Latest news with #Illinois'
NBC Sports
25-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
NCAA individual leader avoids slow-play penalty after missing two checkpoints
CARLSBAD, Calif. – Michael La Sasso exited the 18th-hole scoring tent on Sunday afternoon at Omni La Costa breathing a huge sigh of relief. The Ole Miss junior, who was leading the NCAA Championship, spent nearly 10 extra minutes with his playing competitors, Oklahoma State's Preston Stout and Illinois' Max Herendeen, talking with rules officials about the two checkpoints they had missed during their third rounds. Ultimately, none of the three players were penalized for slow play, but it was a little too close for comfort. 'I don't feel like I played particularly slow,' said La Sasso, who signed for a 2-under 70 to enter the clubhouse at 11 under. 'I took my time, but I didn't think I was particularly slow. Preston and I definitely think a lot, especially over shots, so we're kind of sitting there grinding trying to make the best score we can. … I didn't think we were particularly slow by any means, but I guess the times were a little off.' The NCAA's pace-of-play policy features a checkpoint system where players must clear four checkpoints, which are after the completion of play on Nos. 4, 8, 13 and 17. The first missed checkpoint is a warning, while each successive miss makes violators liable for one- or two-shot penalties or even a disqualification should a player miss all four. Players are considered out of position if their group 'takes more than the allotted time to finish a checkpoint hole and completes play of a checkpoint hole more than 14 minutes after the preceding group completed play of that hole.' La Sasso's group were out of position at Nos. 4 and 13, but the Pace of Play Committee ruled that they would not receive their one-shot penalties because they were 'delayed by a circumstance beyond the control of the player or the group.' The Rebels remain 12 over as a team, three shots out of eighth-place Florida State. The top eight teams after Monday's final round advance to match play. 'They kept catching up, but then the team in front of them would speed up because they're behind, and then they'd get stuck in a bad spot,' Ole Miss head coach Chris Malloy said. 'Those guys handled it well. I just gave Mike a compliment; I thought he handled it great, asked questions. At least it didn't cost us.' Last year at nationals, Virginia's Ben James was among the players penalized for slow play in the second round. James ended up tied for second, one shot out of a potential playoff. La Sasso is glad he didn't cost himself a shot, but Malloy doesn't think what happened Sunday afternoon will motivate La Sasso any more than he already is. The winner on Monday will earn invites into the U.S. Open and next year's Masters, provided they remain amateur. 'You don't need to put much of a fire under that guy right now,' Malloy said. 'He wakes up with his hair on fire.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Strong tornadoes threaten millions more in the central US after a weekend of violent storms that left at least 28 dead
A relentless stretch of severe weather that left 28 dead and unleashed destruction across the central and eastern United States in recent days isn't letting up yet, with millions more in the path of dangerous weather this week. Monday's level 4-of-5 risk of severe thunderstorms in the Plains marks the third day out of the last four to hit this rare level – one typically issued on about 10 days each year. All severe thunderstorm hazards are expected– including tornadoes that could reach EF3 strength or greater. Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma, are within the most concerning risk area Monday, but Dallas, Kansas City and St. Louis, including areas devastated on Friday, could also be in the path of dangerous storms. Here's the latest: Deadly weather: Violent storms have killed at least 28 people in three states since Friday: 19 in Kentucky, seven in Missouri – including five in St. Louis – and two in Virginia. There have been at least 1,500 reports to the SPC of damaging wind gusts, hail and tornadoes in the days of storms since Wednesday. Rare tornado emergencies: The National Weather Service issued the most extreme tornado warning it has at its disposal on Friday and issued two more on Sunday night. Friday's covered southern Illinois' Williamson County, where an EF4 tornado roared through and injured at least seven people. Greensburg and Plevna, Kansas, were caught in Sunday night's tornado emergencies as 'large and destructive' tornadoes tracked through or close to each area. More danger to come: Tens of millions of people in the central US are at risk of severe thunderstorms on Monday, including more than 17 million people from Texas to Kansas and Missouri who could be in the path of strong tornadoes – defined as EF2 or stronger. More than 6 million people are under that same tornado risk on Tuesday as severe weather shifts east. Multiple rounds of severe weather will target the Plains on Monday, bringing the threat of damaging wind gusts stronger than 80 mph, hail bigger than softballs and strong or intense – greater than EF3 –tornadoes. 