Orange and Blue News will be in Highland, Illinois on Saturday to watch Morgan Park and 2020 point guard Adam Miller in the Highland Optimist Shootout. With future Illini Ayo Dosunmu sidelined with an injury, Miller won MVP honors at the Big Dipper after averaging 25.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 8.3 rebounds in the three games that Dosunmu missed.
The event also includes prime 2019 target E.J. Liddell from Belleville West and sophomore standout Cam’Ron Fletcher from St. Louis Vashon. Others of interest are Torrence Watson (Whitfield), Jericole Hellems (Chaminade), Mario McKinney (Vashon), and Marcedus Leech (Poplar Bluff).
11:30 AM Edwardville vs Rockhurst
1:00 PM Carbondale vs Whitfield
3:00 PM Highland vs Columbia
4:45 PM Belleville West vs Poplar Bluff
6:30 PM Morgan Park vs Chaminade
8:15 PM Champaign Central vs Vashon
AYO ON THE MEND
Future Illini Ayo Dosunmu is recovering from an ankle injury sustained at the Big Dipper holiday tournament. He practiced on Thursday for the first time since the injury, but is not expected to play when Morgan Park travels downstate for the Highland Optimist Shootout on Saturday. Dosunmu is averaging 28 ppg, including games of 60 and 51 points.
BROWN INJURS KNEE AT UA GAME
That’s an ominous tweet from Calvin Avery after his future teammate Verdis Brown went down with a knee injury on Thursday at the UA All-American game. Brown was down on the turf clutching his right knee after getting rolled up on. He walked off the field under his own power. No word as of Friday on the seriousness of the injury. Brown played offensive line at the event. Lovie Smith has indicated that Brown will lineup at defensive tackle for the Illini. He is an early enrollee for the 2018 spring semester.
FOUR-STAR LINEBACKER SET TO VISIT
Illinois will get a visit Jan. 12-14 from four-star linebacker Merlin Robertson from Gardena (Cali.) Juniper Serra. It’s a huge visit for Illinois as they try to fill a need at linebacker after the departure of Tre Watson, who transferred to Maryland. The strongest competition for Robertson has been coming from Arizona State and BYU, and he’s getting late interest from UCLA, Oregon, Ole Miss, Nebraska, and others. Robertson had a very good showing at the UA All-American game this week. Future Illini Calvin Avery said he chatted with Robertson about the Illini. Illinois is hoping the California connection with Hardy Nickerson pays dividends.
STURDY ON THE RADIO
Orange and Blue News basketball analyst made an appearance Thursday afternoon on the Tay and Carp Show on 93.5 ESPN Radio. Brad's interview begins at the 29:00 minute mark.
SIGNING DAY DECISION FOR COLEMAN
Linebacker Dayven Coleman from West Mequite (Texas) will announce his decision on Feb. 7, the first day of the signing period. Illinois and Kansas State are thought to be the leaders. Coleman has also taken official visits to Arizona and Colorado. The coaching change at Arizona, where Rich Rodriquez was let go for alleged sexual harassment, will likely have an impact on Coleman’s recruitment. Coleman is a bit of a tweener and will need to add size, but he has the type of quickness that Lovie Smith likes at the WILL linebacker spot. We believe Illinois is in good position to land Coleman.
ILLINOIS WRESTLING IN ACTION FRIDAY NIGHT
The Illini return home on Friday, January 5, and Sunday, January 7, for their first two home duals of the season. On Friday, the Illini host No. 20 Nebraska as part of the 'Great Escape' promotion. The dual begins at 8 p.m. central time and will be broadcast on Big Ten Network. Two days later, the Illini host in-state rival Northwestern at 1 p.m. for 'Takedown Cancer' Day and can be streamed with a subscription to BTN Plus or FloWrestling.
The event also includes prime 2019 target E.J. Liddell from Belleville West and sophomore standout Cam’Ron Fletcher from St. Louis Vashon. Others of interest are Torrence Watson (Whitfield), Jericole Hellems (Chaminade), Mario McKinney (Vashon), and Marcedus Leech (Poplar Bluff).
11:30 AM Edwardville vs Rockhurst
1:00 PM Carbondale vs Whitfield
3:00 PM Highland vs Columbia
4:45 PM Belleville West vs Poplar Bluff
6:30 PM Morgan Park vs Chaminade
8:15 PM Champaign Central vs Vashon
AYO ON THE MEND
Future Illini Ayo Dosunmu is recovering from an ankle injury sustained at the Big Dipper holiday tournament. He practiced on Thursday for the first time since the injury, but is not expected to play when Morgan Park travels downstate for the Highland Optimist Shootout on Saturday. Dosunmu is averaging 28 ppg, including games of 60 and 51 points.
BROWN INJURS KNEE AT UA GAME
That’s an ominous tweet from Calvin Avery after his future teammate Verdis Brown went down with a knee injury on Thursday at the UA All-American game. Brown was down on the turf clutching his right knee after getting rolled up on. He walked off the field under his own power. No word as of Friday on the seriousness of the injury. Brown played offensive line at the event. Lovie Smith has indicated that Brown will lineup at defensive tackle for the Illini. He is an early enrollee for the 2018 spring semester.
FOUR-STAR LINEBACKER SET TO VISIT
Illinois will get a visit Jan. 12-14 from four-star linebacker Merlin Robertson from Gardena (Cali.) Juniper Serra. It’s a huge visit for Illinois as they try to fill a need at linebacker after the departure of Tre Watson, who transferred to Maryland. The strongest competition for Robertson has been coming from Arizona State and BYU, and he’s getting late interest from UCLA, Oregon, Ole Miss, Nebraska, and others. Robertson had a very good showing at the UA All-American game this week. Future Illini Calvin Avery said he chatted with Robertson about the Illini. Illinois is hoping the California connection with Hardy Nickerson pays dividends.
STURDY ON THE RADIO
Orange and Blue News basketball analyst made an appearance Thursday afternoon on the Tay and Carp Show on 93.5 ESPN Radio. Brad's interview begins at the 29:00 minute mark.
SIGNING DAY DECISION FOR COLEMAN
Linebacker Dayven Coleman from West Mequite (Texas) will announce his decision on Feb. 7, the first day of the signing period. Illinois and Kansas State are thought to be the leaders. Coleman has also taken official visits to Arizona and Colorado. The coaching change at Arizona, where Rich Rodriquez was let go for alleged sexual harassment, will likely have an impact on Coleman’s recruitment. Coleman is a bit of a tweener and will need to add size, but he has the type of quickness that Lovie Smith likes at the WILL linebacker spot. We believe Illinois is in good position to land Coleman.
ILLINOIS WRESTLING IN ACTION FRIDAY NIGHT
The Illini return home on Friday, January 5, and Sunday, January 7, for their first two home duals of the season. On Friday, the Illini host No. 20 Nebraska as part of the 'Great Escape' promotion. The dual begins at 8 p.m. central time and will be broadcast on Big Ten Network. Two days later, the Illini host in-state rival Northwestern at 1 p.m. for 'Takedown Cancer' Day and can be streamed with a subscription to BTN Plus or FloWrestling.
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