Bill Cole injured

[Da Coach]

Illinois freshman Bill Cole suffered a separated shoulder, and another incoming freshman for Illinois, Quinton Watkins, was declared academically ineligble to enroll.

Illinois was allowed to begin practicing for a preseason trip to Canada this weekend where they will play 5 games. Cole will be out for up to 3 weeks. Bruce Weber said Cole and another freshman Mike Tisdale are both candidates for a redshirt.

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/082907/ILL_BE73385D.075.php

[mexicobufan]

Anyone know how Crouch is doing with his injury?

[tornado]

I have heard he is doing very well and is released now for shooting and scrimmaging

[mexicobufan]

Great news, thanks T........

[tornado]

A premium report on Illinois/Rivals says Bill Cole is almost sure to redshirt, and it is written before this injury. It says he measured at 6-8 (shorter than the 6-9 he has been billed at) and he is considerable under the 210 lbs billed. Now with a few weeks in a sling then a few more weeks rehabbing, he'll fall far behind in conditioning and strength, so I agree he might be likely to redshirt.
The article also names Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis (supposedly also "rail thin" and very little playing or strength training this summer) as strong candidates to redshirt.
That, combined with losses of Jamar, Quinton Watkins (ineligible), CJ Jackson (left to play football) and the graduating senior losses, leave Illinois depleted in both the frontcourt and backcourt.
Projected starters are often-injured Frazier & Randle, Pruitt, and two newcomers-McCamey & Alexander.
Semrau, Brock, Carlwell, and Holdren are all totally untested but make up the bulk of the bench.
As it turns out, Jeff Jordan may indeed get a decent amount of playing time!
With Illinois' lack of depth at guard, he might even get to start!

[BradleyBrave]

A premium report on Illinois/Rivals says Bill Cole is almost sure to redshirt, and it is written before this injury. It says he measured at 6-8 (shorter than the 6-9 he has been billed at) and he is considerable under the 210 lbs billed. Now with a few weeks in a sling then a few more weeks rehabbing, he'll fall far behind in conditioning and strength, so I agree he might be likely to redshirt.
The article also names Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis (supposedly also "rail thin" and very little playing or strength training this summer) as strong candidates to redshirt.
That, combined with losses of Jamar, Quinton Watkins (ineligible), CJ Jackson (left to play football) and the graduating senior losses, leave Illinois depleted in both the frontcourt and backcourt.
Projected starters are often-injured Frazier & Randle, Pruitt, and two newcomers-McCamey & Alexander.
Semrau, Brock, Carlwell, and Holdren are all totally untested but make up the bulk of the bench.
As it turns out, Jeff Jordan may indeed get a decent amount of playing time!
With Illinois' lack of depth at guard, he might even get to start!

Don't forget Trent Meachem!

[bert notorius]

Don't forget Trent Meachem!

Meacham (courtesy of bert's free spellcheck) tied the school record for the most threes per game, and is one of the few players who can actually shoot free throws...