Nov. 17, 1999

FIGHTING ILLINI BASKETBALL

Game 1:

Illinois (0-0)
vs.
Western Illinois (0-0)

Friday, Nov. 19, 1999 ? 7 p.m. ??ESPN-Plus
Assembly Hall ??Champaign, Ill.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois enters the game against Western Illinois carrying an 80-14 record in season openers. Illinois lost the opener last season to Wake Forest, 75-73 in overtime, at the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic in New York City. Illinois is 29-7 in home openers at the Assembly Hall. The Illini lost the home opener last year, 64-58, at the hands of George Washington.

Illinois is opening the season on Nov. 19 and last year at this time the Illini had already played three games, two in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic (Nov. 10-11) and the home opener against George Washington (Nov. 17). Illinois began the season 1-2.

Illinois has faced three teams in the Mid-Continent conference, Western Illinois, Valparaiso and Chicago State. Illinois is 11-0 vs. those teams.

What?s Next for the Illini

Illinois travels to Peoria, Ill. for a game against the Bradley Braves on Monday, Nov. 22. This will be the first time since Dec. 30, 1936 that the Illini have played bradley in Peoria, a span of 63 years. Illinois is 11-2 against Bradley all-time and the Illini have come out on top in the last two meetings, beating Bradley 69-59 in Champaign (11-17-97) and 53-48 in Chicago (12-5-98).

Eight Days-Three Games

After the first exhibition games on Nov. 4, Illinois waited 11 days before playing again. Now the Illini face a stretch with three games in eight days. Illinois played Monday against Cimeba All-Stars in the second exhibition game and open the season Friday against Western Illinois. The Illini tip it off again Monday night at Bradley for the third game in eight days. After the Bradley game, Illinois doesn?t play until Nov. 30 when the Illini take on Duke at the United Center..

Illini Head Coach Lon Kruger

In his fourth season at the helm of the Illini program, Lon Kruger is only four games away from the 300-win mark. He posted back-to-back 20 win seasons in his first two years at Illinois and took the Illini to consecutive NCAA Tournaments (1997, 1998). In 1999 with the Big Ten?s most inexperienced team, Kruger led the 11th place Illini to the tournament championship game. In his career he has guided four teams to 20-win seasons and taken three to the NCAA Tournament.

Kruger Career Record

Pan American, 1983-86	     52-59
Kansas State, 1987-90	     81-46
Florida,      1991-96	    104-80
Illinois,     1997-present   59-38
Total	                    296-223

New Faces on the Floor

There are several new faces donning the orange and blue this season. New on the Illini roster are freshmen Brian Cook, Sean Harrington and Frank Williams and junior Marcus Griffin. The Illini also have a new face on the coaching staff this year. Steve Henson, a former player under Lon Kruger at Kansas State, is in his first season as an assistant coach after spending the last 10 years playing professionally in the NBA, CBA and overseas. He replaced long-time Kruger assistant Mike Shepherd, who took a job as an assistant coach with the University of Tulsa women?s program under first-year head coach Kathy McConnell-Miller, a former Illini women?s assistant coach.

Illini Return Eight, but are Still Young

Although the Fighting Illini return eight players from the 1998-99 squad this year?s version of the Illini are still young in age and experience. Of the 12 players on the current roster, only two are seniors and three are juniors (one of which is Marcus Griffin, who is new to the squad). The remaining seven players are either freshmen or sophomores.

Single Game Tickets

Single game tickets for Illini basketball games went on sale Nov. 3 and the Iowa game on Feb. 12 has less than 800 tickets remaining. The Feb. 22 Indiana game has approximately 1,200 tickets still remaining. The six other Big Ten home games have approximately 2,000 available tickets.

