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Illini uncertain on Randle's availability for Thursday

Posted by: Paul Klee

Tuesday, January 1, 2008 10:29 PM

Sounds like the Illini could be without Brian Randle when they host Ohio State on Thursday.

The senior sustained a mild concussion in Sunday's loss to Tennessee State at the Assembly Hall. Coach Bruce Weber said Randle caught an errant elbow to the head. He also got a heel to the back of the neck on the same play, during a scrum for a loose ball. Randle, who was playing well with six points and six boards in 14 minutes, left the game with about two minutes left in the first half and did not return.

"I would doubt Brian will play (on Thursday)," Weber said on Tuesday night.

Randle did some shooting and rode a stationary bike in practice on Tuesday. He underwent tests after the game to make certain the concussion was not a more serious head injury. Weber said the Illini are hoping he can return to practice in a larger capacity today.

Thursday's game, which will be televised on ESPN, is the first game on the Big Ten schedule for Illinois (8-5) and Ohio State (9-3).

- If Randle can't go, you could see more minutes split between Mike Davis and Rodney Alexander. Incidentally, Davis recently was measured by the UI training staff and has grown to 6-foot-10 1/2 with shoes on. When the promising freshman arrived at Illinois in August he was measured at 6-9.

Paul
pklee@news-gazette.com

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