TROTWOOD, Ohio – Those who know Tiffanie Guthrie like to tell a story about her. It illustrates, they say, Guthrie's priorities when it comes to basketball.

Guthrie, a 5-foot-11 forward from the northwestern Dayton suburb of Trotwood, on Monday made a verbal commitment to play for Theresa Grentz's Illini in 2001. Her commitment to her AAU team stands out.

Indiana University officials were in denial for nearly three decades.

So it would have been inappropriate to oust the Classic Bully in May for outrageous activities these very administrators had overlooked in the past.

SAN DIEGO – The most promising part of Illinois football has not been Kurt Kittner’s accuracy, Antoineo Harris’ threshold for pain, Greg Lewis’ ability to get open or Ron Turner’s knack to motivate.

It has not been the work of the offensive line, as big and ornery as there is in the country, or the hard hits doled out by the linebackers or even the sticky hands of the tight ends.

   SAN DIEGO  They didnt converge in numbers like Nebraska had at Notre Dame, but Illinois fans made a respectable showing at Saturdays game. About 2,000 came to watch the Illinis first stop in San Diego since 1992.

   Illini fans are coming out of the woodwork. Youre going to see a lot more come out if we keep winning, Steve Katsinas said. It can happen as long as the university makes a sustained commitment.