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[MARCH 20, 2002]   CHAMPAIGN — The University of Illinois announced Tuesday that 250 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional tickets will go on sale to the general public at 9 a.m., Wednesday, March 20. All tickets are $110 and good for both sessions of the regional.

The UI Athletics Ticket Office obtained the tickets from another institution playing in the Midwest Regional. All priority allocation of tickets has been completed.

There is a limit of two tickets per order. Placement of an order does not guarantee tickets will be available. 

Ticket orders will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis in person at the UI Athletics Ticket Office at the Assembly Hall North Box Office or by phone at 866-ILLINI 1 and (217) 333-3470.

[Kent Brown, assistant athletics director,
sports information director, University of Illinois]

[MARCH 19, 2002]   Sam Wood of the Lincoln Gator Swim Club qualified for the 2002 Illinois Junior Olympics championships in the 100-yard butterfly and the 200-yard freestyle. Wood competed in the Olympics this weekend at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

In the division for boys 10 and under, he finished 27th in the 100 fly and 35th in the 200 freestyle.

Sam is in the fourth grade at Chester-East Lincoln School.

[MARCH 19, 2002]   Matt Clark of Lincoln Christian College has been named the recipient of the Pete Maravich Memorial Award, marking him as the outstanding Christian basketball player among Division II schools in the National Christian College Athletic Association.

The 5-foot-10 senior averaged 26.1 ppg this season and scored 2,744 points in his career. He is fourth all-time in scoring among Illinois college players, behind Hersey Hawkins of Bradley, Alfredrick Hughes of Loyola and Kevin Koeman of Trinity Christian.

In addition to his scoring Clark had 333 steals and 462 assists in his career. He is a three-time first team All-American selection.

"As a basketball player Matt always came ready to play. He had the ability to shoot the 3, penetrate or pull up from mid range. He could use screens or create his own shot. He understood how to get to the free- throw line. And when points were tough to come by out of our system, Matt would get a couple of steals and get it going through transition," noted Randy Kirk, Matt’s coach.

[to top of second column in this article]

Coach Kirk continues, "As a person Matt lives a life of integrity. He exemplifies what Lincoln Christian College wants to produce. He is seriously devoted to Jesus Christ, and it is evident to all who observe."

A Christian education major, Clark hopes to be involved in ministry where basketball can still be an integral part of his life. "I hope to work in youth ministry or inner city work. But I want to use basketball to reach young people," Clark said.

Matt is the son of Jerry and Debbie Clark of Evansville, Ind.

[LCCS]

[MARCH 19, 2002]   MADISON, Wis. — Sixth-seeded Texas and No. 2 seed Oregon will meet in the opening game of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional Friday at the Kohl Center in Madison. The game begins at 6:55 p.m. Fourth-seeded Illinois and top seed Kansas will meet in the other regional semifinal contest. Tipoff for that game will be 25 minutes after the conclusion of the opener.

The starting time for Sunday’s Midwest Regional final will be announced Friday evening. The winner of the Midwest Regional will advance to the Final Four in Atlanta (March 30 and April 1).

[MARCH 18, 2002]   Lincoln College opened play in the College Conference of Illinois at Danville Sunday and lost a pair of one-run games. The Lady Lynx took a 6-4 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning of the opening game only to give up three runs and lose 7-6.

The second game was more of the same as Lincoln College jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning.  Danville came back with two runs in the first and one in the second before scoring four times in the third.  Lincoln regained the lead with four runs in the top of the fifth; however, the host promptly put up a three-spot to regain the lead and won the game 10-9.

Jen Polhemus suffered the loss in the first game, and Audra May took the loss in the second game.

Candi Forsythe was the hitting star for coach Jen Ciaccio with 2-4 in the first game and 3-4 in the second game with a pair of runs scored. Marie Burash added a pair of hits in three trips in the first game, while Ashley Sims contributed two hits, both doubles, in the second game. 

