Basketball

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Illiniguys Mike Cagley and Brad Sturdy breakdown the suspension […]

IlliniGuys November 2, 2021 The IlliniGuys present the first […]

Connor Cagley, IlliniGuys Basketball Writer November 2, 2021 In […]

The Illinois men’s basketball program has confirmed a multi-game […]

November 1, 2021

IlliniGuys Insider Brad Sturdy tips off the week with some notes from basketball practice, including some good news on Austin Hutcherson.

By Larry Smith - IlliniiGuys.com
October 31, 2021
I wish I had the time and space to tell you what a rewarding experience IlliniGuys has been in the almost 14 months since Mike and I said ‘what if…’  Yes, there are trying moments and too little free time, but it has been such a thrill to reconnect with old friends and make new ones…all linked by our common passion that is Fighting Illini sports. 
As you might imagine, my sports bucket list is pretty short.  I’ve been to Wrigley and Fenway and old Yankee Stadium, the Rose Bowl, Augusta National, and Panathenaic (1896 Olympics) Stadium in Greece. The fall of the Curse of the Bambino. Phelps’ eight Olympic gold medals.  Two of Brady’s Super Bowl wins.  Private conversations with Tiger after winning majors.  Life has been good.
But there is one thing missing:  an Illinois NCAA basketball championship.  While Brad, Kedric, Matt, and others have a front row seat, I’m sort of in the owner’s box for this go-round; always trying to get them (and you) what’s needed and now privy to the most inside of information.  I firmly believe Illinois has their best shot at that elusive title since the magical 2005 run and it’s exciting to watch it unfold up close and to see Brad Underwood build this program into one of the nation’s best.
Which brings me to this picture, the role IlliniGuys played in making it happen, and why it has created such an instant buzz.  Surprisingly, some have even questioned its validity.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Fans got to see the good, the bad and the ugly from Andre Curbelo.

Following his second and final exhibition game, the Illini sophomore point guard showcased just about everything but the consistency you’re hoping for from a potential All-Big Ten preseason selection.

It didn’t take long for Curbelo’s head coach to suggest how unimpressed he was with his lead guard.

“It wasn’t his best performance, let’s just put that way,” Underwood said in his post-game media conference.

Curbelo was not made available to media following Friday night’s final exhibition game of the Illini’s preseason.

In the 94-79 victory over Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the good for Curbelo was the fact he was forced to play 34 minutes of duty and showed a confidence with the basketball...

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illini weren’t sharp in their 2nd exhibition game, and despite scoring 94 points, they won by only 15 over a good Indiana University of Pennsylvania team. Illinois got 21 points from Kofi Cockburn and 16 from Coleman Hawkins and Alfonso Plummer while playing without Austin Huctherson, DaMonte Williams and Trent Frazier. Here’s a look at a few observations from the win. 

IlliniGuys.com Staff October 29, 2021 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Preseason […]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- More importantly than receiving his 2021 Big Ten Tournament championship ring, Ayo Dosunmu received something he never got at home in his final season at Illinois - a standing ovation. 

The 2021 consensus All-America selection, who is beginning his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, was greeted with the familiar roar from the State Farm Center crowd after the first media timeout given to its star players.

IlliniGuys.com Staff October 29, 2021 It's the scene not […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

Oct. 28, 2021

Just when Illinois appears to have a lock on a recruit, or the "lead" on a basketball recruit, here comes Duke or Michigan State.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- With less than 12 days until Illinois opens the 2021-22 season at State Farm Center against Jackson State, uncertainty remains about whether they’ll have their All-American center in uniform.

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood confirmed in a media conference that the eligibility status...

Fort Wayne, Indiana, native Luke Goode was the first to commit to Illinois in the class of 2021. Goode was a four-star recruit who many did not know a lot about. Michigan State's head coach Tom Izzo, the dean of the Big Ten basketball coaches, hotly pursued Goode. Izzo followed Goode's football games and made every effort to pursue his services. But in the end, Brad Underwood won the battle and now the 6'7" wing wears orange and blue. Along with Goode in the 2021 freshman class is Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball Brandin Podziemski and Florida prep star R.J. Melendez.