EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

CNNSI.com GROUP
 Sports Illustrated
 Life of Reilly
 Television
 SI Women
 SI for Kids
 Press Room
 TBS/TNT Sports
 CNN Languages

COMMERCE
 SI Customer Service
 SI Media Kits
 Get into College
 Sports Memorabilia
 TeamStore

Chat Reel: Cory Bradford

Illinois guard ready to begin senior season

Cory Bradford is looking forward to playing for Bill Self. Ezra O. Shaw/Allsport

There's one thing you can always count on from Cory Bradford.

He's going to make a 3-pointer in every game. He has done it for 64 straight games, which is just nine short of the NCAA record. Bradford spent some time chatting with CNNSI.com users on Thursday, Oct. 27, to talk about the record, about his new head coach and other subjects.

Keep reading for a transcription of the chat.

CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's chat with Illinois guard Cory Bradford. Welcome, Cory. Thanks for being here.
Cory Bradford : Thank you.

From Aaron Perkinson in Omaha, Neb.: Cory, how's the team gelling under coach Bill Self? What are some of the team's specific season goals? Other than yourself, who do you expect to compete for Big Ten Player of the Year? Thanks, and Go Illini!
Cory Bradford : Well hey, with coach Self coming in he is a great coach. He accomplished a lot of things over in Tulsa. The things he accomplished over there, he can bring to us and we can make progress. I am pretty sure every player in the league will contend to be one of the best players in the conference. It is pretty much up for grabs.

From Chris in Nashville, Tenn.: What's the biggest difference between Bill Self and Lon Kruger?
Cory Bradford : No big difference at all. Both coaches stress the same aspects of the game, good defense and offense. So I don't see any big adjustments at all.

From Chuck: Cory, you and Frank Williams have now had a year of experience playing together, how has the chemistry improved? In my opinion you and Frank make up one of the most talented backcourts in the nation.
Cory Bradford : Thanks. I will say since last year we made much progress, so we are really looking forward to the season. Good things should happen this year.

From Goose: How is the knee? What about the overall health of the team, with Damir and Archibald's injuries?
Cory Bradford : My knee is doing real well. I'll say I am 90% at this point. With the other players on the team, Damir is making good progress and came along quicker than we thought he would, and everyone on the team is doing real well.

From Patrick in Park City, Utah: Cory, I am a big fan of the Illini and especially of you. I recently graduated, and I will be watching as many games as I can on the satellite. A couple of publications have you guys as high as third. What are the team's expectations? Good luck, and keep firing.
Cory Bradford : Thanks and the expectations are higher than they've ever been. The things we've learned from last season should benefit us this season.

From BT Kilmer in Chicago: Do you envision playing more point guard this year, and having Frank Williams playing a little more off the ball? Is this something you would want to do, being that you'll probably be a point guard at the next level?
Cory Bradford : Oh yes, I mean it is something that Frank and I do. I can play point and he can play point. We're very interchangable, and I am pretty sure we can put a lot of pressure on a lot of teams.

From Rod Shafer in Winder, Ga.: I have lived in Georgia for 15 years, but was raised 40 miles west of Champaign. I listen to almost all the games on the net. My question is, can you guys make it easier on me this year, so when I'm wearing my Illini T-shirt at tournament time, it outshines Georgia Tech and the Georgia Bulldogs?
Cory Bradford : (laughs) We'll do the best we can. We will take it one game at a time and make the best of the year -- to make that T-shirt worth wearing.

From Chuck: I read where you have made a three pointer in every game of your career, and are coming close to the NCAA record for consecutive threes. Is that streak something you think about? Is there pressure there?
Cory Bradford : I don't think about it much, but it usually hits me once I have hit my first three. After that I kind of relax, and make sure that three points count toward a win rather than a record.

From Anton Purkart in Chicago: Which Big Ten arena is most difficult for you to play in and why? Also, who is the most challenging player you have played against in the Big Ten and why?
Cory Bradford : Michigan State, because they have the student section right there on the floor, and it gets really loud and hard to concentrate. The toughest player I played again was Mike Kelly from Wisconsin. He's a very tough defender and makes it difficult to get good shots off.

From Nathan Campbell in Decatur, Ill.: I've been a hardcore Illini fan all my life. Do you think that this team has a chance to be as good as the 1989 Final Four team with all the speed and quickness this team has?
Cory Bradford : I do think so. I think this is something we really want to do -- distinguish ourselves from past teams that have played here. We want to be one of the teams that was the best team to come out of here. It's gonna be tough!

From Scott King in Eden Prairie, Minn.: Cory, with DePaul on the rise and your school in its traditional perch near the top of the Big Ten. Do you think the two schools should get together and battle it out at a neutral site (the United Center, perhaps), similar to your yearly border-battle with Missouri?
Cory Bradford : Well, tell you what, I will say of course we want to play whoever is on the schedule it doesn't matter. A lot of people want to see us and DePaul play. If we get them on the schedule it will be fine. I just take it one game at time.

From Casey Spears in Illinois: What do you think of your teammate, Brian Cook? How much do you think he has developed over the summer?
Cory Bradford : Brian is a very versatile player. He is quick for his size and shoots the ball extremely well, and he has a big future ahead of him. Tell you what, he has gotten a lot bigger and a lot stronger this last year.

From Flyin: How have the incoming freshmen responded to Bill Self, and do you think that any of them will be a factor this year?
Cory Bradford : Our freshmen responded very well, and Bret Melton, and Nick Smith, and Jarance Howard are going to really benefit a lot from this program this year.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Illinois guard Cory Bradford. Thanks again for being here, Cory.
Cory Bradford : Thanks for having me.

Copyright © 2001 CNN/Sports Illustrated An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.