Basketball

Illinois forward Ben Humrichous is still considering a return to Champaign-Urbana decision for the 2025-26 season.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 23, 2025

MILWAUKEE — On the night before his NCAA Tournament debut with Illinois, Kylan Boswell could be seen on his tablet watching copious amount of film of his Xavier opponent - Ryan Conwell.

“I may have watched three or four hours of film on him the night before because I know I watched his last 12 games and the cutups that the guys on our staff put together for me,” Boswell said. “I also have learned what about using [Synergy Sports Technology] can be helpful for me to know where a player likes to operate on the floor and where he likes to shoot it. It’s not just about having the information but how it can help me learn.”

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

March 23, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – During the 1984 NCAA Tournament, Illinois faced Kentucky in a game played at Rupp Arena, where the Wildcats won a narrow 54-51 victory. However, controversy surrounded the game due to a missed traveling call that many believed favored Kentucky and helped lead them to the win.

With so many preseason matchups and holiday tournaments, it is surprising that Illinois and Kentucky have not faced each other since that game.

Today, that changes, but with several new narratives intertwining the two programs. Let’s take a look at some of the key storylines surrounding this long-awaited rematch.

No particular order of importance:

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

March 23, 2025

For Orlando Antigua it’s a battle between his past 2 employers, but it’s not quite the same as a typical homecoming game. You see, Kentucky has no returning players outside of walk-ons and 1 player, guard Travis Perry who was recruited by Antigua. Other than that, it’s all new. The connection with administration, boosters, managers and Lexington neighbors is obviously there, but this college basketball world is different. 

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

Illinois freshman wing Will Riley is enjoying having his first NCAA Tournament experience overcome his normal calm, cool and emotionless style on the court.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 22, 2025

MILWAUKEE — By the time the Illinois players and coaches were ready for Saturday’s closed practice session inside Fiserv Forum, Will Riley had seen his highlight reel, and-one bucket over and over again.

With 10 minutes and 40 seconds left in the NCAA Tournament first round matchup against Xavier, the Illini freshman maneuvered his body through two defenders on his way to a winding layup while being fouled by Musketeers forward Zack Freemantle.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

March 22, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The 2025 NCAA transfer portal will be in full swing on Monday for men's and women's basketball. Some players entering the portal will be hot commodities, while others will not. One name generating significant interest is Nevada center Nick Davidson, who Illinois views as a serious prospect.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 22, 2025

Illinois head coach Shauna Green knew the scouting report on Creighton the minute that the matchup popped up during the NCAA Tournament selection show.

The Blue Jays is a high-powered motion offense that will play a five-out motion and shoots threes early and often when the NCAA Tournament first round matchup is tipped off tonight (6:15 p.m. CST, ESPN News) at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

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

March 22, 2025

The Illini defeated Xavier 86-73 on Friday night in an extremely physical game that saw the Illini veteran lead them on the defensive and the Illini freshmen showing why they are such a talented group. Kylan Boswell locked up Ryan Conwell and scored an efficient 15 points, while Tomislav Ivisic had 20 and 10, Kasparas Jakucionis had 16 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds and Will Riley went off in the second half, finishing with 22 points on 12 shots, 18 coming after the break.

The Illini advance to take on Kentucky on Sunday at 4:15PM on CBS in a battle that much of Illini nation has been waiting for for 40 years.

These 3 Things:

Illinois point guard Kasparas Jakucionis finished one rebound shy of the program’s second-ever triple double in a NCAA Tournament game as the Illini cruise to 86-73 win over Xavier.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 22, 2025

MILWAUKEE — When asked on Friday night how many offensive sets were called out from the his bench in the second half, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood immediately smiled from ear to ear.

The answer is simple.

“None,” the Illini eight-year head coach said knowing the answer would get some confused looks from media members.

By IlliniGuys Staff March 21, 2025 MILWAUKEE - If […]

Illinois guard Jasmine Brown-Hagger has seen her role change through a 2024-25 campaign filled with depth chart changes, injuries and a confidence breakthrough.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniiGuys Staff Writer

March 21, 2025

The proper use of the phrase ‘day-to-day’ couldn’t more accurately reflect the definition of Jasmine Brown-Hagger’s role in this chaotic 2024-25 season.

The sophomore guard, who transferred back to her home state from Mississippi State, dealt with early inconsistencies in getting acclimated to a new place, a more-defined point guard role, the increased responsibilities of a starting spot due to teammate season-ending ailments and then her own injuries in the final month stretch.

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

March 21, 2025

March Madness is finally here for the Illini. They will face a stiff challenge against 11 seeded Xavier, a team that beat Texas on Wednesday night and has won 8 of 9 down the stretch. Led by former Arizona coach Sean Miller, the Musketeers are one of the oldest teams in the country and will be a tough out on Friday night.

Setting the Stage

2025 NCAA Tournament // First Round // Midwest Region
6 Illinois (21-12, 12-8 B1G) vs. 11 Xavier (22-11, 13-7 Big East)
Friday, March 21 // 8:45 p.m. CT // Milwaukee, Wis. // Fiserv Forum
TV: CBS – Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner & Stan Van Gundy (Analysts), Lauren Shehadi (Sideline) Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas National Radio: Westwood One – Noah Eagle (Play-By-Play), Tom Crean (Analyst)
Satellite Radio: SiriusXM – 210 / 203

Illinois first-year forward/center Morez Johnson says left wrist is “100 percent healthy and I’m ahead of the rehab schedule”.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 21, 2025

MILWAUKEE — When asked the question Thursday if his Illinois team can handle a frantic, up-and-down pace for their NCAA Tournament first-round game against 11-seed Xavier, Brad Underwood was defiant that his team can’t possibly be run off the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

The Illini eight-year head coach doesn’t look at Xavier’s No. 9 national ranking in transition offense or their 17 fast break points they posted Wednesday night in their 86-80 victory over Texas in the First Four round as a dealbreaker for 6-seed Illinois.

“We run with everybody,” Underwood said. “Nobody does it better than them. Nobody does it better than (Xavier head coach Sean Miller) but we’ve seen Wisconsin. We’ve seen Iowa. What makes Xavier different is they’ll take the ball out of the net after you make and then push it.”

Underwood’s plan for the Illini’s NCAA Tournament opener on Friday (est. 8:45 p.m. CST, CBS) is to not slow down the pace of the game but to counter with the offensive pace of their own led by first-year point guard and projected 2025 NBA Draft lottery selection Kasparas Jakucionis, who is the first Illini player since Ayo Dosunmu to average at least 15.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in a season.

Illinois’ 2024 NCAA Tournament run to a regional final doesn’t likely happen without key reserve contributions and they arrive in March 2025 with a much more prepared bench.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

March 20, 2025

MILWAUKEE — If you’re forced to point to an advantage to the injuries and illness Illinois has been forced to endure in this 2024-25 season, it might very well show itself now.

At some point Friday night when No. 6 seed Illinois needs a lift off its bench, Illini head coach Brad Underwood will be able to point to multiple players that have seen their responsibilities and role increase as the player rotations became more and more jumbled throughout this season.

“These guys have all contributed, started at one point,” Underwood said on March 12. “Let’s not forget we had a stretch where we had seven different starting lineups in seven different games.”

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

March 20, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois has two outstanding high school recruits joining the program this summer. Keaton Wagler, a 6-foot-4, 175-pound shooting guard from Shawnee, Kansas, is one of the top players in the state and a rising talent nationally.