Campbell was quick to point out the first thing he’s going to do when he returns home after this week’s NCAA championships in Atlanta is hit the beach. Guthrie said Campbell has been known to lounge around in beach-inspired tank tops.
CHAMPAIGN — On Tuesday, Brian Campbell worked out in preparation for the NCAA golf championships by practicing outdoors in blue shorts and a short-sleeved striped polo with a Cherry Hills logo stitched on his left chest.
Point guard will request NCAA waiver for immediate eligiblity
CHAMPAIGN — Ahmad Starks, a transfer from Oregon State, said Monday he will finish his collegiate career at Illinois.
The story was first reported by ESPN Chicago.
Steve Kelly and Loren Tate talk with Illini Assistant SID Ben Taylor from the NCAA Golf Championships.
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The Illini finished at 4 under and sit in fourth place with two rounds remaining before the top eight teams advance to match play.
MILTON, Ga. — For Illinois, it was mission accomplished on the opening day of the NCAA championships.
The Illini finished at 4 under and sit in fourth place with two rounds remaining before the top eight teams advance to match play.
Ahmad Starks announced Tuesday he will transfer from Oregon State to Illinois. He will seek a hardship waiver in an attempt to become eligible immediately.
During his three-year career at Oregon State, Ahmad Starks and the Beavers failed to reach the NCAA tournament. So when the former Whitney Young star made the decision to leave the Pacific Northwest in an effort to be closer to his family, which includes an ailing grandmother back home in Chicago, choosing a program that could afford him an opportunity to reach the Dance was important.
Trevor Kanteman will join the Illinois football team.
It's just unclear exactly when he might actually take the field for the Illini.
Illinois received a verbal commitment from the tight end/H-back last week.
Kanteman said Illinois wide receivers coach Mike Bellamy was the main recruiter on him
Groce’s salary will increase to $1.2 million a year. His contract now runs through April 2018.
University trustees have signed off on a $200,000 annual raise and contract extension for Illinois basketball coach John Groce. Groce’s salary will increase to $1.2 million a year. His contract now runs through April 2018.
The Illinois volleyball team left Friday on a 10-day trip to Italy. Along the way, the Illini will play five matches against various Italian teams. Freshman Kathryn Polkoff gives us the scoop:
Hello Champaign!
News-Gazette sports writer Marcus Jackson joins Steve in the studio. They discuss the latest in sports news, talk to Paul Klee with the Colorado Springs Gazette, and to Illini golf coach Mike Small at the NCAA Tournament.
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Through 36 holes, the Illini are tied for fifth place. After today’s round, the top eight teams will advance to match play.
MILTON, Ga. — During the Illini’s late-season push, coach Mike Small often credited his golf team’s mental toughness.
He was at it again Wednesday at the NCAA Championships at Capital City Club.
Alexander is sincere in his interest in Illinois. I'd consider that to be good shape, though it's going to be tough going up against Michigan State and Kentucky.
Big-time recruiting target Cliff Alexander was a hot topic in Marcus Jackson's online chat Wednesday. Check out what our beat writer had to say about him, Ahmad Starks, Myke Henry and more by clicking here
Seven of the 10 Chargers who played against Chatham Glenwood — ranked 19th in Class 3A — were underclassmen, including sophomore pitcher Danielle Staske.
MOUNT ZION — Lexi Hall prefers the positive approach.
The Centennial junior softball shortstop didn’t view Wednesday’s 12-0 loss to state-ranked Chatham Glenwood as an end to a season as much as she saw it as the start of preparations for the next season.
“I’ll play summer softball this year, and next year I’ll look to step into a leadership role,” Hall said.
“It’s a tough loss but I was very proud of the way we played that game,” Centennial coach Rich Hyde said.
SPRINGFIELD — For 10 innings Wednesday, Centennial played flawless defense.
But two errors in the 11th cost the Chargers in their 2-1 loss to Chatham Glenwood in a sectional semifinal.
“It’s a tough loss but I was very proud of the way we played that game,” Centennial coach Rich Hyde said.
Before Abel Schrader became the head boys' basketball coach at Belleville East, the former Southern Illinois-Carbondale guard knew about Malcolm Hill.
Had heard about Malcolm Hill.
Had seen Malcolm Hill.
And couldn't wait to coach Malcolm Hill.
The Illinois recruit who averaged 25.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.3 steals while making 44 three-pointers and blocking 52 shots last winter for a 24-4 Belleville East team will arrive in Champaign-Urbana in about a week.
It’s encouraging, however, that this will be Illinois’ second regional appearance in three years. Encouraging, too, that the Illini made it as an at-large selection.
Compared to the likes of first-round opponent Georgia Tech, which is making its 29th NCAA tournament appearance, Illinois has a spotty postseason resume.
The Illini are making their 11th NCAA trip, but the fourth in the past 23 years.
With all the lineup switches needed, outsiders didn’t view this as a banner season for Salt Fork in mid-March. Yet here is the Storm in the state finals.
SIDELL — Two senior starters graduated from last year’s Salt Fork baseball program.
When the Storm makes its Class 1A state tournament debut today in Peoria, however, just three players will start in the same positions they played regularly a year ago.
It's Golf Thursday! Steve broadcasts live from Hickory Point Golf Course in Decatur. In addition to covering the latest in sports news, Steve talks to Golf Pro Andy Potts, Hickory Point Superintendent Greg Foley, and Stephanie Irby, with the Decatur-Forsyth Classic Steering Committee. He also checks in with Illini golf coach Mike Smalls at the NCAA Golf Tournament.
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The Illinois men’s golf team qualified fifth for NCAA match play, which begins today. The Illini drew defending NCAA champion Texas. “The vibe the team has right now is awesome, the best it’s been all year,” said Charlie Danielson, who earned All-America honors by tying for 13th. “We have the momentum; we’ve played well the last three tournaments, and I think we’re very confident heading into tomorrow and the next three days.”
MILTON, Ga. — Illinois golf coach Mike Small’s squad is one of eight in the country with a shot to win the national title, but it’s the only finalist that doesn’t have year-round weather for the sport.
The Illini baseball team begins NCAA tournament play today (1 p.m., WDWS 1400-AM) against Georgia Tech in the Nashville Regional. College baseball beat writer Jeff Huth’s storylines on Illinois’ bid to move on to the super-regionals:
The Illini baseball team begins NCAA tournament play today (1 p.m., WDWS 1400-AM) against Georgia Tech in the Nashville Regional. College baseball beat writer Jeff Huth’s storylines on Illinois’ bid to move on to the super-regionals:
Just getting started
Former Vikings standout takes over for Mike Carpenter.
DANVILLE — Danville native DaJuan Gouard, who spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Danville Area Community College, was named the head men’s basketball coach Thursday, replacing Mike Carpenter.
