Illini

LAHAINA, Hawaii - The Maryland Terrapins knew they would be in for a brawl with eighth-ranked Illinois last night. What the No. 6 Terps did not count on was suffering such a decisive knockout in the trenches, despite having what they feel is one of the nation's premier front lines. The Fighting Illini got a huge offensive boost early in the second half from point guard Frank Williams, then protected their lead by beating up Maryland on the boards the rest of the way, as Illinois dealt the Terps a 90-80 setback in the Maui Invitational semifinals before 2,500 at the Lahaina Civic Center.

ROSEMONT, Ill. - Wisconsin-Milwaukee came into last night's regional matchup against No. 1-ranked Illinois with a reputation as being one of the better pressuring, attacking defensive teams left in the NCAA tournament. The No. 12 seed Panthers, in fact, succeeded in taking Illinois out of its game early, ironically without its feared press. It didn't matter as the top-seeded Illini eventually romped, 77-63. Illinois began the game with all the look of a team expecting to be pressed. The normally pass-intensive team made six of its first eight shots, but took all but two of those shots within the first 10 seconds on the shot clock.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Big man Obinna Ekezie foundered in a sea of orange and blue for most of the afternoon. Terrell Stokes, who isn't supposed to shoot, had more points than Laron Profit, the forward with the best scoring average. A team that works its offense from the inside out went 21 minutes without attempting a free throw.So how in the Sweet 16 did Maryland beat Illinois, 67-61, at Arco Arena yesterday, to survive the second round of the NCAA tournament and move on to the West Regional semifinals?

They look nothing alike, the three guards of Illinois, yet people have the darnedest time separating them. Which is the best? The most indispensable? The best shooter? The toughest defender? The top NBA prospect? There is Dee Brown, the Big Ten Player of the Year, a streak shooter with braids, a bright orange mouthpiece and the quickness to pick a player's pocket with the game on the line. There is Luther Head, who escaped a controversial scrape with the law after a burglary at an off-campus apartment before last season to remain on the team - and became not only the Illini's leading scorer this season, but their most productive three-point shooter as well.

Illinois vs. Missouri 8:30 p.m. [ESPN] This is pretty big for an opening college football weekend. No. 6 Mizzou, led by quarterback Chase Daniel, can entertain notions of landing in the national title game. But not if the Tigers stumble against the No. 20 Illini in the Arch Rivalry at St. Louis' Edward Jones Dome. Last season, Missouri just got by Illinois, 40-34, as the Illini nearly rallied from 24 points down.

Tonight's title game Illinois (37-1) vs. North Carolina (32-4) Time: 9:21. Site: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis. TV: Chs. 13, 9. Line: North Carolina by 2 1/2 . How they got here: Illinois won the Chicago Regional as the No. 1 seed. The Illini defeated No. 16 seed Fairleigh Dickinson, 67-55; No. 9 seed Nevada, 71-59; No. 12 seed Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 77-63, and No. 3 seed Arizona, 90-89 (OT). In a national semifinal, Illinois defeated Louisville, 72-57. North Carolina won the Syracuse Regional as the No. 1 seed.

SAN ANTONIO - A fatigued Frank Williams and a sweaty Bill Self were walking off the court Friday night after Illinois rumbled past Kansas, 80-64, when Self, the Illini coach, reached across and patted Williams on the back. Then Self put his arm around Williams and whispered something to him. Self did not hug Williams, but he could have and should have. Williams was the primary reason that top-seeded Illinois won and advanced to today's Midwest Regional final to play second-seeded Arizona, which stopped Mississippi, 66-56.

FOUR HUNDRED YEARS ago, middle America was populated by a group of native tribes known as the Illini. They were among history's first underdogs - hunters and farmers outmanned by war, disease and displacement. There were once 12,000 Illini in the area. Today, there are none. That is, if you don't count the guy who entertains the University of Illinois sports crowds by pretending to be a whooping Illini chief, dressing like a caricature and dancing like a fool. He's historically inaccurate.

No. 4 Maryland (20-10)vs. No. 5 Illinois (23-9)What: Second round, NCAA West RegionalWhere: Arco Arena, Sacramento, Calif.When: Today, 4: 30 p.m.TV: Chs. 13, 9Line: Maryland by 5How they got here: The Terps outscored 13th-seeded Utah State 29-12 over the last seven minutes of the first half and the first five of the second half to take command of their first-round game. Illinois forced 20 turnovers and committed only six in its 64-51 win over 12th-seeded South Alabama.Conference record: Maryland was 10-6 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, finishing third behind Duke and North Carolina.