Never one to enjoy or seek the spotlight, Crandall Head found himself surrounded by TV cameras and tape recorders at the Assembly Hall Sunday afternoon. The reason: the early signing period opens Wednesday, when Head said he'll sign a letter of intent with Illinois.

"I feel great about it. I just want to get it over with," he said.

Crandall said his older brother has given his seal of approval.

"He's (Luther) very excited for me. He tells me, ‘Just do your thing.'"

Unfortunately - for Illini fans and Illinois high school basketball in general - there's a chance you won't see Crandall Head on the court until Illini Madness next year, almost 11 months from now.

After undergoing knee surgery in September, he said he wants to have the knee in playing shape when he arrives on the UI campus (for good) in June.

"I'll be back (on the court) in January," Crandall said. "But I'm thinking about sitting out the whole season, just getting better before I come back down here."

Illinois' 2010 recruits - Head, Meyers Leonard and Jereme Richmond - said yesterday they plan on signing letters of intent on Wednesday.

Coverage from Sunday's exhibition game:

-Live Report from the Assembly Hall, with recruiting notes.

-Post-game story: Richardson shines, others don't.

-Preview: The man they call Bubba.

/PKlee_IlliniHQ