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

   Shoot.

   "He shoots the ball well in practice, and I think you might start seeing him shoot it more in games now," Illinois coach Lon Kruger said of CBS'' surprise Player of the Game. "It''s great to see him get those shots down."

   The sophomore sub, who was averaging 1.8 points a night, caught a sellout crowd by surprise by scoring a season-high 10 off the bench in Sunday''s 64-53 win over Michigan.

   He hit a jumper over Traylor. He swished a 15-footer. He blew by Louis Bullock for a two-handed dunk.

   He did things he hasn''t done since his Springfield Lanphier days.

   "He''s a Division I player, so you''re not surprised by whatever anyone does," Traylor said. "He''s there for a reason, and I''m pretty sure scoring''s one of them."

   Not before Sunday. Against Michigan''s tall frontline, Chukwudebe took nine shots, one more than he had in his four previous games combined.

   The point total was his Big Ten career best. The only other time he''d reached double figures was last year''s win over Chicago State, when he had 12.

   "A game like this against a great team like Michigan takes a lot of weight off my shoulders," Chukwudebe said. "Hopefully, I can come back the next game and stay consistent with it."

   The Illini, who haven''t been getting consistency from starting center Jarrod Gee (four points, four boards), could use it.

   "Now people are going to have to respect him on offense when he comes in, and that''s going to open it up even more," teammate Jerry Hester said.

Storey sidelined

   The Illini paid tribute to Awvee Storey on Sunday by scribbling his number "42" on their Nikes.

   The freshman forward spent the day at Carle Foundation Hospital, where doctors monitored him for an irregular heartbeat.

   Kruger said Storey was admitted late Friday night after his involvement in "a little skirmish" in which Storey suffered an eye injury.

   "It''s almost a blessing in disguise," Kruger said. "While he was there and taking some tests, they noticed an irregular heartbeat."

   Kruger said he''s uncertain when Storey will return. Had doctors not noticed the irregular heartbeat, Kruger said Storey would have been OK to play Sunday.

Recruiting news

   He hasn''t given Illinois coaches an oral commitment, but Brian Cook''s done the next-best thing.

   "He''s told the coaches that''s where he wants to be," said Neil Alexander, who coaches the 6-foot-10 junior at Lincoln High.

   But Alexander said Cook may wait awhile before making it official. The coach wants his highly recruited center to be sure of his choice before announcing it.

   "I''m not going to let Brian give a commitment that he can''t stand up to," Alexander said.

   Cook, his mother and Alexander sat next to future Illini Frank Williams and Marcus Griffin on Sunday.

   Other prospects on hand: juniors Matt Engstrom (Mahomet-Seymour), Sean Harrington (Elgin), Jerrance Howard (Peoria Central) and Jerrell Parker (St. Francis de Salles); and sophomores Reo Logan (Hillcrest), Brett Melton (M-S) and Aaron Carr (Lincoln Park).

Hail to the Chief

   Republicans aren''t the only ones who are less than thrilled about President Clinton''s trip to town Wednesday.

   His visit forces the Illini to change their flight plans to Columbus, Ohio, site of Wednesday night''s UI-Ohio State game.

   Originally, the Illini were to fly out of Savoy early Wednesday morning. But with Airforce I, Airforce II and a press plane landing, there''s no room on the runway.

   So the Illini will bus to Decatur and board their charter at 7:30 a.m.

   The Illini also considered flying out of Bloomington-Normal, but the trip would be longer because they''d have to avoid an FAA-imposed no-fly zone in effect for the President''s visit, assistant coach Mike Shepherd said.

One sport enough

   Rose Bowl hero Tai Streets had a good seat for the game, but he''s had better. Like on Michigan''s bench.

   But the former two-sport News-Gazette All-Stater from Harvey Thornton decided to give basketball a rest this season.

   "I found out how tired I got last season, so all I wanted to do is rest," Streets said. "I didn''t get a break last year, so I didn''t want to go through another year without having any fun."

   Streets joined Steve Fisher''s final Michigan team last January, playing in 13 games as the Wolverines won the NIT title.

   Considered a National Football League prospect, the junior receiver caught two long touchdown passes from Brian Griese in Michigan''s win over Washington State in Pasadena.

   "It''s tough just watching (basketball) because you want to be out there," said Streets, who guarded Kevin Garnett in Thornton''s upset of Chicago Farragut in the 1995 IHSA Class AA state finals.

Up and at ''em

   Matt Heldman can''t remember when he''s been so pumped up for a game. Kevin Turner will testify.

   Heldman almost barreled over his backcourt mate after Turner nearly created a turnover with Illinois leading 6-0. Not many style points for Heldman, who tripped on his way to bumping chests with Turner.

   "I was fired up because it was a huge game for us," Heldman said. "I wanted to make sure we won."

   Hurting worse than Turner: Jerod Ward, who was flattened by a Brian Johnson elbow with 6:58 left in the first half, and Maceo Baston, who hurt himself running over a CBS cameraman after blocking a layup attempt by Jerry Hester with 13:13 left in the game.

   Both players walked to the Michigan bench after a brief rest.

Stalled Tractor

   Had Sunday''s game tipped off the same time Super Bowl XXXII kicked off, Traylor would have been better off.

   The Michigan center got four hours'' sleep Saturday night while battling the flu.

   "I didn''t get much rest," Traylor said. "It''s kind of difficult preparing for a game, especially an early game when you don''t sleep a lot. But I''m not going to sit here making excuses."

   Traylor was held to 10 points, more than five points below his average.