Feb. 21, 2000

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Indiana enters Tuesday night's game with a record of 18-5 overall, 8-4 in conference play. The 14th-ranked Hoosiers are coming off of a 82-71 home loss to Ohio State on Saturday.

Indiana is led by All-America candidate A.J. Guyton. The shooting guard is having a terrific senior season, averaging 20.7 points per game, which leads the Big Ten. His field goal percentage of .478 rates fifth in the conference and is tops among Big Ten guards. Guyton has nailed 59 treys this year on 43 percent shooting behind the arc, which ranks second in the conference. Center Kirk Hason and point guard Michael Lewis also average in double figures, scoring 15.9 ppg and 11.2 ppg, respectively.

The Hoosiers are the Big Ten's most prolific scoring team, averaging 80.4 points per outing. They also lead the conference in field goal percentage (.489), three-point percentage (.390), assists (16.43), and assist/turnover ratio (1.15).

RV/RV Illinois (17-7, 9-4) vs. 10/14 Indiana (18-5/8-4)
Tuesday, Feb. 22 - 8:00 p.m. (ESPN)
Champaign, Ill. - Assembly Hall (16,450)

The Head Coaches

Illinois Head Coach Lon Kruger
Overall Record: 313-230 (18th year)
At Illinois: 76-45 (4th year)

Indiana Head Coach Bob Knight
Overall Record: 761-286 (35th year)
At Indiana: 649-235 (29th year)

On the Air

Illini Head Coach Lon Kruger
Lon Kruger is in his fourth season at the helm of the Illini program. 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

Last Time Out
Illinois' winning steak reached six games after a crushing, 63-30 win over Northwestern Saturday night in Evanston.

The Illini dominated every aspect of the game, jumping out to a 23-0 lead from which the Wildcats could not recover. Illinois gave its most inspired defensive effort of the season, holding NU scoreless for over 15 minutes as the hosts missed their first 11 field goal attempts while turning the ball over 15 times.

The Wildcats finally got on the board with 4:47 remaining in the half. The score was 30-6 at the half, with Northwestern managing just two baskets and two free throws. The six points marked NU's fewest points in a half this season, as well as the fewest by an Illini opponent of the year.

The second half was more of the same, with Illinois controlling the game on both ends of the floor. Northwestern closed with a scoring drought similar to the beginning, going the final 9:29 of the game with just four points.

The 30 points were the fewest by an Illini opponent since Jan. 15, 1949, dating back to a 96-30 win over Creighton. It marked the third time in the last fifty years (10th time overall) that Illinois held its opponent to under 40 points.

Illinois vs. Indiana: The History
Illinois and Indiana have met 141 times, with the Hoosiers holding a 75-66 advantage in the series. Illinois leads the series in Champaign, 40-30. This is the only meeting between these two teams this season and the first since the 11th seeded Illini upset then-No. 17 Indiana, 82-66, in the second round of last year's Big Ten Tournament. Indiana swept the regular season series between the two schools last year, winning at home, 62-53, before escaping an overtime scare, 70-64, in the final game of the regular season in Champaign.

Illini Players vs. Indiana

Cory Bradford (3G, 13.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg)
High Points: 15, on 3/5/99
High Rebounds: 4, on 2/24/99

Cleotis Brown (3G, 5.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
High Points: 8, on 3/5/99
High Rebounds: 4, two times

Victor Chukwudebe (6G, 4.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
High Points: 13, on 2/24/99
High Rebounds: 11, on 2/24/99

Lucas Johnson (3G, 7.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
High Points: 17, on 3/5/99
High Rebounds: 5, on 3/5/99

Damir Krupalija (3G, 11.0 ppg, 12.7 rpg)
High Points: 19, on 2/24/99
High Rebounds: 16, on 1/3/99

Nate Mast (3G, 2.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg)
High Points: 4, on 2/24/99
High Rebounds: 1, three times

Sergio McClain (5G, 4.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg)
High Points: 13, on 3/5/99
High Rebounds: 5, on 1/3/98

ILLINOIS

Reserves

INDIANA

Illinois vs. Ranked Teams
Tuesday's match-up against xx/14 Indiana is Illinois' sixth game against a ranked team in 1999-2000. Illinois is 2-3 against ranked teams this year, having beaten then-No. 8 Kansas, 84-70 and then-No. 13 Ohio State, 80-77, earlier this year. Illinois dropped two nonconference games to ranked opponents, losing 69-72 to then-No. 17 Duke at the United Center and 67-69 to then-No. 24 Maryland in Washington, D.C. The only ranked Big Ten opponent to have defeated Illinois this year is then-No. 9 Michigan State, who defeated Illinois, 66-91, on Jan. 30 in East Lansing. It was Illinois' worst loss of the season and the last time Illinois dropped a game.

