Bob Asmussen: Welcome back to another chat. I'm flying solo today because Paul is attending a wedding (not his own) south of the border.

Still yet, I'll try to answer the basketball questions as best I can.

We know the weather is nice and you could all be out golfing or having picnics, so we appreciate the questions. Keep it coming during the summer.

And away we go.

BJ, Chicago, IL: Bob, I am very excited about the prospects of both lines in the coming seasons. I am especially excited about Pocic and think he will be very good. What are the chances he gets a few starts this fall? Also, Jeff Allen is very intriguing. What do you foresee in his future? It looks like he needs a little work with Coach Lou, but I think coming early will be very beneficial for both him and Pocic.

Bob Asmussen: B.J.,

I think you've picked up on something with both players. Graham Pocic was what the coaches expected and looks to be a force by the time his career ends. It's possible that he'll work his way into the starting lineup, most likely at right tackle. If nothing else, a year from now he'll be a strong candidate to replace Xavier Fulton on the left side.

When Graham made his commitment, he said he wanted to start the opener. That might not happen, but he is definitely in the picture. Nothing better than a big guy with great feet who is also smart. That's Pocic. There's a feeling that he might be a superstar, not that the coaches will ever tell him that.

Jeff Allen has been a pleasant surprise for the coaches, who joke with him about his weight. He's taken pounds off since getting to campus and Lou Hernandez is shaping him into a Big Ten-level lineman. The coaches like his athleticism and you have to be impressed that he got to school a semester early. My guess is he will find his way into the lineup very early in his career. Maybe he takes Jon Asamoah's place when the right guard moves onto the NFL after the 2009 season. I'm guessing that Allen redshirts and that Pocic doesn.t

Dave C., Champaign, IL.: Bob, Do you know why they didn't use the scoreboard during the Spring Game? Sure would have enhanced the experience for the fans. Especially with the unorthodox scoring system, plus knowing time remaining, replays, etc. All would have helped. I hope they'll make sure to use it next Spring. It can only help the turnout.

Bob Asmussen: Dave,

I'm such a dope, I kept looking at the scoreboard, thinking it would give me the score. Wrong.

The scoreboard wasn't available, according to Illinois marketing guru Chris Hanna, because the mechanical parts needed to run aren't operational while the press box is being rebuilt. If you think about it, it would take more than a couple switches to get that thing running.

The press box for the spring game was actually in the center of the east stands. There was no way to run the scoreboard, but the PA was operational and the radio setup worked as well.

Next spring, the scoreboard will be functioning again. I think you'll see a much bigger crowd at next year's spring game.

ashu, gilberts, Il: Bob,

When will the cheap horseshoe tickets go on sale? How much will they cost? I don't want to miss out on that deal like I did last year.

Thank you

Bob Asmussen: Ashu,

The school is still completing its renewal process, which wraps up at the end of the month. After that, the school will see what it has left in the horseshoe and announce a sale date.

My guess is that very few season-ticket holders from last year will give up their tickets. The team is coming off of a winning season and Memorial Stadium seems to be the place to be. But some will move on and I promise to let you know when those tickets go on sale.

The price will be $77, up from $60 last season. I believe the price was set in anticipation of a seven-game season, which would have meant a $1 increase from last season.

Tim, Champaign, IL: Hey guys, love the chats.

Have a few questions:

1) When is Kroner going to start his weekly chat? Is that still on board?

2) And Paul, when we gonna see Klee's blast every Monday like Bob, Marcus and Loren?

Bob Asmussen: Tim,

On your first question, Fred Kroner will definitely be starting a weekly chat in August. Fred, who knows prep sports better than anyone in the state, is fired up about it.

On your second question, Paul is a little camera shy and doesn't plan to do a Klee's blast. Maybe with more encouragement he can be talked into it. So, for now at least, you'll have to live with Marcus, Loren and myself.

Wait a minute, I just got a great idea. I'm going to get a Klee mask and do a blast as him. Just like on "Pardon The Interruption." I'm going to need some technical assistance, but I'll try to pull it off in the next couple of weeks.

Nathan, Newton, IL: How did D'Angelo McCray look this spring? Any chance he will get to see some PT. I'm excited about this d-line.

Bob Asmussen: Nathan,

D'Angelo McCray was slowed in the spring while he recovers from knee surgery. He definitely has the talent to be a big-time defensive tackle. He just needs to stay healthy long enough to get on the field.

The coaches have high hopes for the interior guys. McCray, Josh Brent and Reggie Ellis all have the chance to make an impact opposite David Lindquist, who has turned into one of the better tackles in the Big Ten.

Chris, Brick City, NJ: Hey Bob, when you get your recruiting information, where are you getting it from? and any commits on the horizon?

Bob Asmussen: Chris,

The information comes from high school coaches, parents and the players themselves.

In the Internet age, the high school coaches and players have become very aware of making sure the word gets out. Though a commitment doesn't end the phone calls, it can cut into it some.

Over time, The News-Gazette has developed good relationships with many of the coaches. If Washington Dunbar has a player commit to Illinois, there's a good chance I will hear from Craig Jefferies.

One thing we won't do, under any circumstance, is write about a commitment without having it verified. And the only folks we allow to verify the information are the players, their parents or their high school coaches. Too often, rumors are wrong. So, we might be a half day behind on a commitment, but that's because we want to make sure it's right.

By the way, sorry about the technical glitch that caused a 30-minute delay. My fault.

Phil, Urbana, IL: Paul,

With all the players gone in the front court, how do you see the rotation going? Besides Tisdale and Davis, it seems like a lot of questions. And even with those two, there are some questions.

Bob Asmussen: Phil,

I'll try to take this one for Paul. You have to start with Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis. What kind of a role will Bill Cole have? Hard to tell. Certainly, junior college transfer and recent signee Dominique Keller will be expected to play right away. You don't bring a guy in for two years unless you plan to use him a lot.

Stan Simpson is a bit of a wildcard. Don't know if you can count on a freshman big guy. But with the limited number of players for the two spots, he will have to get a long look. Redshirting Simpson doesn't seem like something the Illini will consider.

Alan, Oswego, IL: I read part of the reason Rodney Alexander left the program was because the difference of opinion on what his role should be. Weber wanted him to be more of a slasher/ defender type. Which the team already had in Randle. Alexander wanted to be more on the peremiter. I think Weber made a mistake on his evaluation of Alexander's skills set.

He should have been on the perimeter shooting when that was the team biggest weakness. What do you think?

Bob Asmussen: Alan,

You are right on most of your points. The Illinois coaches wanted a slasher/defender and it seems that Alexander wanted to play on the perimeter.

The problem for Alexander was that, with very limited exceptions, he struggled shooting from the perimeter. He hit just 19 percent of his three-pointers, a number that isn't going to cut it in the Big Ten. Or the Y league. You start missing a bunch of three-pointers with your buddies and they're going to stop throwing you the ball.

Illinois gave Alexander 15 starts and he wasn't productive enough to keep starting. It's a shame it didn't work out for Alexander, who seemed like a great guy. Hopefully, he lands on his feet at another school.

Mudhen, Riverside, Illinois: Not very exciting area, but it seemed to me that Jared Bosch punted pretty well in the Spring game, getting off at least one real boomer. Does he have a legitimate shot of unseating Santella and what of Kyle Yelton? And basically overall, have we finally overcome our punting woes in your estimation?

Bob Asmussen: Mudhen,

Jared Bosch did have a good spring game. The problem for Bosch and Yelton, as pointed out by Ron Zook, is that they aren't always good. The only way Anthony Santella lose the punting job is if Bosch or Yelton beat him day after day after day in practice. And even if that happens, it might be difficult for the coaches to pull the trigger. Their lasting impression of Santella is his big day on the huge stage in Pasadena. If you can kick there under those circumstances, you can kick anywhere.

I do think the punting game is in the best shape since Steve Weatherford left. Of course, I'm a big believer in special teams and I always like the guys who are strong enough mentally to handle kicking and punting jobs.

Bob Asmussen: I'm going to close out today with a few reminders:

Check out our weekly college and high school podcasts. The word we're getting is that they are being downloaded a lot. We appreciate the interest.

We'll have a Q&A with Ron Zook in Sunday's paper, giving him a chance to talk about the spring and upcoming season. If you have any questions you would like answered, email me at rasmusse@news-gazette.com. I will consider all questions.

Thanks again for checking out our chat. Paul Klee will be back next week.