Idaho State brought their A-game tonight; the Illini, on the other hand, were either hung-over from their huge Braggin' Rights Game victory on Tuesday night or thinking about getting back home for Christmas. Whatever the reasons were, Idaho State gave the Illini all they wanted and more, only to come up short in their upset bid in Champaign. Trailing 46-40 with 11:57 left in the game, Illinois produced a game-saving 24-7 run to salvage a 71-60 victory from the Bengals of Pocatello, Idaho.
Make no mistake about it: Idaho State (5-7 overall) has a good basketball team and these guys will make a run at the Big Sky Conference championship. The Sagarin Ratings currently have them ranked #126 in the country. Point guard Akbar Abdul-Ahad was outstanding tonight, exploding for 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting. One of the other ISU guards, David Schroeder, also had a nice game with 16 points.
Warren Carter, who is sidelined with a hip flexor injury, did not play for the Illini: Turns out, he was sorely missed tonight. Jamar Smith came to the rescue for the Illini, hitting 5 of 12 treys for 21 points. Chet Frazier added 13 points, three of which came on an absolute rainmaker of a shot that had the highest arc I've ever seen in hundreds of games at Assembly Hall. Brian Randle added 11 points, Rich McBride hit a couple of threes for 10, and Calvin Brock had 7 points.
Illinois improves to 12-2 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten Conference. Up next: versus Xavier (Ohio) at Cincinnati, Ohio on Friday, December 29 at 8 PM CT. Hopefully, Warren Carter will be ready to go in this one.
On another note, it was great hearing Coach Lou Henson provide color commentary during the Illini Sports Network's broadcast of this game. He looks great too - it's wonderful to see him doing so well again.
Illinois 71, Idaho State 60
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Simeon's Wilson chooses Illini
It's official! Martez Wilson - the highest rated player in the state of Illinois - says 'yes' to Coach Ron Zook and the Illini!
What a recruiting class the Illini are assembling!!! WOW!!!
Simeon's Wilson chooses Illini
What a recruiting class the Illini are assembling!!! WOW!!!
Simeon's Wilson chooses Illini
Catching up with Illini football recuiting: Lots of GOOD NEWS!!!
Coach Ron Zook and his hard-working staff have been running all over the country since the Illini football season ended. And all that hard work is starting to pay off: To steal a clever marketing phrase from the marketing folks at Lexus, it's been a "December to Remember" for the Illini football family.
After Thornton Township's stud wide receiver Anthony Morris and Washington, DC superstar Arrelious Benn verballed to Coach Zook and the Illini back on November 9, several other highly-ranked athletes have jumped on the Illini football bandwagon. Here's a list of the newest UI verbal commitments:
S #39 *** Brian Gamble
(Washington HS)
Massillon, OH
6-0/190
Verballed: 12/05/2006
RB NR * Troy Pollard
(Andrew Jackson HS)
Jacksonville, FL
5-8/175/4.50
Verballed: 12/05/2006
C #11 *** Mark Jackson
(Harmony Community School Midd)
Cincinnati, OH
6-5/290/5.20
Verballed: 12/11/2006
WLB NR ** Erique Robertson
(Maple Heights Senior HS)
Maple Heights, OH
5-11/210
Verballed: 12/11/2006
S NR ** Darius Purcell
(Hubbard HS)
Chicago, IL
5-11/215/4.60
Verballed: 12/11/2006
RB JC * Daniel Dufrene
(College of the Sequoias)
Visalia, CA
5-11/205/4.45
Verballed: 12/12/2006
DT #3 ***** D'Angelo McCray
(Andrew Jackson HS)
Jacksonville, FL
6-4/290/4.85
Verballed: 12/14/2006
OT #26 **** Jack Cornell
(Quincy Notre Dame HS)
Quincy, IL
6-7/305/4.90
Verballed: 12/19/2006
For more on these student-athletes, check out Scout.com.
Welcome, one and all, to Fighting Illini football and congratulations on your decisions! We're very excited to have you all with us!!!
NOTE: Simeon's outstanding DE Martez Wilson is to announce his school of choice this evening in a press conference in Chicago. The buzz on the street is that 'Tez is also coming to UI - keep your fingers crossed, Illini fans...