Illini Ranked

When the Associated Press released its preseason poll on Nov. 8 with the Illini ranked 16th it marked the first time since the 1994-95 season that Illinois begins the year ranked. It is the highest AP preseason ranking for the Illini since the 1989-90 season when Illinois opened the season ranked eighth. The ranking of 16th is the highest ranking for Illinois since the 1996-97 season when Illinois moved up to 15th in the poll (March 4) after thrashing Michigan 70-51 the previous week. Illinois beat Ohio State, 90-83, then lost at Purdue, 77-69, and dropped to 19th in the AP final poll (March. 11).

Illini Picked Third

Illinois has been picked to finish third in the Big Ten by a Big Ten coaches? vote and a Big Ten media poll. The Illini are also picked to take third in the Big Ten by several preseason publications.

Only five times in Big Ten history has a team that finished last in the league advanced to finish in the top three the following year. In 1916 Purdue was last in the Big Ten and the Boilermakers finished third in 1917. In 1955 Ohio State was last and then improved to third place in 1956. Michigan State was last in 1965 and then finished second in 1966. Minnesota placed last in the league in 1977 after being forced to forfeit all games from that season and then the Gophers were third in 1978. And last year Ohio State was second in the Big Ten after finishing 11th in 1998.

Illini Schedule

Six teams on the 1999-2000 Illinois schedule opened the season ranked in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 and five were in the Associated Press Top 25. Illinois? non-conference foes produced a record of 221-144 (.605) last year and eight of the teams produced winning records. Six of the non-conference opponents had 20 wins last year.

The Illini schedule features two Final Four teams from a year ago and a total of 12 which played in the NCAA Tournament (Duke, Indiana, Iowa, George Washington, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio State, Purdue and Wisconsin). Four Illini opponents participated in the NIT (Bradley, Kansas State, Northwestern and Seton Hall).

Illinois will play five games against in-state teams: Western Illinois, Bradley, Loyola-Chicago, and Northwestern twice during the course of the 1999-2000 season.

In December Lon Kruger might feel like he is in the Big Eight (now Big 12) again. Illinois faces three-straight Big 12 teams in December: Kansas State, Kansas, Missouri.

A Winning Streak

Dating back to March 4 when Illinois marched to the championship game of the Big Ten Tournament, the Illini have won 12 of its last 13 games. How you might ask? The games in May in Australia and the exhibition games this fall do not count toward the team record, but the last 13 times Illinois players have stepped on the court wearing the orange and blue, Illinois has been victorious 11 times. The Illini were 3-1 in the Big Ten Tournament, 7-0 in Australia and 2-0 in fall exhibition games.

Bumps and Bruises

Lon Kruger is looking forward to the day that he has a complete group of healthy Illini. Although there are no serious injuries to speak of, the Illini have opened the fall not at 100 percent health-wise.

? Sergio McClain and Damir Krupalija (knee scoped) and Cleotis Brown (pin in foot for stress fracture) all had surgery during the summer.

? Victor Chukwudebe is bothered by a sore back that periodically has kept the senior out of practice. Sophomore Robert Archibald has also missed some practice time with a sore back.

? Lucas Johnson took an elbow to the nose on Nov. 5 and had surgery on Nov. 10. He missed the exhibition game against Cimeba All-Stars, but will ease his way back into practice this week. He is expected to play in Friday?s opener against Western Illinois.

? Frank Williams jammed and sprained his finger in practice the week of Nov. 8.

And That?s Bradford with a Three

Last year, Cory Bradford set the Illinois school record for three-pointers made in a season with 85. Even more impressive is that he has made a three-pointer in 32-straight games (every game last year).

His 85 three-pointers rank ninth on the Illinois career list.He hit a season-high seven threes against Wisconsin (Feb. 6, 1999) and made six three-pointers in games against Kansas (Dec. 19, 1998), Ohio State (Jan. 30, 1999), Minnesota (March 4, 1999) and Michigan State (March 7, 1999).

In the 1999 Big Ten Tournament, Bradford made 17 three-pointers in four games, which was more than any other team made in the tourney.

