Full Court Press: Illini land Legion, beat Mizzou

While our professional basketball team seems to be in disarray, this was a nice weekend for the University of Illinois basketball team.

The Illini received word that freshman shooting guard Alex Legion will join the team after transferring from Kentucky. Legion was ranked the 44th best player in the country, and tenth best shooting guard, by to Rivals.com coming out of high school in Virginia last year. Legion reportedly clashed with first year Kentucky coach Billy Gillespie and averaged just over 17 minutes per game in the six games he played as a Wildcat.

It’s too bad Legion can’t step in this season, because with Jamar Smith redshirting, the Illini are in desperate need of backcourt help. Chester Frazier has been overmatched throughout the season, and he’s getting little help from Trent Meachum or freshman Demetri McCamey. While McCamey seems to have a bright future, he has struggled at times this season.

An at-large NCAA Tournament bid will be difficult after a tough home loss loss to Miami-Ohio, but Illinois rebounded to defeat Missouri in the Battle for Braggin’ Rights for the eighth consecutive time. The end of the game wasn’t pretty, with Frazier missing two free throws with nine seconds left, only to see Missouri guard Keon Lawrence dribble the ball off his foot as time expired. Still, it was a win Illinois needed to have, and they got it.

-Ricky

Comments

yep.. Go Hoosiers

Posted by: Hitman | December 26, 2007 07:20 PM

okay Ricky, now that your topic threads are getting shorter, I can
see your talent. Hitman, where exactly do you want the hoosiers to go? Heh- you know the Illini are that type of team this year...beat some strong teams, lose to some weaker teams. Now how bout them women(no I am not talking about the Bulls-in fact I'd be surprised if Julie doesn't end up on the depth chart with them too.)I think that women's college hoops have gotten wayyyyy better then the men. Even the commercial breaks are shorter.

Posted by: stuckinwisconsin | December 27, 2007 06:01 AM

Uh huh. Ever notice how Bruce Weber sounds like a 92-year-old grandma with a cigarette hangin' out her mouth? "Come play in Champaign, my pretty......."

GO MICHIGAN STATE!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Julie B. | December 27, 2007 08:50 AM

Julie B.........Lame.

Posted by: Scott Wilhelm | December 27, 2007 03:40 PM

Oh Stuck - you crack me up! You get cuter by the post....... (but don't worry - I know how you feel about 'cute.' you still have a long way to go)

Posted by: Julie B. | December 27, 2007 05:26 PM

Spoken like a Wolverine, Scott. Or an Illini, whatever that is.

Posted by: Julie B. | December 28, 2007 09:38 AM

Terrible start! Still not blown out. Illinois defense is standing tall. They have to pass the ball some. Juice take a shot!

Posted by: Keith Lifetime Southsider | January 1, 2008 05:10 PM

Gulp!!! Not so good!

Posted by: bculz | January 2, 2008 09:38 AM