Illinois lands nation's No. 1 wideout

Dunbar (Washington, D.C.) senior wide receiver Arrelious Benn committed to Illinois this evening over Maryland, Notre Dame and Florida State. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder is rated the nation's No. 1 wide receiver and the No. 7 overall recruit in the Class of 2007 by RISE.

Benn's pledge to the Illini means that head coach Ron Zook has pulled off the recruiting coup of the year. But that isn't a big surprise if you've followed Zook, who was a tremendous recruiter when he was the head coach at Florida.

Illinois lands nation's No. 1 wideout

4-star wide receiver/safety Anthony Morris pledges the Illini!

Anthony Morris' Rivals.com bio

Here's how Rivals.com rates the Fighting Illini recruiting class of 2007 so far...

COMMITTED/NOT SIGNED  Pos  Stars  Ht   Wt   40   RR   Hometown
====================================================================
Daryle Ballew         DT   ***    6-3  285  5.15 5.6  Cincinnati, OH 
Arrelious Benn        WR   *****  6-1  210  4.45 6.1  Washington, DC
Clint Brewster        QB   **     6-1  187  4.8  5.4  Denver, CO 
Nathan Bussey         ATH  ***    6-2  202  4.5  5.6  Washington, DC 
Mike Garrity          OL   ***    6-6  255  -    5.5  Batavia, IL 
Steve Matas           DE   ***    6-5  270  4.7  5.5  Mentor, OH 
Anthony Morris        WR   ****   6-3  200  -    5.8  Harvey, IL 
Marcus Thomas         DB   ***    5-11 157  4.5  5.5  Chicago, IL 
Craig Wilson          OL   ****   6-5  290  5.2  5.8  Chatham, VA

Rivals.com - Illinois football commitments for 2007

Benn’s impact could be far reaching

Now that receiver Arrelious Benn is committed to Illinois, giving coach Ron Zook his biggest recruiting prize in two years at the school, analysts will be watching to see if the surprising pickup leads more big names to choose the Illini.

Benn is arguably the top high school receiver in the country, and that Illinois was able to wrest him away from Notre Dame, Florida State and Maryland seemed miraculous to some.

But he’s not the only big-name player giving the Illini a look.

Top-100 players who have Illinois on their short lists reportedly include defensive tackle Marvin Austin, rated the No. 1 player in the country by Scout.com, defensive tackle D’Angelo McCray (No. 22), defensive end Martez Wilson (No. 28), running back Robert Hughes (No. 68) and defensive tackle Josh Brent (No. 70). The latter three are from Illinois.

“Watch and see the next few weeks, I have a feeling it will become a domino effect,’’ said Bob Lichtenfels, recruiting analyst for Scout.com. “I’ve talked to some kids who flat out told me Martez Wilson is the reason they committed to Illinois. It makes me think Martez Wilson will commit to Illinois, and he’s probably one of the top defensive end prospects in the country. If Martez goes, odds are Robert Hughes could go and Josh Brent.’’

Benn’s impact could be far reaching

Dunbar's Benn Will Play at Illinois

Dunbar senior All-Met Arrelious Benn, regarded as the nation's top wide receiver in the class of 2007, surprised many recruiting experts when he announced last night that he intends to sign with Illinois, spurning offers from more than 40 other schools, including Notre Dame, Florida State and Southern California.

Benn said Notre Dame was his front-runner for a long time, but Illinois came on late. Illinois has gone 8-36 since the start of the 2003 season and has had just two winning records since 1995, but Benn said he liked the fact that the Illini have given several young players prominent roles in recent years.

Dunbar's Benn Will Play at Illinois

YouTube video: Arrelious Benn commits to the Fighting Illini!

Illini hockey wins pair at home: Illinois beats Eastern Michigan twice, now tied for first-place spot in league

The Illinois men's hockey club found out they were the American Collegiate Hockey Association's (ACHA) top-ranked team when the latest ACHA poll was released Friday afternoon - and on Friday and Saturday night, they played like it.

Illinois routed No. 17-ranked Eastern Michigan 8-0 and 7-3 in its pair of games this weekend at the University of Illinois Ice Arena, earning eight more points in the Central States Collegiate Hockey League (CSCHL).