After Thornton Township's stud wide receiver Anthony Morris and Washington, DC superstar Arrelious Benn verballed to Coach Zook and the Illini back on November 9, several other highly-ranked athletes have jumped on the Illini football bandwagon. Here's a list of the newest UI verbal commitments:
(Washington HS)
Massillon, OH
6-0/190
Verballed: 12/05/2006
(Andrew Jackson HS)
Jacksonville, FL
5-8/175/4.50
Verballed: 12/05/2006
(Harmony Community School Midd)
Cincinnati, OH
6-5/290/5.20
Verballed: 12/11/2006
(Maple Heights Senior HS)
Maple Heights, OH
5-11/210
Verballed: 12/11/2006
(Hubbard HS)
Chicago, IL
5-11/215/4.60
Verballed: 12/11/2006
(College of the Sequoias)
Visalia, CA
5-11/205/4.45
Verballed: 12/12/2006
(Andrew Jackson HS)
Jacksonville, FL
6-4/290/4.85
Verballed: 12/14/2006
(Quincy Notre Dame HS)
Quincy, IL
6-7/305/4.90
Verballed: 12/19/2006
For more on these student-athletes, check out Scout.com.
Welcome, one and all, to Fighting Illini football and congratulations on your decisions! We're very excited to have you all with us!!!
NOTE: Simeon's outstanding DE Martez Wilson is to announce his school of choice this evening in a press conference in Chicago. The buzz on the street is that 'Tez is also coming to UI - keep your fingers crossed, Illini fans...
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Illinois 73, Missouri 70
Seven straight! Seven straight Braggin' Rights victories over Missouri! Another joyous Christmas in Champaign-Urbana!
But, unlike last year's 82-50 woodshed beating by the Illini, this game was close and it came down to the last play and the last few seconds. In fact, neither team led by more than six points in the game. One thing is certain: First-year Missouri coach Mike Anderson has done a nice job installing his version of Nolan Richardson's chaotic "40 Minutes of Hell" system and this Mizzou team has come a long way since last year.
When the final buzzer sounded, Trent Meacham had stolen the ball from Mizzou point guard Stefhon Hannah and the Illini had a hard-fought 73-70 victory and a seventh straight Busch Braggin' Rights trophy. And Illini coach Bruce Weber had his 100th victory (against just 18 defeats) with the Illini. All is well with the world!
But give Missouri (9-2, 0-0 in the Big XII) credit: They fought the Illini harder then they've fought in a long time and their pressure defense was very good all night long. Fortunately, Chester Frazier, Rich McBride, Jamar Smith and Meacham were up to the task as the Illini only committed 14 turnovers - one fewer than their season average of 15.
My game balls go to two Illini: Frazier and Shaun Pruitt. Frazier played a few seconds short of all 40 minutes - even with a painful turf toe injury - and he was solid at the point in the face of all the full-court pressure and wing traps. He totaled 8 points, 6 assists and 3 steals. And Pruitt was just as solid in the paint with a team-high 19 points and 9 rebounds (5 were offensive rebounds). I'm not sure any of the Tigers can stop Shaun when he plays like he did Tuesday night.
The Illini shot just 42% from the field, but outrebounded the fiesty Tigers 39-31. The Illini also out-pilfered the Tigers 12-6 and didn't give the Tigers any easy points in transition - two more surprising statistics. Arguably, the Illini took care of business and forced their slower tempo as much as possible in order to get this important win.
Perhaps the only disappointment in this game was the Illini defense: Missouri used dribble penetration effectively and had a lot of good looks at the basket. The Tigers connected on 51% of their shots.
Mizzou's Hannah led all scorers with a career-high 21 points. No other Tiger player scored more than 9 points.
So the Illini head back to Champaign with another year to brag and an 11-2 record (0-0 in the Big Ten). Up next: versus Idaho State at the Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, December 21 at 7 PM.
Illinois 73, Missouri 70
But, unlike last year's 82-50 woodshed beating by the Illini, this game was close and it came down to the last play and the last few seconds. In fact, neither team led by more than six points in the game. One thing is certain: First-year Missouri coach Mike Anderson has done a nice job installing his version of Nolan Richardson's chaotic "40 Minutes of Hell" system and this Mizzou team has come a long way since last year.
When the final buzzer sounded, Trent Meacham had stolen the ball from Mizzou point guard Stefhon Hannah and the Illini had a hard-fought 73-70 victory and a seventh straight Busch Braggin' Rights trophy. And Illini coach Bruce Weber had his 100th victory (against just 18 defeats) with the Illini. All is well with the world!
But give Missouri (9-2, 0-0 in the Big XII) credit: They fought the Illini harder then they've fought in a long time and their pressure defense was very good all night long. Fortunately, Chester Frazier, Rich McBride, Jamar Smith and Meacham were up to the task as the Illini only committed 14 turnovers - one fewer than their season average of 15.
