The Fighting Illini may not be playing this weekend but there is plenty of other action around the Big Ten conference as regular season plays wraps up with plenty of 'rivalry' games Saturday. The Orange&Blue News takes a look at the games in this repor]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:37:00 GMT Mitchell Roberts and the rest of the Shiloh Christian football team played well enough this season they were able to sit back and watch other teams compete during the first round of the Arkansas playoffs. A 9-1 regular season record and #1 ranking in class 4A also earned them a home field advantage in any game they'll play leading up to the state titl]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:56:00 GMT Woodbridge (Va.) safety Anthony Grady just finished his senior season and is in the process of sending out his senior film. He currently claims just one offer as of now, but is hoping for more once schools see his newest tape. Find out where he sees himself playing in college in this Orange&Blue News update.]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:55:00 GMT The Illini moved to 2-0 on the season with an 80-61 win over Northern Illinois University in their first ever meeting. An announced crowd of over 14,900 watched Brandon Paul score 20 points in the first half and Illinois put 5 players in double figures to get the win]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:34:00 GMT Brandon Paul scored 20 points in the first half, leading No. 23 Illinois to a 80-61 victory over Northern Illinois on Tuesday night. Check out some pictures from the win in this photo gallery from the Orange&Blue News]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:03:00 GMT 6-foot-8, 295-pound Chicago Simeon offensive tackle Fabbians Ebbele and his teammates will be attempting to garner some more local respect with a city championship game coming up this week and a potential trip to the Prep Bowl next week. Get the latest in this Ryan Snyder updat]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:01:00 GMT Illini head coach Ron Zook met on Tuesday to talk about his team's bye week, Rejus Benn, Juice Williams, playing Cincinnati next week and more. Find out what the fifth year head coach had to say in this recap]]> Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:08:00 GMT Last month, Illinois landed its second verbal commitment in the 2011 class in center Nnanna Egwu. One of his AAU teammates, Chasson Randle, is also a hot target for Illinois and is preparing for his upcoming high school season. He talks about his upcoming season and the latest with his recruitment in this Orange&Blue News updat]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:22:00 GMT With rumors swirling that C.J. Fiedorowicz may be de-committing from Ron Zook's program, another player Illinois is looking at is Chesapeake (Va.) tight end Anthony Williams. Find out about the sleeper prospect and get his thoughts on Illinois in this update from the Orange&Blue New]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:14:00 GMT Bruce Weber's Illini (1-0) are back on the court Tuesday night in their second game of the season against the Northern Illinois Huskies (0-1). It's the first ever meeting between the two schools and you can watch it live on ESPN360.com. Lou Canellis and Dickey Simpkins on the call.]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:02:00 GMT The Big Ten has been called the best conference in America by some talking heads, and now they have added another piece with the addition of a very solid group of 2010 commitments. With these additions, a few teams in the league appear to have their future set going forward as they conference tries to rebounds from some dismal years. ]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:18:00 GMT Illini head football coach Ron Zook said on Sunday that if healthy, senior quarterback Juice Williams will be the starting quarterback November 27 when Illinois heads to Cincinnati to take on the undefeated Bearcats. The Orange&Blue News gives our five reasons why Williams should continue to be the starter in this repor]]> Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:54:00 GMT The Fighting Illini's comeback fell short as Northwestern won their 7th game of the year 21-16 in Champaign on Saturday. The Orange&Blue News takes a look at our good, bad and ugly from the contest in this report]]> Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:33:00 GMT Mike Kafka threw for 305 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score and Sherrick McManis made a last-minute interception to preserve Northwestern's 21-16 win Saturday over Illinois. Get a game recap and read Illini head coach Ron Zook's comments in this review]]> Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:51:00 GMT Bruce Weber's Fighting Illini opened their 2009-2010 season on Friday night with a victory over Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. Check out some pictures from the win in this photo gallery from the Orange&Blue News]]> Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:42:00 GMT Freshman Brandon Paul scored 22 points and led the Illini to a big season opening 96-69 win over Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Paul scored 11 in each half, hitting 4-6 from behind the arc to lead the Illini (1-0). Illinois also got 14 points from freshman DJ Richardson, 10 points and 10 rebounds form Mike Davis and 11 points from Demetri McCamey as they cruised to the victory. ]]> Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:54:00 GMT Ron Zook's Fighting Illini look to win their third game in a row Saturday when they take on the Northwestern Wildcats at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. The game is set for an 11AM central kickoff and will televised by ESPN Classic. The Orange&Blue News gives our keys to an Illini victory and a prediction in this report.]]> Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:28:00 GMT Bruce Weber's Illini open their exhibition season with a 7 PM tip against Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. The home opener can only be seen on ESPN360.com, with Lou Cannellis and Dickey Simpkins on the call. Brad Sturdy breaks down the game in this report for the Orange&Blue News]]> Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:26:00 GMT The 3-6 Fighting Illini take on Pat Fitzgerald's 6-4 Northwestern Wildcats Saturday morning in Champaign. The Orange&Blue News takes a look at the Wildcats with Rivals Northwestern football writer Louie Vaccher in this repor]]> Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:30:00 GMT Illinois head coach Bruce Weber announced today the signing of three student-athletes to national letters of intent in Jereme Richmond, Crandall Head and Meyers Leonard. The Recruiting Services Consensus Index lists all three players in the Top 75, giving the Fighting Illini the No. 4 class in the nation by ESPNU, and No. 10 nationally by Rivals.com. ]]> Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT