Paul Klee: Thanks for stopping by for this week's News-Gazette chat. Let's get right to it.

Sean, Springfield, Il: I recently have heard/read recruiting gurus refer to Richmond as a 2-guard. I thought he was more of a 3-4. Where do you think the Illinois coaches envision him playing?

Paul Klee: Deep in the NCAA tournament. Illinois feels like the squad it expects to put on the floor in 2010-11 should contend for a Big Ten title and a high seed in the NCAA tournament. Until then it's a different matter.

As for Jereme, he's more of a 3, a Paul Pierce type (did not say he was Paul Pierce, just that type of game), especially if he's surrounded by three capable guards. That could change of course, but that's where he projects in the meantime. The collection of perimeter players expected to arrive over the next few years gives them versatility in assembling a lineup. I thought one of the best descriptions of the UI commitments came from a Chicago-area AAU coach, who said, "None of them are redundant pieces." They're all different types of players.

Most important to the Illinois coaches, they want to see Jereme Richmond continue to improve. The game comes easily to him. You'll read a lot about the other committed players during the summer, and much of the hype will be hyperbole. But Richmond remains the golden recruit for Illinois. He's the one who made it cool again to go with Illinois.

I wrote about Jereme Richmond in Klee's Corner on Sunday. Thanks for the question.

Dennis, Henderson, NV: More than 30 years ago during my time at the UI, I felt a lot of resentment when I consistently received one grade less than I know I had earned. I sense the same animosity with Rashard and Walter. Does this experience play into a good part of the story that we have been reading about? I am happy to report that today there is no stronger advocate for the UI on the face of the planet, than myself! Look on the bright side, at least it's not a recruiting question.

Bob Asmussen: Dennis,

First, I'm happy you got your issues resolved. The world would be a better place if we would just let go of our resentment toward others. Of course, I will always hate Kent Hrbek for pushing Ron Gant off first base.

On the Illinois question, I suspect that time will heal the wounds between the Illinois football program and the Mendenhall family. Both Walter and Rashard will have their degrees from the school and will have to credit the place for the helping them with life. Would Rashard Mendenhall have been a first-round draft pick had he gone to another school? Its impossible to know that. Maybe he goes to Michigan and cant beat out Mike Hart. Maybe he goes to Michigan State and gets caught up in the coaching change before his junior season. Bottom line for Rashard, playing at Illinois was a good thing for him. Maybe he could have gotten a few more carries earlier in his career, but that would have cut into how long he will be able to hold up in the NFL. There really seems to be an expiration point for NFL running backs and sometimes it doesnt go beyond five seasons. I think Rashard will be able to play longer because his body has taken less punishment.

Its unfortunate that Walter wont be with the team as a fifth-year senior, but he will have a chance to play college football. Whats better, starting for a I-AA team and running for 1,000 yards or sitting on the bench at Illinois behind four other guys? Playing, especially with the degree from Illinois already in hand, has to be Walters goal. And that wasnt going to happen at Illinois.

I think it wont be long before Rashard returns for Illinois spring games and to hang out with his former teammates. And he will be a positive for the Illinois program in the future.

Nick, Champaign, IL: Is there any information on why Marvin Fellows de-committed a few weeks ago? It looked like he was going to be a great addition as a pass rusher and I'm surprised we lost him this early in the recruiting process. How does the 2009 recruiting look in general? It seems as if there is a lot of talent in the Midwest this year, particularly Illinois and Missouri.

Bob Asmussen: Nick,

Im afraid, just like in basketball, you are going to see more and more recruits change their minds. Maybe more than once. Every school will gain and lose from the process.

Fellows liked Illinois and especially coach Eric Wolford, who was recruiting him. But once Ohio State came with an offer, Fellows apparently couldnt resist the chance to play for his homestate school. Hard to blame him for that. And the Buckeyes have played for the last two national titles, although not very well.

When Illinois recruits players out of the home area, like in Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania, there is going to be a greater risk of players deciding to look elsewhere. What the Illinois coaches seem to be doing to counteract that is to give out a wide blanket of offers. When Fellows changed his mind, they moved on to the next guy.

The good thing for Illinois is that it will have the advantage of getting another chance at local players. Remember, Jason Ford committed to Iowa before signing with Illinois. It will happen more and more in the future. So, the decommit is both a good and bad thing for the Illini.

Generally, I think Illinois is doing well in recruiting. The coaches now have proof that they can be successful. That helps. For schools that have a turnaround like Illinois did last season, you usually see the benefit in later recruiting classes. Like 2009.

In the state, there are plenty of top prospects, both in the Chicago area and in St. Louis. St. Louis is stronger this year than last year and Chicago might not be quite to the same level. But both are places Illinois will hit hard and try to take as many players as possible. East St. Louis has two outstanding receivers and St. Louis University High running back Ronnie Wingo is one of the best in the country. I'm going on a trip to St. Louis high schools with Reggie Mitchell later in May. It should be interesting.

Art Hamilton, Mahomet, IL: Paul,

With the additional scoring punch at the guard spots next year and loss of the veteran frontcourt kids is there any indication we'll see less motion and more of something else from the Illini? Were you surprised by Verdell Jones' college choice? How was Mexico?

Art from Mahomet

Paul Klee: Art, we still need to get that beer some time. Give me a shout.

