Moderator: Welcome back to another Illinois basketball chat. We're going on almost 2 years with this thing, and it's been a great addition.

Still open to suggestions for IlliniHQ.com, our 3-week-old all-Illinois Web site. We want to make HQ as reader-friendly and informative as possible. So far the response has been tremendous.

There's a number of questions in the que, so let's get started. Thanks again for coming by.

Klee

Craig, Monticello, IL: Has Jamar Smith decided to continue his academic career at the University of Illinois? More importantly, if Jamar does stay at the University will he continue to receive a basketball scholarship even though he no longer is a part of the University of Illinois basketball program?

Moderator: What's up Craig- Where you been? Shoot me an email some time. As for Jamar Smith, we'll know later this week or early next week if the former Illinois guard will finish his academic career at the UI. Classes start Monday. There were indications in the last several weeks he will finish out at the UI. Bruce Weber said Smith was on track to graduate in May.

As far as I know, Jamar Smith will not be on a basketball scholarship at Illinois. At least to me, that would be a bizarre scenario and open the door for loads of criticism.

Thanks for the question.

Illini1973, Belleville, ILL ini: Now that Pruitt and Randle are gone I see our FT percentage going up by double digits. Can Legion shoot FTs (I would hope/think so)? If so, I see him as a 35+ minute player??

Moderator: Illini1973- Good question, and it's something I asked Bruce Weber about the other day. Illinois will miss Randle's versatility, especially on defense, where he could guard all five positions if they needed him to. It didn't happen often, but he could do it. And Shaun Pruitt was as close to a go-to scorer as they've had since Dee Brown. But they won't miss their free throw shooting.

"...those are the two guys who got fouled most of the time," Weber pointed out.

There's another free-throw aspect that needs to improve for Illinois.

"I think one of the things we need to do is get fouled more," Weber said. "That's a big difference-maker."

Alex is a very good free throw shooter. I've watched him for almost eight months now, and he will be one of their better free throw shooters. I know Weber would like to see Alex Legion at the foul line as much as possible.

As for 35 minutes per game? Only one player during Weber's tenure at Illinois has averaged 35-plus minutes per game. Dee Brown averaged 35.8 minutes one season.

Hope that helps.

Greg, Normal, IL: Who do you project to be the starting 5 at the beginning of the year? How about when Legion becomes eligible? Please do not list Chester - we need offense!

Moderator: Greg- Interested to see your Redbirds this season. How will they respond now that they're not an unknown commodity in the Valley? I see them anywhere from second to fifth in the Valley. Osiris Eldridge might be my preseason MVC POY. But Creighton is the team to beat in the Valley, at least for now.

My (August) projection on Illinois' starting five to begin the season: Chester Frazier, Demetri McCamey, Trent Meacham, Dominique Keller, Mike Tisdale. Billy Cole and Mike Davis will be in the conversation at the 4, as well.

The starting five when Alex is eligible won't change -- immediately. I do believe he will be a starter at some point during the Big Ten season.

"I would say the fourth or fifth game in the Big Ten and he'll start to feel comfortable," Weber told me recently.

In July, I thought Chester Frazier enjoyed his best month of basketball since I've covered the Illini. And they need a guard with defensive abilities. Will he be a starter or remain a starter? Don't know. And it's August.

Hope that helps, thanks for the question.

geejaw, chicago, il: Does Jimmie Collins still have the same Illini coach staff with him at UIC?

Moderator: Geejaw- Jimmy Collins' staff at UIC: Mark Coomes, Tracy Dildy and Bryant Lowe. The head coach recently received a three-year contract extension and is currently the longest-tenured head coach among the state's Division I programs.

Ralph, Chicago, Illinois: How is the Kid from Simeon looked? I haven't heard or read anything about him lately. Also what do you think of the Illini starting a lineup like this

McCamey

Brock

Davis

Keller

Tisdale

Then when Legion is ready we go,

McCamey

Legion

Brock

Keller

Tisdale

Moderator: Ralph- Actually, you haven't heard anything from Stan Simpson. He's been off-limits from media interviews since arriving at the UI in June. Stan Simpson surprised me, though he's got a ways to go. He's a better shot blocker and a more physical player than I thought, though it's clear conditioning and refining his game on the offensive end are the next steps. Those who seek 12-15 minutes from the freshman could be disappointed, though I think he can develop into a quality big man over the next two years. Give him time.

With your first lineup I think you're going too big. You might need another shooter and/or another defender. The second lineup is very much a possibility come Big Ten play. That gives you a playmaker, a shooter, some versatility with Brock, and two frontcourt guys. In that lineup, you could almost put Keller at the 5 and Tisdale at the 4.

Hope that helps.

benjamin, trilla, il: Please tell us Auggie was not on that flight from Madrid.

Moderator: Ben- He was not. James Augustine arrived in Spain earlier this week, from what I am told. Here's hoping his overseas career gets off to a banner start.

rick, grayville, illinois: Paul. Did steve holdren leave the team as a walkon?

