Like Mike, except on the court

Jeffrey Jordan might be the most talked about walk-on player in college basketball history.

That’s because the 6-foot-1 guard for Illinois is the son of Michael Jordan.

Yes, the Michael Jordan.

The younger Jordan made his college debut Sunday. He played three minutes and missed his only shot attempt in a 63-55 victory over Northeastern.

He turned down a scholarship offer from Valparaiso in hopes of proving himself in the Big Ten, a decision applauded by his father during a taping for the “Today Show” last Friday.

“I’m thinking that’s what I would have done,” Michael Jordan said.

In the Illinois media guide, Jeffrey Jordan lists the Chicago Bulls’ 1991 championship as his earliest basketball memory. The guide also says, “Father’s basketball accomplishments are far too great to even attempt listing.”

The more famous Jordan didn’t attend the Illini opener, but Jeffrey said he might have played better if Michael had been there.

“When he’s there it kind of helps me a little bit because I know people aren’t watching me so much,” he said.

Trivia time

Michael Jordan started for North Carolina and scored 12 points in a 74-67 victory over Kansas in his college debut on Nov. 28, 1981. Who were the other four starters for the Tar Heels?

Gobble it up

There are nine races on Saturday’s card at Aqueduct in New York, but judging from a press release issued by the race track last week, organizers aren’t too excited about any of them.

“The highlight promises to be the gobbling competition, where contestants will give their best renditions of a turkey gobble,” the release reads.

The gobble-off will be judged by “a blue-ribbon panel” and the winner will receive a VIP package for two to next year’s Belmont Stakes, worth about $1,000.

Presumably the winner of the pick six will get more.

Don’t blow it

The Toronto Star reported about a new sport that’s popped up on outdoor ice rinks in Canada: leaf blower hockey.

Participants wearing ear protectors use diesel-powered leaf blowers to move a plastic wiffle ball around the ice.

“It will be bigger than beach volleyball,” organizer Michael Paul said.

Considering the Canadian climate, he might not be too far off base. There is, however, one drawback to the game: diesel fumes.

“We’re looking for a bio-diesel sponsor for next year,” said Alex Johnston, who played in the first game.

Silly event

Steve Elling of CBSSports.com isn’t too excited about the end of golf season, especially since it means the onset of the “Silly Season.”

The biggest culprit of all, he says, is the Skins Game, which takes place Nov. 24-25 at Indian Wells Golf Resort and is considered the grandfather of silly season events.

“Like a sun-torched Californian who spent too many years in the desert sun, this event is showing its age,” Elling wrote. “An event that once featured stars like Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam this time will pit defending champion Stephen Ames against Masters champion Zach Johnson, former Ryder Cup player Brett Wetterich and Silly Season king Fred Couples, who hasn’t played a competitive round in so long, we’ve forgotten what he looks like.”

Trivia answer

James Worthy, Sam Perkins, Matt Doherty and Jimmy Black. All but Black made it to the NBA.

And finally

City officials in Miami have recommended that the Orange Bowl be torn down and are taking bids for the demolition job. Bids are also being accepted from auction companies as city officials plan to sell off all salvageable parts to help pay for the demolition.

Among the items to be sold: the urinals. Because you certainly wouldn’t want the waste cans to go to waste.

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peter.yoon@latimes.com