CHAMPAIGN — The excuse notes have been written. The pleas have been issued to students and the public. The preparations have been made with regards to parking and the on-campus traffic of cars and bodies midday on a Friday.
Now, it's time to see how the Illinois volleyball team's strange 11 a.m. weekday start time for its Sweet 16 match against Marquette works out.
"Ticket sales are still doing really well," Illinois Associate Athletic Director Holly Stalcup said on Thursday. "I think coach and the team and a lot of marketing has really pushed, 'Take a long lunch,' 'Get an excuse note.