[to top of second column in this article]

Lincoln College now stands at 2-6 for the season and 0-2 in the conference.

First game

Lincoln College      021 101 1 — 6-8-4

Danville                 031 000 3 — 7-6-5

Polhemus (L) and Burgess; Lewis (W) and Winder

Lincoln College     410 040 0 — 9-11-3

Danville                214 030 x — 10-11-1

May (L) and Booth; Brand, Lewis (5) and Wright

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

By Jeff Mayfield

[MARCH 18, 2002]   Over the course of the last two or three years, whenever Illinois lost a ball game people enjoyed blaming Brian Cook and Frank Williams — that is, if they weren’t second-guessing coach Bill Self. It was "Frankie disappeared" or "Brian was too soft" or "Self had the wrong guys in the game."

[Click here to see more photos]

Even the LDN was aghast that Self allowed Cook to re-enter the Creighton game Sunday late in the first half, after he had already been whistled for two fouls. And it’s a good thing that he did.

[Photo by Tom Seggelke]

All Brian did was to keep the Illini’s fortunes above water as the rest of the team was treading water faster than Bill Cosby’s Noah or Burt Reynolds in the classic "The End." A shrewd coaching strategy allowed Brian to guard a 5-foot-10 two- or three-man, and it kept him out of the paint, where he is sure to draw at least one or two phantom calls a game. Once again he kept his composure, and when the lead was slipping away he was able to ensure that Illinois would retain at least a five-point halftime lead. The Illini’s lead of 20-11 at the 11:07 mark had dwindled to 31-26 by intermission.

Exit Cook … enter Williams. Both Self and Williams reported that they had a little conversation at halftime. Self assured the media that that had nothing to do with Frank’s second-half performance, but something did. Maybe the spirit of MJ was hovering over his body. Maybe the sight of the NBA scouts and the sound of cash registers cha-chinging in the background served as motivation. Maybe it was the Bluejay dance squad that got his attention. Whatever it was, Williams just blew up in the second half. Slicing and dicing to the rack, leaving fallen Bluejays in his wake. Dashing and crashing and, when not open, making nifty passes. But his eruption for four second-half 3s basically put the game out of reach.

Contrary to what Mr. Vitale and Mr. Packer might tell you, when Frankie is playing like that, there is no better player in America, period! It is a sight to behold. It is a thing of beauty. And if his teammates will give him more first-half touches and he can put two halves together, who knows how far this Illinois team can go?

[to top of second column in this article]

And what can you say about the play of Sean Harrington? The junior from Elgin is just one of the smartest players around. Sunday his street smarts and a rotation that allowed him 25 minutes of PT resulted in a line that saw Harrington tie Cook for the team lead in rebounds in a game where they were vitally important. In fact, Illinois was still out-rebounded a whopping 34-27, including going down 17-6 on the offensive glass. Sean also contributed five points — one bucket a huge 3-pointer — and two steals to go along with four assists. Who says it’s such a bad thing to have a father for a coach? Harrington’s quiet but stabling presence Sunday was a big reason the Illini survived and moved on to weekend number two!

Williams led the way for Illinois (26-8) by scoring all 20 of his points in the second half. Cook, the lifesaver, tallied 16 points and pulled down five caroms. Cory Bradford continued his energetic play and revitalized shooting touch by lighting the tote board for 12 points. And Robert Archibald got back into the groove by hitting 4-of-5 shots from the field and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line for 11 tallies. Illinois outscored the Jays 26-22 in the paint, but CU out-hustled the Illini enough times to take the battle of second- chance points, 17-10.

This article would not be complete nor would it be fair without giving a huge tip of the cap to coach Dana Altman and his Creighton Bluejays. They had a great year! Co-Missouri Valley Conference champions with a Sweet 16 team that you may have heard of — the Southern Illinois Salukis. They were MVC tournament champions and finished the season by upsetting the fifth-seeded Florida Gators before losing to the Illini to go 23-9 on the year.

