naplesIllini71:

We think alike. I had the same thought early this week. Checked with Kevin Hambly and he said there is nothing in the works. Since classes for the spring semester started last Monday, a transfer presumably would need to be on campus and enrolled pretty soon. So, it doesn't look likely.

AlamoIllini:

Since this is my first season on the Illini women's basketball beat, I'm still in a learning process with several of the questions you've asked. By the end of the Big Ten race, I should have a better feel for where Illinois stands in talent.

To be honest, I was surprised at how thoroughly Illinois took care of Nebraska on Thursday night. In studying up on the Cornhuskers before that game, it was apparent that Nebraska has two truly elite players. They also were playing at home, where they've been very tough to beat. Yet, Illinois went into Lincoln and clearly was the far better team that night.

Just a guess, but Illinois might rank in the top third, and no worse than the middle, of the Big Ten in talent. What we're seeing, I think, is a coaching staff that is bringing out that talent to a degree that the previous coaching staff apparently couldn't. One of Jolette Law's widely-regarded strengths was in the area of recruiting. It's taken a while, but Matt Bollant's coaching is making a difference with that talent.

Regarding recruiting, I think the incoming class was an important first step for Bollant and his program. Can he build upon that and bring in more talented recruits? Given how strong and deep the Big Ten is these days, I think Bollant and his staff need to win some of those recruiting battles for the most-coveted players. At this level, I think the system can only carry you so far. The challenge for Bollant might be to recruit like Law as able to and then do much with that talent. This season is proof, I think, that Illinois made the right choice for a new women's basketball coach.

Anonymous User:

Nothing new to report on volleyball recruiting, but we continue to keep our eyes and ears open. These types of commitments can come at any time.

Kevin Hambly's team will be traveling to Italy and Slovenia in May. Hambly has always said he is open to bringing in a foreign player if the circumstances are right. This trip could yield a possibility or two, but it's not the main reason it was scheduled.

When Magrum was sidelined by concussion symptoms days before the Jan. 10 game at Northwestern, Matt Bollant said she would be sidelined for at least two weeks. That period ends some time next week, and she continues to be withheld from practice.

If Magrum continues to experience those symptoms, she would sit out at least another two weeks. If, at the end of that period, she still hasn't improved, there would need to be discussions on whether it's best to shut down the redshirt junior for the rest of the season.

Concussions are a serious issue, and the fact that Magrum has experienced several of them earlier in her Illini career makes it even more important that great care be taken regarding questions of her return.

MattK61:

There's a lot ot like about Ivory Crawford's game. A contributor in all phases. Can make an impact on defense -- the 5-10 guard shares the team lead in steals and, surprisingly, ranks second in blocked shots. Her aggressiveness can keep her off the court -- Crawford has fouled out five times -- but as she gets more experience, hopefully she'll make better decisions on defense.

One of the team's better free throw shooters, too, so she could help her team more by getting to the line more. Needs to work more on her shooting, but Crawford has make good progress this season. She shot 34.0 perecent as a freshman and is currently at 41.1 in about the same number of attempts from the field.

Billibob:

The UI announced yesterday (Thursday) that Jamie Gergen would fill the staff position previously held by Jen Oldenburg, who is expecting her second child in March and resigned to devote more time to her family.

Oldenburg was on the UI staff for nine years and a big contributor to a program that has risen to among the best in the nation. She'll be missed for a lot of reasons, among them the fact she is one of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet.

Gergen has eight years of Division I coaching experience at Virginia Tech and, most recently at Ohio State. In her three seasons in Columbus, the Buckeyes never failed to reach the NCAA tournament, and they advanced to the regional level in 2010 and 2011.

Kevin Hambly said Gergen's primary duty will be in the area of recruiting.

It's a good sign that Hambly said: "She was by far my first choice for the spot."