Crucial year ahead of Jackson, Purdue

By MARK TUPPER

CHAMPAIGN - In the blockbuster Big Ten Conference, Purdue stands poised to challenge for a season-long run at the elite in college basketball.

Nov 06, 2009 | 1:00 am | Loading…

At least one positive in season of woe

By MARK TUPPER

CHAMPAIGN - What's happened to the University of Illinois offense is more than just a passing fancy.

Nov 04, 2009 | 1:00 am | Loading…

Words worth a needed victory

By MARK TUPPER

CHAMPAIGN - When he was playing middle linebacker for the University of Illinois, J Leman was never at a loss for words.

Nov 02, 2009 | 12:05 am | Loading…

Finally, a reason to smile

By MARK TUPPER

CHAMPAIGN - Maybe the Illinois football program still needs a complete overhaul, a top-to-bottom fumigation.

Nov 01, 2009 | 1:00 am | Loading…

Pair of tight ends fill in well for offense

By MARK TUPPER

CHAMPAIGN - When a team has lost six out of seven games, everything gets questioned.

Nov 01, 2009 | 1:00 am | Loading…

Payback tastes sweet

By MARK TUPPER

TD-saving tackles spurs big second half for Illinois

Nov 01, 2009 | 1:00 am | Loading…

• Related: Pair of tight ends fill in well for offense
• Related: Finally, a reason to smile

Illini try to shake big blues at home

By MARK TUPPER

CHAMPAIGN - It's fitting today is Halloween, because so far this fall the University of Illinois has only used its uniforms to masquerade as a college football team.

Oct 31, 2009 | 1:00 am | Loading…

Illini go on major offensive

By MARK TUPPER

CHAMPAIGN - Illinois' basketball team tied for second in the Big Ten Conference last season, but what fans tend to remember was the gruesome 33-point output against Penn State and the countless times an offensively challenged team struggled to get off a shot as the 35-second clock ticked …

Oct 31, 2009 | 1:00 am | Loading…

• Related: Illini try to shake big blues at home

Weber will turn to upperclassmen

By MARK TUPPER

CHAMPAIGN - After weeks of scrimmaging and practicing against each other, the Illini men's basketball team finally gets to go against enemy competition tonight.

Oct 30, 2009 | 1:00 am | Loading…

Loads of returners boost conference's basketball teams

By MARK TUPPER

CHICAGO - It is time - No, wait! It is way past time - for the Big Ten Conference basketball coaches and players to put up, shut up or switch to lacrosse.

Oct 30, 2009 | 1:00 am | Loading…

• Related: Weber will turn to upperclassmen

Juice retains his grace under fire

By MARK TUPPER

CHAMPAIGN - When we sat down with Juice Williams back in late July, it was with bright eyes and an optimistic smile that he spoke of the Illini football season to come.

Oct 28, 2009 | 1:00 am | Loading…

Two will lead Illini the rest of the way

By MARK TUPPER - H&R Executive Sports Editor

CHAMPAIGN - The fuzzy picture at quarterback is coming into focus a bit for the Illini.

Oct 26, 2009 | 5:30 am | Loading…

Legion, McCamey impress at Illini intrasquad scrimmage

By MARK TUPPER - H&R Executive Sports Editor

CHAMPAIGN - Amid the drought of football success, Illini fans found an oasis of hope Sunday.

Oct 26, 2009 | 5:00 am | Loading…

Two will lead Illini the rest of the way

By MARK TUPPER

CHAMPAIGN - The fuzzy picture at quarterback is coming into focus a bit for the Illini.

Oct 26, 2009 | 12:30 am | Loading…

Illini off on the right foot

By MARK TUPPER

CHAMPAIGN - Amid the drought of football success, Illini fans found an oasis of hope Sunday.

Oct 26, 2009 | 12:20 am | Loading…

Charest's debut a mixed bag

By MARK TUPPER

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - If grades were being given for individual performances by Illini football players Saturday, Jacob Charest would probably deserve an incomplete.

Oct 25, 2009 | 12:15 am | Loading…

Guenther taking big risk with Zook

By MARK TUPPER

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The man who on Tuesday said he would wait until the end of the season to evaluate the Illini football program has apparently seen enough to make his biggest decision now.

Oct 25, 2009 | 12:10 am | Loading…

No change in sight

By MARK TUPPER

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - It wasn't a blowout, and no one was seriously hurt.

Oct 25, 2009 | 12:10 am | Loading…

• Related: Guenther taking big risk with Zook
• Related: Charest's debut a mixed bag

Another QB shuffle?

By MARK TUPPER

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Last week at Indiana, Illini wide receiver A.J. Jenkins said he didn't find out who would start at quarterback until pre-game warm-ups.

Oct 24, 2009 | 1:00 am | Loading…