Long before this basketball season arrived, when Illini fans fretted about the losses of Frank Williams and four productive teammates, an 8-3 pre-Big Ten record was considered acceptable. This was, of course, long before we fully understood (1) if youthful North Carolina would rebound fully from a 20-loss season, (2) how the ouster of coach Nolan Richardson and unreplaced graduates would impact Arkansas, (3) how far Temple might tumble in John Chaney''s 21st season and (4) the impact of Dajuan Wagner''s decision to turn pro after his freshman year at Memphis. Missouri was omitted intentionally because next weekend''s shootout in St. Louis is looming as the major roadblock between Illinois and now-reachable 11-0. But first comes Temple. The Owls managed a 65-63 win Wednesday at Penn State, a most unique encounter in that it matched two winless (both 0-5) teams in the third week of the season. The Owls are headed for their sixth straight road game, having recently sustained the worst loss (71-46 to Penn) in Philadelphia''s Big Five play since 1983. Describing the Owls as "greener than fresh-picked bananas ... lacking an inside game ... playing point guard by committee," Easterners went so far as to joke that Chaney caught pneumonia watching Charlotte and Penn streakers flying past his bench, and not from his tough travel schedule through freezing, inclement weather. When Temple finally pulled one out against astonishingly weak Penn State, assistant coach Nate Blackwell, of all things, credited his switch from Chaney''s famous matchup zone to a man-to-man defense. This defense is one of the unique aspects of a headstrong coach who holds practices at 6 a.m., shovels his own driveway and broke the Division I coaches'' creed on scheduling. Chaney is quoted: "I like to build kids by playing great teams on the road. It''s tough, but as long as I''m at Temple, that''s what we''ll do. No soft team, no mid-majors." With 450 victories, seven Atlantic-10 titles and 19 straight postseason appearances in his pocket, Chaney received a virtually automatic November nod as the favorite in a desperately weak conference  a projection now drawing doubts. Tough turnout UI coach Bill Self saw Temple as a "good draw" because of Chaney''s Hall of Fame record, but the 70-year-old''s accomplishments out East don''t transfer to attendance in Chicago. With sales just reaching 12,000 this week, this game probably will top only the 1997 Clemson game (9,282) and the 1998 Bradley game (11,084) among the UI''s nine preconference games played at the United Center. Illinois and Duke packed the house for the first college game there in 1994, and all other crowds have topped 15,000, including three of more than 20,000. Illinois is 7-2 in these games, falling to Duke 70-65 in 1994 and 72-69 in 1999. But Illinoisans must be mindful that, regardless of December success, Big Ten games in early January will be difficult. At the outset, the Illini travel to Minnesota, Iowa and Indiana around a home date with Wisconsin. A 2-2 start would be positive. Tate''s tidbits  Self''s new contract will amount to more than $1 million a year with the $100,000 annual annuity included (payable in 2008). In the marketplace, it is an exceptional salary. But if Tubby Smith and Kentucky split up  neither is entirely happy  and the Wildcats set their sights on Self or Florida''s Billy Donovan, the forces in Kentucky''s "basketball heaven" will send the numbers toward Rick Pitino''s $2 million-plus deal at Louisville. When it comes to basketball, Kentucky never will be outbid.  Contrast these salaries with the fact that, in 1967, after two decades as Illini head coach, Harry Combes was receiving $16,200 with no TV-radio income ... and his personal integrity wouldn''t allow him to accept a free car. After Harv Schmidt replaced him, Schmidt''s salary had to be increased to roughly $18,000 for him to bring in Dick Campbell from Elmhurst York.  Phil Snow, who changed his mind about becoming Ron Turner''s defensive coordinator when the UCLA job came open two years ago, says he doesn''t expect to remain there in the wake of Bob Toledo''s firing. He cited the impact on his image of the Bruins'' last two games when they permitted 100 points to Southern Cal and Washington State. Loren Tate writes for The News-Gazette.