ILLINOIS

F ? 32 Cleotis Brown  (Sr., 6-5, 220, 9.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
F ??40 Sergio McClain (Jr., 6-4, 222, 8.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg)
F ? 52 Marcus Griffin (Jr., 6-9, 235)
G ??30 Frank Williams (Fr., 6-3, 197)
G ? 13 Cory Bradford  (So., 6-3, 200, 15.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg)

Reserves
00 ? Victor Chukwudebe (F, Sr., 6-7, 230, 5.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
 5 ? Nate Mast         (G, Jr., 5-11, 160, 2.1 ppg, 0.5 rpg)
21 ? Robert Archibald  (F, So., 6-11, 228, 3.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
22 ? Lucas Johnson     (F, So., 6-8, 217, 4.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg)
24 ? Sean Harrington   (G, Fr., 6-3, 185)
33 ? Damir Krupalija   (F, So., 6-9, 216, 4.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg)
34 ? Brian Cook        (F, Fr., 6-10, 231)

WESTERN ILLINOIS

F ? 00 Juan Martinez     (Sr., 6-9, 220, 13.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg)
C ? 45 Fernando Coloneze (Sr., 6-10, 240, 8.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
G ?  5 Curtis Haggins    (Sr., 5-8, 200, 3.5 ppg, 1.0 rpg)
G ? 22 Jake Wessel       (Fr., 6-5, 180)
G ? 32 Bill Heisler      (Jr., 6-0, 180, 8.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg)

** All stats are from the 1998-99 season.**

Illinois Head Coach Lon Kruger
Overall Record: 296-223 (18th year)
At Illinois: 59-38 (4th year)

Western Illinois Head Coach Jim Kerwin
Overall Record: 103-92 (8th year)
At Western Illinois: Same

Team Comparisons(1998-99 Stats)

Team Leaders (returning players)

The Opponent

The Leathernecks are coming off a 16-12 season and return seven letterwinners and two starters from a team that finished 16-12 and third in the Mid-Continent Conference a year ago.The Leathernecks return their second-leading scorer from last year, Juan Martinez (No. 00), who averaged 13.0 ppg and shot 50 percent from the floor. Bill Heisler (No. 32) and Fernando Coloneze (No. 45) both averaged 8.7 ppg last year.

Series Record: Illinois leads 1-0 (Dec. 2, 1983 ? 65-49)

Illini Record Under Lon Kruger

When leading at the half: 50-10
When trailing at the half: 9-25
When tied at the half: 0-3
When scoring over 70 points: 38-5
When leading in rebounding: 31-16
When trailing in rebounding: 26-21
When rebounding is tied: 3-0
In November: 12-5
In December: 14-6
In January: 12-14
In February: 13-8
In March: 8-5

Week-by-Week Rankings

         AP   ESPN/USA Today
PS      16th      18th
11/15   17th

National Polls (11/15) (Preseason)

In the Rankings

Illinois was a popular choice for the preseason Top 25 polls this year. Here?s a listing of the publications and where the Illini were ranked: Basketball News (19th), Basketball Times (sixth), Blue Ribbon (17th), Dick Vitale (15th), Jim Feist?s Preview (22nd), Sport (16th), The Sporting News (10th), Sports Illustrated (21st), Street & Smith?s (15th) and Ultimate Sports (16th).

Did you Know ...

... Sergio McClain, Frank Williams, Brian Cook. They all share a common bond, being named Mr. Basketball in the state of Illinois. McClain won the award in 1997, Williams in 1998 and Cook in 1999. Illinois is the first school to have three of the state?s Mr. Basketball honorees on the roster at the same time.

... Since 1980 Illinois has signed 11 McDonald?s All-Americans and three are currently on the Illini roster. Marcus Griffin made the All-America team in 1997, Williams in 1998 and Cook in 1999. Illinois ranks 10th all-time in number of McDonald?s All-American to attend the school.

... Illinois has the 18th best all-time winning percentage (.640) among Division I schools.

... Illinois has an all-time record of 1357-762. The 1357 wins rank 19th on the Division I list.

... Illini Head Coach Lon Kruger was an Academic All-American in 1974.,

... Illini Assistant Coach Rob Judson was an Academic All-American in 1979.

