Sports

Volume 22, Issue 15

Illini finally number 1 in both our hearts and polls

By Mark Brockett - Sports Reporter

Well, it has certainly been a long time for our beloved state, but we finally have a team that is considered the best in the nation. Finally, there is a team that we can root for and not be disappointed in the final outcome. Finally, the sports media has no choice but to recognize a team that plays its sport the way it is supposed to be played. Folks, that team resides at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. They are the Fighting Illini of men’s college basketball.
It has been a very impressive start to this season for the Fighting Illini. Posting early wins over in state colleges wasn’t the only thing that fans could get excited about. Try wins over the 20th ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs in the John Wooden Classic, a home win over then #1 Wake Forest, and a title win in the Las Vegas Classic over 13th ranked Cincinnati. Oh, I should also mention that each win was in dominating fashion by more than 17 points.
It doesn’t end there. The team shoots the lights out with their fast, athletic line up that also plays suffocating defense. The three guard set of Dee Brown, Deron Williams, and Luther Head equally distribute the wealth every game. The frontcourt of Roger Powell and James Augustine are a great compliment with their physical and valiant style of play in the paint.
More than any team in the top 25, Illinois consistently puts multiple players in double digits for scoring in every game. The team concept is what makes this even more special. Head coach Bruce Webber has initialized his style of play, which came courtesy of several years under the tutelage of the great Gene Keady at Purdue. The passing is what creates offensive opportunities and chances to confuse opposing defenses.
With all of this in mind, it begs a few questions. For starters, what makes a team who is currently #1 hungry enough to fend off famished challengers? Is it really a good thing to progress throughout the season undefeated?
Even with their current success (18-0 and 4-0 in the Big Ten), there are still doubters in the sports media, particularly at ESPN. See, their common unstoppable team would consist of one or two superstars who dominate their respective positions. They agree that Illinois is the best team now, but long term, they choose to deny any long-term success.
Dick Vitale, a college basketball analyst and avid fan of the ACC conference, sees Kansas, a team that hasn’t played the competition that Illinois has, as the front-runner for the National Title. This can help provide an answer as to why Illinois will stay hungry for this season and its tournament.
In the meantime, we can all enjoy this current dominance that we haven’t seen on any level of sport for quite some time. Yes, our very own Chicago Bulls have rose from the ashes and have been playing very well as of late, but I think that a matchup between the two would in fact be a classic.
Call it blind faith if you will, but I’m confident that this team is destined for great things this season and if a few select players return for their senior seasons, it could be lights out for college hoops next year as well. The coaching, the style of play, and the character of each player are driving forces for the Fighting Illini and with their current record and incomparable attitude; this team captures the hearts of many and receives doubts from few.

America Midwest Conference is 'wide open'

By Jason Stuebe - Sports Editor

     Anytime UIS Men’s head coach Kevin Gamble is asked about his team and the American Midwest Conference, his answer is cool, calm and collected.
“Everyone is saying it’s wide open this year,” said Gamble recently, though he was quick to also point out that he and his team aren’t looking into their crystal balls. “We’re not going to predict anything, we’re just going to go out and play.”
While the conference is by all accounts wide open, the usual suspects of rival institutions Columbia College, Missouri Baptist and McKendree are sure to be running the table.
     Already a week into conference play, McKendree and MoBap hold down the top spot with 2-0 stars while Columbia and UIS are right behind at 1-0 each, somewhat indicative of how things should play out as seasonal play continues.
     While the 14th ranked Bearcats of McKendree are indeed 2-0, their victories came at the hands of Harris Stowe and Williams Baptist. Their first real test will come tonight as they travel to take on Columbia.
     Speaking of Columbia, Bob Burchard’s boys while finishing 8th in last year’s NAIA final poll haven’t seen a ranking or a vote since their 23rd pre-season rank came out in late October.
     MoBap, meanwhile, has recruited a lot of talent from across the globe with 6’6 Forward Eloka Gerard hailing from Africa and are seriously looking at making a run come tournament time. Already garnering national attention, the Spartans did receive a vote in last week’s poll.
     While the fledgling UIS program, which put up a 5-7 record and tied for fourth last year, is still finding its way around and about the conference, it could be, along with Hannibal LaGrange, the other team to finish at 5-7 in 2004, one of the spoilers in the conference as the season winds down.
     But let’s not forget low-ballers Harris Stowe State College and Williams Baptist. While the Hornets of Harris Stowe limped home 0-12 in 2004, Williams Baptist did eke out a 3-9 record, one of those wins coming at the hands of UIS. Not to mention the fact that Williams Baptist has recruited a whole slew of freshmen over 6’3 headlined by the 6’6 Chance Smith, who could give the conference fits in the post.
     Conference play for UIS resumes this Saturday against McKendree in what could be the paramount game. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at the Assembly Closet.