If Altman is not one of the best young coaches in America, I oughtta quit this gig today! A masterful performance on opening nite, versus Florida, and a near encore against Illinois on Sunday afternoon was not missed by us. All we can say is there was a very good reason that we were concerned about playing them. We believe that if they would have hit one more shot to tie or take the lead, that game might have gone to the wire. And you saw how the Gators fared when their game went to the wire. We say congratulations to CU for a great season and for representing the MVC so well!

In summation, it was not always a thing of beauty, but at this time of the year it’s all about survival and moving on. We don’t care how pretty we look. … As a matter of fact, if we can snag two ugly wins next weekend and advance to weekend number three, that would be just fine with us. But, if that happens, who will the experts blame then… Lincoln Daily News???

[Jeff Mayfield]

[MARCH 16, 2002]   The play opens fast and furiously.  The principal characters are the big dogs represented by college basketball teams from such hot spots as Gainsville, Fla., Champaign, Ill., Lubbock, Texas, and Georgia, and the lovable underdogs from only God knows where.

Most of them are from disrespected mid-major and lower conferences.  The big guys come in and are expected to do well.  These veteran actors have been on stage many times before, but this time they may be relegated to a solo performance.  Some of these wily characters demonstrate different stages of "stage fright" even though they are crafty performers.

Take for instance the Florida Gators, who have done pretty well in the tournament the last few years.  They come struttin’ in with seemingly nothing to prove.  They’ve been to an NCAA championship a couple of years ago.  They were the recognized bullies on the block in downtown Chicago.  They must have felt that, in the end, the Creighton Bluejays would melt in the final seconds.  They may have figured that there was no way that Creighton was going to fight City Hall.  The Bluejays, however, displayed the same stubborn, hard-headed attitude of a certain LDN sports reporter.  They took on City Hall … and they won. A certain before-mentioned writer has trouble taking NO for an answer.  Even with my, er I mean his, wife, he always pushes the envelope and asks her if "No" is truly her FINAL answer.

The Jays, playing for the pride of the entire Missouri Valley Conference, decided just to keep on playing.  They were willing to go through every act, every scene and stay around for an epilogue even after two of their superstars fouled out.  The Illini will have their collective hands full when Act II unfolds Sunday afternoon.

[to top of second column in this article]

The Illinois Fighting Illini, on the other hand, seem to be a team on a mission.  Even though their play has been running for a long time, the critics have been calling for the closing of the curtain for months.  The reports of their death have been greatly exaggerated several times.  The pundits have said that Illinois is just too soft.  They would never refer to the Illini as the Goliath because it would be a huge insult to all Philistines everywhere!  The radio and TV experts said that San Diego State was too athletic for the Orange and Blue.  They said that the Illini could not run with the Aztecs.  That coach Steve Fisher has the Illini’s number.  The analysts had the curtain half-way down and were ready for Illinois’ play to close.

Someone forgot to send the memo to Frankie, Cookie and the boys.  They don’t seem to be ready for the closing of their act.  Their defense has picked up.  Their unselfish team play has been a thing of beauty.  They’re making the extra pass so often that the reviewers oftentimes miss the flush because they’re too busy slappin’ high fives on the previous wowing pass.  The Bluejays, however, are not impressed.  They want the Illini’s run to end in the house that Michael built.  As for me and my house, here’s to an extended Illini run!

[Jeff Mayfield]

[MARCH 16, 2002]   Despite winning nine straight games prior to last Saturday's loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten Conference tournament, the Illinois basketball team was the subject of much criticism leading up to the beginning of the NCAA tourney. 

The "experts" at the Chicago sports radio stations talked all week about how Illinois was destined for a quick exit from the tourney and how this version of Illinois basketball had grossly underachieved.  Many national basketball commentators thought Illinois was prime for a first-round upset at the hands of a hot San Diego State basketball team.  While an upset did take place Friday afternoon in Chicago, Illinois made sure early they would live to see another game this season.