'Everyone needs to stay weather aware today/tonight and have a plan in place in case you need to shelter,' the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, urged. A level 4-of-5 risk of severe thunderstorms is centered on more than 5 million people in the eastern half of Oklahoma – including Oklahoma City – and portions of surrounding states on Monday, according to the SPC. A larger level 3-of-5 risk includes more than 12 million people elsewhere in the Plains and Mississippi Valley. The most dangerous activity in Kansas and Oklahoma is expected to begin later Monday afternoon and push east into the Mississippi Valley overnight, but a few damaging storms could rumble to life earlier in the afternoon – especially in northern Texas, including the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The greatest risk of tornadoes will start when storms first fire up in the late afternoon and continue through the evening, with the SPC warning of long-lived supercells – rotating thunderstorms capable of producing violent impacts – that could travel large distances. Oklahoma is at the greatest threat for these storms, but they're also possible in surrounding states. A dangerous flash flooding threat will also build just east of where the strongest thunderstorms are set to strike. A level 3-of-4 risk of flooding rainfall is in place for parts of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri, according to the Weather Prediction Center. These areas have been soaked in recent weeks, so any additional heavy rain could produce 'numerous flash floods.' The severe weather threat will shift east on Tuesday, targeting parts of the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee valleys — including areas that have already been hit hard by this spring's storms, like western Kentucky and western Tennessee. Damaging wind gusts, hail and tornadoes are once again possible within any storm on Tuesday. Some areas, especially parts of the Ohio Valley, could start the day with lingering severe storms from Monday night. Additional storms are likely to develop Tuesday afternoon in the Mississippi Valley and push east through the evening. Tornadoes tore through Kansas on Sunday night, prompting two tornado emergencies in the central part of the state: one for Plevna and one for Greensburg. In Plevna, roughly 60 miles from Wichita, Reno County Sheriff Darrian Campbell said a passing tornado Sunday night caused significant damage to homes. It was a close call for Greensburg, but the city made it through the night relatively unscathed, CNN affiliate KWCH reported. That wasn't the case elsewhere in the state. A 'large and extremely dangerous tornado' roared through Grinnell in northwestern Kansas on Sunday evening, according to the NWS. Photos from the town show debris scattered everywhere, with severely damaged homes, blocked roads and overturned vehicles. One image shows a local church with its roof blown off. Midwest Energy reported the tornado caused damage to both electric and gas systems in the Grinnell area, according KWCH. Until Sunday night, Kansas had largely avoided tornadoes this spring, which is unusual for the state. May is the peak of tornado season for the US, with much of that activity typically centered in the Plains. Ferocious storms have carved through hundreds of miles of the US in recent days, generating more than 1,500 reports of damaging wind gusts, hail and tornadoes since Wednesday. About 100 of those reports were tornadoes. National Weather Service storm survey teams are still picking through extensive damage to determine exactly how many tornadoes tore through the central and eastern US since last week, but they've already found at least three EF3 tornadoes and one EF4. The EF4 tornado tore through Williamson County in southern Illinois on Friday, injuring at least seven people as it damaged homes and obliterated trees. An EF3 tornado rocked the St. Louis area Friday, according to the NWS, reaching its peak intensity as it stretched a mile wide over the north side of the city. The tornado killed at least five people and injured dozens, while also 'damaging or destroying thousands of buildings.' Deadly storms also left vast destruction behind in Laurel County, Kentucky, over the weekend. The city of London was hit particularly hard. Police in Corbin, south of London, were responding to mutual aid calls for tornado victims and described the devastation as overwhelming. 'Stop and pray for Laurel County residents and victims of the tornado that touched down there,' the department wrote. CNN's Hanna Park, Karina Tsui, Matt Rehbein and Ray Sanchez contributed to this report.
