Basketball

By IlliniGuys Staff January 11, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Two of the best defensive teams in the Big Ten Conference coming off disappointing losses will meet in State Farm Center. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 11, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Brad Underwood made sure his squad’s film review for the Michigan State Spartans included watching Tom Izzo’s post-game rant from Sunday night.

After an 88-74 loss at Northwestern, the Spartans 29-year head coach ripped into his team’s lack of defensive execution, inability to control the rebounding advantage or play with physicality, a laziness when it came to taking care of the basketball and for good measure, took some parting shots at the analytical community on his way out of Evanston, Illinois. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 11, 2024

Early this weekend four-star guard Jeremiah Fears released his final list of five schools. The original plan was to narrow the list to maybe 10. Jeremy Fears Sr., a former DI athlete himself, went through the recruiting process; with his son Jeremy Jr. a freshman at Michigan State and now with Jeremiah, they have learned a lot, and it is only right to be honest and fair to those he does not plan to attend. 

Jeremiah said, "I’m honored and blessed that all of those schools recruited me, they have been great, I've built some great relationships with all of them. But after talking to my family, it was time to narrow things down."

Jeremy Sr. shared with IlliniGuys why each school made this cut.

A restraining order/injunction filed by Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. against the University of Illinois for an immediate removal of Shannon’s suspension will be heard in federal court on Friday.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 10, 2024

Terrence Shannon’s hearing against the University of Illinois in federal district court has been set for a Friday afternoon in the form of a video conference appointment. 

The graduate senior guard, who filed for a temporary restraining order Monday in Champaign County Court in order to immediately return to the University of Illinois basketball team, has seen his case moved to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois. According to federal court filings, the initial judge assigned to the case, Colin Stirling Bruce, recused himself on Tuesday and judge Colleen R. Lawless was assigned Tuesday morning. 

The representation for Shannon, which includes attorneys Mark P. Sutter, Rob Lang, Steve Beckett and Mark Goldenberg, apparently didn't need to refile the motion for the restraining order in federal court, as it was attached to the removal notice and the judge decided to take up the motion as is based on the limited info available. Lawless ordered the representation for the University of Illinois, University of Illinois Board of Trustees and University of Illinois System president Timothy L. Killeen - which includes attorney Peter G. Land - to file a response to Shannon’s temporary restraining order request by Thursday, and set a hearing date for Friday at 1:30 p.m. CST to be done by video teleconferencing. 

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular & Big Sports […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 8, 2024

Typically, the Illinois men's basketball program does not bring in a large number of recruits during the season. Why? Illinois head coach Brad Underwood allows his coaches a more hands-on approach when it comes to coaching responsibilities. 

A year after qualifying for the 2023 NCAA Tournament, […]

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

January 7, 2023

The Illini lost on Friday evening at Purdue by an 83-78 after trailing by as many as 21 points in the second half. Clearly, losing by 5 on the court of the #1 team in the country isn’t a bad loss, but some issues did come up in this one that Illinois will need to fix moving forward. Let’s look at a few areas where Purdue was able to expose some things against Illinois. 

Whether defending National Player of the Year Zach Edey was on the floor or not, Purdue physically handled an overmatched Illinois squad inside Mackey Arena Friday. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 6, 2023

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — As he entered the visiting locker room of Mackey Arena Friday night, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood looked at his boss and repeated one of his favorite go-to sayings. 

“That was a Pizza Hut parking lot beating tonight,” Underwoods said looking at Illinois athletics director Josh Whitman. 

By IlliniGuys Staff January 5, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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

January 5, 2023

The Illini are into the top 10 and now head on the road to take on the #1 ranked Purdue Boilermakers. The Boilers have been on a roll outside of one road hiccup at Northwestern and Illinois has been playing like a top 10 squad, with their only recent loss a tough one at #5 Tennessee. 

Illinois will be without leading scorer Terrence Shannon Jr. for the 3rd straight game as the All-American Guard is still on suspension, but it hasn’t fazed the Illini in dominant wins over FDU and Northwestern. Now, they get a much stiffer test in West Lafayette against #1 Purdue.

Here’s a breakdown. 

Setting the Stage

#9/8 Illinois (11-2, 2-0 B1G) at #1/1 Purdue (13-1, 2-1 B1G) 

Jan. 5, 2024 // 7:30 p.m. CT (8:30 p.m. ET) // West Lafayette, Ind. // Mackey Arena 

TV: FS1 – Brandon Gaudin (Play-by-Play), Robbie Hummel (Analyst) 

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

Illinois graduate senior guard Justin Harmon has suddenly found rhythm in his new role after transferring from Utah Valley but it’s not a feeling that came quick in this 2023-24 season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 4, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Upon his arrival at Illinois, Justin Harmon learned his new secondary role at Illinois will be more difficult as previously being a primary option at Utah Valley. 

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

January 4, 2024

Illinois men's basketball top recruiting target Jeremiah Fears will not play college basketball until the fall of 2025

That's according to his dad Jeremy Fears Sr., who broke the news to IlliniGuys Thursday morning.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular & Big Sports Radio

January 4, 2023

Jaylon Dean-Vines immediately makes an impression upon those watching his games for Dallas Kimball. He is an athlete extraordinaire and at 6’3”, he plays both SG and SF. He can demonstrate his athleticism in dramatic ways. Quite frankly, he gets up, up and away. His quickness at leaping is evident in blocked shots as he gets off the floor immediately and has that ability to jump quickly for a second time as well.

“My athleticism and ability to facilitate the ball.” is Jaylon’s response to what defines his game, “Most people don’t have the ability that I have, so I try to make the best out of it.” This athleticism has been a key to averaging 14.5 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, and 2.1 steals per game.