My game balls go to two Illini: Frazier and Shaun Pruitt. Frazier played a few seconds short of all 40 minutes - even with a painful turf toe injury - and he was solid at the point in the face of all the full-court pressure and wing traps. He totaled 8 points, 6 assists and 3 steals. And Pruitt was just as solid in the paint with a team-high 19 points and 9 rebounds (5 were offensive rebounds). I'm not sure any of the Tigers can stop Shaun when he plays like he did Tuesday night.
The Illini shot just 42% from the field, but outrebounded the fiesty Tigers 39-31. The Illini also out-pilfered the Tigers 12-6 and didn't give the Tigers any easy points in transition - two more surprising statistics. Arguably, the Illini took care of business and forced their slower tempo as much as possible in order to get this important win.
Perhaps the only disappointment in this game was the Illini defense: Missouri used dribble penetration effectively and had a lot of good looks at the basket. The Tigers connected on 51% of their shots.
Mizzou's Hannah led all scorers with a career-high 21 points. No other Tiger player scored more than 9 points.
So the Illini head back to Champaign with another year to brag and an 11-2 record (0-0 in the Big Ten). Up next: versus Idaho State at the Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, December 21 at 7 PM.
Illinois 73, Missouri 70
Illinois 77, Belmont 51
After a close first half, the Illini used a 13-4 run early in the second half to pull away from a stubborn and talented Belmont team on Sunday at Assembly Hall in Champaign. When it was all done, the Illini had a 77-51 victory going away. Both coaches credited tough Illini defense in the second half as the difference in this one.
Warren Carter had another strong game with 21 points and 5 rebounds. Chester Frazier contributed eleven - yes, eleven! - rebounds to lead the Illini (10-2 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten). Shaun Pruitt added 13 points and 4 boards and Brian Randle totaled 10 and 4, respectively.
The one sore spot for the Illini in this game: turnovers. Belmont, somehow, forced a season-high 22 Illini turnovers. This statistic doesn't bode well for Tuesday's Braggin' Rights Game in Saint Louis against Missouri's chaotic "40 Minutes of Hell": The Illini must take care of the basketball against the much-improved Tigers or they will suffer a defeat.
Shane Dansby came off the bench to lead Belmont (7-3, 2-0 Atlantic Sun Conference) with 13 points, while center Boomer Herndon added a team-high six rebounds for the Bruins.
My personal opinion: This Belmont team will be in the 2007 NCAA Tournament. They were in it last year. They're very disciplined and they've got a lineup full of shooters.
Up next: versus Missouri in the annual Busch Braggin' Rights Game at the Scottrade Center in Saint Louis, MO on Tuesday, December 19 at 8 PM. It should be another wild affair under the Gateway Arch.
Illinois 77, Belmont 51
Warren Carter had another strong game with 21 points and 5 rebounds. Chester Frazier contributed eleven - yes, eleven! - rebounds to lead the Illini (10-2 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten). Shaun Pruitt added 13 points and 4 boards and Brian Randle totaled 10 and 4, respectively.
The one sore spot for the Illini in this game: turnovers. Belmont, somehow, forced a season-high 22 Illini turnovers. This statistic doesn't bode well for Tuesday's Braggin' Rights Game in Saint Louis against Missouri's chaotic "40 Minutes of Hell": The Illini must take care of the basketball against the much-improved Tigers or they will suffer a defeat.
Shane Dansby came off the bench to lead Belmont (7-3, 2-0 Atlantic Sun Conference) with 13 points, while center Boomer Herndon added a team-high six rebounds for the Bruins.
My personal opinion: This Belmont team will be in the 2007 NCAA Tournament. They were in it last year. They're very disciplined and they've got a lineup full of shooters.
Up next: versus Missouri in the annual Busch Braggin' Rights Game at the Scottrade Center in Saint Louis, MO on Tuesday, December 19 at 8 PM. It should be another wild affair under the Gateway Arch.
Illinois 77, Belmont 51
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Illinois 71, UIC 66
Ugh! I think I hated watching this Lexus "December to Remember" game as much as Coach Bruce Weber says he did.
After an average first half that led to a comfortable 37-22 halftime lead, the Illini seemed to go into "play not to lose" mode. The Flames cut that 37-22 lead down to just 37-33 in the opening minutes of the second half to get back in the game. UIC shot just 27 percent in the first half and improved to 50 percent shooting in the second 20 minutes (where was the Illini defense in the second half???).
Rich McBride led the Illini with 13 points. Chester Frazier chipped in with 10 points for the Illini and Brian Randle - who had missed the previous nine games following groin surgery - had nine points and nine rebounds.