Illini hockey wins pair at home: Illinois beats Eastern Michigan twice, now tied for first-place spot in league

Illini clip the Eagles wings with sweep

November 5, 2006 - The Eagles of Eastern Michigan University returned home with their feathers ruffled as the Illini outshot them seventy to thirty-seven and outscored them by twelve goals this weekend at the Big Pond. With scores of 8-0 and 7-3, the Illini kept their win streak alive and are a perfect 12-0 on the season.

Illini clip the Eagles wings with sweep

There's a new leader in the ACHA

November 3, 2006 - The University of Illinois takes over the top spot in Ranking #3 of the 2006-07 season, getting 23 of a possible 38 first-place votes. The Fighting Illini are now a perfect 10-0-0 on the season. Illinois last held the #1 position on December 16, 2005. Former #1 Rhode Island slipped to #2 after suffering its first loss of the season at Delaware.

There's a new leader in the ACHA

Illinois hockey sweeps Western Michigan

The Illinois men's hockey club kept its perfect record last weekend with a pair of wins on the road against the red-hot Western Michigan Stallions.The Stallions came into the weekend having lost just one game of its first 11, but the American Collegiate Hockey Association's No. 2-ranked Illini shut down Western Michigan, beating the Stallions 7-3 and 5-2 to move their record to 10-0 on the season.Sophomore forward Jason Nemeth and freshman forward Jason Jennings led the way for the Illini. Nemeth finished the two-game series with four goals, while Jennings came away with four assists for the Illini."These were the two biggest wins of the season for us so far," head coach Chad Cassel said."We played well and our special teams came up huge for us all weekend and really were the key to our success," he added.

Illinois hockey sweeps Western Michigan

Blogs re: Orange & Blue Scrimmage and Derrick Rose

CHAMPAIGN – Reggie Rose said Friday night that Illinois is now involved in a three-horse race for the services of his brother, Chicago Simeon point guard Derrick Rose.

But the big brother of the senior star stopped short of handicapping a field that also includes Memphis and Indiana.

Illinois’ Orange & Blue scrimmage was played out on the Assembly Hall court Friday night, but the center of attention was clearly Derrick and Reggie Rose, who sat in the front row of the bleachers under a basket. They were constantly serenaded by the Orange Krush student cheering section, which wasted little time launching into a chorus of “We want Derrick!”

His appearance here came as a surprise this week, considering that his five “finalists” announced in August included Memphis, Indiana, Kansas, DePaul and UCLA.

Since then, however, Kansas, DePaul and UCLA have been eliminated and the Illini have emerged as a late consideration.

“I’m honest with my word and when we came out with the list, that was the list,” said Reggie Rose, who serves as his brother’s spokesman and recruiting advisor. “We took trips and everything and looked at our options. Then we said, “Let’s take another visit to Illinois, just to take a second look.’

“Sometimes you think the grass is greener on the other side, but when you take that look you say, ‘Oh, it ain’t like we think. So let’s go take another look.’”
So is Illinois officially back on the list?

“If Illinois wasn’t on the list, we wouldn’t even be down here,” said Reggie Rose, who indicated they planned to visit with Illini coach Bruce Weber later Friday night, then observe the team’s practice tomorrow morning.

And while Derrick Rose’s decision remains uncertain, Reggie Rose said an invitation-only press conference already has been scheduled to announce it.

“It will be Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Martinique Boutique at 82nd and Cicero in Burbank,” he said, setting the deadline.

The NCAA’s fall signing period begins on Nov. 8.

For what it’s worth, Derrick Rose wore an orange shirt and blue and orange patent leather shoes. Seated on either side of the Rose brothers were former Illini great Kenny Battle and another Simeon guard who played at Illinois, Bryant Notree.
When the Illini team came out to begin the intrasquad scrimmage, each player filed by and shook hands with Derrick Rose and, to a lesser degree, other recruits in attendance including Decatur Eisenhower’s Lewis Jackson and Jarod Oldham.

Reggie Rose was asked if Eric Gordon’s recent decision to switch his commitment from Illinois to Indiana in any way impacted the move to involve Illinois at this late time.

“It plays a role, then again it doesn’t,” Reggie Rose said. “When I grabbed Eric to play on my AAU team this summer, the way they played together was scary. It’s really up to them if they want to play together or not… But sometimes you have to be selfish, also.”

