IlliniBoard.com http://www.illiniboard.com IlliniBoard Mon, 05 May 2008 14:48:06 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Big Ten facing big challenge The Big Ten never has been in a class with the Atlantic Coast Conference in basketball. But until recent years, it didn't rank behind the Southeastern Conference, Big 12, Big East and Pac-10 in the eyes of most evaluators. Big Ten teams won five NCAA titles from 1976 to 1989, but ... http://www.illiniboard.com/2008/05/05/big-ten-facing-big-challenge/ Summer of growth for ‘09 Illini recruit From the Peoria Journal Star: So the 6-foot-8, 220-pound high school junior - who committed to the Illinois basketball program last winter - cut down on his AAU season and made it a priority to build his body and his game. By concentrating on the Adidas Nations program - a series ... http://www.illiniboard.com/2008/05/04/summer-of-growth-for-09-illini-recruit/ 2008 King James Classic: Top Perimeter Players From DraftExpress: Richmond led his Rising Stars Gold team to the championship game of the King James Classic before falling to Boston based B.A.B.C. Despite the relatively modest numbers posted throughout the tournament (averaged around 12 points per game in the 3 games we took in), it was easy to see ... http://www.illiniboard.com/2008/04/29/2008-king-james-classic-top-perimeter-players/ Venues change and uniforms change, but hoops season just goes on and on and on From the Lake-County News Sun: Paul (9 points), playing for Richmond's opponent on this day, also made his bones on the AAU circuit, where he was courted by Bruce Weber and the Illini. This is Nickerson's second year playing AAU, and he's come to like it even better than playing high-school ball. "It's ... http://www.illiniboard.com/2008/04/29/venues-change-and-uniforms-change-but-hoops-season-just-goes-on-and-on-and-on-2/ Venues change and uniforms change, but hoops season just goes on and on and on From the Lake-County News Sun: Rising Stars took the game courtesy of a Richmond steal and assist on the winning basket. The closing flourish by Waukegan's star player came in a game where he scored zero points and attempted one shot. "It really doesn't matter," Richmond said afterward. "Our team won." The Illini-bound sophomore ... http://www.illiniboard.com/2008/04/29/venues-change-and-uniforms-change-but-hoops-season-just-goes-on-and-on-and-on/ King James - Saturday From Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting: Nursing an injury, Crandall Head spent most of the second half on the bench as his Mac Irvin Fire team beat the Atlanta Celtics. The game before against Team STAT, he showed why Illinois locked him up early with a couple of big time athletic plays. He's ... http://www.illiniboard.com/2008/04/29/king-james-saturday-3/ King James - Saturday From Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting: Team NLP is in the Elite Eight because they are a great team anchored by a very good player in Illinois bound Brandon Paul. The 6-foot-3 guard is a slasher supreme and did all of his damage at the rim with some athletic plays. He got to the ... http://www.illiniboard.com/2008/04/29/king-james-saturday-2/ King James - Saturday From Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting: For the second straight weekend, D.J. Richardson is playing at a high level. Richardson has mastered the baseline floater and goes to it often. On three straight possessions, Richardson scored with the floater, hit a mid range shot off the glass and converted a pair of free throws. ... http://www.illiniboard.com/2008/04/29/king-james-saturday/ King James - Sunday From Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting: The Rising Stars struggled offensively as the team's three top scorers combined for just 23 points. Notre Dame commitment Jack Cooley led the way with 12 points and eight rebounds. Illinois commitment Jereme Richmond scored seven points on three of 12 shooting. Nik Garcia added eight points. He ... http://www.illiniboard.com/2008/04/29/king-james-sunday/ King James Top Performers From the Orange & Blue News:  Illinois landed the 6-foot-3 guard early because they loved his scoring touch and athleticism. That was clearly on display over the weekend. He enjoyed a strong weekend of play thanks in large part to his team's overall fundamentals and unselfishness. Paul did most of his work ... http://www.illiniboard.com/2008/04/29/king-james-top-performers-2/ IlliniBoard.com