Moderator: Glad to be back for another season of chats. Lots of questions today, and we'll start with the obvious topic.

Polly, Springfield, Il: Is Destiny Williams long for Illinois and how big a blow is that to Law's future plans.

Shaw, Urbana , IL: Do you think Destiny Williams will be part of this team next year?

Brad, Urbana, IL: Tony,

will we see Destiny Williams on the court this seasson?

Brian, Urbana, IL: Tony,

with Law saying that its more than likely that Destiny wont play again this season, what is the future?

If she is coming back, can she get a hardship waiver for this season?

I guess the real question is, will she ever play again for the UI?

BDMAN312, Wichita, KS: Will Destiny Williams remain with the team or is the impase between her and coach Law insurmountable, and she leaves?

Angela, Geneva, Illinois: I read that Destiny Williams was suspended by Coach Law. Perhaps Coach Law should have a serious conversation with NIU's Coach Owens who coached Williams this summer to get some insight into her psyche. What the heck is going on? Is it an academic thing?

Mel Lewis, Hammond, Indiana: I have not seen Destiny Williams in the team box scores. Is she ill or are there problems that we cannot talk about?

Moderator: OK, here's what we know for sure. Destiny is on "an indefinite leave of absence" -- Jolette's words -- and is not eligible for a redshirt because she played seven minutes of the season opener (Medical redshirts have a different set of rules.) Jolette said after Wednesday's game that she "doubts" Destiny will play this season.

Moderator: Personally, I'd be stunned if we see her in an Illinois uniform again. I could be wrong, obviously, but I've seen similar siutations play out, in all sports around the country, in ways that would suggest it is unlikely Destiny will return. We shall see.

Moderator: As for what's going on ...

Moderator: First, I'd refer you to a couple of my blog entries ("Exhibition doings" and "Whither Destiny?) where I have a little more space and time to explore things with some depth. That said, I think one of the big factors here is that Destiny apparently had a close relationship with former UI assistant Tamika Louis, who left the university on very bad terms in September.....

Moderator: You might remember that Louis was placed on administrative leave at the end. (She was subsequently hired at St. John's). I think Tamika's fractured relationship with the university might have had some bearing on Destiny's thinking.....

Moderator: There didn't appear to be any problems through the summer, although you'll recall Destiny didn't spend as much time in C-U this summer because she was a member of the U.S. U19 team.....

Moderator: One thing is certain: Destiny clearly is unhappy. I've been told by several people that she isn't particularly close to her teammates. The times I've been around her, I've never seen her smile. And no one appears to have gotten through to her. Or so it seems.

Scott, Chicago, il: Looks like she's gone. Too bad. What in the world could have caused this and so soon? It appears that Law is the Law, and if you don't like it, well, hit the road.

Moderator: Scott,

There's no question that Jolette runs a demanding program. So, yes, to some degree, there's no question you're correct. I'm not speaking for her, but I think Lori Bjork probably would agree with your assessment. Jolette believes in high standards, and she has strong beliefs in how you build a winning program. She doesn't see compromise easily. I think Danyel Crutcher will agree with me on that.

Brad, Champaign, IL: How big of a loss is Moore?

Moderator: Brad,

Very big, in my opinion. I mentioned on my blog that I believe Moore's loss -- because of the particular situation with this year's team -- is more important than Destiny's. They have Karisma Penn, a terrific player, for what would have been Destiny's spot. But they're way short on perimeter shooting, which is Amber's calling card. When I asked Jolette at the end of last season 'Where will you get a three-point threat next season?' she said two words. "Amber Moore."

Tom, Champaign, IL: Tony,

I know Moore's injury obviously dont help this team out.

But it will let Law balance out her classes a little more. Instead of the super 6, will be 5, possibly 4 depending on Williams I guess

Moderator: Tom,

I'd agree. It would seem to me that you'd want to have some numerical balance in your classes. But I don't think that's Jolette's philosophy. She said during her signing day press conference recently that she'd prefer to sign a big class and then fill in around it with -- my words -- specialized/role players.

Thierry Henry, Las Cruces, NM: Tony,

a quick look at the ESPN recruiting list show 4 top 100 level Illinois HS prospects for 09-10. yet, Law doesn't have a single commit from these four players.

Is she losing touch with the in-state recruiting scene?

