Basketball

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

May 20, 2024

Incredibly busy week! 30 thoughts coming your way:

We start off this week with the Illini baseball team being Big Ten champs. After a slow start the Illini have been tremendous in Big ten play, sweeping Purdue to finish it off. They bring the lumber, especially once teams are deeper into their bullpens and using #3 starters. 
The baseball team opens the Big Ten tourney on Tuesday against Penn State in Omaha as the top seed. The Illini look like an NCAA lock. 
I’ve always wondered why they play a double elimination baseball tournament, one with longer games and pitch counts, while playing single elimination in softball.  
While the baseball team was winning, I was graduating and getting married. Not me, but my kids. My middle daughter Ashlyn graduated from Illinois with high honors. My youngest, Kamryn graduated from high school and was the valedictorian. 3 for 3 in valedictorians. Proud dad. And her speech was as good as I have heard. Biased, I know. Also attended the wedding of a former long time player Saturday night. Man, they grow up fast!!
Have large graduations and weddings jumped the shark? At the Illinois graduation, where Coleman Hawkins and Makira Cook were among the attendees, students and their families sat for 2+ hours to hear their names read, sometimes incorrectly, by a person they may have never met.
On the other side,

Illinois Athletics May 19, 2024 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The Big […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 19, 2024

This weekend marked the third session of the Nike EYBL basketball period, with Illinois head basketball coach Brad Underwood and associate to the head coach Orlando Antigua courtside to watch Jeremiah Fears, a 6-foot-2, top-15 point guard.

Illinois won the 2024 Big Ten Conference regular season championship outright by two games after a dominating win at Purdue to complete a road sweep in West Lafayette. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 18, 2024

It’s quite something for this Illinois lineup to accomplish a new offensive feat this season under head coach Dan Hartleb but that’s exactly what transpired in the finale of a weekend series sweep at Purdue.

Illinois got three home runs and a seven-run explosion in the seventh inning for a 9-4 victory that guaranteed them a share of the 2024 Big Ten Conference regular season championship.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 17, 2024

For the first time in nine years, the University of Illinois baseball program are Big Ten Conference regular season champions.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 17, 2023

Today, Illinois guard commit Jeremiah Fears prepares for Nike EYBL Session Three, where Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and associate head coach Orlando Antigua will be in attendance to watch their future All-American guard.

Illinois got five runs in the first two innings and another solid bullpen effort made the early lead stand for the entire nine innings of the regular season finale series opener. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 17, 2024

Illinois is just one more win away from claiming at least a share of its first Big Ten Conference baseball championship. 

USA Basketball & Illinois Athletics May 15, 2024 COLORADO […]

The substitution of fifth-year senior Tyler Goecke into the Illinois lineup this week has resulted in Illinois rising to the top of the leaderboard at the NCAA Stanford Regional. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 14, 2024

Lineup substitutions usually aren't a key component to college golf success, but Illinois fifth-year senior Tyler Goecke is making his head coach look like a genius this week. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 14, 2024

Illinois basketball fans are still waiting with anticipation for the next commitment. There is a lot of chatter about acquiring another wing; however, Tre White, the transfer from Louisville, seems to be the forgotten man.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 14, 2024

The Illinois football staff is probably still smiling with excitement as it lands a significant commitment in the form of Terrance Brooks, a standout cornerback from Texas. Brooks, a 6-foot-0, 209-pound transfer from Little Elm, Texas, brings a much-needed presence to the Illini secondary defense.

Freshman Max Herendeen matches the Illinois men’s golf record for a low 18-hole performance in a postseason round with a 7-under 63 in the first round of the NCAA Stanford Regional. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 13, 2024

Illinois freshman Max Herendeen said last week he was excited to see the West Coast and his parents for the first time in several months in the NCAA Stanford Regional. The Bellevue, Washington native wasn’t lying. 

Illinois loses 10-4 to Iowa Saturday forcing a rubber match on Sunday afternoon. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 11, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — The dangerous Illinois lineup quickly became pedestrian after seeing its fill of a projected Major League Baseball first round prospect. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 11, 2024

A lot is going on as the Illini strive to fill out their roster for next season.

As of today, the remaining pieces to next year's basketball roster will

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

May 10, 2024

The much anticipated big-man position with Illinois has been filled. Illini Nation, meet Tomislav Ivišić. The 7-foot-1 big man is the twin brother of Arkansas big man Zvonimir Ivišić.