Basketball

Illini Head To Holiday Break After Rolling Past Southern

Illini Head To Holiday Break After Rolling Past Southern

By IlliniGuys Staff November 19, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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Illini MB Preview - Southern at Illinois

Illini MB Preview - Southern at Illinois

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio

November 19, 2023

The 3-1 Fighting Illini will take on the Southern Jaguars on Sunday evening at 7 PM as they continue to grow and get connected as a team heading into the meat of their schedule. The Illini took care of business against Valparaiso in the second half and will need to play a bit better in this one as Southern has shown the ability to raise their game, having already upset UNLV before falling to Western Illinois on Friday. 

Setting the Stage

#23 Illinois (3-1) vs. Southern (1-3) 

Nov. 19, 2023 // 7 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center 

TV: BTN – Wayne Randazzo (Play-by-Play), Stephen Bardo (Analyst) 

Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Doug Altenberger

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Ked's Player Evaluations - Coleman Hawkins

Ked's Player Evaluations - Coleman Hawkins

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 19, 2023

Illinois big man Coleman Hawkins is a senior this year and will have one more year of eligibility left if he chooses to take advantage of Covid-19.

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Turnovers Plague Illini In Marquee D.C. Clash With #16 Notre Dame

Turnovers Plague Illini In Marquee D.C. Clash With #16 Notre Dame

By IlliniGuys Staff November 18, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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Sturdy's Valparaiso Rewind - Illini Turn It On

Sturdy's Valparaiso Rewind - Illini Turn It On

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

November 18, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

The Fighting Illini had a terrible half of basketball against Valparaiso and 1st year Head Coach Roger Powell, trailing 45-38 at the break. Then they decided to play like the top 25 team they are and outscored Valpo 49-19 in the 2nd half in cruising to an 87-64 win. Terrence Shannon led the way with 22 points and Dain Dainja added 16 to lead Illinois as they moved to 3-1. Valpo falls to 2-2. 

Here’s a look back. 

These 3 Things

Stafford on a Heater - Isaiah Stafford was on a heater in the first half.

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Shannon, Illini Spoil Valpo's Upset Bid & Rev's Return

Shannon, Illini Spoil Valpo's Upset Bid & Rev's Return

By IlliniGuys Staff November 17, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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Marcus Domask Talks With The IlliniGuys, Presented by HX Home Solutions

Marcus Domask Talks With The IlliniGuys, Presented by HX Home Solutions

(Editor's note:  Illini veteran Marcus Domask appears on the […]

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Return of the Rev - Valpo Preview

Return of the Rev - Valpo Preview

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

November 17, 2023

After falling to #4 Marquette the Illini are back in action against the Valparaiso Crusaders at the State Farm Center on Friday evening. Valpo features former Illini star Roger Powell, who helped the Illini to the Final Four back in 2005. Powell is 2-1 in his first season as he attempts to bring a once proud program back into relevance. Powell accumulated 1,178 points and 531 rebounds during his four-year career for the Fighting Illini. He helped the team to three Big Ten regular-season titles, two Big Ten Tournament crowns and three Sweet Sixteen berths. During his senior year in 2004-05, Powell was part of an Illini team that finished 37-2, won 29 straight to open the season and reached the national title game. He will feel right at home during his first road game as a collegiate head coach.

Setting the Stage

 #23 Illinois (2-1) vs. Valparaiso (2-1) 

Nov. 17, 2023 // 7 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center 

Stream: B1G+ – Scott Sudikoff (Play-by-Play), Alec Gilmore (Analyst), Ethan Oskroba (Sideline) Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Scott Beatty (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas (Analyst)

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - How Did Domask Escape Wisconsin?

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - How Did Domask Escape Wisconsin?

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 17, 2023

On the big stage on Tuesday night, the Fighting Illini hosted the nation's fourth ranked team in the Marquette Eagles; Illinois lost the contest 71-64.

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Illini Women Hoops Dominate Saint Peter’s 103-33

Illini Women Hoops Dominate Saint Peter’s 103-33

Illinois moves to 2-1 with the third-largest victory in […]

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Sturdy's Marquette Rewind

Sturdy's Marquette Rewind

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

November 15, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini fell to Marquette on Tuesday night in a matchup of Top 25 teams at the State Farm Center. Tyler Kolek dismantled the Illinois defense to the tune of 24 points and the Illini turned it over 15 times as they faltered down the stretch in a 71-64 defeat at the hands of the Golden Eagles. Terrence Shannon scored 21 to lead Illinois and Marcus Domask added 18 to lead the Illini, who fell to 2-1. 

Here's a look back:

These 3 Things

Turnovers are Killers - Illinois turned it over 15 times in a 66 possession game, which equates to a 22.7% turnover rate.

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#23 Illini Fall Short Against 4th Ranked Marquette

#23 Illini Fall Short Against 4th Ranked Marquette

By IlliniGuys Staff November 14, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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Sturdy's Marquette Preview

Sturdy's Marquette Preview

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

November 14, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini welcome #4 Marquette to town on Tuesday evening as a part of the Gavitt Games. The Golden Eagles are the reigning Big East champions and return 4 of their 5 starters from a year ago. This will be a stiff early test for both teams, but especially for the Illini who once again have a host of new faces in the lineup. 

Here’s a look at the two teams, the keys to the game and a pick. 

Setting the Stage

Gavitt Tipoff Games

#23/23 Illinois (2-0) vs. #4/5 Marquette (2-0) 

Nov. 14, 2023 // 7 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center 

TV: FS1 – Jason Benetti (Play-by-Play), Jim Jackson (Analyst) 

Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas

Notable

*No. 23 Illinois hosts Game 3 of a six-game, season-opening homestand on Tuesday night, welcoming No. 4 Marquette to sold out State Farm Center (7 p.m. CT, FS1) for the final year of the Gavitt Tipoff Games series between the Big Ten and Big East. 

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Lisa Jordan of Prep Hoops

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Lisa Jordan of Prep Hoops

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 12, 2023

The women's game has evolved to a new level; the recruiting has really picked up to a new level. IlliniGuys caught up with Prep Hoops analyst Lisa Jordan. She has kept a close eye on the Illinois women's program and the success Shauna Green has built in Champaign. Here is a question-and-answer session with Jordan.

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Cook-less Illini Fall Short at Marquette in First Road Test

Cook-less Illini Fall Short at Marquette in First Road Test

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) November 11, 2023 (Cover […]

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