Basketball

By IlliniGuys Staff February 11, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Despite all the outside expectations for his college career, former Illinois All-American center Kofi Cockburn says he never thought a jersey retirement was likely.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 11, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The outside expectations at Illinois for Kofi Cockburn always seemed even bigger than his 7-foot and 290-pound frame.

However, no matter what was anticipated from him going back 2,120 days ago when he signed a National Letter-of-Intent with Brad Underwood’s Illini operation in late April 2019, Cockburn admitted Tuesday night that he never envisioned what he was about to experience. Arguably the largest post player presence to ever wear an Illinois jersey saw that uniform raised to the rafters of State Farm Center at halftime of the UCLA-Illinois contest.

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 11, 2025

The Illini are back home for a two game homestand beginning against the hottest team in the Big Ten, the UCLA Bruins. After losing 4 in a row, the Bruins come in on a 7-game win streak and Mick Cronin’s crew are hoping to make a run at the Big Ten title.

Illinois continues to try and get healthy and hope that a dominating win at Minnesota can spur them forward in the next two games against Quad 1 opponents at the State Farm Center. The Illini have 6 Quad 1 wins and 10 Quad 1 and 2 wins, but they need more wins overall and this week could determine how high they are seeded in the NCAA tournament.

Setting the Stage

Illinois (16-8, 8-6) vs. UCLA (18-6, 9-4)
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 // 7 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center
STREAM: Peacock – Jac Collinsworth (Play-by-Play) & Stephen Bardo (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Deon Thomas

Notable

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

February 11, 2025

Illinois hasn't focused on the great state of Texas in his high school recruiting in the Bielema era.  The only Texas recruit in the last five years was the already-departed Chase Canada from the Class of 2023, and the only state of Texas recruit to make an impact in the last five years was Casey Washington. 

However, Illinois changed course on that when safety/ linebacker Kaedyn Cobbs committed to the Illini over offers from several Big 12 and other local schools to give the Illini their 9th commitment in the Class of 2026.  Cobbs had offers from several area teams and has a few 4 star mentions from evaluators though he's generally seen as a three star recruit.  However, I think those are questions about his fit on a defense, and I'm high on him since I think he fits in very well with the Illini.

What does he bring to the Orange and Blue?

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) CHAMPAIGN, Ill.– Illinois forward Will Riley is […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 10, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After months of effort, Illinois assistant coaches Geoff Alexander and Orlando Antigua’s work overseas is paying off.

Starting today, Luigi Suigo, a 7-foot-3, 240-pound center from Italy, is making an official visit to Champaign. Both coaches, along with head coach Brad Underwood, have made Suigo a priority for the upcoming roster.

Film Room​

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 10, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois basketball has been highly successful in recent years when it comes to recruiting, landing nationally ranked prospects, adding players to All-Big Ten teams, producing All-Americans, and sending talent to the NBA.

Illinois associate head coach Orlando Antigua has established himself as one of the best recruiters in the game today. Everywhere he has been, his teams have won, and he has consistently proven he can compete with powerhouse programs and succeed when it comes to landing players. A prime example is current freshman Will Riley from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Although only 18 years old, Riley is already projected as a first-round NBA 2025 draft prospect.

Illinois suffers another injury scare during the 74-51 win at Wisconsin on Sunday as Genesis Bryant severely sprains her right ankle late in the third quarter.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 9, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

MADISON, Wis. — Just three days earlier, Shauna Green was asked after a home win over Northwestern why Genesis Bryant plays so many minutes and the Illinois third-year head coach sheepishly responded with “I don’t have another point guard”.

Green may need to find one for at least the next few days of practice if not longer.

By IlliniGuys Staff February 9, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Brad Sturdy, IlliniGuys Insider & Co-Host of the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 9, 2025

The Illini dominated Minnesota on Saturday evening in Minneapolis behind a dominant performance from Freshmen Will Riley and Kasparas Jakucionis, and a spirited effort from big man Tomislav Ivisic, who was not expected to play.

(From Illinois Sports Information Office)   Illinois at Wisconsin […]

Injuries and illness didn't slow No. 23 Illinois as […]

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 8, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini are headed to the North when they are in Minneapolis to take on Minnesota Saturday night in a game that is a must win. The Illini are still battling injuries and illness as Brad Underwood continues to search for the right lineup combinations and system tweak to get this squad clicking on all cylinders. The Golden Gophers are trying to get into the Big Ten tournament and have a daunting schedule coming up.

Here’s a look at the matchup.

Setting the Stage

#23 Illinois (15-8, 7-6) at Minnesota (12-11, 4-8)
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 // 5 p.m. CT // Minneapolis, Minn. // Williams Arena
TV: BTN – Cory Provus (Play-by-Play) & Shon Morris (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Deon Thomas

Notable

*Head coach Brad Underwood is

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 8, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Last weekend, Illinois hosted one of the nation's top recruits, Jaylan Mitchell. A five-star prospect per ESPN. Mitchell is ranked fifth in the country in the class of 2027, and Illinois is a program he has a strong connection and ties with.

Illinois has four veteran presences in the starting lineup that are coaching and finding plays to be made on their own without being dictated to by third-year head coach Shauna Green.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 7, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — If you’ve noticed Illinois be more relaxed, calm and even less vocal on the sideline this season, there’s a logical reason.

This Illini squad which still features a starting lineup of two fifth-year players and two four-year players has long officially gotten to the point where they don’t need play-to-play coaching. And even Shauna Green is starting to admit its most beautiful basketball is being played when this team can go off the script and just play by feel.