Basketball

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 23, 2024

RIVERSIDE, Ill. — In an era where prep schools often dominate high school basketball, Riverside Brookfield High School continues to hold its ground with the annual Summer Shootout. "We have 84 teams in this year's event," said Mike Reingruber, head coach at Riverside Brookfield, in an interview with IlliniGuys. "The numbers are pretty consistent, usually around 80 teams each year, but this is the biggest with 84."

Illinois athletics director Josh Whitman confirms the university’s student-athlete conduct policy will be amended but not removed by August. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

June 22, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — Josh Whitman is not going to let a murky and awkward four-month ordeal involving Terrence Shannon Jr. from ending the use of the University of Illinois student-athlete conduct policy.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 21, 2023

Champaign, Ill. – On April 22, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood made it official: Orlando Antigua is returning to the Illini coaching staff. After leaving Illinois in 2021 for the Kentucky Wildcats, Antigua is back in Champaign, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a reputation for excellence.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 20, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The month of June marks the arrival of Illinois men’s and women’s basketball players on campus, commencing summer school classes and rigorous off-season workouts.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

June 14, 2024

Shams Charania, senior lead NBA insider for The Athletic and Stadium, confirmed Friday morning that Hawkins has verbally pledged to play next season in what is being reported as “the most lucrative college basketball NIL deal negotiated from a collective by Nate Conley of Court XIV and Aaron Turner of Verus Basketball”. 

BREAKING NEWS - Terrence Shannon Jr. found NOT GUILTY […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 12, 2024

Champaign, Ill. — Three years ago this month, at the Riverside Brookfield Basketball Shootout, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and assistant coach Tim Anderson had the chance to see former Illinois All-American Kendall Gill's son, Phoenix, in action. After sitting with several Division I coaches, many recognized Phoenix's potential talking about his upside and potential. 

Illinois Athletics June 6, 2025 Four Illini Earn GCAA […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 5, 2024

This past weekend, the Illinois men's basketball team hosted one of the nation's most coveted recruits in the class of 2025, Will Riley, a 6-foot-8, 178-pound small forward from Malvern, Penn. Illinois is competing for his commitment along with Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Kentucky, Missouri, and Oregon.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 5, 2024

Illinois women's basketball is in the running for standout Ohio prep Bryn Martin, a 6-foot-1 scoring machine from Springboro.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 4, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Will Riley, a 6-foot-8, 178-pound small forward from Malvern, PA., a five-star recruit, is currently on an official to Illinois campus.

Brad Sturdy, Illini Uber-Insider & Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio

June 3, 2024

Plenty to talk about this week. Highlighted by a bump on the head!

The Illini baseball team fell to Indiana State in the Lexington Regional in a game that showed how a lack of pitching depth can be a huge detriment in the post season. They had beaten the Sycamores on Friday but on Sunday night fell 13-2. 
It was a good season for Dan Hartleb’s crew though, winning the Big Ten and advancing to the NCAA’s and winning a game. Now, they need to keep finding arms, because although a strong lineup is awesome, you have to have the pitching. 

Illinois has announced the hiring of former Tennessee assistant […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 1, 2024

Illinois incoming freshman center Morez Johnson and 2025 recruit freshman guard Jeremiah Fears both made the USA Men's National Team this week. This is unique on many levels because Illinois is the only school to have two players make the team.

Illinois has not won an NCAA regional game away from home in 11 years and enters the 2024 NCAA Lexington Regional knowing that taking the opening game vs. Indiana State is paramount.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 31, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy UK Athletics)

LEXINGTON, Ky.  — Yes, the term must-win game as a term in the lexicon of sports is overused. 

Friday night’s opening game for Illinois in the 2024 NCAA Lexington Regional is by the definition of the double elimination format is not a must-win game. However, if Illinois wants to win the program’s first ever NCAA regional away from home, winning the opening game and staying in the winner’s bracket all weekend is paramount to the optimal formula. 

“Besides working out our starting pitching plan for the next day, we’re going to stay focused on the game in front of us on that day,” Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb said. “Everybody knows that in tournament play, you need to stay in the winners bracket as long as possible to move on.”