Nov. 26, 1999

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illini Head Coach Lon Kruger

In his fourth season at the helm of the Illini program, Lon Kruger is only two 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

A Reunion at the United Center

Back on Dec. 3, 1994, Illinois and Duke played in the first collegiate game at the United Center. Now five years later, these two teams meet again at the site of some tremendous college basketball games over the last five years. Duke edged the Illini, 70-65, in the Dec. 3 tilt but Illinois had its say on the return trip the following year when the Illini broke the Blue Devils 95-game non-conference home win streak with a 75-65 victory at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Rewind ... March 1999

When Illinois takes the floor at the United Center on Tuesday night it will mark the first time the Illini have returned to the United Center since their amazing run at the Big Ten Tournament title last March. The 11th place Illini, the same team that went 3-13 in the conference during the regular season, knocked out three straight ranked opponents on the way to the title game where they lost to Michigan State. It was one of the most talked about events in college basketball last March and it helped vault the Illini into the preseason rankings this year.

The Opponent

The Blue Devils are 2-2 on the season with a game remaining vs. Southern Cal in the John Wooden Classic on Nov. 27.

Series Record: Illinois leads 2-1

At Neutral Sites: Illinois leads 2-0

At United Center: Duke leads 1-0

The Two Coach K's

The last time a Lon Kruger coached team played against Duke was in the 1994 Final Four in Charlotte. Kruger's Florida Gator squad lost to Duke in the national semifinals, 70-65. Two days later Duke lost to Arkansas, 76-72, in the national championship game.

Team Comparisons

Team Leaders

Illinois at the United Center

Illinois has an all-time record of 8-3 at the United Center, including a 4-1 mark in the 1998-99 season.

Illini Players at the United Center

Robert Archibald (5G, 2.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg)
12-5-98 vs. Bradley   (1 point, 3 reb)'
3-4-99  vs. Minnesota (0 points, 0 reb)
3-5-99  vs. Indiana   (3 points, 7 reb)
3-6-99  vs. Ohio St.  (7 points, 6 reb)
3-7-99  vs. Michigan St. (0 points, 3 reb)

Cory Bradford (5G, 17.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg)
12-5-98 vs. Bradley   (11 points, 3 reb)
3-4-99  vs. Minnesota (22 points, 3 reb)
3-5-99  vs. Indiana   (15 points, 3 reb)
3-6-99  vs. Ohio St.  (17 points, 0 reb)
3-7-99  vs. Michigan St. (21 points, 3 reb)

Cleotis Brown (5G, 7.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
12-5-98 vs. Bradley   (16 points, 5 reb)
3-4-99  vs. Minnesota (0 points, 0 reb)
3-5-99  vs. Indiana   (8 points, 4 rebounds)
3-6-99  vs. Ohio St.  (11 points, 7 reb)
3-7-99  vs. Michigan St. (2 points, 2 reb)

Victor Chukwudebe (9G, 4.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
12-21-96 vs. UCLA        (2 points, 1 reb)
12-13-97 vs. Clemson     (0 points, 1 reb)
3-6-98   vs. Wisconsin   (0 points, 1 reb)
3-7-98   vs. Purdue      (0 points, 1 reb)
12-5-98  vs. Bradley     (4 points, 10 reb)
3-4-99   vs. Minnesota   (12 points, 10 reb)
3-5-99   vs. Indiana     (2 points, 2 reb)
3-6-99   vs. Ohio St.    (13 points, 6 reb)
3-7-99   vs. Michigan St.(3 points, 1 reb)

Lucas Johnson (5G, 11.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg)
12-5-98 vs. Bradley     (6 points, 2 reb)
3-4-99  vs. Minnesota   (12 points, 4 reb)
3-5-99  vs. Indiana     (17 points, 5 reb)
3-6-99  vs. Ohio St.    (12 points, 2 reb)
3-7-99  vs. Michigan St.(9 points, 2 reb)

