The University of Illinois is bracing for...

The University of Illinois is bracing for an NCAA inquiry into alleged basketball recruiting violations, and school officials said they are assessing the potential damage.

Athletic Director John Mackovic said the university was expecting a letter of official inquiry from the NCAA as a result of the preliminary investigation into the school’s recruitment of freshman center Deon Thomas.

“We believe the NCAA has sufficient information to warrant an official inquiry, and we expect to receive one,” Mackovic said.