Illinois News: Former Illini Brian Randle returns to Chicago for exhibition game

"It’s great to be able to share the European basketball experience with family and friends. When I’m gone and when I return home in the summers, I get asked a lot of questions and even when I answer them, people still have a look like they need to see it to understand."

- Former Illinois forward Brian Randle, The Daily Illini

Remember Brian Randle? You know, the super talented athlete who once punched a wall and broke his hand, rendering him injured for the storied 2004-2005 season? Well he's back, but maybe in a less dramatic way.

After graduating from Illinois in 2007, Randle went unpicked in the 2008 NBA draft. He then chose to pursue a professional career overseas, eventually settling with the Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Since joining them last season, he has averaged 12.0 PPG and 5.6 RPG, solid stats for one of the better teams in Europe.

Randle is in the news because his team is currently on the EuroLeague Basketball World Tour which showcases teams from the league in venues around the world, specifically in the United States. On October 1st, he will play in a matchup at the United Center in Chicago.

"According to my wife, we are going to have a pretty full family and friends section," Randle said. "She won’t tell me how many, so I’m guessing I’ll be well represented. (It’s) pretty cool."

On October 4th, Maccabi Tel Aviv also has a match at Madison Square Garden in New York. Welcome home, Brian!

Geronimo Allison in consideration for Biletnikoff Award

- CSNChicago

Illinois wide receiver Geronimo Allison was added to the watchlist of players in consideration for the Biletnikoff Award, an honor given out to the best receiver in the nation. After a career high ten catches against Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Allison will try to build on a strong performance this week against Nebraska. No Illinois receiver had ever won this award.

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