Moderator: T.H.,

First, a quick look at the 4 you referenced. Micala Johnson is a UConn commit from last year; that sort of speaks for itself. She was considered a top-15 player nationally before injuring her knee, and only the elite teams probably ever had a real shot. Tricia Liston (No. 33 to Duke), I'm not sure about. Don't know if the Illini pursued her hard; Toni Kokenis (No. 60 to Stanford) is considered by some to be more of a role player at that level. Don't think the UI really went after her too hard. And Lynette Holmes (No. 83 to Xavier) was a UI target up until recently, I'm told. I think the UI backed off after filling two scholarships.

Is Jolette losing it in Chicago? Too soon to say. I'm sure that, after signing that great class last year, people now are eager to see what she can do with that talent. It's a wait-and-see game to some extent, I think.

Jason, New Lenox, IL: The obvious question is what went down between Law and Tamika Louis

Moderator: Jason,

I can speak on this to some degree, but I'm still working on my sourcing on this story, and I don't want to spread something that's inaccurate. But I think it's safe to say this much: When Karen Middleton left in the spring to take the head job at Western Carolina, Tamika was looking for a promotion and/or a raise. Whether she got the raise, I don't know, but apparently if she did, it wasn't what she was expecting. I'm told she was not a happy camper, at all, after all of that transpired, and there were issues with Jolette.

Gordon Butler, Byron, Illinois: Tony:

I thought we rided ourselves of Theresa Grentz. I guess we did except for the character and personality part.

The new coach lacks the necessary people skills for success. "Its my way or the highway." Never mind "working with", "patience", or "developing".

Coaches today need to be able to work with talented, high strung, confident players. Players who need to be "Won Over". A youthful player at 18 or 19 years of age supposedly lacks the maturity of an adult. Not so in this case.

In this case the player wins simply by going elsewhere to a coach with ample people skills to develop, expand and mature the player into an exceptional team asset who leads the team to certain victory. Illinois's WBB has many examples.

The incumbant coach becomes the big loser. Developing the reputation as being "out of touch" and a "hard head", the coach loses her ability to recruit exceptional players.

Look at successful coaches and marvel at their people skills. Start with Phil Jackson, Geno and Pat.

Once again an obstinate personality is larger than the Illinois Women's Basketball program!.

How long will fans and players have to endour this time before the curtin comes down?

About that Search ...........

Moderator: Gordon,

I would agree with you that a "my way or the highway" type of approach is a tough sell these days, given the way kids are today. (I know, I just made myself sound really old. I'm talking like my dad used to.) Anyway, I think the new style of coaches -- the Pete Carroll style, for lack of a better way to explain it -- is much more effective with kids these days. The Bob Knight style just doesn't work anymore. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is another discussion.

a female fan, Champaign, IL: Despite the early personnel setbacks, is it safe to assume Coach Law's overall record rises above .500 this season?

Moderator: Fan,

I think so. She's 32-37 now, I think, and I'd be very, very surprised if the Illini aren't significantly above .500 in March. If this team is, say, 17-12 in March, its a really, really bad sign. There's too much talent for this team to only win 17 games or so.

J-Ran, Champaign, Illinois: Hey Tony, I'm glad these chats are back. I probably missed it somewhere, but is Illinois going to do another "Pack the Place" type of event again this year like it did last season when Minnesota visited? That was a fun game and a nice atmosphere.

Also, what's your preseason (I know the season has already started) All-American team? Tell me there's some Lady Cardinal on that list!

Moderator: Mr. Ran,

It's glad to be back, and even better to have you back. You'll want to be in the Hall on Feb. 21 for the Purdue game. That's "Pack the Place." Don't know the details yet, but they'd be wise to give away free tickets.

J-Ran, Champaign, Illinois: Hey Tony, so what's the real deal with Destiny Williams? Is she getting a bad rap or are there really attitude adjustments that need to be made? Also, if it's the latter, is this something Jolette Law didn't see coming or did Law just think she could change her? Is either side giving up on the other at this point? Not good, dude. Not good.

Moderator: J,

For what it's worth, I talked to Destiny's HS coach this week and he said he never had any trouble with her. She was kind of quiet, he said, but never hard to read and never made "any noise," as he put it.

Moderator: Looks like we're out of questions. See you next week Friday at 1.