From the St. Louis Post Dispatch:

The recruitment of Tyler Griffey began before his freshman year at Lafayette High School and now, according to the Champaign News- Gazette through unnamed sources, the 6-foot-8 junior has committed to the University of Illinois.

An announcement from Griffey is expected this weekend. Sources close to Griffey would neither confirm nor deny his commitment to the Illini.

 

From Paul Klee and the News Gazette:

Add another one to the Illinois basketball program’s recruiting haul.

Tyler Griffey, a 6-foot-8 junior from Lafayette (Mo.) High School in the St. Louis area, gave the Illinois staff an oral commitment on Wednesday, multiple sources said late Wednesday. Griffey can sign a national letter of intent with the Illini in November.

 

Drew Neitzel scored nine of his 15 points during a key stretch in the second half, helping No. 8 Michigan State beat Illinois 51-41 and set a school record on Wednesday night.”The milestone will probably mean more to me tomorrow than it does right now,” coach Tom Izzo said.

The Spartans (19-2, 7-1 Big Ten) have their best 21-game record in program’s 109-year history.

The Illini (10-12, 2-7) didn’t make it easy.

Read more from Yahoo! Sports.

 

Illini Thump Northwestern

January 27, 2008

calvin_brock_northwestern.jpgTrent Meacham had 18 points to help Illinois defeat Northwestern 70-37 and snap a two-game losing streak Sunday night at Assembly Hall.

Illinois (10-11, 2-6 Big Ten), losers of seven of its last nine games, shot 54.2 percent and made eight 3-pointers to end its skid. Rodney Alexander and Demetri McCamey each added eight points for the Illini.

Michael Thompson led Northwestern with 13 points and Sterling Williams added nine points and had three rebounds.

Read more from ChicagoSports.com.

 

From the Alabama Press-Register:

Ron Zook once spoiled LSU’s otherwise perfect season.

LSU may be poised to return the favor.

The Tigers appear to be on the verge of stealing a commitment from Zook’s Fighting Illini. Hialeah, Fla., defensive tackle Corey Liuget, a 6-foot-3, 260-pounder who is ranked No. 80 on the Press-Register’s Super Southeast 120, won’t make his college destination known until national signing day on Feb. 6. However, there is reason for LSU to feel optimistic and Illinois to get a bit worried.

“(LSU is) very, very strong with me in terms of where they stand right now,” Liuget told Rivals.com. “The thing about LSU is that I feel very comfortable with Coach (Les) Miles. LSU is one of a few schools that are still in the running. LSU is strong as in my favorite school strong.”

 

Zion-Benton 71, Warren 62

January 25, 2008

From ChicagoSports.com:

Warren closed to 48-44 after three periods be hind Brandon Paul’s 13 third-quarter points.

Warren–F/G Paul, 32 points.

 

From ESPN.com (Insider):

Singing Day Storylines: Despite landing Benn in 2007, Illinois will lack good receiver depth the next few years and filled some of that void with Alfred Jenkins (Jacksonville, Fla./Terry Parker), a potential playmaker at the next level, and Cordale Scott (Cleveland/Glenville), a smooth, big-play possession receiver. ESPN 150 6-foot-3 receiver Kenny Tate (Forestville, Md./DeMatha Catholic) is also looking strongly at Champaign as well. Look for Deries Hodge (Harrisburg, Pa./Milford), an explosive power-back currently prepping at Milford Academy, to get some carries next year with Rashard Mendenhall declaring early for the NFL draft.

Our one concern is the loss of Jeremy (J) Leman at middle linebacker and the lacking depth behind him. Justin Staples (Lakewood, Ohio/Saint Edward) and Nate Palmer (Chicago/Simeon) are serviceable outside backers but not the answer in the middle.

Top Prospect: Illinois went into Florida for Nixon and stole a good one. One of the most versatile defensive back prospects in the country, Nixon possesses great upside for the next level with his room for physical development and natural tools to mold as at the position. Despite his lack of ideal bulk, this kid will come up and pop you while providing sufficient run support. In coverage, he displays the quick feet to mirror in man-to-man and the great range needed in zone. Could be employed at safety or corner and provide his future defensive coordinator with great scheme versatility.

Could see the field in 2008: Nixon, Hodge and Jenkins.

 

Ohio State: Player Analysis

January 23, 2008

F Brian Randle – B-
It was Randle’s third straight double double, and he played a pretty good game, but it could have been much better. In the first half he was just one-for-eleven from the floor, and he capped off what may have been his worse half of the season with a missed dunk. He then came out in the second half with a mission, and played much better. He was active both offensively and defensively, and provided energy for the rest of his teammates to feed off of. Read more

 

weber_ohio_state.jpgColumbus, OH has not been kind to Bruce Weber since he took over the head coaching job in Champaign. After Tuesday night’s defeat, the Illini are 1-3 in Columbus under Bruce Weber with the only win coming in the 2003-2004 season’s final game when the Illini clinched their first outright Big Ten Championship since 1952 on a Deron Williams free throw.
Read more

 

Recruit Watch: January 21

January 22, 2008

From the Chicago Sun Times:

Head scored 12 points to go along with four rebounds in a close win over Lincoln-Way East. In a loss to Bloom, he had 13 rebounds and eight rebounds. Rich South will face Rich East this week.

 

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