Damir Krupalija (5G, 4.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
12-5-98 vs. Bradley   (2 points, 2 reb)
3-4-99  vs. Minnesota (8 points, 6 reb)
3-5-99  vs. Indiana   (6 points, 10 reb)
3-6-99  vs. Ohio St.  (4 points, 2 reb)
3-7-99  vs. Michigan St. (0 points, 2 reb)

Nate Mast (5G, 2.2 ppg, 0.2 rpg)
12-5-98 vs. Bradley     (0 points, 0 reb)
3-4-99  vs. Minnesota   (7 points, 0 reb)
3-5-99  vs. Indiana     (2 points, 1 reb)
3-6-99  vs. Ohio St.    (2 points, 0 reb)
3-7-99  vs. Michigan St.(0 points, 0 reb)

Sergio McClain (8G, 5.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg)
12-13-97 vs. Clemson    (3 points, 1 reb)
3-6-98   vs. Wisconsin  (3 points, 4 reb)
3-7-98   vs. Purdue     (6 points, 4 reb)
12-5-98  vs. Bradley    (4 points, 2 reb)
3-4-99   vs. Minnesota  (2 points 4 reb)
3-5-99   vs. Indiana    (13 points, 3 reb)
3-6-99   vs. Ohio St.   (7 points, 4 reb)
3-7-99   vs. Michigan St. (6 points, 1 reb)

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 34-straight games, every game in his Illini career.

His 92 career three-pointers rank eighth on the Illinois career list. Last year, 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.

Bradford on Wooden List

Illinois' Cory Bradford is one of 25 players named to the preseason list of candidates for the 2000 Wooden Award All-American team. The 1999 Big Ten Freshman of the Year is one of only four sophomores tabbed on the preseason list, being joined by St. John's Erick Barkley, Florida's Mike Miller and DePaul's Quentin Richardson.

The top 25 candidates were selected based on last year's individual performance and team records. On March 28, 2000, the ten-player Wooden Award All-American Team will be announced. One member of the Wooden Award All-American Team will be the recipient of the Wooden Award Trophy as the nation's most outstanding collegiate basketball player.

Bradford led the Illini last year with 15.4 ppg and he broke the school record for three pointers in a season with 85. He earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Tournament team after averaging 18.8 ppg in four tourney contests. He also made a statement with his three-point shooting accuracy in the tourney games, hitting on 17-of-29 (.586) attempts from behind the arc. Bradford's 494 points in 1999 were the most ever by an Illini freshman and he is the first player in Illinois history to hit a three-pointer in every game in a season.

More Threes this Year

Even with sharp-shooter Cory Bradford on the floor last season, the team high for three pointers in a game was only nine against Missouri. In the season opener this year Illinois hit 10 three pointers, led by Lucas Johnson's four treys. Illinois' 10 threes against Western Illinois are the most since Feb. 18, 1998 when the Illini drained 11 against Northwestern.

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.

First Game for Four Illini

Four Illini played in their first college game against Western Illinois. Those newcomers combined for 25 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Frank Williams led the newcomers with eight points, Cook with four rebounds and Griffin with three blocks. Newcomers scored 30 points against Bradley.

Johnson Honors Former Illini Heldman

On October 10, 1999 Matt Heldman, the starting point guard on the Illinois 1998 Big Ten Championship team was killed, along with his father and two others, in a two-car collision in his hometown of Libertyville, Ill. Lucas Johnson, the younger bother of former Illini Brian Johnson wears tape on his arm with the number 21 to honor his friend and his brother's teammate and roommate.

Even with a shooting style that made coaches cringe, Matt Heldman was one of the Illini's best three-point shooters on the team. In the Illini's first game Johnson hit 4-for-4 from three-point range.

Bench Points

The Illinois bench produced 41 of the 76 points in the win against Western Illinois. Lucas Johnson came off the bench to lead the Illini with 15 points. Against Bradley the bench produced 13 points.

