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One on One With Bill Cole

By: James Mulcahy

In this edition of One on One, we catch up with 6’9 Illinois-recruit Bill Cole of Peoria (IL) Richwoods.  Cole is an outstanding inside-outside forward that is ranked among the top-100 players in the nation.

What made you decide to sign with Illinois?
“The coaching staff, and the relationship I established with the players plus it’s an awesome program.”

What is Coach Weber like?
“Coach Weber is a real down to earth coach and real easy to talk to. He’s definitely one of the best in the business when it comes to x’s and o’s.”

What do you think about your #92 ranking in Hoops Report’s 07’ class?
“I don’t get too much into rankings…..but it’s pretty cool I guess.”

How is your senior season going and what are your stats?
“It’s going well right now we are 16-4 and in the lead of the conference. I’m averaging 20 and 11.”

Are you looking forward to getting to college or are you still nervous about it?
“I can’t wait to get there….but I know I still have some unfinished work to do at Richwoods.”

Is there a certain player that you compare your game to?
“I really like the way Andrei Kirilenko plays. I think he would be a good player to model my game after.”

What do you think you will bring to the Illinois basketball team next year?
“I think I will bring a competitive edge to the team, and a versatile player who can do what the team needs when they need me to do it.”

What is one thing you won’t be able to live without in college?
“My ipod.”

What Big Ten school do you most look forward to playing against?
“All of em…”

What would you say is your biggest basketball achievement so far in your basketball career?
“Getting a scholarship to one of the best universities in the country and second place in state.”