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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Final: Illinois 65, Missouri 55

As it turns out, Illinois isn't just the Jenna and Lacey Show.

On Dec. 13, some of the brightest boys' basketball stars will take the Assembly Hall Court for the 2008 WDWS/News-Gazette Shootout at the Hall presented by State Farm (tickets went on sale Nov. 17 - $5 for students, $10 general admission, $15 courtside). Here are the pairings — and analysis from Paul Klee and Jeff Huth:

Forward drawing attention from big-time programs

News-Gazette staff writer Tony Bleill takes a look at Illinois' game against Missouri:

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Nation's best girls' basketball teams are coming to Champaign

PONTIAC — Dani Bunch showed that there’s more to do on a bus ride to the season’s first girls’ basketball game than listen to music or talk to friends.

The senior got out her cell phone on Monday afternoon and called Purdue throws coach Ross Richardson and informed him that she would accept a scholarship offer to join the Boilermakers’ track and field team next season.

VINCENNES, Ind. – Hope Elam grew up watching Big Ten basketball before she graduated from Champaign Central High School in 2007.

She's going to finish her collegiate career playing in the Big Ten Conference.

The 6-foot-1 power forward signed a national letter of intent Sunday night with Indiana University.

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It’s Sweet Sioux Tomahawk week at Memorial Stadium. Really.

Information also recovered from Valdez's computer, e-mail in probe of video camera case

How News-Gazette staff writer Tony Bleill voted in this week's Associated Press Women's Top 25 basketball poll

EACH WEEK, WE'LL TAKE A LOOK BACK AT A MEMORABLE MOMENT IN ILLINI HISTORY, THANKS TO THE WORDS OF LOREN TATE AND THE MEMORIES OF JIM TURPIN.

This week: A look back at the UI's win against Northwestern that capped off a 9-0 run and a Big Ten football title in 1983

URBANA – It was a homecoming to remember for a pair of former Illini tennis players this week. They made the return even sweeter on Sunday.

Seventh-seeded Kevin Anderson knocked off fifth-seeded Kevin Kim 6-3, 6-4 to earn his JSM Challenger championship. Anderson did not lose a set en route to the crown.

Janet Rayfield is worried about Saturday's Sweet 16 soccer match at 18-time NCAA champ North Carolina.