Due to the late tipoff tonight, I wasn't able to get this in Wednesday's News-Gazette. So here are some notes from Jeff Jordan, who got his first career start in a 59-42 win against Iowa. It's the first time Jeff Jordan has been made available to media since he rejoined the Illini in the fall.

"I felt pretty comfortable (in the fall). The guys, they made me feel right at home, like I never left," said Jordan, who had five assists and no turnovers tonight. "When I got in and started practicing with the guys, it felt real comfortable. I just want to go out there and play hard."

Jordan said he spent the offseason between Oregon (where he worked on a Nike internship), Chicago and Champaign. He said he spoke to his parents, Michael and Juanita, about the possibility of playing again. It was about one month into the fall semester when he "got the itch" to rejoin the team.

"They were calling me and I was calling them, just to see how it was going," Jordan said. "Once I started talking to them and talking to coach (Jerrance) Howard and coach (Wayne) McClain, I made the decision that I wanted to come back. It was a good decision."

Through two Big Ten games, Jordan's averaging 17 minutes and has become a key player off the bench (or in the starting lineup like Tuesday). He said there were no expectations for playing time when he rejoined the team.

"Coach Weber, when I had the conversation with him, was just like, 'Come in, play hard, get back into shape and we'll go from there,'" Jordan said. "He wanted to define roles early, but it didn't work out like that. As we go we're just going to have to play different roles. That's the good thing about this team. We're all versatile and everybody can do different things."

Jordan estimated he's 80 to 85-percent in terms of his conditioning. He said he made a two-season commitment to the coaches and plans on returning as a senior.

"I told them all I was here to stay," he said. "Coach Weber, I think he kind of felt shaky at first. But I told him I was here and want to get better and help the team as much as possible. I think they trust me, and they feel comfortable I can do what they want."

Some other notes from tonight:

-Weber said he's uncertain of the details of the UI's furlough program that was announced Tuesday.

"I don't know enough about it. I got the email today. I put a call in to Mr. Guenther to see how it relates to us," Weber said. "But I'll do whatever is needed to help. If it's the University, and I'm part of the University, it's fine."

Weber then added, "I'm going to work. What does that (a furlough) mean, I get off Sundays at 9 o'clock? I don't know what (it means). I go home, I work. I'll go home tonight, I'll work. That's our job. From Oct. 15 to the end of the season, I got off two days for Christmas and I even watched film on those days. So that's just part of it. Whether I get paid or not, I don't know. But I will work, I know that."

-To shake off the Gonzaga loss - and maybe take out some frustration on the pins - the Illini went bowling on Sunday night. A source close to the bowling alley said Jordan claimed the highest score. Bill Cole used his own bowling ball, having played in a bowling league in the past.

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