AMC Women’s schedule kicks off

By Jason Stuebe - Sports Editor

     Kevin Gamble and UIS women’s coach Wanda Nettles have similar feelings for their respective AMC Conference play: it’s anyone’s show.
Nettles believes her squad is prepared and ready for what is sure to be a competitive conference.
     “We should match-up well across the board,” said Nettles, “Though we may get into some trouble with Columbia.”
     Many agree that Columbia could be top dog in the conference. The defending conference champs and 20th ranked Cougars have already put away Missouri Baptist and Hannibal LaGrange with relative ease and hold down the top spot.
     In fast pursuit is McKendree College, whose Bearcats are knocking on the door of the NAIA National Rankings, earning 11 votes in last week’s poll. Though narrowly escaping Missouri Baptist, the Bearcats easily cruised to victory over Williams Baptist.
     After those two schools it could be anyone’s game with Hannibal LaGrange, William Woods and Missouri Baptist capable of creating a stir, though it is improbable given the sheer strength of both Columbia and McKendree.
     As for UIS, who held down a 5-9 conference record last year, they are currently 0-2 after losses against William Woods and Missouri Baptist heading into last Tuesday’s game against Hannibal LaGrange. The Stars role will more than likely be that of the spoiler for the conference, as they will stand poised to attack an unsuspecting team, much like a tiger that waits in the tall grass.
     And then there’s Williams Baptist and Harris Stowe. While nobody should be taken lightly, these two schools aren’t the greatest but hey, stranger things have happened – just ask Arnold Schwarzenegger.
     The Stars face Harris Stowe this Saturday and then face Columbia the following Tuesday.

Stuebe’s Sporting Goods
A cornucopia of opinion

By Jason Stuebe - Sports Editor

I got to thinking about what to write about this week and it didn’t take me long to realize that there is a lot going on in this crazy world, too much, in fact, to decide; it’s kind of like smorgasbord syndrome or something. Anyway, I decided to digress from normally scheduled writings and just give my own take on some things going on. Agree or not, let the irreverence ensue.
Rams vs. Falcons.
Michael Vick is your daddy and special teams are your liability. The game was so ugly it could be rebroadcast at the UIS Gallery as a modern art masterpiece.
Memo to Brett Favre
Please stay just one more year. The faithful know you have one more solid season in you and you know you do too. Fight back for what pretty boy Elway took away from you – a second Super Bowl ring.
Memo to Packers Front Office
Look, I know that you know that I know that you know that Brett Favre is the greatest quarterback this side of Johnny Unitas and as much as we would like to think that he is God, he is not. He cannot do everything. Buy some receivers already, will you?
Matt Leinhart
He’s got a Heisman Trophy and two-straight BCS titles, but Matt Leinhart did the right thing last week – just said ‘no’ to the NFL. A big atta boy is definitely in order when he could have cut his education just short and gone for the big bucks and the Benz. Way to break the growing trend.
NCAA Men’s Basketball
I’m not going to gloat over IlliNo1s. I’m not going to be ‘that guy’ and jinx a good thing. So let’s talk about Kansas. Bill Selfish’s Jay-Hawks are entirely too overrated, just getting by will not work in the Big XII or the big dance. Your fall from grace is coming.
UNC is the team to beat. Period. I second the thoughts of my good friend Jared Jones that if UNC played Illinois tomorrow, the beloved Orange and Blue will fall by 15 points.
While I’m not picking out Billy Gillespie’s dancing shoes just yet, 12-2 Texas A&M is a sleeping Cinderella. Laugh all you want, but they nearly upset Kansas at Lawrence, sawed the Long Horns short, and could play the king-maker or breaker in the Big XII.
NHL Lock-Out Continues
Not that I -- or anyone south of Minnesota -- minds that much. Gretzky seems to think that two entire seasons could be lost as a result. Once again, I’m not complaining a bit because better programming like the Scrabble Championships is now appearing on ESPN.
Daytona is coming!
Just because I enjoy messing with the NASCAR haters out there, I just wanted to remind you all that as of press-time there are only 31 days remaining before the Daytona 500.

