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Most indispensable players: Illinois

Chicago Colleges Blog | ESPN Chicago — Now that spring practice is solidly in the rearview mirror, we're examining the most indispensable players on each Big Ten team for the 2013 season. By indispensable, we don't necessarily mean best. We mean the players who would be hardest to replace between now and the start of the season if they got hurt or suspended or had to go battle White Walkers north of The Wall. That could be because of their value to the team, or because of a lack of depth at their position.

May 22, 2013

Illinois' chances improve for QB transfer

Chicago Colleges Blog | ESPN Chicago — Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy's decision to prohibit quarterback Wes Lunt from transferring to the SEC, the Big 12 or Southern Miss is being justifiably panned. It's petty and hypocritical for coaches, many of whom flirt with other jobs, to restrict players from pursuing their careers at their desired programs. That Tennessee is on Gundy's no-go list -- the same Tennessee that nearly pried Gundy away from his alma mater in December -- underscores the hypocrisy.

May 20, 2013

Lindauer grows his game as Fighting Illini thrive

Quad-City Times — Illinois shortstop Thomas Lindauer grew up around the game.

May 19, 2013

Millines, Caldwell won't return for Illinois

Chicago Colleges Blog | ESPN Chicago — Illinois' search for playmakers to spark its sputtering offense in 2013 won't include wide receiver Darius Millines. Head coach Tim Beckman confirmed to The (Champaign) News-Gazette that Millines and defensive lineman Darrius Caldwell are no longer members of the Illini program because of an unspecified violation of team policy. Millines was suspended in March for violating team policy and missed spring practice, and Caldwell also sat out the spring because of academic issues.

May 15, 2013

Morgan Park's Taylor commits to Bradley

Chicago Colleges Blog | ESPN Chicago — Morgan Park senior forward Xzavier Taylor committed to Bradley on Sunday, according to his club coach. Taylor, a 6-foot-9 power forward, chose the Braves over Kansas State and Wake Forest, among others. He is ranked the No. 63 power forward in the Class of 2013 by ESPN. Taylor averaged 8.5 points while helping Morgan Park to an Illinois Class 3A state title last season. He had 11 points and 12 rebounds in the Mustangs’ state championship win.

May 12, 2013

Report: More Iowa-NIU games on the way

Chicago Colleges Blog | ESPN Chicago — Iowa and Northern Illinois will meet in a season opener for the second consecutive season Aug. 31 at Kinnick Stadium and for the fourth time since the 2006 season. The Hawkeyes and Huskies should be seeing more of each in the future. CBSsports.com reports that Iowa and Northern Illinois are close to finalizing games in 2018 and 2020 at Kinnick Stadium. NIU athletic director Christian Spears tells the website that a 2019 game also is a possibility.

May 10, 2013

Natalie Hernandez taking swings for mom

Chicago Colleges Blog | ESPN Chicago — The average collegiate softball player draws a walk every eight at-bats. The average leadoff hitter walks even more frequently. Natalie Hernandez is not average. In any sense of the word. Exactly 167 times during the regular season, Hernandez stepped into the batter's box for the University of Illinois-Chicago. Not once -- not even as the team's leadoff hitter for part of the year -- did the junior walk to first base. This startling fact is not due to a lack of offensive talent, of which she has plenty.

May 9, 2013

Big Ten payouts to be $25.7 million per school

St. Louis Post-Dispatch — Big Ten schools can expect a record $25.7 million payout from the conference this year, including another large chunk from the Big Ten Network, according to figures obtained from the Universit…

May 6, 2013

Illinois reloads on the Paul family

Chicago Colleges Blog | ESPN Chicago — One of Illinois coach John Groce's biggest, or at least most interesting, challenges next season will be how he goes about replacing Brandon Paul. The senior guard had an up and down career, to be sure, and while his senior season was no different (Paul started as hot as any player in the country but finished the year having made just 32.5 percent of his 240 3s), he will be difficult to replace in a variety of ways, namely in the sheer number of possessions and shots he took for his team while on the floor.

May 6, 2013

Big Ten payouts to hit $25.7 million per school

St. Louis Post-Dispatch — The Big Ten Network will account for $7.6 million

May 6, 2013

Darius Paul headed to Illinois

Chicago Colleges Blog | ESPN Chicago — Western Michigan freshman forward Darius Paul announced on Twitter on Saturday that he will follow in his older brother Brandon's footsteps and transfer to Illinois. Darius Paul, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward, was the MAC Freshman of the Year averaging 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds last season. He decided to transfer because of a coaching staff change and the desire to play at a higher level, according to his mother. Darius also had offers from Florida, Iowa State, Marquette, Miami (Fla.

