News you can't leave work without:

The fourth Shootout at the Hall will feature a point guard showdown between Chicago Mount Carmel's Tracy Abrams and Peoria Central's Bobo Drummond.

News you can't leave work without:

Pairings for the fourth Shootout at the Hall will be announced Friday morning.

For the next two days, HQ recruiting expert Jeremy Werner will analyze where Illinois stands with the prep football stars still looking for a school.

Purdue picks up commitment from promising 2012 recruit out of Champaign.

Proviso West receiver rated nation's No. 2 player by Rivals.com

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: Glenbrook North High School, home of Dave Weber, brother of Illinois coach Bruce Weber

Illinois officials had said they were expecting a capacity or near-capacity crowd, and the announced attendance of 7,632 has to be considered a disappointment. Much of the crowd actually found the exits after the best part of the show – No. 10 Illinois' win against No. 6 Minnesota in a spirited volleyball match – and chose not to stay for the basketball portion of the program.

"I feel confident we can get to the NCAA tournament," Illinois coach Jolette Law said last week. "My freshmen don't have a lot of pressure, but they do have some pressure. If they come in and do their part and help, I think we can definitely make it to the NCAA tournament."