Time to Talk Power Rankings
With the regular season winding down, attention has turned to the power rankings and how they could affect possible postseason berths. The Big Ten is rated the toughest conference in the nation by Sagarin, which ranks schools based on win-loss record and strength of schedule. The Big Ten is followed by the SEC and the Pac-10. Individually, Illinois is ranked 16th by Sagarin. Big Ten teams ahead of Illinois include Michigan State (4th) and Indiana (8th). Other Big Ten teams in the top 25 are Ohio State (17th) and Purdue (23rd).

The updated RPI rankings are also out. The RPI ranks teams based on Division I winning percentage (25%), strength of schedule (50%) and opponent's strength of schedule (25%). The Big Ten's RPI ranks second to the SEC as a conference. Individually in the Big Ten, Indiana is ranked 10th, Michigan State is 20th and Illinois is 25th.

Tightening up on 'D' During its six-game winning streak, Illinois has held five of its six opponents below 60 points and the team held its last opponent, Northwestern, to only 30 points, the fewest points allowed by an Illinois team since 1949. In the six games combined, Illinois is holding its opponent to an average of just 54.7 points per game and just 49.6 points per game if you disregard Illinois' one poor defensive showing during the streak in which the Illini allowed 80 points in a win at Minnesota. Here is a look at what the Illinois defense has done in its last six games:

Six in a Row
After starting the conference slate 1-3, many expected a young Illinois team to be unable to recover. But instead the team has regrouped and forced its way right back into the Big Ten conference race, winning eight of the last nine, including six in a row going into this Tuesday's match-up with Indiana. The only loss in the last seven games was at then-No. 9 Michigan State on Jan. 30. Illinois' six-game conference win streak is its longest since the 1997-98 team won seven in a row en route to a share of the Big Ten Championship. Illinois' six-game conference winning streak is the second-longest posted by any Big Ten team this year. Earlier, Ohio State won seven in a row while Purdue is also enjoying a six-game winning streak of its own. The six wins in a row are also three more than Illinois won over the entire Big Ten regular season a year ago.

Griffin Makes Early Return
Center Marcus Griffin injured his knee on Jan. 21 and was told he'd miss three to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery. But Griffin proved the doctors wrong, returning Feb. 9 against Michigan, only two and a half weeks after surgery. Coming off the bench, Griffin scored eight points and collected three rebounds in 15 minutes of action against the Wolverines and 10 points and five rebounds in 13 minutes against Iowa. He then played a post-injury best 23 minutes at Minnesota and chipped in 12 points and five rebounds in Illinois' win before scoring five points with two blocks and steals apiece against Northwestern. Brian Cook's outstanding play in Griffin's absence will allow Griffin to come off the bench and contribute as he is able until he plays himself back into game shape.

Johnson Thrives as Starter
Sophomore Lucas Johnson has started the last four games and has scored nine, 16, 18 and five points, respectively, since starting. Johnson shot a team season-high 14 free throws Feb. 12 against Iowa, connecting on a career-high 12 en route to his season-high 16 point effort. He then set a career-high with 18 points at Minnesota as Illinois collected its first win at Willimas Arena since 1991 on Feb. 17. The Illinois coaches may be tempted to make Johnson's move to the starting line-up a permanent one - Johnson is averaging 11.8 points per game in the conference games he has started, 5.6 points more per game than his Big Ten average of 6.2 points per game.

Cook Keeps Cookin'
When Marcus Griffin went down with a knee injury on Jan. 21, it opened the door for freshman Brian Cook to make his first start in an Illini uniform. Cook stepped up to the challenge by scoring a career high 20 points against the Nittany Lions.

He has not cooled down since. In seven starts, Cook has scored 20, 19, 12, 16, 15, eight, 21, five and nine points. He is averaging 13.9 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per game since becoming the starting center and is the team's second leading scorer in conference play (10.2 ppg) despite averaging only nine minutes and 1.2 points per game in the Big Ten before stepping in for Griffin.

Cook's latest heroics came in the win over Iowa on Feb. 12. Coming off an eight point, three rebound effort against Michigan, Cook connected for 21 points, the second 20+ point effort of his young career (including a career-best 7-for-7 showing from the free throw line).

Williams Keeps Improving

Ever since a rough outing at Michigan on Jan. 16, Frank Williams has stepped up every aspect of his game. In wins over Michigan and Iowa last week, Williams recorded 13 points, 13 assists and only two turnovers. He also tallied nine rebounds and four steals over the two games.

He scored a team-high 20 points at Minnesota, including 3-8 shooting from three-point land, with three assists and four steals in 30 minutes and added four points, two assists and three steals in a win at Northwestern.

Williams' improved play began Jan. 22 against Penn State at home. Coming off the Michigan game, he responded with 16 points off the bench in a home win over Penn State and led the team with seven rebounds.

He worked his way back into the starting lineup against Iowa and had another excellent showing, scoring 12 points with four assists, four steals, and just one turnover in 33 minutes.

Against Michigan State on Jan. 30, he played a team-high 33 minutes while collecting 11 points and four assists despite beng guarded by All-American Mateen Cleaves.

Bradford's Streak Ends
Cory Bradford saw his streak of 31 straight games in double figures come to an end Jan. 26 against Iowa. Bradford scored just five points on 2-of-12 shooting, tying the second lowest scoring total of his career.

After scoring 13 points against Michigan State, Bradford was held under double figures against Minnesota Feb. 2 for the second time in three games when he scored eight points on just 2-of-9 shooting.

He has since gotten back on track, scoring a game-high 18 points in the win over Penn State and another game-high 22 against Michigan. He dipped to nine points against Iowa but scored 14 at Minnesota. Bradford has now scored in double figures in 49 of 56 career games.

McClain the Warrior
Earning his first start since the Bradley game on Nov. 22, Sergio McClain made the most of his opportunity against the Michigan Wolverines on Jan. 16. In 33 minutes of action, he scored a season high 15 points and had five assists. But McClain's biggest stat was his astounding rebounding total. The 6'4? McClain pulled down a career high 18 rebounds, including six offensive. The 18 boards are the most by an Illinois player since March 8, 1995 when Shelly Clark tallied 19 against Northwestern.

McClain has thrived since returning to the starting lineup. At Iowa City, he scored 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting and stepped up the defensive intensity, holding Iowa's Dean Oliver scoreless over the final 10 minutes of the game.

In the Feb. 6 win over Penn State, McClain was 4-of-6 from the field for eight points, including a layup with under two minutes left that put the Illini up for good. He followed that up with a game-high eight rebounds at home against Michigan on Feb. 9 and another five boards, four assists and two steals against Iowa on Feb. 12. He was Illinois' leading scorer (11 points) in the win at Northwestern on Feb. 19.

Packed House
The Iowa game was the first sellout at home for the Illini this season. Prior to the Iowa sellout, Illinois had played one game with more than 16,000 fans in the stands (16,038 vs. Penn State) and three with 15,000 or more (15,841 vs. Ohio State, 15,082 vs. Purdue and 15,539 vs. Michigan) at home so far this season. It's likely Illinois will sellout its remaining home games, with Indiana tickets already gone and 300 left for the home finale against Northwestern on March 4.

Tough Losses
With the exception of Illinois' loss to No. 8 Michigan State Jan. 30, Illinois' other six losses have been decided by an average difference of only 3.7 points. Five of those six losses were by by four points or less. The biggest differential before the MSU loss was a six point defeat to Missouri on Dec. 21.

That's Bradford with a Three
Last year as a freshman, 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 56-straight games, every game in his Illini career.

This season, Bradford has already made 71 threes, an average of 3.0 threes a game, which leads the Big Ten. He tied his season high of five threes against Michigan on Jan. 16. Bradford also nailed five threes against Seton Hall and Kansas.

More on Bradford
With his 22 points against Michigan on Feb. 12, Cory Bradford tallied his second 20+ point effort against the Wolverines this season and posted his 13th 20-point effort. Here's a list of the games when Bradford has hit the 20-point mark.

More Scoring
Last year Illinois struggled offensively, scoring over 70 points only eight times in 32 games and averaging 61.5 points for the season. This year, Illinois has more offensive fire power and the Illini are averaging 76.8 points per game.

Problems on the Boards
The Illini have been out-rebounded in 10 of 24 games this year, including seven of 13 Big Ten games.

