Basketball

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

February 19, 2025

The Illini went to Madison as a shell of the team we saw 6 weeks ago. Injuries and illness have run rampant through this team to the point they didn’t even shake hands during the post game. But that doesn’t matter and nobody is going to feel sorry for them. The Illini were humbled 95-74 by a hot Wisconsin team led by Jon Tonje, who scored every which way possible and finished with 31 points.

Illinois got some good minutes from Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn as he led them with 17 points, but this was not a good performance otherwise.

These 3 (4) Things

The Defense has to Change 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mW5slgvGa4  

By IlliniGuys Staff February 18, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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

February 18, 2025

The reeling Illini are headed to Wisconsin to take on the red-hot Badgers on Tuesday night at the Kohl Center. The Badgers have won 4 in a row and are 12-2 in their last 14 while the Illini are coming off of an abysmal finish in a home loss to Michigan State. The Illini beat the Badgers 86-80 way back in December in Champaign, but these two teams have gone in different directions.

Here’s a look at the matchup.

Setting the Stage

Illinois (17-9, 9-7) at #11 Wisconsin (20-5, 10-4)
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 // 7:30 p.m. CT // Madison, Wis. // Kohl Center
TV: FS1 – Brandon Gaudin (Play-by-Play) & LaPhonso Ellis (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Deon Thomas

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Coaches enter […]

A projected NCAA 2-seed just a month ago, Illinois is shooting itself into a double-digit seed in both the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments next month.​

By Larry Smith - Co-Host & Executive Producer, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 15, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - There's an old saying that you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs.

However, there's always a cost and, right now, it's a fair question whether the Illinois basketball team has enough in its pockets to pay the tab.

One month ago, the Illini were flying high and had the nation paying attention, admiration that this program hasn't always enjoyed in mid-January; a proverbial Humpty Dumpty sitting atop a brick wall and looking down at most of college basketball.

By Larry Smith - Co-Host & Executive Producer, IlliniGuys […]

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

February 17, 2025

The Illini continue to chuck away from 3, and although they have won 2 of 3, the last 5 minutes against UCLA and the last 8 minutes against Michigan State have looked like rec league basketball, and that’s being kind.

But at some point there needs to be a change in philosophy and execution.

Fool’s Gold

Bill Self used to call hot shooting early ‘Fool’s Gold’, and we saw that against Michigan State. The Illini hit By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 17, 2025

The Illini continue to chuck away from 3, and although they have won 2 of 3, the last 5 minutes against UCLA and the last 8 minutes against Michigan State have looked like rec league basketball, and that’s being kind.

But at some point there needs to be a change in philosophy and execution.

Fool’s Gold

Bill Self used to call hot shooting early ‘Fool’s Gold’, and we saw that against Michigan State. The Illini hit 3 of their first 4 from deep and led 31-15, but shot 1-16 from behind the arc in the second half as they went scoreless for the final 8 minutes. They actually scored a -2 points, as one basket was taken away.3 of their first 4 from deep and led 31-15, but shot 1-16 from behind the arc in the second half as they went scoreless for the final 8 minutes. They actually scored a -2 points, as one basket was taken away.

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

Despite losing starting guard Jasmine Brown-Hagger to a hamstring issue in the second quarter and playing a five-player lineup for the entire second half, Illinois still defeated Nebraska.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 16, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After finding their program-record eighth straight Big Ten Conference win Sunday afternoon, Illinois head coach Shauna Green has a message for everybody else outside her locker room.

“We don’t care. Keep doubting us. It’s okay,” Green said following a 77-68 win over Nebraska. “Nobody feels sorry for us that we only have six players, sometimes just five. Nobody gives a (expletive) that we’re hurt, right? And I love that so let’s just keep on fighting.”

By IlliniGuys Staff February 16, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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

Illinois athletics director Josh Whitman publicly apologized to former Illini men’s basketball star Terrence Shannon Jr. for the botching of his jersey retirement ceremony at halftime on Saturday night.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 16, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois athletics director Josh Whitman issued a public apology to Terrence Shannon Jr., Shannon’s Jr.’s mother and Illini fans Saturday following the mishap of hanging Shannon’s jersey retirement banner upside down.

During halftime of what would be a 79-65 victory for Michigan State, the entire State Farm Center crowd gasped in embarrassment when Shannon Jr., who was back on the University of Illinois campus for the first time since the season opener last September, pulled the rope to reveal the banner symbolizing his jersey retirement was hung upside down for the whole audience to see.

By IlliniGuys Staff February 15, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Former Illinois star guard Terrence Shannon Jr. honored Saturday after he accomplished one of the most productive single-season totals in Illini basketball history.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 15, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — For so many different reasons, the easy argument is Terrance Shannon Jr. made a more difficult time trying to earn the right to get his jersey lifted to the rafters of State Farm Center.

“I’m a competitor and I always feel like my job is to up the stakes and do it as well or better than (others who played at Illinois),” Shannon Jr. said to local media inside State Farm Center Saturday night before tip of the Michigan State-Illinois contest.