Basketball

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Sr. Recruiting Analyst

November 10, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Phenom Hoops Report)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois men’s basketball program continues to pursue some of the nation’s best high school talent this fall, targeting players who fit Brad Underwood’s system.

While the Illini have missed out on a few major recruiting targets, they secured a key commitment from 6-foot-6 wing Lucas Morillo, a rising player whose national ranking has continued to climb.

Next on the commitment watch list is highly regarded 6-foot-6 wing Adam Oumiddoch from Overtime Elite. Oumiddoch is set to announce his college decision Wednesday, with Illinois, Oregon, LSU, St. John’s, and Villanova among his final choices.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuOwhr13WRE    

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]

The new-look Illinois lineup and rotation found itself in a tight game against upstart Illinois State highlighting the good, bad and very encouraging future of this Illini squad.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 9, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — There are going to be times early in this 2025-26 season where Shauna Green won’t agree that new isn’t better and she certainly won’t think it’s fun.

The Illinois women’s basketball’s 75-65 win over Illinois State on Sunday will likely be one of those times.

“It’s a constant learning every single possession of my life,” Green said in describing her feelings of still trying to figure out this 2025-26 roster. “

Yes, in a complete reversal of last season’s depth issues, Illinois

By IlliniGuys Staff November 9, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

(From Illinois Sports Information Office)   Illinois vs. Illinois […]

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys […]

By Zeno Jo - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 8, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – It was, in head coach Shauna Green’s words, one of the harder basketball games to watch, but it was a game that helped prepare the Illinois women’s basketball team for a season in a multitude of ways.

If you weren’t able to catch Tuesday night’s game because it was on Big Ten Plus, or you just had other plans, you may be wondering why a 91-67 season-opening win over Southeast Missouri State may have been hard to watch. Tracing your finger down to the team’s row in the box score for the personal fouls column will tell you why: the officiating crew called 58 personal fouls across 40 minutes of game time.

“It was tough to watch for everyone, I think, but it is what it is,” Green said

Illinois All-Big Ten center Tomislav Ivisic’s future status is […]

By IlliniGuys Staff November 7, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

November 7, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

A familiar face comes to Champaign with Florida Gulf Coast on Friday night when former Penn State coach Pat Chambers graces the sidelines. Chambers was 7-5 against Illinois over 9 seasons and will be looking for a major upset in this one as he attempts to make his mark at FCGU. The Illini are looking to take care of business as they prepare for a gauntlet of difficult games in the next 2 months heading into Big Ten play.

Here’s a preview of what to expect.

Setting the Stage
#17/14 Illinois (1-0) vs. Florida Gulf Coast (1-0)
Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 // 7:30 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center
Stream: Peacock – Paul Burmeister (Play-by-Play), Nick Bahe (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas

Notable
Illinois enters Friday’s contest having won three consecutive games at State Farm Center overall….. Illinois is looking to start 2-0 or better for the seventh straight season under head coach Brad Underwood…..Friday’s matchup is the first meeting in the series between Illinois and Florida Gulf Coast. FGCU coach Pat Chambers previously served at Penn State, where he was 7-5 against the Illini during nine seasons…. Friday marks the Fighting Illini’s first matchup all-time vs. Florida Gulf Coast….Brad Underwood has never coached against the Eagles in his 13-year career as a head coach.

By Kedric Prince - Staff Writer

November 6, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The “other” true freshman guard that no one seemed to talk much about leading up to the season is Brandon Lee from The Patrick School in New Jersey. Lee joins the Illinois men’s basketball program with a strong family legacy. His father, Butch Lee, starred at Marquette and was named the Most Outstanding Player in the 1977 NCAA Tournament.

Brandon Lee built his own impressive resume before arriving in Champaign. He scored over 2,000 points during his high school career and, in 2024, finished as the third-leading scorer in the EYBL circuit, averaging 23 points per game. He was also named Breakout MVP of the 17U division.

IlliniGuys caught up with Lee for a Q&A session during the preseason as he adjusts to life in college basketball.

By Zeno Jo - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 6, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – There was plenty to like from the Illinois women’s basketball team’s 91-67 season opener victory against Southeast Missouri State, but the undeniable star of the show was sophomore Berry Wallace.

After parting ways with a senior class that included four starters last offseason, head coach Shauna Green reloaded her roster with a recruiting class that ranked fourth in the nation, highlighted by Chicago native Destiny Jackson, who was the second-ever five-star recruit in program history. The first? Wallace.

By IlliniGuys Staff November 4, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

By IlliniGuys Staff

November 4, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Year four of the Shauna Green will have a very different look and feel when her Illinois team takes the floor tonight against Southeast Missouri State to open the 2025-26 basketball season.

Gone is a group that was responsible for nearly 76 percent of scoring last year and that combined for 63 wins over the past three years, two NCAA Tournament appearances, the program's first NCAA Tournament win since 2000, and the first-ever postseason tournament championship in winning the Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament in 2024. Kendall Bostic departed as the Big Ten's all-time second leading rebounder, while Genesis Bryant, Makira Cook, and Adalia McKenzie all earned all-conference honors during their careers. And Brynn Shoup-Hill was a key contributor off the bench.