Griffey decides to roll with Illinois

CHAMPAIGN -- In exchange for committing to Illinois earlier this week, Tyler Griffey has been promised a new car.

But don't take that the wrong way, NCAA.

Griffey, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward at Lafayette (Mo.) High School, will be getting the car from his father, Chris.

"I told him when he signs his letter of intent, I'll buy him a car with his college money," said Chris Griffey.

The Griffey family drove up from suburban St. Louis Saturday to attend Illinois' 83-75 loss to Purdue so Tyler could "officially" make his commitment in person.

Griffey joins three other juniors -- Warren's Brandon Paul, Peoria Central's D.J. Richardson and Sterling's Joseph Bertrand -- in Illinois' 2009 recruiting class.

"You've got to look at who you're going to be playing with," said Tyler Griffey. "I think us four can do something here. I'm excited."

Griffey's commitment closed out an elongated recruiting chase. Missouri and Saint Louis gave Griffey scholarship offers while he was still in eighth grade at Rockwood Valley Middle School.

Recruiting bonanza: Illinois' football program capitalized on the rare Saturday afternoon home game to bring more than 30 juniors and seniors to town for unofficial visits.

The Illini reportedly picked up oral commitments from a pair of junior linemen from Chicago Leo: Six-foot-5, 340-pound offensive guard Leon Hill and 6-4, 275-pound defensive tackle Lendell Buckner.

Wheaton North running back Mike Trumpy, Fremd defensive end Ben Perna, Driscoll wideout Austin Baker and Marian Central quarterback Jon Budmayr were also among the visitors.

Though Glenbard West lineman Chris Watt didn't make it for this Junior Day, Illinois already has offered him a scholarship. Watt, whose brother, Kevin, redshirted at Northwestern last fall, also holds offers from the Wildcats and Ohio State.

Cole sidelined: Illinois freshman forward Bill Cole didn't participate in warmups Saturday and might not do so for awhile.

Cole plans to undergo an MRI soon to determine the severity of a leg problem. It could be that his surmised shin splints have turned into a fracture.

"It's getting more sore," said Illinois coach Bruce Weber. "We're anticipating the worst."

They said it: Illinois coach Bruce Weber spent most of Saturday's game in an agitated state. He directed much of his venom at Bo Boroski, an official who usually handles Mid-American Conference and Horizon League games.

Here was an early exchange that fans sitting at the top of Assembly Hall probably heard:

Weber: "Get their hands off!"

Boroski: "I heard you!"

Weber: "Good! Do it!"

Boroski gradually grew tired of Weber's critiques and gave him a technical with 2:19 left in the first half.

Assistant Jerrance Howard tried to corral the incredulous Weber by pulling his arms behind his back, but Weber wriggled free to scream some more.