Illinois notebook: Big Ten Network must-see TV for Illini Nation
Anybody who had that empty feeling Saturday without the Big Ten Network better make other arrangements or get used to it. When the Big Ten Conference office released the remaining non-conference basketball television schedule Monday, seven more Illini games were placed on the Big Ten Network.
That brings the total of Illinois' basketball games on the league's fledgling channel to 17. Depending on wild-card selections in late conference play, the number could climb to 20 Illini basketball games on the cable channel.
While the Big Ten Network now has deals in place with DirectTV and Dish Network, the country's two major satellite providers, no major cable outlet in Illinois has signed an agreement. Coach Bruce Weber likes the recruiting advantages to a national cable channel, but fans are getting locked out.
"Over half of our games this season will be televised on the Big Ten Network, making it a must-have channel for Illini Nation,'' Weber said in a written statement.
While games against Arizona on Dec. 8 (11 a.m.) and Missouri on Dec. 22 (7:30 p.m.) went to ESPN, the five home games in December were all set for BTN.
Illinois hosts Weber State (Dec. 1, 4 p.m.), Western Carolina (Dec. 17, 7 p.m.), Miami of Ohio (Dec. 20, 6 p.m.), Loyola of Maryland (Dec. 28, 8 p.m.) and Tennessee State (Dec. 30, 3 p.m.) on BTN. Illinois' exhibition games against Quincy (Oct. 31, 8 p.m.) and Kentucky Wesleyan (Nov. 6, 8 p.m.) will be shown live on BTN. The exhibition dates changed from the schedule released earlier by Illinois.
Illinois' season opener against Northeastern (Nov. 11 ,1 p.m.) will air on ESPN360, a subscription Internet service.
TIME AND CHANNEL: The Illinois football game at Indiana on Sept. 22 was set for an 11 a.m. kickoff. The game will be televised by the Big Ten Network.
That weekend's Big Ten schedule also includes Penn State at Michigan (2:30 p.m., ABC), Northwestern at Ohio State (2:30 p.m., ESPN), Michigan State at Notre Dame (2:30 p.m., NBC), Iowa at Wisconsin (7 p.m., ABC), Purdue at Minnesota (8 p.m., ESPN2).
OUT OF BODY: Illinois senior linebacker J Leman's celebration after a big tackle must be an out-of-body experience. Leman didn't know how else to describe it, after he tackled Western Illinois running back Herb Donaldson for a loss on a fourth-down play early in the second half of Illinois' 21-0 victory.
After a fumble on the opening kickoff to the second half, the stop allowed Illinois to regain momentum and eventually finish with its first shutout since 2000.
"I'm a different person right now than on the field,'' Leman said after the game. "I'm in a different state of being. I hate to get weird with you guys. I get really excited. When I look at plays (on film), I don't even remember doing something like that.
"I'm so excited. It was a big-time play for our team and got the crowd into it.''
Illinois (1-1) plays at Syracuse (0-2) in the Carrier Dome Saturday (11 a.m., ESPNU).
RECRUITING SUCCESS: First-year Illini women's basketball coach Jolette Law already made an impact in recruiting this fall by just getting a foot in the door.
Law's program hosted an official visit from Ayana Dunning last weekend. Dunning is a 6-foot-3, five-star center from Columbus (Ohio) Eastmoor High School who narrowed her list to Illinois, Ohio State, Rutgers, LSU and Southern Cal.
Illinois remained in contention with April Sykes, ranked as the No. 2 player in the country by Hoopgurlz.com. A guard from East Oktibbeha High School in Crawford, Miss., Sykes is expected to visit Illinois in October.
Sammie Prahalis from Commack High School in Long Island, considered the the nation's top point guard among high school seniors by Women's Basketball News Service, will visit Illinois this month. Prahalis already made a trip to Rutgers and also plans a trip to Ohio State. Law began recruiting Prahalis while serving as a Rutgers assistant.
Athletic guard Amber Stokes, the No. 63 senior nationally, will visit Illinois this weekend.
IN OTHER NEWS: Senior quarterback Jacob Charest of Butler High School in Matthews, N.C., gave Illinois a verbal commitment. Charest set a school record with seven touchdown passes Friday. . . Senior middle blocker Vicki Brown had 16 kills and four blocks to lead Illinois to a four-game victory over Creighton in the title match of the State Farm Illini Classic volleyball tournament Saturday. Brown earned the tournament's MVP award. . .
John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. For more Illini coverage, see Illini Talk blog at www.sj-r.com <http://www.sj-r.com> and www.pjstar.com <http://www.pjstar.com> .
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