Mark Tupper: Rose visits, but mystery remains

Chicago Simeon High School senior Derrick Rose attended tonight's Orange and Blue Scrimmage at the Assembly Hall. Rose, ranked the No. 1 point guard in the nation by at least one recruiting service, sat courtside with a group of recruits and his brother, Reggie Rose.

Reggie, who has handled Derrick's recruitment, addressed the purpose of the unofficial visit after the scrimmage.

"The decision that he's going to make, it's not like you’re just going to a candy machine and just picking out some type of candy. It’s a life decision," Reggie Rose said. "Before we just make a decision, we just have to make sure it’s going to be the right decision. That was the main thing about coming back down and taking a look.

"And also, I respect the fact that Illinois is a great program and they've got tradition and everything," Reggie Rose continued. "You know, what can you say about going to take a second look at your state school?"

Derrick Rose politely declined an interview request. Initially, the plan was for the Rose camp to return home after the scrimmage. Reggie Rose said they will stay overnight, instead.

He also revealed that the Rose camp will make a public announcement on Derrick Rose's school of choice Nov. 4. Reggie Rose said the list includes three schools, and there will be no more visits.

"Right now (it’s) between Illinois, Indiana and Memphis," Reggie Rose said.

Paul Klee: Derrick Rose at Assembly Hall

Illini get last shot at Rose

"If he wasn't interested in Illinois, he wouldn't be coming down there,'' Simeon coach Robert Smith said. "He's got a lot of other places he could go.

"If he wasn't interested, he wouldn't be coming down there. He just wanted to make sure he's making the right decision. He wanted to come back to Champaign and take another look.''

...

According to recruiting sources, Illinois attempted to stay in touch with Rose and his family with periodic phone calls. Rose's older brother, Reggie, ran the recruiting process, and he surprisingly called Weber earlier this week to set up the unofficial visit, the source said.

Although Smith said Rose's visit to Memphis went well, another recruiting source said Rose realized how long a trip it was to Memphis.

Illini get last shot at Rose

More On Derrick Rose And Others

There are few things we can be certain on when it comes to analyzing the current state of affairs as it pertains to Derrick Rose's recruitment. However, one thing that we can say with an incredibly high degree of confidence is that when Reggie Rose announced that both he and Derrick will visit the University of Illinois this weekend for the Illini's Orange and Blue scrimmage, it was NOT a publicity stunt and that the trip to Champaign will be a lot more than just a mere courtesy visit. That is why we get a kick out of others who are trying to say otherwise to the point where they are trying to put their own personal spin on the situation. Here is the bottom line--Rose's visit to Illinois HARDLY means that he is going to commit or sign with the Illini. However, at the present time, based on the information that has come out none other than Reggie's mouth himself, we have every reason to believe that Illinois is still very much in the running, along with Memphis and Indiana.

More On Derrick Rose And Others

Simeon's Rose giving Illinois a late look

Simeon senior Derrick Rose, the top-rated point guard in the country, has reconsidered and will take an unofficial visit to Illinois.

Rose and his older brother Reggie will be in Champaign on Friday and will attend the Blue and Orange game, a scrimmage by the Illinois basketball team.

''Sometimes you have to step back and re-evaluate the whole process,'' Reggie Rose said. ''We don't want to look back after it's all over and too late and realize we made the wrong decision.

''We have discussed it with some close confidants and believe Illinois is a great place. The school has a great [basketball] program and it is in our home state. And no decision would be valid without giving Illinois a serious look.''

Simeon's Rose giving Illinois a late look

Bears stun Cardinals with improbable rally

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Maybe the Bears are a team of destiny.

Trailing the Cardinals 23-3 late in the third quarter Monday night in Arizona, Chicago staged a miraculous comeback, scoring two touchdowns on defense and one on special teams to escape with a stunning 24-23 victory.

“It’s meant to be,” guard Ruben Brown shouted as he left the field. “It’s meant to be.”

“That’s a good team,” linebacker Lance Briggs said of the Cardinals. “But the bottom line is that it’s a 60-minute game. You don’t ever give up.”

With the improbable win, the Bears improved to 6-0 for the first time since 1986 and increased their lead atop the NFC North to two and a half games over the Minnesota Vikings (3-2).

