Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA Basketball News

Freshman D.J. Richardson scored 15 points, hitting four 3-pointers, to help No. 23 Illinois overcome a sluggish start and beat Presbyterian College 94-48 in the Las Vegas Invitational on Saturday night.

The opening round of the Las Vegas Invitational takes place at campus sites around the country, and two of the teams in the event will meet at Assembly Hall in Champaign tonight, as the Blue Hose of Presbyterian pay a visit to the 23rd-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini.

What a debut for the 2009-10 Illini and especially the Illini freshman guards tonight.

Two wins down, 36 to go for Illinoisa perfect season. No. 23 Illinois didna t prove a ton of things during its 80-61 win over Northern Illinois on Tuesday night -- other than the fact the Illini struggled to contain the dribble-drive and couldna t keep the smaller Huskies off the offensive glass -- but thata s what these early-season games are for.

The 23rd-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini take aim at their second straight win to open the season as they play host to the Huskies of Northern Illinois tonight at Assembly Hall in Champaign.

Brandon Paul scored all 20 of his points in the first half, leading No. 23 Illinois to an 80-61 victory over Northern Illinois on Tuesday night.

Illinois may need to rely on youth to be successful this season. Based on its season opener, that might not be a bad thing.

's 91-68 victory over Eastern Illinois in the opening women's basketball game of the season, which happily coincided with the first round of Preseason WNIT.

The compliment was so foreign to his ears that Demetri McCamey at first thought Illinois coach Bruce Weber had intended the comment for one of his teammates.

Illinois' Brandon Paul cruises by Southern Illinois-Edwardsville's Mark Yelovich on Friday at Assembly Hall in Champaign.

The 23rd-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini go in search of their 11th straight season-opening win when they play host to the Cougars of SIU-Edwardsville tonight at Assembly Hall in Champaign.

Forward Jerome Richmond, guard Crandall Head a ' the younger brother of former Illinois standout and current Indiana Pacer Luther Head a ' and center Meyers Leonard signed letters of intent Wednesday indicating they'll join the 23rd-ranked Illini next season, Illinois basketball spokesman Derrick Burson said.

It's risky to put too much on the shoulders of a freshman. But D.J. Richardson, Illinois' 6-3 guard from Peoria Central by way of a Nevada prep school, keeps tempting us to do that.

Not since 2004-2005 has there been such a buzz surrounding Illini hoops. Today, we are going to look back, assess the present and try to predict the future as we get ready for another year of orange and blue buckets.

Freshman D.J. Richardson scored 23 points and No. 23 Illinois overcame a sluggish start to beat Quincy 84-63 in an exhibition game Sunday.

Nobody had to tell him Illinois had trouble scoring a year ago. Brandon Paul could see that when he watched his future team struggle in games like its infamous 38-33 loss to Penn State.

This yeara s seniors, including Smith, Simpson and Whitney Toone, are hoping to lead a team of 14 to Illinoisa first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2002-03. 11/2/2009 - 10:05 PM Post your comment The tale of two Mikes Throughout their careers at Illinois, much has been made of the duo of forward Mike Davis and center Mike Tisdale.

Illinois freshman guard Joseph Bertrand could redshirt this basketball season, according to online reports published Thursday by the Champaign News-Gazette and the St.

Illinois' Demetri McCamey attempts to dunk the ball during the exhibition basketball game against Missouri Southern State at Assembly Hall on Oct.

Illinois guard Joseph Bertrand pulls down a rebound while Missouri Southern's forward Rich Borries and Illinois center Mike Tisdale watch during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Friday, Oct.