high school, so hopefully you'll know something about them before they even get to the UI.

Thanks for the question.

Illini fan, Chicago, IL: Tony-

What happened to the "55" press and pressure defense we were supposed to get? Last year we didn't have the guards, this year, the team is guard overloaded, and very weak in the post. I would think that a full court press would be the best way to force the tempo and win more ballgames.

Moderator: IF,

Good points. Jolette tried to use the "55" fullcourt pressure at the very beginning of last season and found that she didn't have the personnel and/or depth to do it effectively. This year, I think it's a matter of the same thing, with emphasis on the depth part (all of the depth is comprised of first-year players.) I definitely think you'll see the "55" next season, at least on a part-time basis. The Super Six have the type of athleticism that you need to effectively run that system, and I know Jolette believes in those kids' abilities. As for the current group, I don't think their athletic ability and learning curve would allow for an effective press at this point. I do think, however, that the Illini could get some more points in transition, and Jolette says she's been drilling that into their heads lately.

Steve, Champaign, IL: Tony

I saw Bone in this week's ESPN the magazine, basically saying she wants to be a pioneer at an up-and-coming program. Doesn't that sound good for Illinois?

Moderator: Steve,

Gimme a second ... computuer issue for a moment....

Moderator: Back to the issue at hand ...

Absolutely it's a good thing to hear for the UI. Of the four schools on her list, only South Carolina and Illinois would offer her the chance to be a "pioneer." Texas and Texas A&M, in my estimation, have geography as their biggest attributes for her. At South Carolina and Illinois, she would play immediately. At Texas? Maybe. Maybe. Think about this: If Bone comes here, the UI could have a frontline of Jenna Smith, Kelsey Bone and Destiny Williams. The current troubles would be long, long forgotten.

John, Bloomington, IL: Tony,

Can you describe how the seating is at the Assembly Hall for women's games? Being out of the Champaing area, don't hear a whole lot about it. Is it still general admission?

Moderator: John,

I went right to the source. This is from a UI press release:

Reserved and general admission tickets are available for each game. Reserved tickets ($9) will have access to prime seat locations on the A Level. General admission single game tickets are $5 each and can be purchased in person at the UI Athletics Ticket Office at Assembly Hall or by phone at 866-ILLINI-1.

Moderator: That's all the questions we have today. Another great batch. Thanks for all the inquiries, and we'll be back again at 2 p.m next Wednesday for another round. And feel free to e-mail me at tbleill@news-gazette.com if you'd like to discuss hoops at any time.