[Photos by Jeff Mayfield]

 Illinois destroyed the Aztecs of San Diego State 93-64 in a NCAA first-round tournament game Friday afternoon in Chicago.  Illinois was led by junior Frank Williams, who finished the game with 25 points and eight assists and looked every bit the first-round draft choice he is expected to become this summer.  Illinois jumped out quickly on the Aztecs, breaking a 12-12 tie with a 13-2 run early in the first half and never looking back.

Illinois will face a tough Creighton team at 1:20 p.m. Sunday, since the 12th-seeded Bluejays upset Florida 83-82 in double overtime.  Creighton overcame a seven-point deficit in the final two minutes of regulation, as well as losing their best two players to fouls, and stunned Billy Donovan and the Gators.  Sunday's game can be seen locally on WCIA-TV, Channel 3.

Freshmen Luther Head had his best collegiate game, finishing with 19 points and several dunks on feeds from Williams, including one that is sure to be repeated on ESPN for days.  Self shared after the game how assistant Norm Roberts had reminded Head about his poor game at the United Center in December against Arkansas and challenged him to bring his best game on Friday.  The athletic Head, from nearby Chicago Manley H.S., did not disappoint and played well all game, making three 3-pointers, stealing the ball three times and playing with confidence.

Cory Bradford and Lincoln's Brian Cook scored 13 and 12 points respectively, and Illinois played their best game of the year offensively, while also guarding their opponents from California very well for most of the game.  Cook and senior Robert Archibald each finished with eight rebounds as Illinois dominated on the boards, out-rebounding San Diego State 41-26.

 Illinois led at the half 40-25 after shooting 50 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes and also hitting 7-of-16 3-point attempts in the half.

After San Diego State reduced the Illinois lead to 13 at 42-29 early in the second half, Illinois went on an incredible 34-10 run over 10 minutes of the second half to take a 76-39 lead and allow Illinois' reserves to get significant minutes over the final 8½ minutes of the game.

Asked after the game if all the negative talk about Illinois in the Chicago press was a motivating factor, both Williams and Cook said not at all.

Said Williams, "We don't really care what anyone thinks of us. We are in this to play the best we can; and if the fans want to follow us, great, and if not, that’s OK as well."

Cook shared, "We just want to play our game, and to be honest, I don't even listen to them (Chicago sports-talk radio stations).

[to top of second column in this article]

Illinois played like a team possessed on Friday.  While many may say the friendly surroundings of the United Center should get some credit, coach Bill Self felt his team was playing with a great deal of confidence.  "We should be playing our best ball this time of the year, but I guarantee you, if we try to look past Creighton on Sunday, our season will end quickly.  Many may look at the Florida-Creighton game as an upset, but I promise you we do not."

Illinois will look to continue their winning ways of the last five weeks and make the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year and just the third time in the last 17 years.

Taylor's Illini tidbits

• Friday's game was the first meeting ever between Illinois and San Diego State.
• Illinois is 6-0 all time against Creighton, last playing the Bluejays in December of 1969 in Champaign (Illinois 57, Creighton 51).
• The Midwest Regional will be played at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., on Friday and Sunday of next weekend.
• Self appears to have settled on an eight-man rotation (starters plus Johnson, Krupalija and Harrington). He confirmed as much after the game, stating, "Eight is really enough if you can stay out of foul trouble.  — Hey, wasn't that a TV show or something?"  It is nice to know coaches can stay loose this time of the season.
• SDSU is coached by former Michigan coach Steve Fisher.  It was Fisher, while serving as interim coach just for the postseason in 1989, who led Michigan to six straight victories (including an 83-81 Final Four win over Illinois in Seattle, Wash.) and the national championship.
• Bill Walton's youngest son, Chris, plays for SDSU. He is a sophomore reserve.
• SDSU's all-time leader in assists is none other than Tony Gwynn, the future Hall of Famer who just retired from the San Diego Padres.  Gwynn will take over the SDSU baseball team this season.
• Friday's evening session included local favorite Southern Illinois going up against the General Bob Knight and the Red Raiders of Texas Tech.  Knight is the popular favorite for National Coach of the Year after leading the Raiders to an awesome 14-game improvement in the win column.
• The Big Ten conference went 4-1 in the first round of the NCAA tourney.

