Filling the void left by Meyers Leonard will be tough, but the Illinois Fighting Illini may have an answer...in 2013-14 with the commitment of preps star Maverick Morgan from Ohio. If he does have NBA potential later wouldn't it be cool if he were drafted by Dallas? Morgan chose the Illini over the Dayton Flyers, Minnesota Golden Gophers, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin Badgers and … [Read more...] about Illini hoops get commit from top 15 center Maverick Morgan
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Illini big man Meyers Leonard states case at ’12 NBA Draft Combine (video)
Former Illinois Fighting Illini Center Meyers Leonard greeted the media yesterday at the 2012 NBA Draft combine. Here's some of what he had to say about the process. … [Read more...] about Illini big man Meyers Leonard states case at ’12 NBA Draft Combine (video)
Illini grab shooting guard transfer Rayvonte Rice from Drake
Coach John Groce landed his first recruiting victory as coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini today, as Rayvonte Rice is leaving Drake and coming home. The 6-4, 250-pound guard grew up in Champaign, Illinois and was the 2010 Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year while playing for Champaign Centennial High School. Hopefully, this will help bring in this year's Gatorade player of … [Read more...] about Illini grab shooting guard transfer Rayvonte Rice from Drake
Illini basketball introduces John Groce: I hope reality is inverse of press conference
You've heard the expression "win the news conference." Well, for the University of Illinois and the Illini basketball coaching hire of John Groce, that ship sailed weeks ago. Any time you get your sixth (possibly seventh) choice in a men's basketball coach at a basketball school, your news conference is...well, you just hope there's no pitchforks and flaming torches. Most … [Read more...] about Illini basketball introduces John Groce: I hope reality is inverse of press conference
Top 5 things Illini fans would miss about Bruce Weber
It's complete turmoil in Illini basketball nation right now, but don't feel too bad for them for much longer. Nebraska Cornhuskers coach Doc Sadler had to help wipe away the tears of Bruce Weber following the Illini loss by 23 in Lincoln (the Huskers were up 32, and as decorum dictates wisely took their foot off the gas pedal and it could have been worse). Weber's fate appears … [Read more...] about Top 5 things Illini fans would miss about Bruce Weber
Embattled Illini avoid first winless February since 1907
The college basketball season is only five months long, so any time you're talking about a winless month, it's not a good sign. And in their seventh and final game of the year's shortest month, the Illini would not come up short. They picked up a 65-54 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes, avoiding the February donut, which hasn't happened to the program since 1907. The Illini also … [Read more...] about Embattled Illini avoid first winless February since 1907
Former Illini, NBA Draft bust Jereme Richmond finds “professional” team
The only McDonald's All-American to be recruited by Bruce Weber, and the 2010 state of Illinois Mr. Basketball Jereme Richmond has finally found a place to play basketball again, in the Premier League. No, not that Premier League, the world's finest soccer association in England. The ex-Illini forward will play for the Sauk Valley Predators in the Premier Basketball League, … [Read more...] about Former Illini, NBA Draft bust Jereme Richmond finds “professional” team
Illini basketball season follows same depressing path as Illini football season
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." For Illini fans in 2011-12, both were true. In both revenue producing sports. On the college football gridiron, Illinois started 6-0, on the strength of some ugly wins: (Northwestern, Western Michigan), and ascended to #16 in the nation. They lost as favorites to Ohio State, then became the first team in FBS … [Read more...] about Illini basketball season follows same depressing path as Illini football season
Illini Coach Bruce Weber clarifies, apologies for defeatist comments last night
Illinois Coach Bruce Weber sounded like a dead man walking last night in his post game press conference. Following the Illini home loss to Purdue, which effectively killed his team's NCAA Tournament at-large chances, Weber sounded very defeatist when meeting the media. He called out some of his own players (Meyers Leonard, for his body language specifically), gushed over … [Read more...] about Illini Coach Bruce Weber clarifies, apologies for defeatist comments last night
Just how shaky is Illini coach Bruce Weber’s Job Security?
The Assembly Hall crowd in Champaign called for Bruce Weber's head. Illini fans in B Section screamed "pack your bags" and "I can draw up a better offense." This has gone on for years, except this time there was one major difference- No one in the orange and blue crowd stuck up for Bruce. And this happened during one of this year's signature wins, a victory over a top ten … [Read more...] about Just how shaky is Illini coach Bruce Weber’s Job Security?