CHAMPAIGN – It's been a rough autumn for Ron Zook and the Illini. The team has fallen drastically short of expectations.

But regardless of what happens at Northwestern in Saturday's chilly finale – whether or not Illinois gains bowl eligibility – the time has come to sit back and let Zook work through the difficulties. He wasn't perfect when Ron Guenther hired him. That coach doesn't exist. But he is the primary workhorse who has lifted Illinois from the football dregs.

Staff writer Jeff Huth's review and preview of all things Illinois

Paul Klee's preview

CHAMPAIGN – The Illinois-Missouri rivalry in women's basketball isn't nearly on the same scale as the intensity between, say, the men's basketball teams.

But it's growing. And both the Illini and Tigers would like to cultivate it.

The Illini earned their eighth straight win in the series with Wednesday's 65-55 victory. It capped a home-and-home two-game set that began last year.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Don Hardin’s 16th-ranked Illinois volleyball team improved to 6-2 on the road this season with a 25-15, 22-25, 25-21, 25-22 victory against No. 18 Purdue.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — When Janet Rayfield leads her Illinois soccer team onto Fetzer Field on Saturday for an NCAA Sweet 16 matchup against North Carolina, the Tar Heels alum won't be the only Illini already familiar with the surroundings.

Donovine Stewart spent the summer touring the nation with Peoria Carver AAU. Despite basketball filling most of his free time, the sophomore guard from Limestone (Bartonville) is anxious to get back on the floor for the high school season. The Rockets kick off the season against Rockwood Summit (Mo.) at Washington on Wednesday.

News you can't leave work without:

We asked college football expert Phil Steele to break down the 2009 Illinois schedule. Here are some of his comments:

NASHVILLE - To convince observers this is a different Illinois team, the Illini needed a look-at-us type of victory.

They got one Thursday night -- on the road, no less.

Behind 23 points from Demetri McCamey, Illinois ended Vanderbilt's 20-game homecourt winning streak with a 69-63 triumph. Illinois' first road win -- in its first attempt -- came before an announced sellout at Memorial Gymnasium.

CHAMPAIGN – When Lori Bjork left the program last spring, it appeared the Illinois women's basketball team would be without a perimeter sharpshooter.

Welcome to the program, Macie Blinn.

The freshman guard from Greenville, Ohio, gave the Illini a boost Wednesday night, scoring 14 points to lead Illinois to a 65-55 victory against Missouri at the Assembly Hall.