Stoke the Flames

Credit Illinois-Chicago for a masterful plan in beating No. 14 Illinois. First-year coach Howard Moore should be applauded for pulling off what will go down as one of the most important wins in school history. Beating Illinois at the United Center will do wonders for UIC's reputation in the city.

Illinois needs to show up with some toughness against Mizzou in the Braggin' Rights game in St. Louis on Wednesday -- or else it could be headed for a slide. There are simply no excuses for a team this talented to lose to a 4-7 squad from the Horizon League.

Andy Katz