May 4, 2013

Evanston bar cancels Illinois caravan stop

Chicago Colleges Blog | ESPN Chicago — Illinois' decision to hold its Chicago coaches caravan reception in downtown Evanston, the backyard of rival Northwestern, was bold at best and contrived and unnecessary at worst. The decision by World of Beer, a new bar in Evanston, to host the Illinois event could be described as bad business. Especially when a group of Northwestern students -- members of World of Beer's target market -- organized their own "welcome" event for Illinois coaches and fans on May 8.

May 2, 2013

New look, new name for Illini

Quad-City Times — Illinois announced Monday a 30-year, $60 million naming rights agreement for its iconic Assembly Hall.

April 30, 2013

Jereme Richmond, troubled ex-Mr. Basketball, arrested again

Chicago Tribune — Troubled former Illinois Mr. Basketball Jereme Richmond was ordered back to jail this morning after he was accused of making threats against his probation officer.    

April 26, 2013

Darius Paul leaving Western Michigan

Chicago Colleges Blog | ESPN Chicago — Freshman forward Darius Paul, the younger brother of Illinois senior guard Brandon Paul, is leaving Western Michigan after one season and is looking to transfer to a high-major program, Paul's mother said on Wednesday. Darius, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward, was the MAC Freshman of the Year and averaged 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds last season. He had four double-doubles, including ones against Michigan and North Carolina State. Lynda Paul said Darius, who attended Warren High School in Gurnee, Ill.

April 24, 2013

Illinois Fighting Illini Photos

  • In this Nov. 10, 2012, file photo, Minnesota quarterback Philip Nelson throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, in Champaign, Ill. Minnesota has all but one starter back on offense, including quarterback Philip Nelson, who came out of his redshirt to play seven games The Associated Press
    FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2012, file photo, Minnesota quarterback Philip Nelson throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, in Champaign, Ill. Minnesota has all but one starter back on offense, including quarterback Philip Nelson, who came out of his redshirt to play seven games. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)
  • In this Nov. 10, 2012, file photo, Illinois head coach Tim Beckman looks up during an NCAA college football game against Minnesota in Champaign, Ill. At a news conference Tuesday, April 9, 2013, Beckman talked about the upcoming spring game on Friday. The coach hopes to improve on last season's 2-10 team The Associated Press
    FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2012, file photo, Illinois head coach Tim Beckman looks up during an NCAA college football game against Minnesota in Champaign, Ill. At a news conference Tuesday, April 9, 2013, Beckman talked about the upcoming spring game on Friday. The coach hopes to improve on last season's 2-10 team. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)
  • In this Feb. 24, 2013, file photo, Michigan guard Trey Burke waits during a break in the during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois in Ann Arbor, Mich. Burke, the sophomore point guard who led Michigan to the Final Four, has been selected The Associated Press' college basketball player of the year on Thursday, April 4, 2013 The Associated Press
    FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2013, file photo, Michigan guard Trey Burke waits during a break in the during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois in Ann Arbor, Mich. Burke, the sophomore point guard who led Michigan to the Final Four, has been selected The Associated Press' college basketball player of the year on Thursday, April 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
  • Larranaga heading back to familiar DC territory The Associated Press
    Miami head coach Jim Larranaga celebrates with fans after a third-round game of the NCAA college basketball tournament against the Illinois Sunday, March 24, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Miami won 63-59. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
  • Sunshine State teams gleaming in NCAA spotlight The Associated Press
    Miami head coach Jim Larranaga reacts during the first half of a third-round game of the NCAA college basketball tournament against the Illinois Sunday, March 24, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
  • AP Source: Miami's Johnson has minor knee surgery The Associated Press
    Miami's Reggie Johnson and Illinois' Nnanna Egwu go after a loose ball during the first half of a third-round game of the NCAA college basketball tournament Sunday, March 24, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
  • In this March 24, 2013, file photo, Miami head coach Jim Larranaga celebrates with fans after their 63-59 win over Illinois in a third-round game of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Austin, Texas The Associated Press
    FILE - In this March 24, 2013, file photo, Miami head coach Jim Larranaga celebrates with fans after their 63-59 win over Illinois in a third-round game of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
  • BracketRacket: Dickie V and dolphins, oh my! The Associated Press
    FILE - In this March 24, 2013, file photo, Miami head coach Jim Larranaga celebrates with fans after their 63-59 win over Illinois in a third-round game of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
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