Going Deep on the Bench

In both exhibition games and the season opener against Western Illinois all 12 players on the roster saw action. Against Western the range of minutes for the 12 players was between 12 and 23. Against Bradley, 11 Illini players saw action. Two players (Nate Mast and Brian Cook) played one minute and the other nine players' game time ranged from 13 to 37 minutes.

More Scoring

Last year Illinois struggled offensively and only scored over 70 points only eight times in 32 games. This year, Illinois appears to be more balanced in the scoring column and the Illini are averaging 74 points per game.

Iowa SOLD OUT!!

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

The Peoria Trio

For the first time since the 1997 season, Sergio McClain, Marcus Griffin and Frank Williams are reunited on the court. All three players starred at Manual High School and they teamed to win three state high school titles (1995, 96, 97). In 1994, McClain and Griffin were freshmen on the first of four consecutive championship teams.

McClain and Griffin signed with Illinois in the fall of 1996. McClain was a freshman at Illinois in 1997-98 and Griffin attended junior college the last two years. Williams signed with Illinois in the fall of 1997 and was a partial qualifier. He spent the 1998-99 season practicing with the team but was unable to play.

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 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.

Happy Birthday

When the Illini take on Maryland in the first round of the BB&T Classic on Dec. 4, two Illini players are looking for a birthday victory. On Dec. 4 Illini sophomore Cory Bradford will turn 21 and freshman Brian Cook will turn 19.

Illini Ranked

Illinois started the season ranked 16th in the Associated Press preseason poll, the Illini's first appearance in the preseason poll since 1994-95 when the Illini were ranked 25th. It is the highest AP preseason ranking for the Illini since the 1989-90 season when Illinois opened the season ranked eighth.

The Illini's current 15th place ranking in the AP Poll 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 three 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 twice against Northwestern 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.

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 far from being 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.

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

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 1359-762. The 1359 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 Take Me Out to the Ball Game in 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 group is more than just a Fighting Illini 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 playing professionally in Poland. Hester and Gee are on the same team.

Chasing the Career Records

3-Point Field Goals Made

3-Point Field Goals Attempted

** 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

Player Season and Career Highs

21 Robert Archibald
So., F, 6-11, 228, Ballwin, Mo.
   Season High   Career High
Points   3 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   14 vs. Georgetown, 11-11-98
FG       1 vs. Western Ill., 11-19,   6 vs. Georgetown, 11-11-98
   Bradley, 11-22
3FG   None   None
FT    1 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   5 vs. George Washington, 11-17-98
Reb   5 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   9 vs. Wisconsin, 2-6-99
Ast   2 vs. Bradley, 11-22        3 vs. Ohio State, 3-6-99
Blk   None                        2 vs. Valparaiso, 11-30-98
Stl   2 vs. Bradley, 11-22        2 vs. Michigan State, 3-7-99, vs. 
      Bradley 11-22-99

13 Cory Bradford
So., G, 6-3, 200, Memphis, Tenn.
   Season High   Career High
Points   22 vs. Bradley, 11-22   29 vs. Ohio State, 1-30-99
FG        6 vs. Bradley, 11-22   10 vs. Kansas, 12-19-98
      Ohio State, 1-30-99
3PG   4 vs. Bradley, 11-22   7 vs. Wisconsin, 2-6-99
FT    6 vs. Bradley, 11-22   6 vs. Wisconsin, 1-20-99, 
      Bradley 11-22-99
Reb   2 vs. Western Ill., 11-19,   6 vs. Michigan State, 1-16-99
   Bradley 11-22
Ast   1 vs. Western Ill., 11-19    5 vs. Michigan, 1-28-99
      Iowa, 2-21-99
Blk   None                         1 vs. Wake Forest, 11-10-98
Stl   None                         3 vs. Tennessee-Martin, 11-23-98