The Bears overcame six turnovers by quarterback Rex Grossman, who threw a career-high four interceptions and lost two fumbles while registering a hideous 10.7 passer rating. In the first half, the Cardinals converted four Grossman turnovers into 13 points in building a 20-0 halftime lead.

“I’ve never played so bad and won a game like that,” Grossman said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. That was unbelievable. I don’t know how to put it into words, how good our defense is and how big of plays they made. They could have done it by themselves tonight. It was just meant to be. We were supposed to win that game. For some reason, everything went our way when it needed to.”

It was a game for the ages, folks!!! I've watched a LOT of football in my 43 years on this earth, but I've never seen anything like this! Six turnovers - 4 interceptions and 2 lost fumbles - all by quarterback Rex Grossman...no offensive touchdowns for the entire game...trailing 23-3 late in the third quarter in a loud, hostile stadium. How in the hell did Da Bears win?!?!?!
:-)

Bears stun Cardinals with improbable rally

Illini Hockey Wins 2 Over Central Oklahoma

The ACHA's No. 3-ranked Illini (6-0) squeaked by the unranked Bronchos (2-4) 4-2 on Friday night and proved they were the better team with a 7-2 win on Saturday at the University of Illinois Ice Arena.

"We have to come with more intensity and play more as a team," senior forward and assistant captain Marshall Chubirka said. "I think last weekend beating St. Louis as badly as we did kind of took some edge away from our team. Anytime you beat a team that badly and score 22 goals you kind of get a big head and now we have to fix that problem."

Illini Hockey Wins 2 Over Central Oklahoma

Gordon spurns Illini for Indiana

Eric Gordon is headed to Indiana -- and this time it's his final decision.

Gordon's father confirmed to the Tribune on Friday morning that his son told Illinois coach Bruce Weber late Thursday night that he would not be following through on a commitment he made last November to play for the Illini.

Instead Gordon, the No. 2 recruit nationally according to Rivals.com, will attend Midnight Madness festivities at Indiana tonight and intends to sign with the Hoosiers when the early signing period begins Nov. 8.

"Late last night E.J. did get a chance to talk to both coaches, and he did talk to coach Weber," the elder Gordon told the Tribune on Friday morning. "Coach Weber called him back and (Eric) did tell him he was not going to be going to University of Illinois.

"It was really like splitting hairs, ultimately. This just happened to be the best thing for EJ."

After all, it's "all about me" nowadays. Screw you, EJ! Screw you too, Coach Sanctions!!!

Gordon spurns Illini for Indiana

YouTube/PayPal Founders: We Knew Them When...

The Google announcement of its $1.65 billion purchase of popular video-sharing site YouTube is front-page news - everyone's talking about the profit being made by a handful of guys living over a pizza place. But do you know the background story? This cluster of Internet superstars - YouTube co-founders Jawed Karim (B.S. '04) and Steve Chen, another departmental alum, and the man who first brought them together at PayPal, Max Levchin (B.S. '97) - all come from the same constellation: they were all students in the Department of Computer Science at Illinois!

YouTube/PayPal Founders: We Knew Them When...

Midnight madness: Gordon to Indiana? Prized Illini recruit visits Hoosiers Friday

Prized Indianapolis high school guard Eric Gordon will attend Midnight Madness festivities Friday night at Indiana, a move that likely indicates the senior guard who committed orally to Illinois last year has come to a decision, his father said.

And it's one that likely will make coach Bruce Weber and the Illini faithful unhappy.

"This is pretty significant, because we had not planned any other visits," Eric Gordon Sr. told the Tribune on Thursday night.

Midnight madness: Gordon to Indiana?
Prized Illini recruit visits Hoosiers Friday

Well, #$%&^*^#@&*@#$&*@#*&(@#$*@#(*$&@#*&*(@(#$!!!!!!!!

If EJ Gordon can change his mind about his commitment to Coach Bruce Weber and the Fighting Illini, then I reserve the right to change my mind about EJ Gordon and his family. Don't let the door hit you on the ass as you leave, EJ! And good luck with IU and Coach Sanctions...

Mark Tupper Weblog: "Rose snub no surprise"

Derrick Rose’s “list” of five schools contained some surprises, but Illinois’ absence from that list was not one of those surprises.

Rose snub no surprise

IndyStar.com: "Gordon's dad: Statement forthcoming"

Here's the REAL story from a reporter who knows what's going on with EJ and his family...

:-)