Basketball

By IlliniGuys Staff

February 20, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- RJ Melendez posted his first career double-double and was one of five Illini scoring in double figures as Illinois held off a pesky Minnesota squad for the 78-69 victory Monday night.

The game was a makeup from February 7th, when Minnesota had to postpone due to health and safety concerns within the team.

It was the second game in a row that Illinois played without its leading scorer Terrence Shannon Jr., who suffered a concussion in the Penn State game last Tuesday.  But unlike the loss at then-#14 Indiana on Saturday, the Illini were in charge throughout.

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 20, 2023

Illinois (17-9, 8-7) vs. Minnesota (7-17, 1-13)

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 20, 2023

Illinois fans, if you follow Twitter, I am sure by now, you have seen video updates on your future point guard.

Illinois junior guard Genesis Bryant’s first game back since severely injuring her ankle at Nebraska 10 days ago ended with 21 points and a blowout win for the Illini.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 19, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Madison Dabrowski/Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Genesis Bryant took a page from Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito’s playbook on how to recover from a severe ankle injury in a week - just don’t leave the practice facility.

Ever since suffering the injury, which Illinois head coach Shuana Green has publicly admitted multiple times after the eight-point win at Nebraska just 10 days prior was in her mind “really bad”, the Ubben Basketball Complex across the street from State Farm Center became her new home.

By IlliniGuys Staff February 19, 2023 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- […]

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 19, 2023

The Illini couldn’t get it done on the road at Indiana on Saturday

The Illinois sixth-year head coach enjoyed the effort and early-game intensity that he saw from an Illini team that was missing its leading scorer and didn’t make a three-pointer in the second half. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 18, 2023

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The first three words Illinois head coach Brad Underwood used to describe his team’s third straight road loss were proud, excited and elated. 

Indiana managed to connect on five of its last seven field goals to lead into a 71-68 victory over the Illini as Illinois has now lost three games in a row away from State Farm Center. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 18, 2023

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Illinois simply couldn’t close a critical road game out as Indiana made five of its last seven field goals in route to pulling off a 71-68 victory. 

Without leading scorer Terrence Shannon Jr. at Indiana today, Illinois may need more from newly activated Luke Goode as he makes his return to his home state. 

Matthew Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 18, 2023

Luke Goode categorized his goal of getting back on the floor for Illinois by mid-January to play Indiana in Champaign as “ambitious” and a lesson he learned from his father Craig.

IlliniGuys co-founders Mike Cagley and Brad Sturdy talked with the "IlliniGal" - Adalia McKenzie - about Sunday's loss at Maryland.

Adalia's analysis is an IlliniGuys exclusive which you will only find on IlliniGuys.com as we are proud to include Illini women's basketball in our coverage.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular February 15, 2023 […]

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Zacharie Perrin leaves the Illini program just over two […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 14, 2023

IlliniGuys caught up with

EDITOR'S NOTE: IlliniGuys co-founder Larry Smith has covered sports from the local to the international level for 35 years, including 12 Final Fours and six NBA Finals.  He is the creator of the Dirty Dozen, an office pool selection matrix that is 12-0 in its existence.)

By Larry Smith/IlliniGuys Staff

February 13, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy USA Today Sports)

One of the most thrilling college basketball regular seasons I can remember is quickly coming to a conclusion.  Four weeks from today, we will be discussing first round matchups, who got snubbed, which ACC team that the all-ACC ESPN studio crew incorrectly thinks got robbed, and who ya got in your Final Four.

It's the time of year that the nerd in me rises to the surface.  I do my own 68-team field twice a week.  I begin to research my Dirty Dozen to see which favorites are doomed and will not win the national title (more on that at another time).  When the 80 index cards go on the wall of my "war room" in about two weeks, my family is warned...Dad is just in his zone and we'll see him again in a couple of weeks.

Here are some quick thoughts after another crazy weekend: