June 17, 200421 yr Arnold will have two years in Illini uniform after sitting out upcoming season June 15, 2004 Champaign, Ill. - Marcus Arnold, a 6-8, 240-pound junior forward from Chicago (Morgan Park H.S.), has announced his decision to transfer to the University of Illinois and join Bruce Weber's basketball program. Arnold arrives in Champaign after spending his first two years at Illinois State. Arnold started 27 games last season at ISU, ranking second on the team in scoring with an average of 12.3 points. He reached double figures in 20 games, scoring a career-high 23 points versus Western Kentucky and equaling his career best with 23 points on 11-of-17 shooting against the Illini on Jan. 3 at the Assembly Hall. Arnold shot 53 percent from the field, led the Redbirds with 4.6 rebounds per game and ranked second in the Missouri Valley with an average of 1.2 blocks. He was voted captain of the Missouri Valley Conference's Most Improved Team while also garnering honorable mention All-Valley honors. Arnold started 20 games as a freshman, averaging 8.4 points and 3.4 rebounds. He was named to the 2003 Missouri Valley All-Newcomer Team. "We're pleased to have Marcus join our team," Weber said. "He's a player that will provide a low-post presence and give us depth on the frontline. Usually you discourage a transfer, but occasionally you have a situation where a fresh start benefits the individual and this was the case with Marcus. He has an opportunity to come in and work hard and help make our team better next year. Hopefully, he will then put himself in a position where he can compete for playing time and contribute the following two seasons." Arnold will sit out the 2004-05 season as a redshirt due to NCAA transfer rules. He will then have two years of eligibility remaining with the Illini. ----------------------------------- Champaign, Ill. - University of Illinois senior forward Roger Powell, Jr. has decided to withdraw his name from the 2004 NBA Draft List. "My best decision is to return to Illinois and play for the Fighting Illini my senior season," Powell said. "I bleed Orange and Blue and I can't wait for this next season to get started. With all the players we have returning and having Coach Weber here for his second year, it should be a fun and exciting season. Go Illini!" Illinois Head Coach Bruce Weber was happy to hear the news that his senior starter would return for the 2004-05 season. "I'm happy Roger has decided to return," Weber said. "This decision is best for him and becomes a positive for him and our team, and gives him an opportunity to prepare for a possible future professional career." Powell averaged 11.6 points and 5.0 rebounds, while shooting 59.5 percent from the field in 2003-04. The Fighting Illini return all five starters and their top 10 scorers from a 26-7 squad who won the outright Big Ten Championship and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.
June 17, 200421 yr Ya, the Arnold stuff has been rumored for a few days (and even last month), good to see it happened. I don't consider the Powell stuff news. We all knew he wasn't going to go to the draft in the first place, he was just doing it to get his name out there for next year.
June 17, 200421 yr Arnold sounds like a good player... I'm glad we got him. He should definitely help 2 years from now when we won't have Powell, Smith, and Ingram.
June 17, 200421 yr Britney plays for the Illini?! Looks like the Illini will be wearing new uniforms next year.
June 17, 200421 yr Looks like the Illini will be wearing new uniforms next year. something tells me that won't look good on dee or williams, but powell...
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