Bob Asmussen: Sorry, we're a bit late today. My fault. I was fixing my hair for the camera. Even though there isn't one. Good that this chat doesn't include live video of us typing. My desk in particular is unkempt.

Enough gibber gabber. Let's get to the questions.

Chester, Sherman, il: Bob,

For the first time in a long time I am excited about Illinois spring football. My question, besides not getting anyone injured, what is the one key thing the coaching staff would like to get accomplished this spring?

Bob Asmussen: Chester,

You are right about not wanting to get anyone hurt being the priority. Worst-case scenario would be one of the key upperclassmen tearing up a knee or a shoulder. The coaches will be careful. You won't see Juice Williams getting hit much. If at all.

A couple things that have to be priorities are establishing a lineup at linebacker and filling the two safety spots. I think there will be more competition in the summer at safety once Donsay Hardeman arrives. I'm guessing he fills one of the two spots. But the coaches want to see the current players making progress.

The linebacker situation actually looks pretty solid. Brit Miller is a good fit in the middle and Martez Wilson might be on the brink of stardom. There are plenty of options for the thir spot. The coaches have always liked Ian Thomas. My guess is he plays a ton in the fall.

Filling the two open spots on the offensive line is a big deal too. The coaches feel there are viable, talented options to replace Akim Millington and Martin O'Donnell.

Tim, Champaign, IL: Bob,

Of the players enrolled early, I think there are 8 of them, which one do you see having the biggest impact this season?

Bob Asmussen: Tim,

I'm going to go with Mikel Leshoure. He's at a position of need. He came in ready to go. The coaches like his physical and mental makeup. I don't believe he will redshirt and I do believe he will play in 2009. Ron Zook doesn't want anyone to think that Mikel is being counted on as a fullback. There are plenty of Leshoure-sized tailbacks in the country. No reason to think Illinois won't use him, especially in the red zone.

If I had to pick a second guy, it would be Reggie Ellis. But I think his competition is greater and he's got more work to do than Mikel physically.

John, Odessa, Texas: For Bob --

With spring practice getting under way, is the biggest concern going to be illinois' punting game, which ranked last in the Big Ten in average and net and 92nd nationally, or Illinois' passing game, which ranked last in the Big Ten and 109th nationally?

I think Zook has shown an ability to develop a solid running game, so I think the Illini can overcome the loss of running back Mendenhall and linemen Millington and O'Donnell.

With Wilson perhaps ready to blossom into an every-down player at linebacker, moving Miller inside to offset the loss of Leman might not be a difficult transition, either.

Bob Asmussen: John,

Good questions and good points.

The coaches feel better about the punting game after the way Anthony Santella performed in the Rose Bowl. The guy got overlooked because of the score, but he was really a plus. He might have found himself that day and could turn into one of the better guys in the Big Ten.

The passing game also was better late in the season. While his legs were big against Ohio State, Juice Williams won the game with his arm. Same goes for Minnesota. Williams made a huge jump in completion percentage from his freshman to sophomore year. The next move is in TD to interception ratio. Protecting the ball will be emphasized to Williams in the offseason. The more he watches film and the more he works with his receivers, the better that part of the offense becomes.

With Cordale Scott coming in and Jeff Cumberland being counted on for an entire season and Chris James and Arrelious Benn healthy, Williams has plenty of options. Look for the running backs to be part of the passing game, too.

John, Urbana, IL: Bob,

Will the players not on the spring roster (Morgan, Garza,etc) be with the team again? If so, why are they not on the spring roster?

Also, are the players who will not be participating because of grades (Gamble, etc) still in good standing?

Bob Asmussen: John,

The guys not on the roster won't likely be returning in the fall. As best as I can count, Illinois is over the scholarship limit going into the summer, so there may actually be more returning players who fall off the roster.

Of the five players held out because of academics, I expect all of them to have a chance to return. If they do their work, they will be back. As I understand it, they are eligible, but they aren't performing in the classroom like the coaches expect. If you remember, Ron Zook held Tim Brasic out of spring drills before his senior season. Brasic returned in good standing.

If you look at the list of five, they are all players who have a chance to be starters or key backups. This is a message to them from Ron Zook.

Paul Klee: I'm here now. N-G having some computer issues. Fire away with basketball questions.

Sean, Springfield, Il: Will Keller be on campus this summer or does he have to take another class this summer to graduate from junior college, delaying his move to Illinois?

Paul Klee: Sean- Dominique told me he was planning on a June arrival. That could change, of course, but that's his ETA. On a related note, Bruce Weber was down in Houston yesterday to see the junior college standout. Thanks.

Tommy, Chicago, IL: Paul,

What do you know as far as the schedule is concerned for next year? I know its early, but I'm sure there are some games set. Obviously Mizzou, I think Georgia in Chicago. When does the Western Michigan series start?

Paul Klee: Tommy- They'll have the Missouri game, the ACC/Big Ten Challenge (matchups aren't usually announced until the summer), Georgia at the UC, the South Padre tournament (Kent State and Texas A&M appear to be the headliners), two home games against mid- and low-majors as part of the South Padre event. They're hoping to land a road game against a power conference opponent, as well. That would balance the 2009-10 schedule when the ACC/Big Ten Challenge is expected to be a road game. The Western Michigan series won't start next season, but that series will be a home-and-home. Hope that helps, thanks.