... Eight Illini players have been first-round draft selections, including Nick Anderson and Kendall Gill from the 1989 Final Four team.

... That Lon Kruger sang the Seventh Inning Stretch at a Chicago Cubs game this summer.

... Illinois ranks third in the Big Ten behind Indiana and Michigan in total NCAA appearances.

... Illinois is third in wins and winning percentage in Big Ten games behind Indiana and Purdue.

... The Orange Krush student is more than just a support cheering section. The students raised over $50,000 last year which went to the University of Illinois general scholarship fund, the Fighting Illini Scholarship Fund and a variety of charities.

... Former Illini jerry Hester, Jarrod Gee and Kevin Turner, all starters on the 1998 Big Ten Championship team, are all playing professionally in Poland. Hester and Gee are on the same team.

Chasing the Career Records

3-Point Field Goals Made

 1.	237	Richard Keene, 1993-96
 2.	189	Kiwane Garris, 1994-97
 3.	179	Kevin Turner,  1995-98
 4.	161	Matt Heldman,  1995-98
 5.	149	Tom Michael,   1991-94
 6.	143	Jerry Hester,  1994-98
 7.	105	Andy Kaufmann, 1989-93
 8.	 90	T.J. Wheeler,  1991-94
 9.	 85	Cory Bradford, 1999-
10.	 82	Kendall Gill,  1987-90

3-Point Field Goals Attempted

 1.	617	Richard Keene, 1993-96
 2.	520	Kiwane Garris, 1994-97
 3.	496	Kevin Turner,  1995-98
 4.	398	Matt Heldman,  1995-98
 5.	398	Jerry Hester,  1994-98
 6.	332	Tom Michael,   1991-94
 7.	276	Andy Kaufmann, 1989-93
 8.	250	T.J. Wheeler,  1991-94
 9.	219	Kendall Gill,  1987-90
10.	205	Cory Bradford, 1999-

** Bradford set the single-season record for three-pointers made with 85 in 1998-99. His 205 attempts in 1998-99 rank second in the single-season record book to Kevin Turner?s 212 in 1997-98.

Steals

 1.	324	Bruce Douglas,    1983-86
 2.	218	Kendall Gill,     1987-90
 3.	178	Derek harper,     1981-83
 4.	161	Kenny Battle,     1988-89
	161	Mark Smith,       1978-81
 6.	135	Stephen Bardo,    1987-90
 7.	133	Doug Altenberger, 1983-87
 8.	127	Rennie Clemmons,  1991-93
 9.	125	Richard Keene,    1993-96
10.	115	Glynn Blackwell,  1985-88
** Junior Sergio McClain needs four steals to break into the top 10 list.

He currently has 111 career steals including 71 in 1998-99, which ranks

seventh in Illini single-season records.

Illini on Television

TV Stations/Cable Outlets Carrying Illinois-Western Illinois

Alton, Ill.         AT&T Cable, ch. 18

Belleville, Ill.    AT&T Cable, ch. 3

Champaign, Ill.     WCIA

Chicago, Ill.       WJYS

Maryville, Ill.     Charter Cable, ch. 3

Mount Carmel, Ill.  WCJ

Peoria, Ill.        WAOE

Quad Cities         AT&T Cable, ch. 26

Quincy, Ill.        KHQA

Springfield, Ill.   WCFN

St. Louis, Mo.      AT&T Cable, ch. 3

Flora, Ill.         WNOI

Fighting Illini Night at Niketown in Chicago

November 29 will be Fighting Illini night at Niketown in Chicago. Illini fans are welcome to stop by the Michigan Avenue store for a reception beginning at 5:30 p.m. Illini Head Basketball Coach Lon Kruger will be on hand at 6:15 p.m. for a Q&A session with the fans that will be moderated by WGN?s Dan Roan.

Nike will have its new product line of Illinois basketball apparel and those in attendance will have a chance to win apparel prizes as well as tickets to upcoming Illini games.