Illinois appeared to be turning its fortune around on the boards, outrebounding its last three opponents, including an advantage of +14 against Iowa. But against Michigan State, the Illini were beaten 41-16 on the boards, the largest margin of the season. The Illini got back on the plus side, outrebounding Minnesota 38-33 on Feb. 2 before tying Penn State, 33-33 on Feb. 6. After being outrebounded 39-35 against Michigan, the Illini responded by beating Iowa, 41-32, on the boards and Minnesota, 37-34 before dipping back down and losing the war on the boards, 35-31, at Northwestern.

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. This season, the Illini have made nine threes or more in seven games, most recently nailing nine treys against Minnesota on Feb. 2.

Against Loyola-Chicago, Illinois made 13 of 25 three-point attempts. The 13 threes are just one behind the Illini single game record of 14, set against Iowa on Feb. 24, 1996.

This year Illinois is averaging 7.0 threes a game compared to only 5.15 last season. Illinois leads the Big Ten in three pointers per game.

Long Rangers
Ten Illini players have made a three-pointer this year. Cory Bradford leads the team with 71 threes, while Frank Williams is second with 28, and Lucas Johnson is third with 25. The other seven players who have made a three-pointer this year are Cleotis Brown (18), Sean Harrington (10), Brian Cook (8), Damir Krupalija (4), Sergio McClain (2), Nate Mast (1) and Joe Cross (1).

Illini in Big Ten Rankings
(As of Feb. 21) Cory Bradford is ninth in scoring (15.2 ppg), first in three-pointers per game (2.96), and third in three-point field goal percentage (.380) ... Frank Williams is seventh in assists (4.29), sixth in assist to turnover ratio (1.54) and second in steals (2.42), while Sergio McClain is seventh in steals (1.77) ... Marcus Griffin is third in blocks (1.68) and 11th in offensive rebounds per game (2.26) ... Brian Cook is tenth in blocked shots (0.83).

Howard and Cross Eligible
Freshman Jerrance Howard and junior Joe Cross became eligible Jan. 18 when second semester classes resumed.

After receiving a qualifying ACT score in the fall, Howard officially joined the Illini program and worked out with the team in practice for the first time on Sunday, Dec. 19. It looks as though Howard will redshirt this season. In October, the point guard had surgery on his right shoulder to correct a circulatory problem.

Cross joined the Illini program last January after transferring from Florida International. According to NCAA rules, Cross was able to practice with the team, but had to sit out one year before becoming eligible for games. He saw his first game action against Michigan State on Jan. 30, nailing his first and only shot, a three late in the contest and then made his Assembly Hall debut one game later against Minnesota on Feb. 2.

Griffin Earns Big Ten Player of the Week Recognition
Illini center Marcus Griffin earned Co-Big Ten Player of the Week honors thanks to his outstanding play the week of Dec. 27. In just 17 minutes against Bethune-Cookman, Griffin scored 18 points and earned a double-double with 10 rebounds. He scored a season-high 24 points in the win over Loyola, including 12-of-13 shooting from the free throw line. He was one rebound shy of notching his second double-double in a row against the Ramblers. In the two games, he combined for 42 points and 19 rebounds, while going 16-for-17 from the free throw line.

The 300th Victory
On December 8th against Texas-Pan American, Head Coach Lon Kruger collected the 300th victory of his career, when the Illini defeated UTPA 98-61. With the win, Kruger joined 47 other active head coaches who have reached the 300-club.

Kruger notched his first victory as a head coach against Air Force, 78-44, in the 1982-83 season at Pan American. It took the first-year coach three games to pick up win No. 1 after losses to Louisiana Tech, 66-58, and LSU, 76-67.

Bradford on Midseason Wooden List
Illinois' Cory Bradford is one of 41 players named to the midseason list of candidates for the 2000 Wooden Award All-American team. The 1999 Big Ten Freshman of the Year is one of only six sophomores tabbed on the midseason list, joined by St. John's Erick Barkley, Florida's Mike Miller, Notre Dame's Troy Murphy, De Paul's Quentin Richardson and Arizona's Michael Wright. He is one of eight candidates from the Big Ten Conference.

Bradford led the Illini last year with 15.4 ppg and 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.

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, Jerrance Howard, and Frank Williams, and juniors Joe Cross and 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.

Johnson Honors Former Illini Matt 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 brother 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 Illinois' best three-point shooters, ranking fourth on the all-time career list with 161 treys. In the Illini's first game Johnson hit 4-for-4 from three-point range. He matched that effort by nailing four treys against both Bethune-Cookman and Loyola-Chicago

Illini Basketball is a Hot Ticket
Single game tickets for Illini basketball games went on sale Nov. 3 and the Indiana game is sold out. Here's a look at the remaining home games and the amount of tickets available.

