Dec. 3, 2004

Champaign, Ill. -

Illinois Game Notes at Arkansas in PDF Format
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FIGHTING ILLINI BASKETBALL
Game #6: #3/5(AP) Illinois (5-0) vs. Arkansas (5-0)
ESPN * 1 p.m. CT
Dec. 4, 2004 * North Little Rock, Ark. * Alltel Arena (17,600)

Probable Starters
#3/5 ILLINOIS (5-0)
F - 43 Roger Powell, Jr. (Sr., 6-6, 235, 12.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg)
F - 40 James Augustine (Jr., 6-10, 230, 9.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg)
G - 4 Luther Head (Sr., 6-3, 185, 17.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 6.8 apg)
G - 5 Deron Williams (Jr., 6-3, 210, 13.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 7.4 apg)
G - 11 Dee Brown (Jr., 6-0, 185, 15.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.2 apg)

Off The Bench ...
G - 15 Calvin Brock (Fr., 6-4, 185, plans to redshirt)
G - 33 Rich McBride (So., 6-3, 215, 6.0 ppg, 0.6 apg)
F - 34 Fred Nkemdi (Sr., 6-5, 235, 0.0 ppg, 0.2 rpg)
F - 41 Warren Carter (So., 6-9, 210, 5.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg)
C - 45 Nick Smith (Sr.-r, 7-2, 250, 3.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
C/F - 50 Jack Ingram (Sr.-r, 6-10, 245, 2.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
F - 55 Shaun Pruitt (Fr., 6-8, 245, 3.0 ppg, 1.4 rpg)

Injured
F - 42 Brian Randle (So., 6-7, 210, 1.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg in 2004)

Series Notes: Arkansas
Illinois leads the all-time series 4-0, including wins each of the last three seasons. The Illini defeated Arkansas 94-91 in 2001 at the United Center, 62-58 in Little Rock in 2002, and 84-61 last year at the United Center. Illinois also posted a 65-53 win over the Razorbacks in Champaign in 1949.

Illinois Head Coach Bruce Weber
Overall Record: 134-61/.687 (7th year) Big Ten: 13-3/.813
At Illinois: 31-7/.816 (2nd year) Vs. Arkansas: 1-0
Assistant Coaches: Wayne McClain (4th year), Jay Price (2nd year), Tracy Webster (1st year)
Assistant to the head coach: Gary Nottingham (2nd year)
Trainer: Al Martindale (22nd year at Illinois)

Arkansas Head Coach: Stan Heath
Overall Record: 56-41/.577 (4th year)
At Arkansas: 26-35/.426 (3rd year)
Vs. Illinois: 0-2
Assistant Coaches: Ronny Thompson, Darren Sorenson, Oronde Taliaferro

On the Air
Television
ESPN - National - Dave Pasch, play-by-play; Jimmy Dykes, expert analysts.

Radio
Illini Sports Network - 47 stations: Brian Barnhart, play-by-play; Stephen Bardo, expert analyst; Loren Tate, pregame/halftime/postgame interviews.

Quick Shots
* Illinois defeated a No.1-ranked team for the second time in school history and the first since 1979 on Wednesday when the Illini cruised past No. 1 Wake Forest 91-73. * After five games, the Illini are shooting an eye-popping 54.1 percent (170-314) from the field and 46 percent (57-124) from 3-point range. * In the first half of games this season, Illinois is averaging 53.4 points on 59.4 percent shooting, and enjoys an average halftme lead of 22.6 points. * Illinois has trailed in the scoring column for just 7:51 out of 200 minutes of play this season. Illinois trailed Delaware State for a total of 7:01, all in the first half, and trailed Florida A&M for the first 50 seconds of the game. The Illini held the lead the entire way in it last three games against Oakland, Gonzaga and Wake Forest. * Playing against ranked teams the past two games (No. 24 Gonzaga and No. 1 Wake Forest), Illinois combined for an amazing assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.92. The Illini had 24 assists with only seven turnovers against Gonzaga and tallied a season-high 27 assists with a season-low six turnovers against top-ranked Wake Forest. * Four of Illinois' five starters are averaging in double-figure scoring after five games. * Illinois has led the Big Ten in scoring each of the last four seasons. The Illini are averaging 88.6 points this year through five games. * Illinois has been credited with assists on 71.8 percent of its baskets this season (122 assists on 170 field goals). The Illini are averaging 24.4 assits per game. * The Illini have three players - Dee Brown, Luther Head and Rich McBride - shooting over 45 percent from 3-point range. * The Illini are averaging 11.4 three-pointers per game this season. Illinois tied its school record for 3-pointers in a game with 14 vs. Gonzaga on Nov. 27. * In its win over Gonzaga, Illinois set a number of Wooden Tradition team records, including points (89), assists (24), steals (13), three-pointers (14), as well as individual records, including assists (Luther Head, 9), steals (Luther Head-tied, 4), and three-pointers (Deron Williams-tied, 5). * In the season opener on Nov. 19, Illinois and Delaware State combined to set the Illinois all-time and Assembly Hall records for combined field goal percentage. The teams joined to shoot 60.8 percent (59-97), with the Illini making 35-of-55 attempts and the Hornets connecting on 24-of-42 shots.

