2010-2011 Illini basketball
Posted: September 23 10, 7:48 am
Nothing like starting this off with some random notes from yesterday's Paul Klee chat:
http://www.illinihq.com/chats/2010/09/2 ... wednesday/
(on renovating Assembly Hall - NOT replacing it)
http://www.illinihq.com/chats/2010/09/2 ... wednesday/
The seniors’ dedication this offseason has been impressive to see. I think all four of them have shown improvement – and just as important they’ve set the tone for the rest of the team. There’s an urgency that wasn’t there before.
Bruce Weber says a senior season "can go one of two ways."
"One, they’re looking to get out," he said the other day. "Or two, they’re looking to have the best year of their career."
So far these guys seem to have chosen the latter. But it's (really) early.
I don't foresee any redshirts this season.
(not much details on Meyers Leonard's wrist injury)Let me add that Mike Tisdale has been very good lately. He's a different player than he was, say, six months ago. He's your best shooter. If he runs harder off screens- he'll be a particularly tough matchup this season.
(on timed miles)The big fella had a weightroom accident last week. He needed stitches. He's wearing tape on his left hand and wasn't involved in contact drills on Monday.
DJ Richardson's time (5:05) broke the Illini record (under Weber) previously held by Luther Head. DJ can run for days. He likes to salute the coaches as he passes them.
(on Tyler Griffey)If it's me, I have Jereme Richmond initiate the offense in the few times Demetri McCamey isn't at the point. That allows you to move McCamey off the ball, where he can come off screens. And Jereme is plenty capable. I would also name Jereme Richmond a team captain. That's just me.
Side Note from Amy: If you're not following Tyler Griffey on Twitter, you are missing out. The kid is brilliantly humorous, with an insight into life beyond his years.I see a kid that enjoys college and takes advantage of every opportunity it affords. He's involved. And he’s taking me to a Kinesiology class on Thursday. I appreciate that. Science was never a strongsuit.
As far as the rotation, I see him as a key reserve, one of the first two or three guys off the bench.
(on renovating Assembly Hall - NOT replacing it)
(on 2010 Shootout, which still has a slot open)Guenther told Loren Tate Saturday he's optimistic he can get the renovation done in phases. So you'd work on it for seven months, let them play the season, then work on it again in the offseason. Tate says Guenther needs $60-65 million - over a 30-year period
(defining difference between official & unofficial visits)I know the field will include your three recruits in the 2011 class - Chicago Mt. Carmel (Tracy Abrams), St. Ignatius (Nnanna Egwu) and Orr (Mycheal Henry).
The family foots the bill for an unofficial visit, but he can receive three tickets to a game. On an official visit, the school can pay for meals, lodging, travel expenses, etc. If he's staying with a student host, the school can provide the student host with a daily stipend for entertainment purposes. A kid can take as many unofficial visits as he wants. But he's limited to five official visits.