The Linking Illini has something to talk about again.

The Linking Illini is back, because using google news is difficult and its just easier to let someone else tell you what is important. Obviously there is plenty of Illinois talk happening right now in the off season, as we look for a new athletic director, the NBA draft is coming up, and we get to talk about the Big Ten ACC Challenge.

Anyway, on to the links.

Outgoing Guenther on new AD, Zook, Weber - Chicago Breaking Sports
Chris Hine has Guenther's comments about Zook, Weber and the Assembly Hall.

"On whether he will stay in some capacity to assist in the renovation of Assembly Hall:"We’ve got an option that we could look at that. My background has been in development prior to getting the directorship. I think there’s an option that we could be looking at over the summer. Certainly, I can assure everybody that the Assembly Hall project is finally on track. … All the components are in place and if there’s a way it all works out, I may look to assist at the right time, that will all be worked out, but no details are put in place yet."

DraftExpress: Mock Draft: Jereme Richmond and Demetri McCamey to the Second Round
NBA Draft speculators Drat Express have the two most notable Illini NBA prospects, Jereme Richmond and Demetri McCamey slated to go early in the second round, with the 33rd and 48th picks over all respectively. Richmond could end up in, of all places Toronto and Demetri in Atlanta. If it were me, I would gladly be taken several picks later to end up in Georgia rather than Canada, but that is just me.

Maryland Will Host Illinois in ACC-Big Ten Challenge - Testudo Times
SB Nation's Maryland blog breaks down the Big Ten ACC Challenge match up thusly:

"Unfortunately for Maryland, reserve forward Tyler Griffey is back. Remember him? He was the random big man who came off the bench to knock down three three-pointers for the Illini in NYC. He only played in 11 of their 20 Big Ten games and isn't expected to play a much larger role next year, but that pretty much guarantees that he'll go off for 20 points or something when they visit College Park. The Illini will be a young team next year, one that Maryland might actually have a chance at beating. They're bringing in six freshman this year, many of whom will be to start or at least play major minutes. Given how bad the Terps might be next year, nothing's guaranteed, but this shouldn't be a whitewash. I think."