32 Cleotis Brown
Sr., 6-5, 220, Pittsview, Ala.
   Season High   Career High
Points   6 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   24 vs. Texas-Pan American, 11-28-98
FG       2 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   10 vs. Texas-Pan American, 11-28-98
3PG      None                         3 vs. George Washington, 11-17-98
         Iowa, 2-21-99
FT       2 vs. Western Ill., 11-19,    5 vs. Bradley, 12-5-98, Iowa, 1-7-99
   Bradley 11-22
Reb      3 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   9, four times, last vs. Purdue, 1-13-99
Ast      3 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   5 vs. Missouri, 12-22-98
Blk      None                         2 vs. Bradley, 12-5-98, Iowa 2-21-99
Stl      2 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   5 vs. Valparaiso, 1-30-98

00 Victor Chukwudebe
Sr., 6-7, 230, Springfield, Ill.
   Season High   Career High
Points   3 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   14 vs. Penn State, 1-23-99
FG       1 vs. Western Ill., 11-19    6, seven times, last vs. Ohio St., 3-6-99
3FG   None   None
FT    2 vs. Western Ill., 11-19,      3, four times, last vs. Mich. St., 1-16-99
      Bradley 11-22
Reb   6 vs. Bradley, 11-22            13 vs. Texas-Pan Amer., 11-28-98
Ast   None   2, five times, last vs. Ohio St., 3-6-99
Blk   None                             4 vs. Minnesota, 3-4-99
Stl   None                             4 vs. Clemson, 12-29-98

34 Brian Cook
Fr., 6-10, 231, Lincoln, Ill.
   Season High
Points   6 vs. Western Ill., 11-19
FG       2 vs. Western Ill., 11-19
3FG   None
FT       2 vs. Western Ill., 11-19
Reb      4 vs. Western Ill., 11-19
Ast   None
Blk      1 vs. Bradley, 11-22
Stl   None

52 Marcus Griffin
Jr., F, 6-9, 235, Peoria, Ill.
   Season High
Points 14 vs. Bradley, 11-22
FG      3 vs. Western Ill., 11-19, Bradley 11-22
3FG   None
FT      8 vs. Bradley, 11-22
Reb     8 vs. Bradley, 11-22
Ast     2 vs. Bradley, 11-22
Blk     3 vs. Western Ill., 11-19
Stl     1 vs. Bradley, 11-22

24 Sean Harrington
Fr., G, 6-3, 185, Elgin, Ill.
   Season High
Points   4 vs. Western Ill., 11-19
FG       1 vs. Western Ill., 11-19
3FG      1 vs. Western Ill., 11-19
FT       1 vs. Western Ill., 11-19
Reb      1 vs. Western Ill., 11-19
Ast   None
Blk   None
Stl   None

25 Lucas Johnson
So., F, 6-8, 217, Des Plaines, Ill.
   Season High   Career High
Points 15 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   17 vs. Indiana, 3-5-99
FG      5 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   5 vs. Indiana, 3-5-99
      Western Ill., 11-19-99
3FG     4 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   4 vs. Western Ill., 11-19-99
FT      1 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   5 vs. Minnesota, 3-4-99
Reb     2 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   7 vs. Texas-Pan Amer., 11-28-99
      Northwestern, 2-17-99
Ast     2 vs. Bradley, 11-22        4 vs. Indiana, 3-5-99
Blk   None   1, four times, last vs. N'western, 2/17/99
Stl     1 vs. Western Ill., 11-19,  5 vs. Penn State, 1-23-99
   Bradley 11-22

33 Damir Krupalija
So., F, 6-9, 216, Rockford, Ill.
   Season High   Career High
Points  9 vs. Bradley, 11-22       19 vs. Indiana, 2-24-99
FG      3 vs. Bradley, 11-22        7 vs. Iowa, 2-21-99
3FG     2 vs. Bradley, 11-22        2 vs. Iowa, 2-21-99
FT      2 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   7 vs. Indiana, 3-5-99
Reb     8 vs. Bradley, 11-22       16 vs. Indiana, 1-3-99
Ast     2 vs. Western Ill., 11-19,  4 vs. Clemson, 12-29-98
   Bradley 11-22
Blk   None   3 vs. Ohio State, 1-30-99
Stl   1 vs. Bradley, 11-22   2, three times, last vs. Iowa, 2-21-99

