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