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Sports Editor Matt Daniels with a look at what’s going on around the area:
The News-Gazette
From left, News-Gazette sports editor Matt Daniels, former Indiana men’s basketball standout Verdell Jones III, former Illinois men’s basketball walk-on Clayton Jones, News-Gazette sports writer Scott Richey and News-Gazette sports writer Bob Asmussen during ‘Monday Night SportsTalk,’ at the Esquire in downtown Champaign. Both Jones brothers, former Champaign Central standouts, joined the show to discuss the Illinois-Indiana rivalry and their family’s ties with both programs.
Three reasons we love sports today
➜ 1. Voters took note of the loss to Southern Cal, but Illinois men’s basketball is still in The Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Illini dropped six spots to No. 19.
➜ 2. Many thanks to Verdell Jones III and Clayton Jones for stopping by the Esquire for ‘Monday Night SportsTalk,’ on WDWS 1400-AM. The former Champaign Central basketball standouts dished on their college careers, with Verdell at Indiana and Clayton at Illinois, ahead of Tuesday night’s Illinois-Indiana game. Head here to listen to the podcast.
➜ 3. Former Illini Aleks Vukic won his first-round match on Monday at the Australian Open, rallying to beat Damir Dzumhur in five sets. The 28-year-old Vukic will face Sebastian Korda in the second round.
Detroit Auto Show co-executive director Sam Klemet, left, and Lions safety and former Illini Kerby Joseph signs footballs for the Detroit Area Dealers Association during the 2025 Detroit Auto Show Charity Preview at Huntington Place in Detroit on Jan. 10.
Numbers game: 7
former Illini who will play this Saturday in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. The Texans, who play at Kansas City at 3:30 p.m., have Kendrick Green, Jake Hansen and Del’Shawn Phillips on their roster. The 7 p.m. kick at Ford Field in Detroit between the Commanders and Lions will feature four former Illini. Nick Allegretti, Quan Martin and Johnny Newton all contribute for Washington, while Kerby Joseph and his NFL-leading nine interceptions does the same for Detroit.
Kylan Boswell and the Illinois men’s basketball team will play its fifth game in the past 13 days when it tips off at Indiana at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Bloomington, Ind.
Crowd control
Three events I’m paying attention to
➜ 1. Illinois at Indiana men’s basketball. It’s a shame these two teams won’t play at State Farm Center in Champaign this season, but enjoy the 189th meeting of the two programs on Tuesday night from Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.
➜ 2. Unity at Tuscola boys’ basketball. Unity (10-6) has won four of its last five games, while Tuscola (15-1) is playing for the first time Tuesday night since edging rival Arcola 47-42 last Tuesday night.
➜ 3. Teutopolis at St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ basketball. A rematch of a Class 2A sectional title game Teutopolis won 61-55 last March takes place Tuesday night when the Wooden Shoes (11-4) and Spartans (9-5) meet on SJ-O’s home court.
Clinton swimming coach Aubrey Sentel.
Coach’s corner
Three questions with Clinton swimming coach Aubrey Sentel:
âžœ 1. My favorite sports team is … I am truly a swim nerd through and through. So as cheesy as it is, I’d have to say the Clinton Otters.
âžœ 2. Three coaches I’d like to have dinner with are … Corky King, Dean Boxall and Stacy Sims.
âžœ 3. My biggest pet peeve is … people who treat other people badly. I know it sometimes takes more emotional intelligence and energy to be kind, but it’s never not worth it.