• Tate's Take
  (Updated 05/12/2008)

• Bob's Blast
  (Updated 05/12/2008)

Sour finish for Illini in tennis

Golf

TULSA, Okla. – The Illinois men's tennis team couldn't have drawn up a better start to its NCAA tournament showdown with Ohio State on Friday.

And the Illini probably couldn't have envisioned a more sour ending.

Illini stumble into Big Ten tourney

Baseball

CHAMPAIGN – Before throwing one pitch or taking one swing at Illinois Field on Friday, the Illinois baseball team clinched its fourth consecutive trip to the Big Ten tournament.

For that, the Illini could thank Indiana, which earlier in the day edged Michigan State 7-6 to reduce Illinois' magic number from one to zero.

Buford-Bailey's teaching skills carry over to the sports she loves

Track

CHAMPAIGN – Days before Gary Winckler gave her a call in 2003, former Illini track star Tonja Buford-Bailey was enjoying life as a fourth-grade teacher in suburban Dallas.

Funny how one call can change the direction of your life.