#19 Maryland 72, Illinois 66

Tough game. Tough (and rare) home loss for the Illini. Give Maryland a ton of credit: They're a very good team and they just out-toughed the Illini in our own back yard. I thought the Orange Krush and the crowd brought their A-games for this matchup and it's still hard to believe that we lost in the House of 'Paign. There's not much else to say: This one really hurts.

#19 Maryland 72, Illinois 66

Beef House Rolls!!!

OH.MY.GOD!!! These are - by far - the BEST dinner rolls on Earth!!! WOW!!!!!

Beef House Rolls

Illinois 75, Bradley 71

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (AP) -- Jamar Smith hit a go-ahead 3-pointer and the Illini stormed back from a nine-point second-half deficit to defeat Bradley 75-71 Saturday night, winning a matchup of early-season unbeatens in the Chicago Invitational Challenge.

Warren Carter scored 17, Shaun Pruitt had 16 and Smith added 14. Chester Frazier scored all 10 of his points in the second half for the Illini (7-0). Frazier also had 11 assists.

Bradley (5-1) was led by 17 points from Will Franklin and 16 from Daniel Ruffin.

This is a good win for the Illini. Bradley's four-guard lineup is ultra-quick and this team will likely challenge for the Missouri Valley Conference Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth this season.

Illinois is 7-0 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten. Up next: versus Maryland (in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge) at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Tuesday, November 28 at 6:00 PM.

Illinois 75, Bradley 71

Illinois 51, Miami (Ohio) 49

Chester Frazier's driving layup with 18 seconds left gave Illinois a 50-49 lead and Warren Carter's free throw with 6 seconds left accounted for the final point of the game as the Illini won a defensive battle with Miami (Ohio), 51-49.

After trailing 33-26 at the half, the Illini cranked up the defensive pressure and held Miami to just 16 points in the second half to overtake the stubborn Redhawks.

Miami's Nathan Peavy led all scorers with 22 points and all rebounders with 11. The Illini shot just 39% for the game and had just three players in double figures: Rich McBride had 11 points, while Shaun Pruitt and Chester Frazier added 10 points each. Pruitt grabbed 9 rebounds but the Illini were outrebounded by the smaller Redhawks 29-19. One bright spot for the Illini: free throw shooting. The Illini converted 13 of 16 free throws, as Frazier made all six of his attempts and Warren Carter sank 6 of his 8.

The Illini improve to 6-0 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten Conference. Up next: versus Bradley in the championship game of the Chicago Invitational at the Sears Centre in suburban Hoffman Estates, Illinois on Saturday, November 25 at 7:30 PM. This game will be televised by WCIA-TV in Champaign.

Illinois 51, Miami (Ohio) 49

Welcome, Wyatt Samuel Brownfield!

Wyatt Samuel Brownfield was born yesterday, November 22, 2006 to Alice and Jeff Brownfield! He weighed in at 7 pounds even and measured 20 inches long! He is as cute as a button! Welcome to the world, Wyatt!!!
:-)

Michael Richards - What in the HELL are you thinkin', man?!

I loved you (and Kramer) before I heard about - and saw - this outburst of rage, hatred and racism. Now, I'm not sure what to think about you.

Ultimately, I think this incident will negatively affect (Richards' friend) Jerry Seinfeld's career as well as Richards'. You can pretty much put a fork in Richards' acting career.

Richards appeared via satellite last night on the Late Night With David Letterman show. He was asked to try to explain the tirade by one of David's guests, Jerry Seinfeld. Richards appeared very shaken and seemed remorseful for what happened, which makes you wonder why he went off like he did in that club. Totally uncalled for...

Illinois 81, Savannah State 34

Savannah State (5-1) matched an Assembly Hall record for low team score with its 34 points in an 81-34 Illini blowout tonight. The Tigers shot just 25% from the field. Wisconsin - Green Bay set the low team scoring record back in 1985 in an 84-34 loss to the Illini.

Chester Frazier led all scorers with 17 points on 6-for-8 accuracy and he added 5 assists. Shaun Pruitt had a double-double for the Illini with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Warren Carter added 12 points and 7 boards for the Illini.

Rich McBride returned to the lineup following his 6-game suspension and contributed 16 points on 5-for-11 shooting, including 4-for-10 accuracy from three-point range.

The Illini easily won the rebounding battle from the smaller Tigers, 52-21.

