The News-Gazette.com Weblog

Basketblog

UI hosts Rich South's Crandall Head... again

Posted by: Paul Klee

Saturday, October 27, 2007 2:27 PM

Looks like another strong weekend for visits for the Illinois basketball program. Rich South sophomore Crandall Head, often recognized as Luther's little brother, is in attendance for the UI-Ball State football game today.

One of the state's top prospects in the Class of 2010 -- and a wanted figure on the Illini's recruiting list -- the 6-foot-4 wing is also expected to attend the Orange-Blue Scrimmage at the Assembly Hall on Sunday. He will probably be joined at the scrimmage by Illini commitment Jereme Richmond, a sophomore at Waukegan.

Richmond's visit to C-U will be at least his third this fall. Richmond and Head were in town last weekend as well. The two sophomores know each other well and would form a highly regarded tandem in the Class of 2010, if Head follows suit and commits to Illinois. Head arrived in town Friday night.

-In Sunday's News-Gazette, Practice Report No. 5 focuses on UI junior Calvin Brock. Where does he fit in? What do the coaches expect of him? After three years in the program, Brock's potential impact remains relatively unknown. The O&B Scrimmage, along with the upcoming exhibitions, will play a part in figuring out Brock's role early this season.

"He's (Brock) got a challenge in front of him," Bruce Weber said. "It's a great opportunity, whether it's Trent Meacham, Steve Holdren, Calvin Brock. There's some major playing time for guys to grab. But they have to show they want it."

-When Illinois meets Arizona at the United Center on Dec. 8, there's sure to be a handful of features on freshman Jeff Jordan, for obvious reasons. Jordan said he's looking forward to the United Center experience, but no more so than any of the other games on the schedule.

"It's something I did in high school a little bit. I got a chance to play there with my high school team (Loyola)," Jordan said. "But definitely it's going to be a different stage with a college team and everything. So I'm looking forward to it."

-Weber said he will break down the scrimmage into four 8-minute quarters, and switch up the teams in between periods.

-More in Sunday's N-G on the O&B Scrimmage, UI recruiting, Big Ten media day on Sunday, the whereabouts of Cory Bradford and a strong week of practice for Brian Randle, who looked like the impact player fans are hoping to see, along with other news and notes.

Paul
pklee@news-gazette.com