Chicago Tribune
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Kasparas Jakučionis feels ready for the NBA draft — and excited for Illinois' new wave of ‘Balkan Ballers'
On the second day of the NBA draft combine, Illinois guard Kasparas Jakučionis was excited simply to be in an NBA jersey. OK, so technically it wasn't a real NBA jersey. Draft prospects spend the week wearing boilerplate scrimmage pinnies emblazoned with the combine logo. But to Jakučionis, that was symbolic of the step he's about to take toward a lifelong dream. 'Everyone starts (dreaming) when they're little,' he said Wednesday at Wintrust Arena. 'If your dream is not to play in the NBA, you're not a real basketball player.' Jakučionis spent most of his freshman season at Illinois as a projected lottery pick while averaging 15 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists. While some inconsistencies showed the 18-year-old's relative rawness, Jakučionis flashed playmaking potential that could translate well to the NBA. Midway through the week, Jakučionis felt the combine had been a positive experience. He measured well with a 6-foot-7¾ wingspan that outpaces his height (6-4¾) by 3 inches. His shooting was a mixed bag — he went 17 of 25 (68%) to finish in the top 20 of all combine participants in spot-up shooting, then made only 16 of 30 (53.3%) in the off-the-dribble drill. For many prospects, combine week can be a reminder of the work left to do before they can become truly competitive NBA players. Jakučionis was no exception. He said he spent the weeks after Illinois' season ended focused on building strength in the weight room, improving his foot speed on defense and increasing the reliability of his shot. His draft projections have been anything but consistent. Various league experts have Jakučionis getting selected anywhere from fifth to 10th — or even dropping out of the lottery (top 14) entirely. These fluctuations have less to do with his overall talent than with the draft order, which was upended Monday when the Dallas Mavericks won the lottery. For now, Jakučionis is focused on making a strong impression on teams looking to bolster their backcourt. He said he had spoken with six front offices Wednesday but had yet to meet with the Chicago Bulls. In each of those meetings — and in individual workouts throughout the week — Jakučionis is pitching teams on his adaptability as a lengthy guard who can facilitate his teammates. 'My whole life, I've just tried to make everyone better on the court, tried to set pieces on the court, tried to be like a coach on the floor, make everybody better,' Jakučionis said. Jakučionis spent only one year in Champaign, but the Lithuanian guard, along with sophomore center Tomislav Ivišić from Croatia, helped start a new trend for the Illini — something he takes pride in even after leaving the program. The 2025-26 Illinois roster has earned such nicknames as the 'Balkan Brothers' and 'Balkan Ballers' with Ivišić returning and joined by his twin brother, Zvonimir, a transfer from Arkansas; California transfer Andrej Stojaković, the American son of Serbian former NBA star Peja Stojaković; and incoming recruits Mihailo Petrović of Serbia and David Mirković of Montenegro. Jakučionis believes coach Brad Underwood has created a program that appeals to international prospects. 'It's really cool to me that Illinois started recruiting more and more Europeans, because before me, before Tomislav, there wasn't a lot of European guys coming to Illinois,' Jakučionis said. 'That was also a risky decision to do, but I'm really happy that I made the choice there. I think they trusted me, I trusted them. Now you can see the trust in the new players.' Although he only spent one season in the program, Jakučionis credited Underwood and Illinois for preparing him for the draft. He worked out before the combine with Illinois strength and conditioning coach Adam Fletcher, who is helping him add the weight and muscle necessary to compete as a pro. Jakučionis knows there's room to grow. And he understands the unpredictability of the draft process. But in the upcoming weeks, he hopes to sell teams on the one thing he promises to provide any team that calls his name on draft night. 'All-out effort,' Jakučionis said. 'One hundred percent every day, just working my best. I think I can adapt to whatever a team needs me to do. 'I can play on the ball and playmake for others. I can execute 100% on the defensive end. I can play off the ball. Whatever a team needs me to do, I'll be ready for that.'
