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Heather Coit/The News-Gazette Illinois’ Tyler Griffey (42) celebrates his moment with fans as the oversized mug of Illinois great, Dee Brown, faces him after the Illini defeated Indiana 74-72 at Assembly Hall in Champaign on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013.
Three reasons we love sports today
➜ 1. Illinois men’s basketball gets a chance to earn its fourth win all-time against the No. 1 team in the country when Tennessee (8-0) visits for a 4:30 p.m. tip on Saturday at State Farm Center in Champaign.
➜ 2. The previous wins by Illinois against No. 1? Tyler Griffey’s layup to beat Indiana 74-72 on Feb. 7, 2013, Dee Brown and Co. completely dominating Wake Forest 91-73 on Dec. 1, 2004 and Eddie Johnson’s last-second shot to top Magic Johnson and Michigan State 57-55 on Jan. 11, 1979.
➜ 3. Many thanks to former Illini men’s basketball guard, Centennial graduate and Champaign native Trent Meacham for stopping by The Esquire for ‘Monday Night SportsTalk.’ Listen to the podcast of the WDWS radio show right here.
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers will have the full attention of the Illinois defense in the Citrus Bowl.
Numbers game: 2,929
yards of total offense South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers has this season. The 6-foot-3, 242-pound redshirt freshman has thrown for 2,274 yards and rushed for 655 more, accounting for 24 total touchdowns this fall. Illinois (9-3) will need to be aware of where No. 16 is when playing the Gamecocks (9-3) on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl.
Tanner Siems and the St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ basketball team hosts Normal West on Tuesday night.
Crowd control
Three events I’m paying attention to
➜ 1. Normal West at St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ basketball. A good nonconference opportunity for a Class 2A program like SJ-O when the Spartans host the Wildcats, traditionally a 4A program, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in a nonconference game.
➜ 2. Normal Community at Champaign Central boys’ basketball. The Maroons will welcome in one of the Big 12’s best programs — the Ironmen placed second at last season’s 4A state tournament — at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Combes Gym.
➜ 3. Cissna Park at Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin basketball. Cool doubleheader on Tuesday night, with the girls’ game at 6 p.m., followed by the boys’ game at 7:30 p.m between these two Vermilion Valley Conference programs.
Armstrong-Potomac girls’ golf coach Cami Saltsgaver.
Coach’s corner
Three questions with Armstrong-Potomac girls’ golf coach Cami Saltsgaver:
➜ 1. My favorite sports team is … the Illinois men’s basketball team.
➜ 2. Three coaches I’d like to have dinner with are … Brad Underwood, Karen Weekly and Oliver Marmol.
➜ 3. My biggest pet peeve is … loud chewing.
