Basketball

For just the second time this season, Illinois was outrebounded in a basketball game and Illini head coach Brad Underwood knows both of those times resulted in home losses.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 11, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois head coach Brad Underwood may have created a new routine for his basketball team after what he witnessed Saturday afternoon.

Following the 82-72 loss to Southern California inside its home arena, Underwood suggested as the eight-year head coach the possibility of a new plan for his team to be ready to play.

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

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

January 11, 2025

The Illini welcome the USC Trojans to the State Farm Center in the 10th all-time meeting between the two programs and the first as members of the Big Ten.

By Larry Smith - Co-Host & Executive Producer, IlliniGuys […]

After losing two starters this week for the rest of the season and having a six-player rotation, the Illinois women’s basketball program managed to still beat a Top 25 program. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 10, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — What’s left of this Illinois women’s basketball roster would very much prefer for the doubting outside of its locker room to continue. 

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

(From Illinois Sports Information Office)   Illinois vs. #23/23 […]

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

January 9, 2025

Penn State has been a thorn in the side of Illinois for a while now, going back to the Rich McBride game winner that was waved off in 2006 and then 4 losses in a row, 3 in 2023 and a colossal meltdown a year ago. When Illinois found out about an hour before tipoff that star guard Kasparas Jakucionis was out with a left forearm injury, it seemed like the curse would continue. 

Illinois gets a trio of 20-point scoring efforts to […]

The loss of Makira Cook and Gretchen Dolan puts extreme stress on this Illini coaching staff attempting to find what works offensively without two high-level scorers.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 8, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The latest injury news surrounding the Illini’s women’s basketball program has all but eliminated the easy button of Shauna Green’s offense.

When Makira Cook and Gretchen Dolan were healthy and in the Illinois playing rotation, the plan to stop any scoring lull throughout a game or any, late-clock or late-game situations was more simple than you might assume from a power four conference program. Green was just fine with getting Cook, an All-Big Ten selection at lead guard, a ball screen to get the 5-foot-6 scorer downhill toward the front of the rim. During an injury-plagued 2023-24 season, the main reason for Illinois’ run to the first annual WBIT championship was a fully healthy Cook being able to make what might like like little to no cohesion into two or three points with the basketball in her hands.

Illinois guards Makira Cook and Gretchen Dolan will not […]

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

January 8, 2025

The Illini are back home for a Wednesday night battle with the Penn State Nittany Lions. PSU sits at 12-3 and have presented problems for Illinois over the years, with Illinois losing 4 in a row in this matchup, including a colossal meltdown a year ago. Now the new look Illinois are as hot as ever, winning 4 in a row including an historic beat down of Oregon, and look to come home for a pair of Big Ten wins.

Let’s look at the matchup.

Setting the Stage

#13ap/15 Illinois (11-3, 3-1) vs. Penn State (12-3, 2-2)
Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 // 8 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center
TV: BTN – Jeff Levering (Play-by-Play), Shon Morris (Analyst), & Andy Katz (Sideline)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas

Meet the Lions

*Penn State is 12-3 on the season, 2-2 in Big Ten play, and heads to #13 Illinois Wednesday night for the first of three-straight matchups vs. top-20 teams.

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) Wooden Award Website CHAMPAIGN, […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 7, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois basketball team has a roster filled with potential NBA draft prospects this season; guard Kasparas Jakucionis, center Tomislav Ivisic, wing Ben Humrichous, and standout freshman guard Will Riley.

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) CHAMPAIGN, Ill.– Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis is […]