CHAMPAIGN – Awvee Storey checked out of Carle Foundation Hospital around noon Monday.

He was dunking again by 4.

CHAMPAIGN – By the time Terrell Davis accepted his Super Bowl MVP award Sunday night, Kevin Turner and friends had Buckeye on the brain.

Hey, now's no time to put on party hats.

CHAMPAIGN – Robbie Reid's good company, Matt Heldman now admits. Every time he's in town, Heldman has a ball.

   CHAMPAIGN  With a national television audience and Robert Traylor watching, Victor Chukwudebe did something few knew he could.

   Shoot.

   Illinois was outrebounded 42-35 again Sunday, marking the 10th time in 11 games.

   The Illini''s field goal shooting was a mediocre 41 percent and the free throwing a putrid 11 of 24.

   So how did they defeat a huge, 16th-ranked foe that arrived at the Assembly Hall on a 9-for-10 run?

   That''s easy. DEE-FENSE.

For 15 years, they've been one of college basketball's constants, right up there with Dick Vitale's mouth, Jerry Tarkanian's towel and Lou's 'do.

Three trips to the national championship game, a feat only Duke can beat.

Look alive, Gus Phan. No sleepy-eyed yawning during today's action. No posing for a painting. And no passeling out basketball tickets to the nephews.

This is Michigan! It's right in the middle of Super Bowl Sunday, the 1 p.m. Illini-Wolverine game leaving plenty of time for your late-afternoon TV party.

   The last time Michigan put an interim coach in charge of its basketball program, he won the national championship.

   So what happens if Brian Ellerbe does the same?