CHAMPAIGN — Illinois junior Scott Langley will become the first Illini golfer to compete in the Western Refining All-American Golf Classic. The tournament, which includes 32 All-Americans from the 2008-09 season, begins Sunday at the El Paso (Texas) Country Club. The event began in 1974, and past champions include Tiger Woods, Davis Love III and David Duval.

Branden Dawson is now a consensus top-25 player in his class (No. 16 on Rivals.com and No. 21 on Scout.com). He averaged 16.7 points and 15.5 rebounds as a sophomore.

Dawson's blend of size and what what his coach calls "extreme" athleticism has high-majors constantly dialing his number. Indiana, Purdue, Minnesota, Georgetown and UCLA have extended scholarship offers, while Illinois, Butler, Ohio State, USC, Xavier and Butler have also shown high interest.

Twice a week, we'll spotlight an Illini-related video on YouTube.

Today: Jim Heffernan

CHAMPAIGN – With injured freshman Amber Moore out for the season, Illinois sophomore Macie Blinn's perimeter shooting will be squarely in the spotlight for the UI's women's basketball team.

Blinn made the most of Moore's absence in Wednesday's lopsided win against Central Michigan, hitting her first three shots from beyond the three-point arc and finishing with 12 points. She was 4 of 7 on threes.

Law on freshman: 'I doubt if she plays' for Illini this season

Jeff Huth's review and preview of all things Illinois

FINAL: Illinois 77, Central MIchgan 59

Jenna Smith (31 points, 12 rebounds) leads Illini to win

News you can't leave work without:

Illinois senior Jenna Smith is on the watch list for the 2010 Naismith Trophy, presented annually to college basketball's best player.

URBANA — Two members of the U.S. Junior National Team recently signed national letters of intent with the Illinois men’s gymnastics program.
C.J. Maestas of Corrales, N.M., and Cameron Rogers of Mint Hill, N.C., will join coach Justin Spring’s team next season.

ILLINOIS 69, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 65

Here's your warning: Do not be surprised if the Chippewas win this game. Yes, Illinois has an edge in talent, but Central Michigan has an aggressive backcourt and a pressing, fast-paced style; that's been a recipe for disaster for the Illini the last couple seasons. Plus, this is the type of under-the-radar game that Illinois has lost lately – remember UAB? Bradley? Montana? The Illini's biggest advantage is under the glass. With an edge in size and bulk, Illinois should dominate inside, especially in rebounding. (N-G prediction record: 1-1)

Twice a week, we'll spotlight an Illini-related video on YouTube.

Today: Angela Bizzarri

How News-Gazette staff writer Tony Bleill voted in this week's Associated Press Women's Top 25 basketball poll:

ACL tear sidelines one of Jolette Law's "Super Six"

Heading into Friday's centennial season opener, Bruce Weber was still only four days removed from an appendectomy.

"I was hoping I didn't have to yell so much tonight and get mad," Weber said after Illinois routed Delaware State 87-67. No such luck.

Each Monday, we'll introduce a team participating in the IlliniHQ Shootout at the Hall presented by State Farm Insurance, our annual boys' basketball extravaganza which this year takes place Dec. 12 at the Assembly Hall. Today: Peoria Manual

CHAMPAIGN – If it all looks a bit foreign to Illinois women's basketball fans, that's OK. The important thing, at least for Lacey Simpson, is that this prolific offensive style shown off by the Illini these days isn't new to her or many of her teammates.

"It's what I'm used to, that fast tempo," Simpson said Sunday after the Illini beat Siena 85-53 at the Assembly Hall.

CHAMPAIGN – The Illini women's basketball team was shorthanded Sunday, and it might be that way for a while.

Freshman guard Amber Moore and freshman forward Destiny Williams didn't play in Sunday's victory against Siena for different reasons.

CHAMPAIGN – It didn't go exactly as she would have dreamed it up, but Allie Lindemann's return to Champaign offered some degree of satisfaction.

The former Champaign Central standout scored seven points for Siena on Sunday in an 85-53 loss to Illinois at the Assembly Hall. It was Lindemann's first appeArance on the floor since she was a pre-teen playing for a youth team at halftime of an Illinois game.

FINAL: Illinois 85, Siena 53

CHAMPAIGN -- Illinois: offensive juggernaut?

Game 2

Illinois women vs. Siena,