Basketball

Illinois guard Kylan Boswell is trying to lead this team past a two-week defensive stretch that has been as problematic as the Illini program has had in quite some time.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 26, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN — In a 72-hour period, Kylan Boswell has been handed the defensive assignments of Duke star Cooper Flagg and Iowa sharpshooter Payton Sandfort. And neither him or Illinois head coach Brad Underwood would have it any other way.

“There’s nothing on that side of the ball that Kylan can’t do,” Underwood said. “His physical play allows him to do everything on that end but also he’s really smart. It doesn’t really matter the position where I’m good with him (guarding) 1 through 4 because of his strength and his quickness being able to guard just about anybody.”

By IlliniGuys Staff February 25, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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

February 25, 2025

Losers of 3 consecutive games, the Illini have entered must win territory as they host the Iowa Hawkeyes on Tuesday evening at the State Farm Center. The SFC has not been a difficult place for opponents to play this season, with the Illini already losing 4 home games. With an NCAA berth potentially on the line and a difficult upcoming schedule, the Illini need this one to feel safe heading into selection Sunday in 2 weeks.

Here’s a breakdown:

Setting the Stage

Hail To The Orange Out
Illinois (17-11, 9-8 B1G) vs. Iowa (15-12, 6-10 B1G)
Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 // 8 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center
TV: FS1 – Brandon Gaudin (Play-by-Play) & Robbie Hummel (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Deon Thomas

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood said Monday he feels an increased practice time and a more healthy version of center Tomislav Ivisic is the formula to his squad’s recent defensive issues.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Brad Underwood’s conclusion after watching the 110-67 loss to Duke on Saturday night and then re-rewatching the game film really shouldn’t surprise anybody.

“I think we’ve lost some bite on the defensive end of the floor. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that,” Underwood said to local media before his team’s Monday afternoon practice on the State Farm Center court.

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

February 24, 2025

The lllini appear broken right now, there’s really no other way to describe it. Since taking the lead by 16 over Michigan State they have been outscored by 94 points in about 110 minutes of game play.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular Feb 24, 2025 This […]

By Larry Smith - Co-Host & Executive Producer, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 23, 2025

(Editor's Note: Larry spent more than two decades as an anchor/correspondent for CNN Sports, Turner Sports, and NBA TV. He's a veteran of nearly 70 major championships worldwide and is the studio host of the WNBA on Ion Friday night show, which resumes on May 16th.)

--First off, great to see the IlliniGuys members who came out to have a beverage or two. Lots of nuggets to be had at the table and just good to say hello to some of you and put a face to a name (and even meet your kids).

--MSG is as advertised. Most people I've talked to have found it amazing that, of all the events I've covered worldwide, I had never been there. It's a very different experience from the time you walk in the door. Recent upgrades make it much more modern than I anticipated and the seating layout is outstanding. Illinois should try to play there as much as often (Underwood says this is a goal) and all fans should make an effort to get there at least once.

By IlliniGuys Staff  February 23, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

By IlliniGuys Staff February 22, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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

February 22, 2025

All season long this looked like a marquee game between two elite programs and team, but while the Blue Devils continue to dominate the ACC, the Illini are reeling due to injuries, illness and youth and don’t look like the same team they were just 6 weeks ago.

For now though the Illini appear to finally be (mostly) through the flu bug and mono issues and hope to have a lineup ready to compete on Saturday night from Madison Square Garden. Having won the past 2 seasons against high level competition (#2 Texas and Final Four FAU) they hope the magic can happen once again. If you throw in the Tevian Jones game which led to a shocking upset of Maryland, the Garden has been kind to the Illini recently.

Here’s a look at the matchup.

Setting the Stage

SentinelOne Classic
Illinois (17-10, 9-8 B1G) vs. #3 Duke (23-3, 15-1 ACC)
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 // 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET) // New York, N.Y. // Madison Square Garden TV: FOX – Gus Johnson (Play-by-Play), Jim Jackson (Analyst), & Allison Williams (Sideline) Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Deon Thomas

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 22, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – As the college basketball season approaches its final stretch, a new kind of anticipation is starting to build. Not for March Madness, but for what we call here at IlliniGuys "Portal Kombat." The NCAA transfer portal is set to heat up and it's that time of year when insiders like Brad Sturdy and I provide the scoop on potential transfers is one of their favorite times of the calendar year.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 21, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Heading into the season, this was expected to be one of Illinois head coach Brad Underwood’s best shooting teams. Some of his most successful coaching years have come when his rosters were filled with shooters.

To date, however, this year’s Illinois squad ranks 17th out of 18 Big Ten teams in three-point shooting, hitting just 31 percent from beyond the arc. The conference leaders are Ohio State (38.3 percent), Purdue (37.7 percent) and Iowa (37.5 percent). With matchups against both the Boilermakers and Hawkeyes still ahead, it doesn’t get any easier for Illinois.

By IlliniGuys Staff February 20, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) #25/RV Illinois at #3/3 […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 20, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Don’t you just love recruiting? Watching Illinois play two or three times a week, you have to wonder, how do they maintain such strong relationships with high-profile recruits from afar while never missing a game?