Over games at Chicago on Friday

Midwest Regional

(12) Creighton        83

(5)   Florida            82        (2 OT)

"Terrance Taylor scores all of his 28 points after halftime, hitting the game-winning 3-point basket with just 0.2 seconds left."

East Regional

Southern Illinois       76

Texas Tech             68       

"Bob Knight loses his fifth first-round game in his last seven NCAA tournaments as Southern Illinois looks strong in stunning the Red Raiders."

East Regional

Murray State          68

Georgia                  85

"The Bulldogs overcome six early 3-point baskets and a 15-point deficit to defeat Murray State and move into the second round."

Sunday's schedule at the United Center in Chicago:

1:20 p.m. — No. 4 Illinois vs. No. 12 Creighton

4 p.m. — No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 11 Southern Illinois (approximate time)

[Greg Taylor]

[MARCH 15, 2002]   The preliminary rounds of the Country Insurance Three-Point Showdown as well as the Slam-Dunk Contest took place last night at Peoria’s Carver Arena. Sixty-four competitors from all across Illinois participated in each contest.

The Railer boys basketball team was well represented, as juniors Cliff Carnahan and BrockWerner advanced through regional and sectional shootouts in the 3-point competition. In a great effort by both players, Carnahan and Werner each shot the 3-ball through the hoop eight times.

Unfortunately, four other statewide Class AA players had three more each, for a total of 11 treys. Of the four shooters to advance, only one, Mount Zion’s Matt Yelovich, was from the downstate area. Brett McAllister from Barrington, Steve Prorok from Arlington Heights (Hersey) and Brian Harks of St. Charles (North) rounded out the field of four for Saturday’s finals at 1 p.m. at Carver Arena.

Springfield Lanphier’s 6-6 senior, Andre Iguodala, advanced to the finals of the Slam-Dunk Contest, which will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Carver Arena.

Congratulations to both Cliff and Brock for advancing to the state competition! GO RAILERS!

[Rick Hobler]

[MARCH 15, 2002]   The Lincoln College baseball team has returned from its southern spring trip without a win; however, coach Tony Thomas said, "We made some strides during the trip, but we couldn’t come up with any key hits and it appeared that our opponents were able to get the big hits."

"Our pitching was pretty solid but our hitters are way behind. Of course all of the teams we played had already played 15-20 games, so they had a huge advantage on us."

The Lynx lost a pair of games to Jefferson Davis, the top-ranked junior college team, 8-2 and 13-0. Anthony Hoffert took the loss in the first game, and Jonathon Cave was the loser in the second game.

Faulkner State defeated the Lynx 5-3 and 5-0, while Rend Lake posted a 7-0 victory. Matt Whetstone took the loss in the first game against Faulker State, and Chris Phillips was the loser in the second game. Matt Carnahan suffered the loss against Rend Lake.

Lincoln College will open its home season Tuesday against John Wood with a twin bill against John Wood at 1 p.m.

[Bill Martinie,
Lincoln College sports information director]

Announcements

[MARCH 14, 2002]  YMCA soccer will be starting soon. This program is designed for children pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

The Y soccer program stresses fundamentals, fair play and, above all, fun. The coaches and volunteers stress cooperation over competition. Everyone plays, regardless of ability. Everybody plays, therefore everybody wins.

If your family would like to take part in this program, feel free to contact the YMCA office at 735-3915. Come be a part of building stronger kids, stronger families and a stronger community, at the Y.

[YMCA news release]

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