John, Odessa, Texas: For Paul --

If you were asked today to name the starting five for next season's Illini, which players would make up your unit?

i might lean toward a lineup of McCamey, Legion and Smith on the perimeter and Tisdale and Davis on the inside.

Frazier might start if you prefer to have McCamey or Legion or Smith providing scoring punch off the bench?

Perhaps Frazier off the bench might be the better option to provide defense to come in and shut down an opposing guard who has gotten off to a hot start.

Meacham might fill the role of the 3-point specialist like Keene and Harrington have done for previous Illini teams.

Brock could be another option as a scoring threat to come off the bench and possibly as a solid defender.

Keller and Alexander could come off the bench to spell Tisdale and Davis. Keller and Alexander would figure to give you more athleticism than Tisdale if you want to play a more uptempo game, something Weber might not be opposed to if he sees the guys put in the work -- and a style that might get fans re-energized about the illini.

Paul Klee: John- To start the season -- and this is only a projection -- I see a starting five of Demetri McCamey, Jamar Smith, Trent Meacham, Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale. I can see Billy Cole and Calvin Brock also fighting for starting spots in the frontcourt. Later in the season -- late January or early February -- I can see Alex Legion working his way into a starting spot.

Competition for starting spots is always good. I don't think they had that this season. Hope that helps, thanks.

Jerry, San Antonio, Texas: With the Big Ten Network now, have you heard anything about the Spring games, specifically the ILLINI, being televised? Thank you.

Bob Asmussen: Jerry,

There are nine Big Ten spring games that day. The Big Ten Network will do some live action from all of them, including Illinois. But they won't show the entire game.

My guess, based on past practice, is that the entire game will be taped and shown later. The Big Ten Network needs programming. I'll keep you updated as to when the spring game will be shown, both in the newspaper and on this chat.

Chris, Newark, NJ: more of a comment, tell John from Odessa to stop answering his own damn questions.

Paul Klee: John, Chris wants you to stop answering your own damn questions.

Wade, Carbondale, IL: Any truth the notion that Brock might not return for this 5th and final year?

Paul Klee: I wouldn't have written it if it wasn't true. I was told there was a minor chance there would be a holdup in his return, so I felt an obligation to report as much. I fully expect Calvin to be back for a fifth year, and Calvin was quite optimistic about next season when I last spoke to him. If anything, I think he should play more minutes, given his rebounding abilities. He has an overlooked knack in getting offensive rebounders.

(Could it be that Illinois' best rebounders next season will be guards, in Chester Frazier and Calvin Brock? Chester was the Big Ten's leading rebounder at the guard position.)

Calvin could be a crucial piece to this Illinois team next season, in part because of his experience and in part because he can help hide the defensive limitations of a backcourt that has plenty.

Illinois starts offseason weightlifting sessions this afternoon. Workouts start tomorrow.

Paul Klee: Congrats to Cuonzo Martin in getting the Missouri State job. And congrats to me for predicting it in this space last week.

He's heading into a fine situation at SMS. New arena, St. Louis ties, etc. Bruce Weber coached Martin at Purdue in the early 90s. Missouri State is one of those jobs considered a good job in coaching circles, though you have to wonder about the administration's distorted expectations after Barry Hinson was fired. They had the third-most wins in the MVC since 1999, I do believe.

Now we'll wait and see who fills the Purdue assistantship. And I think there's a good chance Martin takes Purdue's supervisor of basketball operations, Kent Williams, with him to Missouri State. We'll see.

Paul Klee: The CBI semifinals are tonight. Tune in, if you get DirecTV channel 669. Bradley plays at Virginia and Houston plays at Tulsa. These games have been every bit as entertaining as the NIT.

I talked to CBI organizer Rick Giles this morning. After a few "mini-nightmares" in the beginning, he said, Giles is pleased with how the fledgling tournament has unfolded.

"A reporter from Virginia called me to say (John Paul Arena) was the loudest he's heard it when they played last week (in the CBI quarterfinals)," Giles said. "The players and the fans are as intense as they were in the regular season. They want to see and play more games."

Giles said he fully expects to continue the CBI next season.

Ryan, Cooksville, IL: Hey guys,

Two questions. First, Paul, on paper, does next years team have any similar looks to the teams that are having success in the tournament right now without a dominant big man.

Second, Bob, what silver lining is there with the 5 guys being held out this spring. Who do you look for to step up and take advantage of this new found playing time this spring and turn this negative into a positive.

Thanks for your time guys,

Ryan

Paul Klee: Good question Ryan. I would say a loose comparison would be Butler, though Butler had one of the nation's best freshman tearing it up in the post, and Illinois' frontcourt figures to be a question mark. (Not saying Illinois will be that good, just saying). Another example might be Drake. Scoring point guard, good shooters, allow a lot of points but has the potential to score a lot of points. Another example might be Marquette -- a smaller lineup that found success playing to its strengths.

Off the top of my head, those would be the comparisons to NCAA tournament teams from this year. Solid question.

Paul Klee: The more I watch the Jazz, the more I think they can win the NBA title. If nothing else, the Jazz contending means Deron Williams would contend for an NCAA title, an NBA title and, if he makes the team, an Olympic gold medal in a three-year span. Not a bad run.

That's all the time for today. All of the questions are very much appreciated.

Look forward to seeing you back next week, enjoy the NCAA, NIT and CBI. My bracket needs a Badgers triumph in the worst way.

If you get bored send your emails here: pklee@news-gazette.com and rasmusse@news-gazette.com.

Klee and Asmussen