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Illinois Fighting Illini

Possible sports photo of the year: Illini coach John Groce and son

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I'm not talking about the picture above; I'm talking about the Chicago Tribune photo after the jump. It's Illini coach John Groce and his son embracing the moment after knocking off the #1 Indiana Hoosiers, their hated rival. Of course, there's conflict for Groce as he grew up a huge Hoosiers fan in Muncie, Indiana. And his wife went to IU as well. … [Read more...] about Possible sports photo of the year: Illini coach John Groce and son

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Wisconsin Badgers: Brutally Honest Preview

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The Illinois Fighting Illini and Wisconsin Badgers have a lot in common in 2012 and it's not a good thing. Most notably is the unexpected and disappointing starts  for both teams. Neither team looked half-decent against non-conference foes and both lost their Big Ten openers. The Illini's new head coach Tim Beckman could already be on the hot-seat and the Wisconsin Badgers … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Wisconsin Badgers: Brutally Honest Preview

#63 Illinois Fighting Illini: College Basketball 111 in 111

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Welcome to The Sports Bank’s third annual college basketball season preview series.  Two years we looked at 99 teams in 99 days.  Last year, we were slightly more aggressive and expanded to 111 teams in 111 days and will do so again as we look ahead to the 2012-2013 season. We will rank the 75 power conference teams and top 36 mid-majors in reverse power ranking order. … [Read more...] about #63 Illinois Fighting Illini: College Basketball 111 in 111

Illini Whitney Mercilus Entering the NFL Draft

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University of Illinois junior defensive end Whitney Mercilus announced today that he will forgo his senior season at Illinois to enter the 2012 NFL Draft.  Mercilus who has the best name a defensive line man can have, emerged from total obscurity to have a banner year for the Fighting Illini, tying Simeon Rice’s single-season record and leading the nation with 16 sacks. … [Read more...] about Illini Whitney Mercilus Entering the NFL Draft

Illini DE Whitney Mercilus: Best at his Position in the Nation

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University of Illinois junior defensive end Whitney Mercilus was named yesterday to the Associated Press All-America first team. That means he's truly "everybody's All-American" and he's been named to 10 different All-America teams. Nine of which were first-team. He also took home the Hendricks Award, given annually to the nation's top defensive end. "There's a lot of … [Read more...] about Illini DE Whitney Mercilus: Best at his Position in the Nation

Illini Defensive End Whitney Mercilus Wins Top National DE Award

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Illinois junior Whitney Mercilus has won the 2011 Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award. Mercilus led the nation in sacks, sacks per game and forced fumbles while ranking sixth nationally in tackles for loss per game. He becomes the first Illini national award winner since Dana Howard (1994) and Kevin Hardy (1995) won the Butkus Award (best linebacker in college football) … [Read more...] about Illini Defensive End Whitney Mercilus Wins Top National DE Award

Illini Upset #18 Gonzaga; Illinois is Better than You Think

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Even when Illinois is having a down year, or a "rebuilding year," they still get at least one win in over a ranked team. In 1998-99 and 2007-08 (two college basketball seasons that saw Illinois break the school record for losses) they still beat a couple ranked teams- even if it didn't happen until the Big Ten Tournament. It's a hallmark of where Illinois is as a program, … [Read more...] about Illini Upset #18 Gonzaga; Illinois is Better than You Think

Illini Open New Season and Court With Victory Over Loyola 67-49

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The state of Illinois has produced only one college basketball national championship, and it wasn't accomplished by the Illinois Fighting Illini; although they were just a couple 3-pt FGs away in '05. Depaul made the Final 4 in '80s glory years under Ray Meyer, but no further. SIU has won a lot of games in March lately, but they haven't cut down the nets either. I doubt any … [Read more...] about Illini Open New Season and Court With Victory Over Loyola 67-49