Has Illini's Alexander found his groove?

Nearly two months after starting the season with a bang, Illinois junior forward Rodney Alexander finally made some more noise.

A junior-college transfer from Benton Harbor, Mich., via Redlands Community College in El Reno, Okla., Alexander posted 17 points against Arizona State in the season's third game, then fell out of the lineup and effectively out of the playing rotation while struggling to adjust to Division I basketball.