Othyus Jeffers, who led UIC's comeback, scored 13 of his 16 in the second half. Josh Mayo added 13 for the Flames (5-5).
About the only good news from this game: The Illini (9-2 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten) are now 29-6 all-time at the United Center and 12-1 against UIC.
Next up: versus Belmont on Sunday, December 17 at the Assembly Hall in Champaign.
Illinois 71, UIC 66
After an average first half that led to a comfortable 37-22 halftime lead, the Illini seemed to go into "play not to lose" mode. The Flames cut that 37-22 lead down to just 37-33 in the opening minutes of the second half to get back in the game. UIC shot just 27 percent in the first half and improved to 50 percent shooting in the second 20 minutes (where was the Illini defense in the second half???).
Rich McBride led the Illini with 13 points. Chester Frazier chipped in with 10 points for the Illini and Brian Randle - who had missed the previous nine games following groin surgery - had nine points and nine rebounds.
Othyus Jeffers, who led UIC's comeback, scored 13 of his 16 in the second half. Josh Mayo added 13 for the Flames (5-5).
About the only good news from this game: The Illini (9-2 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten) are now 29-6 all-time at the United Center and 12-1 against UIC.
Next up: versus Belmont on Sunday, December 17 at the Assembly Hall in Champaign.
Illinois 71, UIC 66
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Illinois 87, IUPUI 59
One stat says it all about this mismatch: The Illini had 26 assists on 32 made baskets. The Illini offense was extremely efficient in an easy victory from IUPUI.
55% field goal shooting and 59% accuracy from behind the arc didn't hurt either. Warren Carter continued his solid play with a game-leading 21 points and he added 8 rebounds for the Illini. Rich McBride converted 6 of 9 treys for 18 points and Jamar Smith came in off the bench for 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Chester Frazier did a solid job at the point, handing out 11 assists with only 3 turnovers.
Two senior guards led the way for IUPUI (3-5 overall): David Barlow had 19 points and 5 rebounds while Matt Burks added 17 and 4, respectively.
One interesting side note: IUPUI Guard/forward Craig Swoope, a freshman, is the son of former standout Illini defensive back Craig Swoope, who played football at UI back in the 1980's. The younger Swoope added 2 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists in 12 minutes played last night.
The Illini improve to 8-2 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten Conference. Up next: versus Illinois - Chicago at the United Center on Saturday, December 9 at 1:00 PM.
Illinois 87, IUPUI 59
55% field goal shooting and 59% accuracy from behind the arc didn't hurt either. Warren Carter continued his solid play with a game-leading 21 points and he added 8 rebounds for the Illini. Rich McBride converted 6 of 9 treys for 18 points and Jamar Smith came in off the bench for 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Chester Frazier did a solid job at the point, handing out 11 assists with only 3 turnovers.
Two senior guards led the way for IUPUI (3-5 overall): David Barlow had 19 points and 5 rebounds while Matt Burks added 17 and 4, respectively.
One interesting side note: IUPUI Guard/forward Craig Swoope, a freshman, is the son of former standout Illini defensive back Craig Swoope, who played football at UI back in the 1980's. The younger Swoope added 2 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists in 12 minutes played last night.
The Illini improve to 8-2 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten Conference. Up next: versus Illinois - Chicago at the United Center on Saturday, December 9 at 1:00 PM.
Illinois 87, IUPUI 59
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
#16 Arizona 84, Illinois 72
PHOENIX (AP) -- The last time Arizona and Illinois played, the Fighting Illini staged a late comeback that stunned the Wildcats and denied them a berth in the 2005 Final Four.Regretfully, I predicted this game to be a loss for the Illini when I first saw this season's schedule. The Illini started out strong (for once this season!) and built a comfortable 35-19 lead midway through the first half, only to see Arizona's athleticism get the best of them late.
The 16th-ranked Wildcats are still haunted by that heartbreaker, but may have eased the pain with their 84-72 victory over Illinois in the Basketball Hall of Fame Challenge on Saturday.
The Wildcats (5-1) felt they made a statement after rallying from a 16-point deficit to win a game played at tournament intensity.
"Illinois is a big-time team," said game MVP Chase Budinger, who led Arizona with 22 points and eight rebounds. "They always have a great program. It really tested us to see where we were as a team and as a program."
So, after losing two straight to top 25 teams, the Illini are now 7-2 overall, 0-0 in the Big Ten Conference. Up next: versus IUPUI at the Assembly Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, December 6 at 7:00 PM.
#16 Arizona 84, Illinois 72
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