Basketball

Illinois head coach Mike Small has elected to go with a pair of freshmen, Jake Birdwell and Trey Marrion, in his opening round lineup for the NCAA Championships starting Friday.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 23, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

URBANA, Ill. — Regardless of the particular order, Illinois head coach Mike Small knew the first three names he’d be writing down on his lineup card when first round tee times were created for the 2025 NCAA Championships.

It’s the final two names, and what the Illini can count on for production out of those spots, that Small still has questions about heading into the sport’s national championship tournament that starts Friday morning.

As new long-term contracts for the football and men’s basketball head coaches were approved today, Illinois athletics director has completed his gamble on betting the coaches he trusts the most.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 22, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Mike Cagley/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In some way, shape or form, every athletics director at a power conference program is a gambler.

Like it or not, a big part of Josh Whitman’s job description is consistently making decisions with multi-million dollars of consequences for the current and future revenue of his department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. When he commits that kind of guaranteed money to a head coach, it’s part of what he calls “the formula of success”.

Illinois sophomore Max Herendeen knows his golf swing is in good form but his mental game needs a reboot before the Illini head to the NCAA Championships in California.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 21, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

URBANA, Ill. — It’s a good news, bad news week for Max Herendeen.

With a week to prepare for the upcoming NCAA Championships, the Illinois sophomore All-Big Ten selection currently believes the technical components of his golf swing are more than solid.

Following his three days of play last week at the 2025 NCAA Urbana Regional, Herendeen made it very clear that his issues were a golf mental and golf maturity issue.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular May 21, 2025 […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 20, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Franklin Pierce University)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois women’s basketball team has added another veteran presence to its backcourt with the commitment of Long Island transfer Gisela Segura. The news was announced by the University of Illinois Sports Information Department.

Segura, who will join the Fighting Illini for the 2025–26 season, arrives with one year of eligibility remaining. Her addition provides needed depth and flexibility at the guard position, a spot where Illinois had to adjust on the fly last season following the departure of senior guard Makira Cook.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular May 20, 2025 […]

Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular May 19, 2025 […]

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

May 18, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy 3SSB)

There was some great talent and some great matchups on Saturday at the Adidas 3SSB in Council Bluffs, Iowa. there were Guards and wings, but a big man showed off as much as anyone in front of a multitude of coaches. Here’s a look at how some Illini targets fared on Saturday:

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 16, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois fans expected freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis to be a one-and-done, but few anticipated just how impactful Canada’s Will Riley would be in his brief time with the Illini.

This week at the NBA Draft Combine, held at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, both players continued to elevate their draft stock. A source attending the combine shared insight on how the Illini duo performed, what the combine entails, and what’s next in the process.

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

May 16, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's X page)

The Illini coaching staff will be out in force this weekend, with the EYBL in Memphis, the Under Armour in Ohio, and the PUMA Pro 16 circuit in Kansas City. Illinois will have coaches at each of these events. But perhaps the biggest event for Illini fans to follow is the Adidas event in Council Bluffs, Iowa. 

Here’s a look at a few players to watch:

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood is betting on a youthful and quick-rising player-development candidate with the expected hiring of Colgate assistant coach Camyrn Crocker.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 15, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Brad Underwood has elected to go outside his basketball circle fill his vacant assistant coach spot with a youthful candidate that has built his career on a reputation of player development.

The Illinois eight-year head coach is expected to hire Colgate assistant coach Camryn Crocker to fill the spot on Underwood’s bench left by Tim Anderson shortly before the 2024-25 season.

Troy advances to program’s first-ever team NCAA Championship as […]

For the 17th time in 18 appearances, Illinois will […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 14, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Cal Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Earning a spot in the McDonald's All-American Game puts any recruit squarely on the radar of NBA scouts. It signals you're among the top 25 players in the country.

Illinois transfer Andrej Stojakovic participated in the 2023 game in Houston and thus has been a player to watch in his collegiate career.

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) (Cover photo courtesy Joe […]