Men’s Basketball takes first conference game of the season

By Mark Brockett - Sports Reporter

    While it hasn’t been a very auspicious start of the season for the UIS men’s basketball team, a brand new year in the American Midwest Conference opened up very favorably as the team was victorious over Hannibal LaGrange 78-63.
     This was the first matchup for the two teams against each other since the first round of the AMC conference tournament last March. A rivalry has brewed over the course of the last year as they played three times last season, including a triple overtime thriller in the UIS gymnasium in which the Stars were victorious 86-85. The Stars lost in the conference tournament by a similarly close margin of 67-66 and had revenge on their minds heading into this contest.
     In the game, UIS received a huge offensive boost from Antonio Puckett. Puckett shot 7 of 11 from the three point arc and helped the Stars as a team shoot 64.3 percent from behind the arc. Puckett ended up with 21 points and Che Jordan chipped in with 13 points. Michael Griffin had 11 points and Aaron Anderson had 10 points with a team high six rebounds.
     Even though the Stars were playing on the road, this game had a strong following from our UIS Blue Crew as several students from the student cheering section drove 80 plus miles to Hannibal LaGrange to help create a friendly atmosphere for the Prairie Stars. The Crew was just as passionate about the game as the players.
     The win puts the team on the right track in the conference at 1-0 and 4-12 overall. Their next home basketball game will be against McKendree College on the January 22. Tip off is scheduled for 3pm.

Campus Recreational Briefs

Fitness & Instructional
Registrations are now being accepted in the CRS Office for the following classes. Participants must be at least 18 years old or a UIS student to participate:

Toning & Conditioning will be taught by Amy Giles on Mondays and Fridays from 12:10-12:50 pm in the UIS Gym. The class includes exercises that contribute to cardiovascular health, muscular strength and endurance, balance and flexibility. Classes will vary using circuit training, floor exercise, and hand weights. There are three sessions of varying length: Session A: January 21-April 29 (no class March 14-18 or Friday, March 25); Rec Center Members (student and non-students with a valid i-card) pay $20; Non-Rec Center Members pay $60. Session B: January 21-March 11; Rec Center Members pay $12; Non-Rec Center Members pay $36. Session C: March 21-April 29 (no class Friday, March 25); Rec Center Members pay $9; Non-Rec Center Members pay $27. Registration deadline is 1pm on Thursday, January 20.

Fencing will be taught by Dr. Larry Livingston on Wednesdays in the UIS Gym from 12:10-12:50pm beginning January 26. The class will be an introduction to foil fencing covering stance, lunges, parries, attacks, practice bouting, and practice judging. Safety will be emphasized. The deadline to sign up is 1pm Tuesday, January 25. UIS Students and Rec Center Members with valid i-cards who receive priority in registration pay $5 for the 6-lesson session. UIS Community Non-Rec Center Members & Non-UIS (must sign waiver form) pay $15.

Intramural Sports
Entries are now available from the Campus Recreational Sports Office for the IM 5x5 Basketball and IM Badminton Doubles Leagues. Participants must be at least 18 years old or a UIS student to participate.
UIS Students and Rec Center Members with a valid i-card play for free. Non-Rec Center Members & Non-UIS (must sign waiver form) pay $10 per entry.

