Basketball

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood points out the absence […]

Illinois sophomore point guard Andre Curbelo played like anything but the All-Big Ten talent he was hyped to be in the preseason during a 67-66 loss at Marquette Monday night. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 16, 2021

MILWAUKEE -- In order to close out its first road test of the 2021-22 season, Illinois turned to its celebrated sophomore point guard and Andre Curbelo simply couldn’t deliver. 

With 8:28 to play, the Illini had an 8-point lead and looked in control on the road at Marquette. Fans watched the collapse live or on TV and were shocked as the Illini fell to Marquette 67-66. Some said Illinois didn't run any offense down the stretch. They did, but didn't execute. Some felt Illinois didn't let Trent Frazier run the point. They did, that didn't work either. Here's a breakdown of each possession in the final 8:28, where the Illini offense had 1 free throw and no field goals in the final 5:36.

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Connor Cagley, IlliniGuys Basketball Writer November 15, 2021 In […]

IlliniGuys Mike Cagley and Brad Sturdy break down the […]

A lot has changed with the Marquette program since the last time Illinois faced them in 1993.
For one, their nickname.  Gone is the “Warriors” moniker, put away in the antiquities closet somewhere on the Milwaukee campus just months after Illinois suffered a loss on their last visit.  Illinois holds a 9-5 edge in the all-time series that has never before seen the two teams meet before Thanksgiving.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The rotation piece role that Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk has carved out for the rest of this 2021-22 season is a product of two things being true.

Yes. Illinois has been playing without consensus first-team All-America center Kofi Cockburn and this forced Illini coaches to turn to Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk for more minutes. Yes. Bosmans-Verdonk has used this opportunity to further force Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and this Illini coaching staff to use him as a rotational bench piece once Cockburn returns to the lineup following the conclusion of his three-game NCAA-mandated suspension.

Mike Cagley, IlliniGuy November 13, 2021 The Illini began […]

Illinois got a spark from a pair of first half technicals, turning a 6-point lead into a 22-point halftime lead and cruised to a dominating 92-53 win over the Arkansas State Red Wolves. Coleman Hawkins had 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Jacob Grandison scored 15 and Trent Frazier added 12 as Illinois improved to 2-0. Andre Curbelo had 8 points and 7 assists in his return from concussion protocol. 

Arkansas State got 15 from Marquis Eaton and fell to 1-1. 

The Illini passed their first test with flying colors, but now get a road test at Marquette as they attempt to go 3-0 without All-American Center Kofi Cockburn. Here’s what we learned: 

Coleman Hawkins recorded his first career double-double and Andre Curbelo and Trent Frazier made their delayed season debut as 11th ranked Illinois breezed past visiting Arkansas State, 92-53.

The Red Wolves (1-1) were expected to give the Illini a tough test when the schedule was first announced and that was even with the Orange and Blue at full strength.  But even with All-American center Kofi Cockburn serving the second of a three-game NCAA suspension and top reserve Austin Hutcherson still out with a tailbone injury, the Illini proved to be no match for the visitors.

In 51 career games at Utah over the last two previous seasons, Alfonso Plummer never had to worry about handling the ball and his assist totals. 

Upon his arrival to Illinois, which was predicated upon his ability to shoot the basketball, Illini head coach Brad Underwood was determined that he and his staff begin Plummer’s transformation into a multi-talented player. 

Once the Illini’s two primary ball-handlers (Andre Curbelo and Trent Frazier) were lost before the 2021-22 season opener due to various injuries, showcasing and developing Plummer’s point guard ability suddenly went from a pet project to a priority. 

IlliniGuys.com Staff November 12, 2021 After three months on […]

Connor Cagley, IlliniGuys Basketball Writer November 12, 2021 The […]

Sturdy goes solo in this edition of Sturdyfor30 as […]