On Dec. 3, 2002, 25th-ranked Illinois routed No. 12 North Carolina in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, 92-65, at the Assembly Hall. Brian Cook scored 22 points and Sean Harrington added a career-high 20 points more.

Celebrating his 74th birthday on Dec. 5 is former Michigan State football star Bill Simpson. The Royal Oak Shrine High School product played in the NFL for Los Angeles Rams (1974–1978) and the Buffalo Bill (1980-82), retiring with 34 interceptions and nine more in postseason play.