5 Nate Mast
Jr., G, 5-11, 160, Champaign, Ill.
   Season High   Career High
Points  None   8 vs. Texas-Pan Amer., 1-28-98
FG      None   2, seven times, last vs. Mich. St., 2-11-99 
3FG     None   2, three times, last vs. Penn St., 1-23-99
FT      None   2, four times, last vs. Indiana, 2-24-99
Reb     1 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   3 vs. Penn State, 1-23-99
Ast     None   5 vs. Purdue, 1-13-99
        Michigan State, 1-16-99
Blk     None   None
Stl     1 vs.  Western Ill., 11-19   3 vs. Texas-Pan Amer., 11-28-99
        Penn State, 1-23-99

40 Sergio McClain
Jr., 6-4, 222, Peoria, Ill.
   Season High   Career High
Points 5 vs. Bradley, 11-22      24 vs. Saint Louis, 11-20-98
FG     2 vs. Western Ill., 11-19  8 vs. Wake Forest, 11-10-98
       Saint Louis, 11-20-98
3FG    None                       4 vs. Missouri, 12-22-98
FT    3 vs. Bradley, 11-22        8 vs. Saint Louis, 11-20-98
Reb   4 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   7, three times, last vs. N'western, 2-17-99
Ast   7 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   7 vs. Western Ill., 11-19-99
Blk   1 vs. Western Ill., 11-19   2 vs. Indiana, 1-3-98
Stl   3 vs. Bradley, 11-22        6 vs. Clemson, 12-29-98
      Northwestern, 1-9-99

30 Frank Williams
Fr., G, 6-3, 197, Peoria, Ill.
   Season High
Points 16 vs. Bradley, 11-22   
FG    5 vs. Bradley, 11-22
3FG   2 vs. Western Ill., 11-19, Bradley, 11-22
FT    4 vs. Bradley, 11-22
Reb   2 vs. Western Ill., 11-19
Ast   1 vs. Western Ill., 11-19
Blk   1 vs. Western Ill., 11-19
Stl   1 vs. Western Ill., 11-19

Probable Starters

ILLINOIS
F   21 Robert Archibald (So., 6-11, 228, 2.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg)
F   40 Sergio McClain (Jr., 6-4, 222, 4.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.5 ast)
C   52 Marcus Griffin (Jr., 6-9, 235, 10.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg)
G   30 Frank Williams (Fr., 6-3, 197, 12.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg)
G   13 Cory Bradford (So., 6-3, 200, 17.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg)

Reserves
00   Victor Chukwudebe (F., Sr., 6-7, 230, 3.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
 5   Nate Mast (G, Jr., 5-11, 160, 0.0 ppg, 0.5 rpg)
22   Lucas Johnson (F, So., 6-8, 217, 7.5 ppg, 1.0 rpg)
24   Sean Harrington (G, Fr., 6-3, 185, 4.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg)
32   Cleotis Brown (F, Sr., 6-5, 220, 4.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg)
33   Damir Krupalija (F, So., 6-9, 216, 7.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg)
34   Brian Cook (F, Fr., 6-10, 231, 3.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg)

DUKE
F   23 Chris Carrawell (Sr., 6-6, 215, 18.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg)
F   31 Shane Battier (Jr., 6-8, 215, 15.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg)
C    4 Carlos Boozer (Fr., 6-9, 260, 9.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg)
G   14 Nate James (Jr., 6-6, 205, 9.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
G   22 Jason Williams (Fr., 6-2, 190, 13.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.0 apg)

The Head Coaches
Illinois Head Coach Lon Kruger
Overall Record: 298-223 (18th year)
At Illinois: 61-38 (4th year)

Illini Record Under Lon Kruger

When leading at the half 51-10

When trailing at the half 10-25

When tied at the half 0-3

When scoring over 70 points 40-5

When leading in rebounding 32-16

When trailing in rebounding 26-21

When rebounding is tied 4-0

In November 14-5

In December 14-6

In January 12-14

In February 13-8

In March 8-5

Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski
Overall Record: 544-216 (25th year)
At Duke: 471-157 (20th year)

