Klee at Media Day

Beat writer Paul Klee spent Sunday hassling coaches and players at the Big Ten's Media Day in Park Ridge. Here's what he learned:

1. C-U Roots

I learned a nugget that could make Illinois fans wince: The Big Ten's preseason Player of the Year has deep roots in Champaign-Urbana.

"My grandpa was a professor there. He taught chemistry at the U of I. My grandma went there, got her teacher's license," said Purdue sophomore Robbie Hummel, who was named the Big Ten preseason POY by a 22-member panel of media. "My dad, two uncles and aunt all went to school there. My dad played tennis there. My grandparents still live in Champaign. So I've been there a million times."

And during his recruitment, the Valparaiso, Ind., product considered Illinois a top option – until the Illini decided they had filled that position and did not seek to add a similar type of player. "They recruited me a little bit. But they kind of stopped," Hummel said. "And it did make sense why they stopped. (Current sophomore) Billy Cole was committed, and that makes a lot of sense because we play the same position. I understood completely."

Still, after Hummel's one-year ascension to the top of the Big Ten, it's enough to make the Illini long for a player with his ability.

2. Hustling Hoosiers

I learned the busiest table inside the Marriott ballroom was the table with Indiana coach Tom Crean. Media buzzed around the first-year coach, and Crean took every opportunity to remind them of Indiana's tradition-rich past. There was only one case where he wants to forget history: Crean said he'd like to move past the transgressions of predecessor Kelvin Sampson.

"It's all things we're moving past," Crean said. "We'll have to live with the results of some of that for a little while. But we're moving forward, without a doubt."

Still, I got the impression the hole Sampson dug was deeper than Crean had anticipated.

"There were a lot of days in April, May and June that left a lot to be desired, but that was part of it," he said, adding, "The things that you (the media) heard, the things that were rumored, they (the situation at Indiana) were probably worse."

The Hoosiers are waiting to see if it gets worse. Any day now, the NCAA is expected to rule on IU's case. I also learned Crean's peers in the Big Ten expect him to revive the Indiana program in short order – regardless of the NCAA's ruling.

3. Staying put, making waves

I learned one-time Illini recruiting target Evan Turner is the key to Ohio State's season. And during an uncomfortable first semester as a freshman, he considered transferring. Life at the massive university was a culture shock for Turner, who came from "a one-floor high school" at Westchester St. Joseph, as he put it, and the teenager missed a close-knit group of family and friends.

"I was pretty close (to transferring)," said Turner, a sophomore that has grown to 6-foot-7. "It came to the point where my family members and I had a meeting with coach (Thad) Matta. Coach Matta said he would love to have me and everything, but he said if I wasn't happy, maybe I should try someplace else. He knew the potential I had in me and I wasn't playing up to my potential. He said that's going to affect my game and maybe I should go someplace where I wouldn't have to worry about it as much."

Now, Turner seems comfortable with the situation, and he should be considered one of the Big Ten's top NBA prospects. Provided Ohio State's chemistry loosely resembles that of, say, Purdue, the Buckeyes have the talent to finish in the top three, largely because of Turner.

4. First(-year) impressions

I learned Verdell Jones (Champaign Central) and Lewis Jackson (Decatur Eisenhower) figure prominently into their coaches' plans as freshmen. Crean pointed out Jones led all Hoosiers with 30 points in the team's scrimmage Saturday, and the coach said he expects Jones to see major minutes.

"Great court vision, wants to get to the rim, not afraid of contact and he's a hard worker," Crean said.

And then there's Jackson, a point guard listed at 5-9 and The News-Gazette's reigning State Player of the Year. Purdue coach Matt Painter said Jackson is "doing everything he needs to do to be successful," while Jackson's teammates raved about his playmaking ability.

"He's so quick," said starting point guard Keaton Grant. "His ability to break down players is something we can really use."

Said E'Twaun Moore, Purdue's best player: "He's been spectacular for us these first two weeks of the season."

Jones and Jackson have taken their roots with them. Indiana senior Kyle Taber said of Jones, "He's still an Illinois football fan. He talks about Illinois football all the time."

5. Don't worry about Alex

I already knew Alex Legion would be the least of Illinois' worries, and the guard's out-of-character shooting effort Sunday did nothing to change that. Remember, Legion played in only six games at Kentucky, and there's going to be game rust when he debuts for Illinois in late December.

"I just think I need to settle down and stop rushing things," Legion said after making just 5 of 16 shots for 14 points at the Assembly Hall. "I didn't really have my legs. Game shape is a lot different than playing in practice. I've just to continue working on my game and working hard."

Legion missed shots that he makes with regularity in practice. Don't sweat it. He'll be fine. He also had a surprise visitor in attendance. His mom, Annette, a minister in the Detroit area, sat courtside with the other parents.

"I'm pretty excited about Alex coming here. I think he can make a big impression being here at Illinois," said Annette, who said she hopes to attend about four games this season. Specifically, Annette said she likes a core of three sophomores: Demetri McCamey, Mike Tisdale and her son.

"What I'm saying is, when they get all three of them to jell together, I see those kids going to the Final Four," she said.

The votes are in
Media voting released at Sunday's Big Ten Basketball Media Day in Park Ridge:

PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN
G    Manny Harris    Michigan
G     E'Twaun Moore    Purdue
F    Robbie Hummel*     Purdue
F    Raymar Morgan    Michigan State
F    Marcus Landry    Wisconsin*
- Preseason Player of the Year

PRESEASON TEAM PICKS
TEAM    2007-08 RECORD
1. Purdue    25-9, 15-3 Big Ten (2nd)
2. Michigan State    27-9, 12-6 Big Ten (4th)
3. Wisconsin    31-5, 16-2 Big Ten (1st)

pklee@news-gazette.com

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