July 2000
UI loses Lloyd for season
CHAMPAIGN – Seven weeks before the start of the season, the Illinois football team has lost one of its top offensive threats.
Sophomore receiver Brandon Lloyd, touted by the school as an All-Big Ten candidate, suffered a broken left leg Friday night. He will miss the 2000 season.
Self trying to win over Kruger recruit
VALRICO, Fla. – Before he worries about Eddy Curry, Najeeb Echols and David Lee, Illinois basketball coach Bill Self has a more pressing recruiting matter to attend to.
The curious case of November signee Nick Smith.
Shepard joins Kruger with Hawks
ATLANTA – Derek Thomas isn't the only former Illinois assistant who'll be joining Lon Kruger in Atlanta.
Mike Shepherd, who coached under Kruger from 1996 to '99, has signed on to work with the Hawks as an advance scout.
Illini aide already at home
CHAMPAIGN – It's the first week of the summer recruiting period, and here's Billy Gillispie, cooped up in an office while the rest of the Illinois basketball staff is on the road recruiting.
But just because he can't be out and about doesn't mean the talkative Texan has to miss out on his favorite part of the job.
Nike camp: Grounds for UI optimism
INDIANAPOLIS – Roger Powell Jr. says he's back on board, and David Lee says he's coming to Champaign in a couple days for a look around.
How's that for a start to basketball's summer recruiting period?
Rossow: Bet on it: Big crowds, new recruits
College betting is popular. So says a study released this week that indicates one out of every four male student-athletes may be wagering illegally.
We prefer legal methods. So, in the betting spirit, here are some strong summer hunches.
Bet on ...
At 73, Paterno chasing record with kid''s spirit
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. In the late ''80s, some important Republicans in Pennsylvania approached one of the party''s most prominent members to see if he had any interest in making a run for governor.
Governor Paterno. Has a nice ring to it.
UI women's recruit on the move in offseason
CHAMPAIGN – Geno Auriemma gave Aminata Yanni some peace of mind.
Yanni was among the 15 players who were named to the U.S. Junior National team last month. The squad is expected to be trimmed to 12 when the group resumes training in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday. Yanni expects to be on the final list of 12 that Auriemma takes to Argentina July 26-30 to play in a qualifying tournament for the Junior World Championship in 2001.
UI's Lackey splits
Illinois wrestler Matt Lackey went 1-1 in pool competition and dropped out of medal contention Friday at the FILA Junior Freestyle World Championships in Nantes, France.
Alessio: Curry not only name on UI's list
Let's assume Roger Powell Jr. follows through with his commitment to Illinois, as he's indicated he will.
And let's suppose in the end, Eddy Curry makes like Kevin Garnett, Darius Miles and Leon Smith, becoming the fourth News-Gazette All-Stater in seven years to go straight from prep to pro.
Social Media
