Sturdy's Preview - Trojan War on Tap
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.
Smith: Illini Digital Display In Full Effect
By Larry Smith - Co-Host & Executive Producer, IlliniGuys […]
‘What do we do? How do we respond?’: Illini Relishing Recent Doubt After Major Injuries
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.
Illini Women Shock #23 Iowa, 62-57
By IlliniGuys Staff January 9, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]
Game Preview: Illini Women Host #23 Iowa
(From Illinois Sports Information Office) Illinois vs. #23/23 […]
Sturdy's Rewind - Lion Taming
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.
No KJ, No Problem For Illini in 91-52 Rout of Penn State
Illinois gets a trio of 20-point scoring efforts to […]
Illini Coaches Searching For Answers on Offense Without Cook & Dolan
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.
Illini Lose Makira Cook & Gretchen Dolan For Remainder of 2024-25 Season
Illinois guards Makira Cook and Gretchen Dolan will not […]
Sturdy's Game Preview: Back Home to Face Penn State
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.
Illini Freshman Jakucionis Named to Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 List
(From Illinois Sports Information Office) Wooden Award Website CHAMPAIGN, […]
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illinois' Freshman Phenom Will Riley Is Right Where He Should Be
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.
Jakucionis Named Big Ten's Top Freshman Again
(From Illinois Sports Information Office) CHAMPAIGN, Ill.– Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis is […]
Sturdy's Rewind: Pacific Sweep
By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular
January 6, 2025
The Illini struggled at times coming off of their domination of Oregon, but they came away with the Pacific Sweep over Washington 81-77 to move to 3-1 in Big Ten play and 11-3 overall. Kasparas Jakucionis led the way with 18 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds, while Tre White had 17 and 7 and Kylan Boswell added 14, all in the second half to lead the way. Illinois led by as many as 17 points in the first half and never trailed in the game.
Here’s a look back.
These 3 Things
Column: Enjoy KJ While You Have Him, Illini Nation
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
January 6, 2025
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – During the 2024 NCAA transfer portal season, some Illinois fans grew restless as the Illini seemed to miss on key targets. But did they really?
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