Oct. 14, 2000

Champaign, Ill. - Illinois basketball fans got their first look at two athletic Illini basketball teams Saturday at Assembly Hall.

Thirty minutes following an impressive 31-0 shutout of Iowa by the Illinois football team, the Illini women took center stage across Kirby Avenue at Assembly Hall. A crowd estimated at 6,000 fans watched the exhibition.

The day started with a video shown on the Assembly Hall floor. That was just to wet the crowd's appetite for the real show. Amidst fireworks, a light show, smoke and a loud crowd, the Illini players were introduced one by one.

After a few drills, it was on to a 20-minute scrimmage. Because of the age gap between the graduating seniors and this year's junior class, Coach Grentz has not yet named captains because last year "they didn't have an opportunity to lead," so the coach is waiting for this particular group to develop its own leaders.

"This is a talented group of players," Coach Grentz said afterward. "The headlines have already been written for next season 'Five starters return for Illinois'" noting that the current squad contains no seniors.

Besides the team's athleticism, one other thing did emerge from the scrimmage -- everyone can contribute. All 11 players who suited up scored for Illinois, led by Aminata Yanni's 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Yanni made 5 of 11 from the field.

Junior Allison Curtin demonstrated her versatility with six points, five assists, and a team-leading eight rebounds. Shavonna Hunter took some nice passes from the likes of Curtin and freshman Anne O'Neil to finish with nine pints, including one three-pointer.

Speaking of threes, every basket at the Ubben Basketball Complex has a three-point line. The Coach wants to make sure that this team has a three-point presence. The Illini made 3 of 5 three-points shots on the afternoon, one each from Suzanne Curtin, Hunter, and Yanni.

Cindy Dallas got her first chance to run up and down the Assembly Hall floor since a knee injury sidelined her a year ago. She was much a part of the fast-paced Illinois team with four points and one assist.

As far as the first week of practice is concerned, Grentz said. "It's important for the newcomers to get understand that practice moves quickly. Every drill includes a clock and score and has a reason. Judging from what I saw this summer, this team's work ethic is excellent. What we need now is to develop the communication and the chemistry."

Practice is open to the public. Please sign our guestbook. The Illini practice this week from 3-5 Tuesday-Friday