Following ACL tear, Abrams adjusting to the bench
November 4, 2014
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At first, Tracy Abrams didn’t think the injury was that bad. He was in shock and a few seconds later he felt the pain. “I knew something was wrong,” Abrams said. As he lay on the court near one of the baskets at Ubben Basketball complex with pain shooting through his right knee, his thoughts turned t...
10 days that defined the Illinois men’s basketball season
May 14, 2014
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Oct. 1 — Transfer Ahmad Starks denied waiver by the NCAA to play the 2013-14 season. The guard from Oregon State who transferred to Illinois to be closer to his grandmother was told by the NCAA that he could not play this season, leaving Illinois with a hole at point guard behind starter Tracy Abr...
A brief look at Illinois basketball’s 2013-14 season
March 31, 2014
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September 28 - Illinois basketball opens its practice season with an outdoor scrimmage at the corner of Wright and Green streets following the Dad’s Day football game. October 17 - Illinois hosts its annual Orange and Blue Scrimmage. November 8 - The Illini open the season with an 80-63 win over A...
Illinois basketball faces Clemson in NIT second round
March 23, 2014
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The Illinois men’s basketball team knows it was lucky to survive its first round NIT matchup at Boston University. The Illini rallied from a 17-point deficit Wednesday behind Rayvonte Rice’s 28 points to top the Terriers by four. John Groce’s squad realizes it can’t expect to dig itself out o...
Rice turns clock back to dominate nonconference opponent
March 20, 2014
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Rayvonte Rice was happy to finally face a nonconference team again. Rice’s 28 points, with 20 coming in the second half, carried Illinois to a 66-62 victory over Boston in the first round of the NIT on Wednesday. Rice was really never able to adjust to the grind of the Big Ten during his first season...
Jon Ekey leaves a permanent mark on Illinois
March 12, 2014
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Editor’s note: The Daily Illini sports desk sits down Sunday nights and decides which Illinois athlete or coach is our Illini of the Week. Athletes and coaches are evaluated by individual performance and contribution to team success. Jon Ekey has always been a procrastinator. He waits until the last m...
Following 3 games in week, Illini basketball gets some needed rest
March 6, 2014
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After three games in seven days, the Illini are bruised and battered. Backup point guard Jaylon Tate hurt his ankle against Michigan State on Saturday and Joseph Bertrand went down with a knee injury Tuesday, shortening his senior night short. Illinois coaches and players are not available for the media un...
Illinois men’s basketball blown out by No. 12 Michigan
March 5, 2014
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No. 12 Michigan only needed two points in the second half to beat Illinois and win an outright Big Ten Championship. It scored 32. After holding four straight opponents below 50 points, the Illinois defense got burned for 52 points in the first half. The Wolverines came out hitting on all cylinders, s...
Disparity of talent apparent in Illinois’ loss to Michigan
March 5, 2014
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The Illinois men’s basketball team entered Tuesday night’s matchup against No. 12 Michigan riding a three-game winning streak while allowing 50 points or less in its last four contests. It allowed 52 points in the first half alone. Lack of defense and talent doomed Illinois in an 84-53 loss at the h...
Joseph Bertrand says goodbye to State Farm Center
March 5, 2014
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Joseph Bertrand walked through the handshake line muttering “good game” to Michigan basketball players. Hours earlier he had walked across the same court with his mom and his brother at his side. Tuesday night was senior night at State Farm Center for the fifth-year veteran. The cheer from the orang...
Ekey says goodbye to State Farm Center after 1 year
March 4, 2014
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Joseph Bertrand remembers playing against Jon Ekey in November of 2011. Illinois travelled to Cancun, Mexico, to play in the Cancun Challenge over Thanksgiving break. They traveled all the way to Mexico and ended up facing a team that plays its home games 45 minutes from campus. Bertrand’s Illini ...
Bertrand shined despite never being a star
March 4, 2014
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Joseph Bertrand is one of the most unique players in Illinois basketball history. The 6-foot-6 guard doesn’t have statistics that are going to blow anyone away. Bertrand has never averaged double-digit points or even five rebounds per game in any season in his career. He’s also never averaged a block ...