Last Time Out: vs. Wake Forest
The Illini continued its torrid shooting and spectacular play Wednesday night at the Assembly Hall, rolling past No. 1 Wake Forest 91-73 in the sixth annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Another strong first half and unselfish play fueled the Illini victory. Despite Deron Williams going to the bench after picking up two fouls in the game's first three minutes, the Illini grabbed a 21-point lead by halftime after scoring 54 points on 60 percent shooting and making eight 3-pointers in the first stanza. The lead continued to grow in the second half and Illinois found itself up as many as 32 points and still had a 30-point advantage with five minutes remaining before clearing the bench. Roger Powell scored a game-high 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting while Luther Head and Dee Brown each added 16. James Augustine was the fourth Illini in double figures, finishing with 10, and Deron Williams narrowly missed out on a double-double with eight points and a career-high tying 11 assists.

Taking Down No. 1
Illinois' victory over No. 1 Wake Forest on Wednesday marked the second time in school history that the Illini have defeated an opponent ranked atop the Associated Press poll. The last time came on Jan. 11, 1979, when Illinois defeated Michigan State 57-55. Illinois is now 2-19 all-time against No. 1-ranked opponents.

Williams Fifth-Straight Illini Chosen Preseason Player of the Year Pick
Junior guard Deron Williams became the fifth straight Illini to be named Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year at the recent Big Ten Media Day in Chicago. Williams, also named to the All-Big Ten First-Team last season, is just the third Big Ten player ever to lead the league in assists in each of his first two seasons, joining Michigan State's Magic Johnson (1978-79) and Illinois' Bruce Douglas (1983-84). Williams has also earned Preseason All-America honors from Playboy Magazine and is among 50 preseason candidates for the Wooden, Naismith and Rupp Awards. Williams is third on the team in scoring this season, averaging 13.6 points. He is shooting 46 percent from the field and leads the team in assists, averaging 7.4 apg. Williams tied his career-high vs. Wake Forest on Wednesday, dishing out 11 assists. He boasts an impressive assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.6 through five games. Williams is also third on the team in rebounding with 4.2 boards per game.

Two Illini Earn Preseason All-Big Ten Honors
Junior guards Deron Williams and Dee Brown were both named to the Preseason All-Big Ten First Team at the recent Big Ten Media Day in Chicago. Brown was a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection in 2004 after being named the preseason Player of the Year prior to his sophomore season.

Backcourt Earns National Rep
Junior guards Deron Williams and Dee Brown are both listed on the preseason lists for the Naismith Award and Wooden Award All-America teams. Illinois Begins Season Near the Top Illinois began the 2004-05 season ranked No. 5 in both the Preseason ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll and Associated Press Poll, its highest preseason ranking since starting the 2001-02 season ranked No. 2 in the coaches' poll and No. 3 in the AP poll. The Illini received one first place vote in the coaches' poll and two in the AP poll. The Illini are currently ranked No. 3 in the ESPN/USA Today poll and No. 5 in the AP poll, released Nov. 29.

