Dec. 27, 2004

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1. The Illini hit the century mark for the first time under head coach Bruce Weber tonight in its 105-79 win over Longwood. The last time an Illini team reached 100 points was against Georgia Tech (105-66) on Nov. 23, 2001. It was the first time Illinois has scored 100 or more points in Assembly Hall since the 107-71 victory over Loyola-Chicago on Dec. 20, 1999.

2. The Illini extend their winning streak to 12 games, and are now an undefeated 12-0. This marks the best start for the Illini since the 1988-89 season when the team began the season 17-0. Illinois' 12-0 record ties for the fourth-best start in school history.

3. With 13 assists tonight, Dee Brown set a new career high, besting his previous high of 11 assists against Penn State on Jan. 25, 2003. It is also the most by an Illini player since Frank Williams had 13 against Loyola-Chicago in 1999. Brown's assist performance ties for the third-best in school history. He also played 32 minutes against Longwood without a turnover for a 13-0 assist-to-turnover ratio.

4. Roger Powell Jr. scored 13 points to break into the school's Top-50 scoring list, tying Matt Heldman's 874 career total. Heldman and Powell both rank 49th on the all-time scoring list. Luther Head now has 871 career points, needing just three to add his name to the Illini Top-50.

5. With 56 points scored in the first half over Longwood, the Illini now average 47.6 points in opening periods. The Illini also averaged 57.5 percent shooting in the first half tonight, for an average first-half percentage of 55.6 on the season (220-396).

6. The Illini went on a run in the second half to break away from Longwood, scoring 16 unanswered points in a 3:35 period. The Illini led by only eight points, 73-65, at the 9:32 mark then jumped ahead to 89-65 at the 5:57 mark.

7. Illinois now is 70-3 (.959) at the Assembly Hall over the last five seasons, following its win over Longwood, and has now defeated 38 consecutive non-conference opponents.

8. For the 11th time in 12 games this season, the Illini won by a double-digit margin (105-79 vs. Longwood).

9. Entering tonight's game, the Illini led the nation in assists per contest (21.4) and added another 24 assists against Longwood. Illinois is now credited with 259 assists on 385 baskets, for a 67.3 percentage.

10. The Illini ranked 10th in the nation and first in the Big Ten in scoring before tonight's contest with an 83.0 average. With 105 points vs. Longwood, the Illini are now averaging 84.8 per game.

11. For the seventh game this season, Illinois led their opponent for the entire 40 minutes of play. The Illini still have only trailed in 21:32 of its 480 minutes played this season. The last time an opponent led Illinois was in the first half against Georgetown, marking over 180 consecutive minutes with the lead.

12. After 12 games, the Illini, who ranked 14th in the nation prior to this evening's game, are still shooting over 50 percent for the season with a 52.7 average (385-731) from the field.

13. James Augustine's 16 points and Deron Williams' 23 points scored tonight are both season highs for the individuals. Williams' 23 points also ties the for all Illini players this year (Luther Head scored 23 vs. Oregon on Dec. 11, 2004).