If anything, you'll see "more" motion, meaning you'll see more coherent motion. As I wrote a while ago, Jamar Smith has become a student of the motion offense, knowing how to use screens and how to find seams. He should, since that's been his basketball assignment for the last year. As it stands right now the Illinois offense will return to a guards-dominated scheme for the next four to five seasons, at the least. That bodes well for guards who want to get shots - and Illinois has no shortage of those. Alex Legion, Jamar Smith and Demetri McCamey are not, in any way, afraid to let it fly. Neither has met a jumper he didn't like.

As for Verdell, I remember driving to Kansas City with Verdell III and his father for an AAU event last July. We were talking about Indiana, and his father made the off-the-cuff comment, "He looks good in red, you know." Even though the Indiana staff at that time (Kelvin Sampson and Co.) was not showing a great interest in Verdell, that showed me the Jones family was going to look at every single program to find the best fit. That's what this recruitment was all about - finding the best fit for Verdell.

Tate said on the radio last night that Verdell would've jumped on an Illinois scholarship offer. That's simply not true. The only thing that would have surprised me is if Illinois offered a scholarship and/or Verdell and his family ultimately had chosen Illinois. There is not a perfect relationship between the Joneses and the entire Illinois coaching staff. It's not a bad relationship, it's just not ideal. Despite their Illini loyalties -- and Verdell's father is a lifelong Illini fan -- Illinois would have been treated the same as any school in their recruitment. Illinois would have been another school the family would have considered -- nothing more, nothing less.

But I don't see a scenario where Verdell would have attended Illinois next season, or the current Illinois staff would have wholeheartedly pursued Verdell. This is a recruitment that seems to have worked out for all three sides - Illinois has a fine group of committed guards, Indiana got a good player and a Champaign standout has an opportunity to be the point guard at a prestigious Big Ten school from the get-go.

IU assistant Tim Buckley is the biggest reason Verdell Jones committed to Indiana. Buckley, who is from Aurora, recruited Jones when he was an assistant at Iowa. Buckley also recruited Jones when he was an assistant Marquette. That means Indiana is the third school to which Buckley has recruited Jones.

And where did that relationship begin? On an airplane. Tim Buckley and Verdell Jones Jr. were on the same flight to Las Vegas about five years ago. They hit it off and both avid readers began exchanging book titles they had read. Turns out, Jones Jr. has a son who is a pretty good basketball player, and the rest is history.

So when, over the next five years, you wonder why Verdell Jones is not playing at Illinois, refer back to the 5/7/08 News-Gazette online chat.

Klee

Jim, Peoria, IL.: Were Supo Sanni and Russell Ellington recruited as DBs or LBs? Which two of the incoming LBs have the best chance of getting playing time in the fall?

How is Mike Tisdale coming on his weight gain and where would the coaches like to see him eventually?

Bob Asmussen: Jim,

As I underestand it, Ellington and Sanni will be tried as defensive backs, with receiver also an option. You never know, either or both could grow into linebackers.

Of the incoming freshman linebackers, it sounds like Justin Staples will have the best chance to play early. But all of the guys will get a look. At the end of the spring, depth at linebacker is an important item the coaches want addressed before the start of the season.

Now, here's Klee ...

Paul Klee: Mike Tisdale's right around 235 pounds. That's a considerable improvement from when he arrived, though he's still got a ways to go.

Ben, Clinton, Illinois: I know Bob worries about the ramifications of letting local kids go to another school, but do you think the Illinois coaches are worried that Verdell Jones and Matt Roth will "haunt" them the next four years at Indiana? And would you trade any of Illinois four guard recruits for either Jones or Roth?

Paul Klee: Strangely, Bob does not think Iowa recruit John Wienke (Tuscola) will haunt Illinois football. Right Bob?

The Illinois coaches are quite pleased with their recruiting haul in 2009 and 2010. And they are high on the 2011 class, having been afforded the opportunity to spend loads of time on a class three years down the road because of their six earlier commitments.

The example that Bob uses is Brian Cardinal. Difference is, Cardinal had teams at Purdue that could go 8-0 against Illinois. Unless something goes terribly wrong for Illinois, the Illini should have the upper hand on Indiana for the foreseeable future. If Illinois becomes relevant again, how well Verdell and Matt Roth play becomes a somewhat moot point for Illinois. Winning cures just about everything.

For your final question, Verdell Jones and Matt Roth have a great opportunity at Indiana. Same for the recruits who are expected to sign with Illinois. For now, free agency will remain in the pros.

Mike, Urbana, Il: When the players go on traveling team trips overseas do the Illinois coaches give them a specific set of things to work on in regards to their play? Does the Big Ten have a traveling summer team anymore?

Paul Klee: Illinois has an advantage with the China trip in that Jerrance Howard is going to be the head coach. That roster features Demetri McCamey and Mike Davis. So there will be an Illinois coaching presence throughout the trip, and Jerrance knows what the staff wants to see from the two rising sophomores. No, the Big Ten does not have a traveling summer team.

In Klee's Corner on Sunday, we'll have Demetri and Mike Davis' thoughts on the China trip.

Thanks.

Clay, Eads, Tennessee: Do you know when single game football tickets will go on sale?

Bob Asmussen: Clay,

I am checking for you. My guess is the school will want to take another month or so to allow for more season ticket sales. Then, you will see the single-game sales started.

Tickets are $45 for every game except Ohio State. Wisely, the school charges more for that game, a practice used by several schools. I don't expect Illinois will need fans from Ohio to fill Memorial Stadium for the game against the Buckeyes.

Bob Asmussen: Sorry about the short day. Thanks again for all the great questions. We'll talk to you again next week.