Great Guard Play
Illinois has what many believe is the top backcourt in the country in the three-guard lineup of senior Luther Head and juniors Dee Brown and Deron Williams. They are Illinois' top three scorers as well as assists and steals leaders. The trio has accounted for 52 percent of Illinois' scoring and 77 percent of its 3-pointers. They have also totaled 80 percent of Illinois' assists and 56 percent of its steals. Perhaps most impressive is that despite playing the most minutes and handling the ball for the majority of the game, the three guards boast an incredible combined assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.55. Below is a statistical look at Illinois' starting backcourt.
PPG APG RPG ST 3FG
Head 17.2 6.8 3.0 12 18
Brown 15.2 5.2 3.0 4 15
Williams 13.6 7.4 4.2 4 11
Total 46.0 19.4 10.2 20 44

Sharing the Wealth
One reason why Illinois is shooting over 54 percent from the field through five games is unselfish play. The Illini have been moving the ball well and making the extra pass to set up an open shot. Illinois has been credited with 122 assists on its 170 baskets, an impressive 71.8 percent assist-to-made field goals percentage. Illinois has had at least 22 assists in every game and is averaging 24.4 assists per game. The Illini recorded a season-high 27 assists against Wake Forest on Wednesday.

First-Half Dominance
Illinois' play has been especially crisp in the first half of games this season. The Illini have shot 55 percent or better in each of the five first halves, and are averaging 59.4 percent shooting in the first half of its games. Illinois has scored 50 or more points in four of the five first halves and is averaging 53.4 points in the first half. Illinois has also taken a double-digit lead into halftime of every game this year and goes into the locker room with an average lead of 22.6 points. Below is a breakdown of Illinois' dominance in the first half.
Opponent FG% POINTS LEAD
Delaware St. 64.5 50 13
Florida A&M 58.8 58 29
Oakland 60.0 47 19
Gonzaga 55.0 58 31
Wake Forest 60.0 54 21
Avg. 59.4 53.4 22.6

The Head of the Class
Guard Luther Head entered the season as one of the most underated players in the nation, and has been playing like an All-America candidate to begin his senior year. Head leads the Illini in scoring at 17.2 points per game and steals with 2.4 per game, and also ranks second on the team in assists at 6.8 per game. He is shooting over 55 percent (32-58) from the field, and over 51 percent (18-35) from 3-point land with a team-leading 18 treys. Head has scored in double figures in five straight games - a career-best streak - to open the season, with 15 points vs. Delaware State, 13 vs. Florida A&M, a season-high 22 points vs. Oakland (which also marked the second highest total of his career), 20 points vs. Gonzaga and 16 points vs. Wake Forest. Head has a team-best assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.83 on the year. In the past two games vs. Gonzaga and Wake Forest, he has combined for 14 assists with only two turnovers. He tied his career-high in assists with nine dimes apiece in conescutive games vs. Oakland and Gonzaga.

Dee Lighting it Up
Junior Dee Brown has had a hot shooting hand to start the season. Through five games, the junior guard is shooting 63.6 percent (28-44) from the field. That percentage is even more impressive when considering that over 60 percent of his shots have come from 3-point range. And Brown is dialed in from downtown as well, shooting 55.6 percent (15-27) from behind the arc. Brown is second on the team in scoring at 15.2 points per game. Brown broke into Illinois' Top-50 career scoring list Nov. 24 against Oakland, becoming the first player on the current UI roster to join the elite list. Brown stands 46th on the Illini all-time scoring chart with 900 points. Like his backcourt teammates, Brown has also been taking care of the ball and making good decisions. He has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.17 on the season and in the past two games vs. Gonzaga and Wake Forest, Brown has combined for 15 assists without a turnover.

The Rev Rises to the Occasion
Senior forward Roger Powell, Jr., is averaging 12.6 points and 4.6 rebounds after five contests, while shooting nearly 76 percent from the field (28-of-37). Standing 6-foot-6 and playing the power forward position, Powell is often undersized against his opponent. But he causes a match-up problem for the defense with his ability to step out and face the basket and either drive or hit the outside shot. Powell began the season as a career 59-percent shooter from the field. Powell had his best game of the season Wednesday vs. Wake Forest, scoring a season-high 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting, which included a pair of 3-pointers. Powell is scheduled to graduate with his bachelor's degree in speech communications in December. He is a licensed minister in the Pentecostal church.