The Illini improve to 5-0 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten Conference. Up next: versus Miami (OH) in the Chicago Invitational at the Sears Centre in suburban Hoffman Estates, Illinois on Friday, November 24 at 7:30 PM. This game will be televised (although we're not sure at this time who will broadcast it).

Illinois 81, Savannah State 34

Leman Named First-Team All-Big Ten: Five Illini earn all-conference honors

University of Illinois linebacker J Leman was named first team All-Big Ten by the league's media representatives and earned second-team honors by the conference coaches, as announced by the Big Ten on Tuesday. Cornerbacks Alan Ball and Vontae Davis, running back Pierre Thomas and placekicker Jason Reda were named honorable mention picks.

"I am really proud of J," Head Coach Ron Zook said. "The defense showed great improvement this year, and that is a tribute to everyone out there, but there is no doubt that J is one of the leaders and did a tremendous job with everything that was asked of him this season."

Leman led the conference in total tackles (152) and tackles per game (12.7), and ranked second in the NCAA. He was even more impressive in league games, with 13.4 tackles per contest. He was also among the Big Ten's best in tackles for loss with 19 for the season, which was second in the league and 10th in the nation. His tackles and TFLs both rank sixth on the Illinois single-season lists. Leman is Illinois' first first-team All-Big Ten selection since Steve Weatherford in 2004.

"I feel very honored," Leman said. "The credit for this award goes to the defensive line and all the players around me as well as Coach Zook, Coach (Dan) Disch and Coach (Vince) Okruch. They are the reason I was able to play well and excel this season."

Leman Named First-Team All-Big Ten: Five Illini earn all-conference honors

Villanova 89, UFI 60

A second straight loss for Alfraud's UFI Squawkeyes down in the Virgin Islands... UFI falls to 2-2 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten Conference.

Villanova 89, UFI 60

Alabama 72, UFI 60

Thank you, Crimson Tide!!!
:-)

UFI falls to 2-1 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten Conference. Too effin' bad.

Alabama 72, UFI 60

Illinois 84, Florida A&M 63

Florida A&M gave the Illini all they wanted and more for three quarters of Sunday afternoon's game at Assembly Hall, but in the end, the Illini were too strong for the Rattlers.

With 11:45 remaining in the game, Calvin Brock made a free throw to give the home team a 54-53 lead; the Illini never trailed - and were never threatened - again. From that point, the Illini went on a 30-10 run to close out the game going away.

Champaign's own Trent Meacham made Fighting Illini Basketball history Sunday afternoon: Unofficially, Meacham's eight three-pointers (on 13 tries) tied a school record for three-pointers made in a game. He now shares this honor with former Illini guards Dee Brown and Kevin Turner.

Chester Frazier contributed with a double-double as he totaled 13 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds. Calvin Brock continued his hot shooting with 7-for-13 accuracy and also earned a double-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. The Illini shot 53% for the game as a team.

Illinois improves to 4-0, 0-0 in the Big Ten Conference. Up next: at home versus Savannah State on Tuesday, November 21 at 7:00 PM.

Illinois 84, Florida A&M 63

#1 Illini Hockey - 15-0!!!

The Illini Hockey Club wins again - this time on the road at #15 Kent State! Here's what the Illini Hockey Club Web site says...

November 17, 2006 - The Illini keep the streak alive, taking Kent State on their home ice 5-1. Mike DeGeorge almost had a perfect game before the Flashes scored with just 40 seconds left. The Illini's Liang, Resch, Pringle, Hoelzer, and Park all tallied goals in game one.

Illinois 85, Georgia Southern 50

In contrast to Wednesday night's game with Jackson State, the Illini showed up early in this one and turned what was anticipated to be a dogfight into a rout with sharp shooting. Again without the services of starters Brian Randle, Rich McBride and Jamar Smith, the Illini were counting on solid performances from youngsters Chet Frazier, Calvin Brock and Trent Meacham: They got what they needed against Georgia Southern. Meacham led the Illini with 19 points and 4 assists, Brock added 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting and Frazier chipped in with 10 points. The game was pretty sloppy - the Illini forced 27 GSU turnovers and committed 18 of their own. But overall, this was a quality win against a very athletic and potentially tough team. Illinois improves to 3-0 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten. Up next: at home versus Florida A&M on Sunday, November 19 at 4 PM.

