Basketball

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) November 11, 2023 (Cover […]

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

November 11, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini found a way to win an ugly affair on Friday evening in front of a sold-out State Farm Center, and may have answered a question about their identity. The Illini won 64-53 after holding Oakland scoreless on 11 straight possessions and Greg Kampe said post game, ‘They can really, really guard. They get after you.’

And that is going to have to be their identity at times this season. There is no question that they will have good and bad days on offense, but they have to play defense every day. Terrence Shannon scored 15 points to lead the way, but was also excellent on defense, limiting 3-point shooting star Jack Gohlke to 6 attempts. Quincy Guerrier got his first double-double as an Illini with 13 points and 10 rebounds and Coleman Hawkins rebounded from a slow start with an 8 point, 8 rebound and 5 assist stat line. 

Here’s What we saw.

These 3 Things

Defense Rules - The Illini held Oakland to 0.85 PPP and after the initial 8-0 run, Oakland struggled...

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 11, 2023

#23 Illinois at Marquette

Date | Time: Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 | 2 p.m. CT

Location: Milwaukee, Wis. | Al McGuire Center

CHAMPAIGN — Regardless of the status of All-American guard Makira Cook, Illinois has a confident lead guard option as they embark on a difficult road test at Marquette. In Tuesday’s season opener at the State Farm Center, Genesis Bryant proved in an 81-61 win over Morehead State that she can take her game to a next level if given the lead guard status and isn’t just a sidekick to Cook’s dazzling combo guard skills.

By IlliniGuys Staff November 10, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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

November 10, 2023

The Illini host the Oakland Golden Grizzlies on Friday evening at the State Farm Center as they look to move to 2-0 and set up a showdown with Marquette on Tuesday. The Friday night game is a sellout and should be a fun game in front of a great crowd. Illinois got a great performance from their freshmen and bench overall on Monday in the 28-point win over EIU but will need the older players to step up as well as the schedule ramps up. 

Here are our keys to the game and a pick. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 9, 2023

Three-star guard Elijah Lovemore from Chicago Heights, Illinois, recaps his visit this past weekend on the Illinois campus.  Lovemore is a 6-foot-4, 170-pound point guard who knows how to run a team; hence, he has caught the eyes of several Power 5 schools as of late.

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

November 8, 2023

The Illini Men’s and Women’s basketball added some big-time players on Wednesday when national signing week kicked off. Let’s look at each of these players and breakdown what they bring. 

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

November 8, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Patrick Albertini Photography)

Illinois women's head coach Shauna Green and assistant coaches Calamity McEntire, Britney Anderson, DeAntoine Beasley, and Emily Durr filled major needs for the class of 2024 this morning, signing two players who should have an impact on the program on many different levels. 

Starting with ESPN's top 20 recruits: Berry Wallace, a 6-foot-1 wing from Pickerington Central High School (Ohio), is a three-level scorer and one of the top recruits to commit to the Illini in over 15 years. Wallace will be a tough matchup for anyone due to her crafty ability to shoot it from three, create off the dribble, and she is strong and punishes defenders when coaches try to put smaller players on her.

Berry is coached by her father, Chris Wallace, who has seen his daughter grow into the player she is today. The Wallace family is loaded with talent: Berry's brother Garner Wallace plays football for Northwestern as a 6-foot-4 defensive back for the Wildcats. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 8, 2023

The Illinois men's 2024 basketball class is complete. All three prospects have signed their letters of intent. What does this mean for the Illini moving forward? 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 8, 2023

Meet the Fighting Illini men's 2024 basketball recruiting class. IlliniGuys caught up with all three prospects on National Signing Day 2023.

A bigger, stronger Illinois is slowly trying to get a double post working early in non-conference play with returning forward Kendall Bostic and transfer portal addition center Camille Hobby. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 8, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — In her second season at Illinois, Shauna Green is trying to speed up the progression while also turning back the clock to showcase an old-school double post basketball. 

November 7, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics) CHAMPAIGN, […]

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, […]

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