Augie Off to Strong Start
Junior James Augustine is off to a strong start by making 19 of his 28 shots on the season (67.9 percent) and averaging a team-high 7.2 rebounds. He grabbed 11 rebounds vs. Oakland, the highest total by an Illini player this season, and Augustine's 13th career double-digit effort on the boards. After five games he is fifth on the team with an average of 9.8 points per game and leads the Illini with 13 blocked shots.

That's a Three ... Rich McBride
Sophomore Rich McBride has been another offensive weapon on the perimeter for the Illini. He is the first guard off the bench and is averaging over 17 minutes per game. Known for his smooth stroke from 3-point land, McBride is shooting 45.5 percent from beyond the arc, making 10-of-22 treys.

Carter Makes Most of Minutes
Sophomore Warren Carter has been productive off the bench for the Illini. Despite playing just over 10 minutes per game, Carter is averaging 5.6 points and 2.0 rebounds and is shooting 60 percent (12-20) from the field.

Home Cookin'
Illinois is 55-2 (.964) at the Assembly Hall over the last four-plus years, with the only losses coming to Michigan State on Feb. 3, 2002 and to Purdue on Jan. 10, 2004 ... The Boilermakers broke a 23-game Illini winning streak at the Hall that at the time ranked fourth in the nation ... Illinois is 67-3 (.957) at the Assembly Hall over the past five-plus seasons, the best home mark in the nation over that period ...The Illini have also won 35 in a row at the Assembly Hall against non-conference opponents ... Illinois has won 35 of its last 37 (.946) Big Ten games at the Assembly Hall ... Below is a look at Illinois' home record the past five seasons:
Year Overall Big Ten
2004-05 4-0 0-0
2003-04 12-1 7-1
2002-03 14-0 7-0
2001-02 13-1 7-1
2000-01 12-0 8-0
1999-2000 12-1 7-1
Total 67-3 (.957) 36-3 (.923)

Brown Named Big Ten Player of the Week - Nov. 22
Junior guard Dee Brown earned the third Big Ten Player of the Week honor of his career Nov. 22 after leading the Illini to victories over Delaware State and Florida A&M. Brown totaled 37 points on the weekend, hitting 13-of-16 shots from the field, including 8-of-11 from three-point range.

Randle Sidelined with Broken Hand
Sophomore forward Brian Randle suffered a broken left hand in practice on Nov. 10 and will be sidelined for another 4-7 weeks. Surgery on Nov. 11 successfully repaired the bone.

Valpo Game Time Changed
Start time for the Dec. 19 men's basketball game against Valparaiso has been changed to 4 p.m. An Illini women's game against UCLA is scheduled to begin at Noon that day. The men's game against Valparaiso is part of the Las Vegas Holiday Classic.

Hot Ticket to Watch the Illini at the Hall Illinois sold out of season tickets for the 2004-05 campaign, making it one of the hottest tickets in program history. Tickets remain only for the Longwood game on Dec. 27 (760), which is not part of the student season ticket package. Fans can also purchase tickets for the Dec. 11 game against Oregon at the United Center ($22) and for the Las Vegas Holiday Classic ($90 for all-session) through the UI Athletics Ticket Office. A very limited number of tickets for the road game at Georgetown ($22.50) are available as well.

New Faces on the Roster
* Arnold Transfers From Illinois State: Marcus Arnold, a 6-8 forward/center from Chicago, transferred to Illinois from Illinois State in the summer of 2004 and will sit out the 2004-05 season per NCAA transfer rules. He will begin the 2005-06 season with junior eligibility. * Freshman Duo: The 2004 recruiting class of 6-foot-4-inch guard Calvin Brock of Chicago Simeon High School and 6-8 forward Shaun Pruitt of Aurora (Ill.) West High School are now in their freshman season for the Illini. Brock was the Chicago Player-of-the-Year in 2004 while Pruitt was runner-up for Mr. Basketball in the state of Illinois last season. Brock has indicated that he intends to sit out the season as a redshirt to preserve a season of eligibility.