Moderator: Rick- Yes, he did. Back in the spring, Steve decided to pursue other interests in lieu of returning to the team. He's doing well.

Matt, Burlington, VT: Will the basketball team be playing in some exhibition games this fall like they did in Canada (i.e. Montreal) last year...

Moderator: Matt- Programs are allowed a foreign tour once every four years, so Illinois is out of the loop after its trip to Canada last year. Under an ideal scenario, I think they would have waited to take the trip this season because you had so many uncertain circumstances at that time (Jamar Smith, getting academics in order, not knowing who would redshirt and who would not, etc.). But Weber likes those tours and they've been advantageous for the coach in the past, so I think you'll see Illinois on a foreign tour as soon as possible.

Purdue returned this week from a tour in Australia. Weber's taken that tour before and thinks highly of it, mainly because of the high-caliber competition. Purdue is high on E'Twaun Moore's prospects this season after the sophomore guard went for 35 and 32 points in a pair of games. SIU begins practice today in preparation for a trip to Canada that is similar to what Illinois did last season. Those are two examples. Another one: Notre Dame was/is in Ireland on a 10-day, four-city tour.

Hope that helps.

Derek, Washington, DC: Given that Weber & Co. are out of scholarships through 2010, is it more accurate to view the Colvin and Lenzelle Smith recruitments as (a) insurance against early departures to the NBA, (b) insurance against Jamar-like off-the-court behavior, (c) players that will transfer, or (d) all of the above?

Moderator: Derek- D. You never stop recruiting. More than anything, that's what Illinois took out of the E.J. Gordon saga. You just never know until the letters of intent are signed and players qualify.

Parkie, Wilmette, IL: Will the basketball team be holding any scrimmages in the Chicagoland area this fall, similar to what they did at Glenbrook North and Whitney Young last year?

Moderator: Parkie- I would guess so, but I will ask for you. Illinois has increased its goodwill efforts in the Chicago area in recent years, and while that isn't the sole reason for the recruiting surge, every factor helps. The Moody camp has been a success, the scrimmages last year were a success, and a junior high-aged camp earlier this summer that involved UI coaches was a success. Soon as I find out any plans for Chicago-area scrimmages -- and it could be a few weeks -- I'll let you know.

Hope that helps.

Moderator: Surprise of the day: no Illinois schedule questions. I wrote yesterday on IlliniHQ that the schedule's release likely has been delayed again. So hopefully -- hopefully -- we'll get a hold of it early next week.

Eugene, Park Ridge, IL: You discussed the opportunity of former Illini to make a good living in Europe playing basketball. What kind of piles of Euros are we talking about?

Moderator: Eugene- It varies, but one factor is whether you have NBA experience. And by NBA experience, I mean whether you have been on an NBA roster. That means a guy like Roger Powell, who was with the Jazz for a short while, found a favorable contract situation with an Italian franchise last season. But if you don't have NBA experience, your salary numbers probably will be lower. I've heard anywhere from $60,000/year to $500,000/year for recent Illini who have gone overseas.

A good example of carving out a fine career in Europe is Kiwane Garris. He was in the Illinois basketball offices last week and said he'll play in Europe as long as they will have him. But it's certainly an adjustment for guys, and others don't enjoy the experience.

Hope that helps.

John, Virden, Il: Is Richard McBride playing basketball overseas for anyone?

Moderator: John- When I asked recently, I was told Rich McBride was in Springfield. We'll try to track him down. But he's not playing overseas, no.

Kevin, Liberty, IL: Haven't heard much lately about the Legends game? Any news? Are you looking forward to it? Will there be many tickets available tomorrow?

Moderator: Kevin- I wrote about A Night of Legends on Monday -- you can find it on IlliniHQ.com. Tickets go on sale to the general public at 9 a.m. Thursday. Officials said the best way to purchase tickets will be through www.fightillini.com. There are plenty of tickets remaining, at this point.

And yes, I am very much looking forward to it. Looking forward to the entire Sept. 12-14 weekend: Deron Williams' charity dinner Friday (www.deronwilliams.net), a likely Olympic gold medalist's appearance at the Illinois football game Saturday, and the alumni game Saturday night.

Beat writers enjoy that kind of weekend -- loads to write about.

Hope that helps.

Moderator: Talked to Illinois recruit Meyers Leonard last night. He signed his first autograph recently. More from the Robinson standout later in the week.

We're adding another weekly chat on Monday. Loren Tate and Jim Turpin will chat with readers at www.IlliniHQ.com at 8:30 a.m. Monday. Ask Tate about his book, or if he likes Cordale Scott's potential as much as I do.

We've gone over, so I'm getting the boot. Thanks again for stopping by the weekly Illinois basketball chat. See you here next week, or feel free to shoot me an email (pklee@news-gazette.com). I will reply to every single one.

Klee