March 4 Northwestern 300

The Peoria Trio
For the first time since the 1997 season, Sergio McClain, Marcus Griffin and Frank Williams are reunited. All three players starred at Manual High School and 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.

The Peoria trio have combined to average 29.6 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 7.0 apg, and 4.6 spg through 24 games this year.

Illini Picked Third
Illinois was picked to finish third in the Big Ten by a Big Ten coaches' vote and a conference media poll. Only five times in Big Ten history has a team that finished last in the league one year finished in the top three the following year. In 1916 Purdue was last in the Big Ten and then 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.

Bumps and Bruises
Lon Kruger is looking forward to the day when he has a complete group of healthy Illini. In fact, Illinois has only played three Big Ten games all season in which the entire roster has been healthy and available to play. Here's a list of the injuries this year.

Sergio McClain (knee scoped), 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.

Sergio McClain sat out the games against Maryland and Seton Hall because of sore knees.

Damir Krupalija sprained the big toe on his left foot in the game against Pan American. He sat out against Kansas State.

Nate Mast took an elbow to the mouth against Pan American and had stitches in his lower lip.

Victor Chukwudebe sprained the lower part of the index finger on his right hand in practice the week of Dec. 13.

Robert Archibald, hampered by a bad back, saw limited duty against Kansas. The back has continued to bother the sophomore and although he has not missed any more playing time he has sat out a number of practices.

Chukwudebe twisted his right ankle while working out over Christmas break. He had x-rays taken and did not play against Bethune-Cookman or Loyola-Chicago. After seeing limited action in the beginning of conference play, Chuwkudebe did not play against Michigan in order to rest his ankle.

Damir Krupalija, who is still bothered by a sprained big toe, also sat out the games against Bethune-Cookman, Loyola-Chicago, Ohio State and Wisconsin. He began participating in practice again on Wednesday, Jan. 5 and returned to action against Purdue.

Marcus Griffin injured his back in practice on Monday, Jan. 10 and saw it tighten up on him as he tried to enter the Purdue game on Jan. 12th. After returning to the training room to get his back loosened up, Griffin was able to play 20 minutes against the Boilers.

Marcus Griffin tore cartilage in his left knee during practice on Friday, Jan. 21 and underwent surgery on Monday, Jan. 24 to repair the tear. Griffin missed five games before returning against Michigan, Feb. 9, only two and a half weeks after surgery.

Damir Krupalija suffered a mild to moderate sprain of his right ankle in the game against Minnesota on Feb. 2. Krupalija returned to play 12 minutes in Illinois' next game at Penn State on Feb. 6.

Victor Chukwudebe reinjured his finger in practice on Feb. 11 and did not play against Iowa or Minnesota.

Robert Archibald came down with the flu on Feb. 16 and did not travel with the team to Minnesota.

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 has signed the tenth highest number of McDonald's All-Americans among Division I schools.
• Illinois has the 18th best all-time winning percentage (.641) among Division I schools.
• Illinois has an all-time record of 1374-769. The 1374 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.
• Former Illini point guard Kiwane Garris signed a free agent contract with the Orlando Magic on Dec. 21.

By the Numbers

2
Number of double-doubles Marcus Griffin has recorded this season.

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.

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

10
A total of ten Illini players have made a three-pointer this year, led by Cory Bradford with 71 treys.

11
The number of players on the roster from the state of Illinois (Victor Chukwudebe, Brian Cook, Joe Cross, Marcus Griffin, Sean Harrington, Jerrance Howard, Lucas Johnson, Damir Krupalija, Nate Mast, Sergio McClain, Frank Williams).

12.3
The scoring margin between the Illini and opponents.

13
The number of threes Illinois made against Loyola-Chicago, just one shy of the Illini single game record of 14 set against Iowa on February 24, 1996.

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

18
Number of rebounds Sergio McClain had against Michigan, the most since Shelly Clark pulled down 19 against Northwestern on March 8, 1995.

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

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

50
The winning margin for Illinois over Bethune-Cookman, the largerst since Dec. 18, 1993 when Illinois beat Chicago State by 69 points, 121-52.

56
Consecutive games in which Cory Bradford has hit a three-pointer.

107
Points scored in the win over Loyola-Chicago, the most since Dec. 22, 1993 when Illinois lost to Missouri in triple overtime, 107-108

116
Number of career games for Victor Chukwudebe.

313
Number of victories for Head Coach Lon Kruger.