Basketball

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

November 7, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Pickrell/IlliniGuys)

It was a win for Illinois on Monday night as the Illini defeated EIU by an 80-52 score. The Ilini got 18 points from Freshman Guard Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn and 16 from Terrence Shannon as they turned a slow start into a second half rout against a game EIU squad. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was a game to get a lot of people minutes and experience as they move into a tougher stretch beginning on Friday. 

Here’s a look back.

These Three Things:

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer November 7, […]

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/881964991    

By IlliniGuys Staff November 6, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

(Editor's Note: Illini swingman Marcus Domask appears on the […]

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

Joe Clark, IlliniGuys Cover Photo

November 6, 2023

The 25th ranked Fighting Illini will finally play an official game on Monday evening when the EIU Panthers come to town to take on the Fighting Illini. The Illini have had a few days to get over their high from beating #1 Kansas and are now set to open a season with a ton of optimism and a loaded, veteran squad. 

Here’s a look at what we expect to see. 

Setting the Stage

#25 Illinois (0-0) vs. Eastern Illinois (0-0) 

Nov. 6, 2023 // 7 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center 

Stream: B1G+ – George Khouri (Play-by-Play), Spencer Nelson (Analyst), Peter Hanson 

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

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 5, 2023

Let us take a look at the top prospects in the state of Illinois for girls in 2025. The class of 2024 top five players are already committed to schools. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 3, 2023

The class of 2024 in the state of Illinois rankings is coming to a close for a few seniors, meaning their position may not change; some could be on the national stage with a good year on the hardwood court.

(Editor's Note: Illini junior guard Adalia McKenzie appears each week on the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular syndicated radio show https://illiniguys.com/radio/.)

November 2, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Larry Smith: Let's talk about Monday night and what it was like to get a chance to go play with so many new teammates against somebody else.

Adalia McKenzie: Yeah, it was a really good game, it felt good to be able to play against someone else and get back in the groove. You know, (to) have people in the crowd. It was really fun.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 2, 2023

Sunday's Illinois win over the nation's number one-ranked Kansas Jayhawks program was an exhibition game on paper but a program momentum builder.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 1, 2023

This past weekend the Fighting Illini women's basketball program hosted one of the state's highly touted prospects on campus Sunday. 

Illinois All-Big Ten first-team guard Makira Cook is being evaluated for a potential injury after being removed in the second quarter of the Illini’s 121-60 victory over Division II Truman State in an exhibition game on Monday night. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

(Cover photo Eleanor Guinan/Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois’ All-American guard Makira Cook is being evaluated by the team medical staff for a potential injury following the Illini’s exhibition victory over Truman State. 

Illinois head coach Shauna Green confirmed to local media following the 121-60 win over the Division II opponent that the team’s medical staff was evaluating the 5-foot-6 guard for an undisclosed injury after she received contact in the head and neck area. 

By IlliniGuys Staff October 30, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood previewed what he believes is the perfect go-to lineup down the stretch of a game in an exhibition win over No. 1 Kansas. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

October 30, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Coming out of the final media timeout, there was an age limit to get on the floor for Illinois, which is exactly what Brad Underwood has wanted. 

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

October 30, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini and Jayhawks got together and raised over $1 million for the Maui relief fund and a basketball game broke out. And what a fun game it was. The #25 Illini took care of business with an 82-75 win over the #1 Jayhawks behind 28 points from Terrence Shannon, who led 4 players in double figures for Illinois to offset 22 points from Hunter Dickinson and 25 points from Kevin McCullar. 

The game didn’t count for their record, but there is no question that Illinois showed they can compete with anyone. The Illini led by as many as 8 points and led for 36:18 in this one. The Illini lost the points in the paint battle 50-22 in this one, but found a way to out rebound the Jayhawks 39-32. 

Here’s a look at what we saw: 

These Three Things

Let the Old Men In - “Been there, done that,” was what Brad Underwood said at the post game presser in reference to the geriatric crew that finished the game.