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Big Ten Powerhouse Loses Top NBA Draft Prospect After NCAA Tournament
In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through college basketball and NBA circles alike, Illinois' star guard Kasparas Jakucionis made the heartfelt announcement on Monday morning. Following a season that saw Illinois ride high on fresh talent, Jakucionis has declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, leaving the Fighting Illini with a gaping hole after their NCAA Tournament exit, per Jonathan Givony. Advertisement In his emotional conversation with ESPN, the 6‑foot‑6 Lithuanian guard admitted, 'This has been my dream from a young age. I've waited for this moment a long time. Saying goodbye to Illinois will be the hardest part.' His decision comes on the heels of a second-round exit from the NCAA Tournament against Kentucky, a loss that ultimately sealed his fate as he opted to make the jump to the NBA. Despite a disappointing ending, Jakucionis's lone season at Illinois put the Lithuanian phenom on the map. Averaging 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists over 33 games at Illinois, the 18-year-old freshman earned a spot on the Third-Team All-Big Ten and the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Brad Sieu-Imagn Images A widely projected lottery pick, Jakucionis is widely celebrated for his high basketball IQ and creative playmaking—qualities that have drawn comparisons to stars like Luka Doncic. Advertisement 'I study Doncic for how he reads the game,' Jakucionis revealed, adding that he also learns from Euroleague greats such as Nick Calathes and Kostas Sloukas. Similar to Doncic, Jakucionis honed his talents in the Liga ACB, competing in the rigorous environments of FC Barcelona's youth system and numerous FIBA tournaments. As the draft approaches, the basketball world now watches eagerly to see if this top prospect can transition his polished college game into an NBA star. Related: Alabama Dealt Unfortunate News After NCAA Tournament Related: Michigan State's Jase Richardson Sends Message to Teammate After Transfer Portal Decision
USA Today
21-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Georgia football signs Illinois transfer RB
Georgia football signs Illinois transfer RB The Georgia Bulldogs have signed Illinois Fighting Illini running back Josh McCray via the NCAA transfer portal. McCray is a bruising back, who has one year of eligibility left, and was Illinois' leading rusher in 2024. McCray had a team-high 117 carries, 609 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns (No. 9 in the Big Ten/tied) in 2024. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound running back has a physical running style and is tough to bring down on first contact. McCray does not have elite speed, but runs with toughness and is excellent in between the tackles. McCray spent the first four seasons of his college football career with Illinois. He missed a lot of action in 2022 and 2023 due to injuries, but returned for a healthy and productive campaign in 2024. 247Sports ranks McCray as the No. 27 transfer running back in the country and the No. 435 overall player to enter the portal (includes the spring and winter portal windows). McCray's transfer ranking is surprisingly low considering his production from last season. However, McCray has some limitations as a pass catcher and a concerning injury history, so perhaps that explains McCray's transfer ranking. Highlights from McCray's Cheez-It Bowl game McCray's top performance in 2024 came in Illinois' 21-17 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl win over the South Carolina Gamecocks. He recorded 114 rushing yards on 13 carries and scored two rushing touchdowns. Kirby Smart reacts after McCray's commitment Georgia also brought in Army outside linebacker transfer Elo Modozie and Miami defensive line transfer Josh Horton. The Bulldogs have several other notable transfer portal targets, but they are mostly on defense. Georgia is in the mix for Syracuse defensive lineman Maraad Watson and UNC edge rusher Beau Atkinson, who are two of the top available players in the transfer portal.
