Basketball

Illinois delivered 40 of its 78 points from the four members of the bench on Sunday as the Illini used a close loss to reveal its critically important depth.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 20, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Logic would suggest that Morez Johnson knew his role was likely to grow in the next few games once Tomislav Ivisic was diagnosed with strep throat.

Of course, to use that logic, you have to presume Johnson, the backup at Illinois behind the 21-year-old Croatian big, knew what his teammate was trying to play through on Sunday. Because Johnson didn’t.

“I didn’t actually know that Tommi was sick,” Johnson said.

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

January 20, 2025

Sometimes it just isn't your day. The Illini went into East Lansing on Sunday and found out that to win on the road you need to be more than just a little bit better than your opponent.

By IlliniGuys Staff January 19, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis couldn’t avoid defensive fouls in a 8-minute effort for the Lithuanian star guard in the Illini’s 80-78 loss in East Lansing. 

Matthew Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 19, 2025

EAST LANSING, Mich. — A reporter began his question to Illinois head coach Brad Underwood with the fact that this team has already played two games without Kasparas Jakucionis but Underwood choose to interrupt. 

By IlliniGuys Staff January 19, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Illinois vs. #22/22 Michigan State Date | TimeLocationTicketsPromotionsDigital Game ProgramsWatchRadio Live […]

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

January 19, 2025

The Illini are in East Lansing on Sunday morning ready to battle the Michigan State Spartans, who sit alone atop the Big Ten with a 6-0 mark and are looking to open up some space between them and the Illini. After the Illini lost to USC a week ago, they bounced back with a big win at Indiana, but they need this one to stay in the Big Ten title hunt.
Here’s a look at this top 20 matchup.

Setting the Stage

#19/20 Illinois (13-4, 5-2) at #12/12 Michigan State (15-2, 6-0)
Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 // 11 a.m. CT (12 p.m. ET) // East Lansing, Mich. // Breslin Center
TV: CBS – Spero Dedes (Play-by-Play) & Clark Kellogg (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Doug Altenberger

Meet the Spartans

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) January 17, 2025 IOWA […]

By Steve Sturm - IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 17, 2025

While the Illini were finishing up round one of portal season, they were also adding to the incoming Class of 2026 with DeKalb wide receiver Davon Grant.  Grant was extremely productive for the DeKalb Barbs with 67 receptions for 1014 yards in his junior year.  Grant was equally productive as a sophomore with 40 receptions on offense but an addition 4 interceptions as a free safety on defense.  What makes him even more impressive is the fact that DeKalb has had very little success in his two years on the varsity with a combined 4 wins over the two years.  Despite that, Grant had offers from the other three nearby Big Ten schools in addition to Illinois: Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.  However, Illinois made Grant a priority and sealed the deal with Grant on the strength of the program's first 10-win season in a generation.  Check out what makes him special:

By IlliniGuys Staff January 16, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) Illinois at RV/-- Indiana Date […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 16, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A rumor regarding Illinois freshman basketball player Morez Johnson Jr. sparked concern but has been confirmed as false.

The IlliniGuys staff received reports claiming that Johnson had become ill and passed out during a workout. However, after making several calls to investigate, it was discovered the claims were unfounded.

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

January 15, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Coming off of a tough loss, you go on the road at Indiana, and tough place to play. Star player out and Illini nation was ready for a long losing streak and instead of looking at seed we even had those wondering if Illinois would make the tourney. Hold your horses with the gloom and doom. KJ is back. Illinois dominated Indiana by 25. And the march to San Antonio is back on.

The Illini scored at will in the first half and dominated the glass as they built a 30 point first half lead and cruised to a dominant 94-69 win in a game that wasn’t that close.

These 3 Things

By IlliniGuys Staff January 14, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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

January 14, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini are headed to Indiana after their loss on Saturday at home in need of a bounce back win. Of course, Indiana was demolished by Iowa so both teams should be hungry. The status of star Freshman Guard Kasparas Jakucionis is still up in the air, but we are told that he did practice on Sunday and will be a game time decision.

Setting the Stage

#19/20 Illinois (12-4, 4-2) at Indiana (13-4, 4-2)
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 // 6 p.m. CT (7 p.m. ET) // Bloomington, Ind. // Assembly Hall
Stream: Peacock – Noah Eagle (Play-by-Play) & Robbie Hummel (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Doug Altenberger