Basketball

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

February 17, 2025

The Illini continue to chuck away from 3, and although they have won 2 of 3, the last 5 minutes against UCLA and the last 8 minutes against Michigan State have looked like rec league basketball, and that’s being kind.

But at some point there needs to be a change in philosophy and execution.

Fool’s Gold

Bill Self used to call hot shooting early ‘Fool’s Gold’, and we saw that against Michigan State. The Illini hit By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 17, 2025

The Illini continue to chuck away from 3, and although they have won 2 of 3, the last 5 minutes against UCLA and the last 8 minutes against Michigan State have looked like rec league basketball, and that’s being kind.

But at some point there needs to be a change in philosophy and execution.

Fool’s Gold

Bill Self used to call hot shooting early ‘Fool’s Gold’, and we saw that against Michigan State. The Illini hit 3 of their first 4 from deep and led 31-15, but shot 1-16 from behind the arc in the second half as they went scoreless for the final 8 minutes. They actually scored a -2 points, as one basket was taken away.3 of their first 4 from deep and led 31-15, but shot 1-16 from behind the arc in the second half as they went scoreless for the final 8 minutes. They actually scored a -2 points, as one basket was taken away.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]

Despite losing starting guard Jasmine Brown-Hagger to a hamstring issue in the second quarter and playing a five-player lineup for the entire second half, Illinois still defeated Nebraska.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 16, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After finding their program-record eighth straight Big Ten Conference win Sunday afternoon, Illinois head coach Shauna Green has a message for everybody else outside her locker room.

“We don’t care. Keep doubting us. It’s okay,” Green said following a 77-68 win over Nebraska. “Nobody feels sorry for us that we only have six players, sometimes just five. Nobody gives a (expletive) that we’re hurt, right? And I love that so let’s just keep on fighting.”

By IlliniGuys Staff February 16, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) Illinois vs. Nebraska Sunday, […]

Illinois athletics director Josh Whitman publicly apologized to former Illini men’s basketball star Terrence Shannon Jr. for the botching of his jersey retirement ceremony at halftime on Saturday night.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 16, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois athletics director Josh Whitman issued a public apology to Terrence Shannon Jr., Shannon’s Jr.’s mother and Illini fans Saturday following the mishap of hanging Shannon’s jersey retirement banner upside down.

During halftime of what would be a 79-65 victory for Michigan State, the entire State Farm Center crowd gasped in embarrassment when Shannon Jr., who was back on the University of Illinois campus for the first time since the season opener last September, pulled the rope to reveal the banner symbolizing his jersey retirement was hung upside down for the whole audience to see.

By IlliniGuys Staff February 15, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Former Illinois star guard Terrence Shannon Jr. honored Saturday after he accomplished one of the most productive single-season totals in Illini basketball history.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 15, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — For so many different reasons, the easy argument is Terrance Shannon Jr. made a more difficult time trying to earn the right to get his jersey lifted to the rafters of State Farm Center.

“I’m a competitor and I always feel like my job is to up the stakes and do it as well or better than (others who played at Illinois),” Shannon Jr. said to local media inside State Farm Center Saturday night before tip of the Michigan State-Illinois contest.

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

February 15, 2025

The Illini host the 11th ranked Michigan State Spartans on Saturday night in what looks to be a key game for them if they want to grab a double bye and a top 4 seed in the NCAA tourney. It should be another emotional event, as they will also honor Terrence Shannon Jr. during a halftime ceremony. 

But this is a huge gam

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 14, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The class of 2027 may still be years away, but building relationships early is crucial in recruiting. Illinois is doing just that with 6-foot-4 combo guard Joe Nunez.

Nunez, who plays for the New York Gauchos, recently visited Champaign and shared his thoughts on the visit with us.

Illinois still managed a 12-point victory over Penn State Thursday night even with head coach Shauna Green at times angry, frustrated and disappointed.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 13, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — We may be officially at the point where Illinois can pick up critical Big Ten Conference victories while their head coach isn’t completely thrilled at the way her team executed.

Shauna Green, who has found the way to turn around arguably one of the most dormant women’s basketball programs among all the power conferences, was thrilled with a rallying fourth quarter where the Illini outscored on overmatched Penn State program 24-7.

By IlliniGuys Staff February 13, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

By IlliniGuys Staff

February 13, 2025

IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting Kedric Prince was the first to report on 7-foot-3 inch, 240-pound center Luigi Suigo's recruiting visit to the Illinois campus earlier this year. The prospect from Italy toured campus, watched practice, and took in Tuesday night's win over UCLA and former All-American Kofi Cockburn's banner ceremony.

Ked gave this update on the IlliniGuys premium board:

(From Illinois Sports Information Office) Illinois vs. Penn State […]

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

February 12, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini got a much-needed win on Tuesday evening over a red hot UCLA Bruins team that came in on a 7-game winning streak. They weren’t perfect and struggled to finish but closed it out 83-78 behind 24 points from Kasparas Jakucionis and 16 from Tomislav Ivisic as they moved to 17-8 and 9-6 in the Big Ten.

Here’s a look back.

These 3 Things