Illinois 85, Georgia Southern 50

Men's club hockey to visit Kent State: Depleted squad will be without offensive leaders

The No. 1-ranked Illinois men's hockey club will hit the road for just the third time this year, traveling to Kent State for a pair of Central States Collegiate Hockey League (CSCHL) conference games this weekend.

The American Collegiate Hockey Association's (ACHA) top-ranked Illini will put its perfect 14-0 record on the line against the No. 15-ranked Golden Flashes on Friday and Saturday nights in Kent, Ohio, but the Illini will have to do it without a few key players.

Illinois will be without junior forward Kevin Wicklin, out with a broken foot, junior defenseman Dave Schmitt, who is suffering from a hernia, and senior forward Marshall Chubirka, who sat out last weekend's pair of wins against North Dakota State and is still ailing from a right shoulder injury. Additionally, freshman forward J.J. Heredia has been listed as inactive after injuring his left knee against the Bison in last Saturday's win.

"They are four of our best players and are all big losses for us," head coach Chad Cassel said. "Now it just becomes an opportunity for other guys who haven't seen much ice time to play more. We are going to need them to step up because it's a huge weekend for us."

Men's club hockey to visit Kent State: Depleted squad will be without offensive leaders

Hockey club remains perfect: Record now 14-0 after weekend

The Illinois men's hockey club picked up their 13th and 14th straight wins to start the season on Friday and Saturday night.

The Illini entered the weekend the American Collegiate Hockey Association's (ACHA) No. 1-ranked team but without a few of its players in the line up due to injuries.

Still the Illini defeated the North Dakota State Bison 6-2 both nights to remain a perfect 14-0, and in the process got a little payback for the Bison's upset win over the Illini last season.

"We played pretty well considering we were missing quite a few guys from the line up," head coach Chad Cassel said. "We played with a few different lines and combinations and still got two more wins. But I think we realize we still have some work to do."

Hockey club remains perfect: Record now 14-0 after weekend

Rest in peace, Sticky...

You were the best stick catfish ever. We'll miss you so much...

Oral Roberts outplays, outlasts No. 3 Kansas

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) -- Marchello Vealy hit his first seven 3-point shots and Oral Roberts stunned No. 3 Kansas 78-71 Wednesday night.

Vealy, only 1-for-13 in 3-pointers last year as a freshman, was 7-for-8 from behind the arc and finished with 22 points.

Caleb Green added 20 points for the Golden Eagles (1-1), who outplayed the heavily favored Jayhawks from start to finish.

...

Kansas trailed by as many as eight points in the second half and never got closer than three. The Golden Eagles looked every bit as quick as the Big 12 favorites and played a tenacious defense, keeping Kansas off balance all night in an arena where it usually dominates.

The Jayhawks fell to 165-11 in Allen Fieldhouse since 1994-95.

Kansas got 22 points from freshman Darrell Arthur, but was only 11-for-21 from the line and missed easy shots all night long.

Julian Wright, a preseason favorite for Big 12 player of the year, blew layups on two consecutive possessions as Kansas tried vainly to regain the lead in the second half.

Bearing little resemblance to the crisp outfit that routed Northern Arizona 91-57 in their season opener last week, the Jayhawks missed 11 of their first 17 shots and had 10 turnovers.

It's called karma, Coach Bail $elf - karma.

Oral Roberts outplays, outlasts No. 3 Kansas

Illinois 76, Jackson State 55

The shorthanded Illini quickly fell behind 18-4 but fought their way back to tie Jackson State at the half, 34-34. The Illini then took control with 74% shooting and better defense in the second half and won this game going away. Three of the younger guys - Calvin Brock, Trent Meacham, and Brian Carlwell - played lots of meaningful minutes in this one. In fact, both Meacham and Chet Frazier played all 40 minutes and Brock logged 38 minutes. Illinois is 2-0 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten Conference. Up next: at home versus Georgia Southern on Friday, November 17 at 7 PM.

Illinois 76, Jackson State 55

Illinois 80, Austin Peay 35

Easy win for the Illini - I love these blowout victories! The only concern is for starters Jamar Smith (who is out for 4-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain) and Brian Randle (who tweaked an abdominal injury and is rated as "week by week"). Illinois is 1-0 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten Conference. Up next: at home versus Jackson State on Wednesday, November 15 at 7 PM.

Illinois 80, Austin Peay 35

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