On the Air
ESPN Play-by-Play: Brad Nessler
ESPN Color Analyst: Dick Vitale
Radio Play-by-Play: Jim Turpin
Radio Color Analyst: Loren Tate

Illini Record in 1999-2000

When leading at the half 1-0

When trailing at the half 1-0

When tied at the half 0-0

When scoring over 70 points 2-0

When leading in rebounding 1-0

When trailing in rebounding 0-0

When rebounding is tied 1-0

In November 2-0

In December

In January

Week-by-Week Rankings

AP      ESPN/ USA Today
PS      16th   18th
11/15   17th   18th
11/22   15th   16th

National Polls

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).

By the Numbers

1 Illinois was the only team in the preseason Associated Press poll that had a losing record last season.

1 Victor Chukwudebe is one game shy of 100 career games at Illinois.

3 Number of Illini players originating from foreign countries. Robert Archibald was born in Scotland, Victor Chukwudebe is a native of Nigeria, and Damir Krupalija moved to the United States from Bosnia.

3 Number of double-doubles Victor Chukwudebe has in his career, all last season.

2 Number of wins Head Coach Lon Kruger needs to reach 300.

4 There are four different states represented on the Illinois roster (Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee and Alabama).

10 The number of players on the roster from the state of Illinois (Victor Chukwudebe, Brian Cook, Joe Cross, Marcus Griffin, Sean Harrington, Lucas Johnson, Damir Krupalija, Nate Mast, Sergio McClain, Frank Williams).

10 Number of treys against Western Illinois, the most by the Illini since Feb. 18, 1998 against Northwestern when Illinois had 11 threes.

13 Illinois has racked up 13 Big Ten Championships with the last one coming in 1998.

18 Illinois has produced a 20-win season 18 times.

31 School record for wins, set by the 1989 team.

34 Consecutive games in which Cory Bradford has hit a three-pointer.

The Last Time AN ILLINOIS PLAYER HAD

30+ points Kevin Turner (35) vs. Indiana, 1/3/98

25-29 points Cory Bradford (26) vs. Wisconsin, 2/6/99

15-19 rebounds Damir Krupalija (16) vs. Indiana, 1/3/99

20 rebounds Nick Weatherspoon (22) vs. DePauw, 12/2/72

10-14 assists Kiwane Garris (13) vs. Virginia Tech, 12/1/96

15+ assists Tony Wysinger (16) vs. Pittsburgh, 12/6/86

7 steals Kendall Gill (7) vs. Iowa, 3/4/90

5 blocks Deon Thomas (7) vs. Northwestern, 2/26/92

AN ILLINOIS TEAM HAD

100 points 105 vs. Texas, 12/20/97

under 50 points 44 vs. Michigan State, 2/11/99

under 40 points 35 vs. Ohio State, 1/12/46

over 50 rebounds 51 vs. Indiana, 3/5/99

AN OPPONENT PLAYER HAD

30+ points Michael Redd (32) Ohio State, 3/6/99

25-29 points Quincy Lewis (28) Minnesota, 2/3/99

15-19 rebounds Evan Eschmeyer (17) Northwestern, 1/9/99

20 rebounds Joe Franklin (23) Wisconsin, 12/19/66

10-14 assists Kareem Gilbert (13) Tennessee St., 12/7/96

15+ assists never, Quinn Buckner (14) Indiana, 2/18/74

7 steals Pat Baldwin (7) Northwestern, 3/2/91

5 blocks Eric Chenowith (7) Kansas, 12/19/98

AN OPPONENT TEAM HAD

100 points 108 by Missouri, 12/22/93

under 50 points 48 by Bradley, 12/5/98

under 40 points 35 by UT-Martin, 11/23/98

UI vs. Ranked Opponents

Under Lon Kruger, the Illini have won 14 games against ranked opponents. Following is a complete list of the Illini vs. ranked opponents under Lon Kruger.