(Sports) Editor's Note

Powell, Mariotti, Henson

Posted by: Jim Rossow

Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:33 PM

Catching up with ...
... Roger Powell Jr.
The Lon Kruger recruit still has a passion for basketball. On Monday, the former Illini will be at Bulls media day in Deerfield in what is the first step in his NBA comeback.
"When he left the Legends game on Saturday night, he said, I think I'm going back to Italy," UI coach Bruce Weber said on "Saturday SportsLine." "Then he got the call from the Bulls that said, ‘Hey, we want you.' "
He accepted John Paxson's invitation and will begin practice Tuesday.
Will he be with the Bulls when they play the Utah Jazz and former Illini Deron Williams on Oct. 17 at the Assembly Hall? I'd guess yes because that game marks the halfway point of the Bulls' preseason schedule. They open the regular season Oct. 28 against Milwaukee.
A reminder that we're giving away tickets to the Jazz-Bulls game at IlliniHQ.com. All it takes is a click.

... Jay Mariotti.
The former Chicago Sun-Times columnist responded to our e-mailed questions this week.
Does Chicago burn if the Cubs win the World Series?
"Chicago burns, Wrigley crumbles, and Ronnie Woo Woo marries the billy goat."
Where does Illinois football fit in the Chicago landscape?
"My wish for the Illini? The campus could be airlifted about 90 miles closer to Chicago and, thus, allow The Zooker to become a full-blown local celebrity. On his most boring day, he's more interesting than Lovie."
How close were you to working for the Chicago Tribune?
"Five outs away ... until Bartman reached out and snatched the offer."

... Lou Henson.
The legendary basketball coach continues to make his presence felt in our community. On Monday morning, he'll be in Urbana to announce the largest financial contribution to Cunningham Children's Home.
Henson's "Coach's Campaign," introduced last fall, has raised $1.4 million since its kickoff. One more reason he should be in the Hall of Fame.
We'll have more in Monday's News-Gazette.
Jim Rossow

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