IM 5x5 Basketball team entry forms are due in the CRS Office by 11pm Monday, January 24. Teams will consist of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 12 players. No more than 2 Non-Rec Center Members per roster. Only 1 present or last year’s intercollegiate basketball player allowed per roster. League play will be on Saturday and Sundays beginning January 30 in the UIS Gym.

IM Badminton Doubles play begins the week of February 7 in the UIS Gym. League play will be scheduled according to players and facility availability. Only one Non-Rec Center Member per roster. Participants may enter 1 women’s or men’s doubles team and 1 co-rec (mixed) team. Deadline to enter is 11pm on Monday, January 31.

Spring 2005 Milers' Club
The UIS Milers' Club is “up and running” through Sunday, April 24. This 15-week activity promotes cardiovascular fitness through unstructured recreational activities in which participants choose when and where to exercise. A 150-mile goal (10 miles a week) is the minimum, but participants are encouraged to set a higher goal if they wish. You may choose walking, jogging, biking, or other measurable distance exercises. Participants are required to turn in weekly exercise slips on Mondays to the CRS Office so that the staff can make a progress chart. The Milers' Club is a free activity but you must sign up by registering at the CRS Office with a valid i-card.

Ski Trip
The annual weekend Ski Trip to Cascade Mountain and Devil’s Head in central Wisconsin is Friday-Sunday, February 11-13, 2005. Watch your e-mail for further information or check the website.

HOW CAN I LEARN ABOUT CAMPUS REC SPORTS NEWS?
(1) Send an Email to RecSports@uis.edu to be included in the 2004-2005 Campus Rec Sports News List to receive personal up-to-date information about future events and activities. (2) Click on “Public Folders>All Public Folders>UIS>Announcements>Campus” on your UIS e-mail account and read the e-mail announcements sent out by UIS Campus Rec Sports. (3) Check out the website at www.uis.edu/recsports/. (4) Contact the Campus Recreational Sports (CRS) Office located in the Fitness Center (SLB 118) or call 206-6658.

Snapshots

Men’s Basketball
UIS vs. Upper Iowa University (Fayette, Iowa)
The Prairie Stars men continued their winning march through January by defeating the Peacocks (insert your own joke here) of Upper Iowa University 68-63 in an out-of-conference game.
The Stars were led by junior guard Antonio Puckett, who threw up a game-high 20 points. Also leading the way for the Stars were sophomore Brian McMillen and junior Curtis Collins, who had 10 points apiece. The Stars shot 37.3 percent from the field, 46.7 percent behind the three point line, and 63.0 percent from the free throw line.
The victory was the Stars second win of 2005 and their fifth of the season after a grueling November and December. The Stars now hold a 5-12 record overall and remain 1-0 in the AMC. The Stars travel to Harris Stowe State College tonight before returning home this weekend to take on the evil empire of McKendree, tip-off is at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 22.

Women’s Basketball
UIS vs. Williams Baptist (Walnut Ridge, Ark.)
The UIS women came up just a bit short to Williams Baptist College in a 63-59 OT grudge match, which saw last week’s Prairie Star of the Week Zabrina Harper rack up another double-double performance.
Harper led the Stars with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Joining her in leading the team was Kelly Beyer, who had 12 points, and Ashley Barton with nine points and five rebounds. The Stars shot 30.3 percent from the field and 60 percent from the line but could muster only a 16.7 shooting percentage from downtown.
The loss dropped the Stars to 4-11 on the season and 0-1 in the AMC

UIS vs. William Woods (Fulton, Mo.)
UIS dropped their second conference game to William Woods last Saturday by a score of 52-71.
The Stars were led by Zabrina Harper with 14 points and 8 rebounds while LaTrice Nettles and Kelly Beyer and 11 and nine points of their own respectively.
Poor shooting again dogged the Stars as they hit only 21.3 percent from the field and 21.4 percent from behind the arc, though the 60.9 free throw shooting did shed some light on the stats sheet.
The Stars were 4-12 overall and 0-2 in the AMC heading into last Tuesday’s game against Hannibal LaGrange at the Assembly Closet. Up next for the Stars will be Harris Stowe State College, where the UIS women have a habit of breaking scoring records