Basketball

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

June 3, 2024

Plenty to talk about this week. Highlighted by a bump on the head!

The Illini baseball team fell to Indiana State in the Lexington Regional in a game that showed how a lack of pitching depth can be a huge detriment in the post season. They had beaten the Sycamores on Friday but on Sunday night fell 13-2. 
It was a good season for Dan Hartleb’s crew though, winning the Big Ten and advancing to the NCAA’s and winning a game. Now, they need to keep finding arms, because although a strong lineup is awesome, you have to have the pitching. 

Illinois has announced the hiring of former Tennessee assistant […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

June 1, 2024

Illinois incoming freshman center Morez Johnson and 2025 recruit freshman guard Jeremiah Fears both made the USA Men's National Team this week. This is unique on many levels because Illinois is the only school to have two players make the team.

Illinois has not won an NCAA regional game away from home in 11 years and enters the 2024 NCAA Lexington Regional knowing that taking the opening game vs. Indiana State is paramount.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 31, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy UK Athletics)

LEXINGTON, Ky.  — Yes, the term must-win game as a term in the lexicon of sports is overused. 

Friday night’s opening game for Illinois in the 2024 NCAA Lexington Regional is by the definition of the double elimination format is not a must-win game. However, if Illinois wants to win the program’s first ever NCAA regional away from home, winning the opening game and staying in the winner’s bracket all weekend is paramount to the optimal formula. 

“Besides working out our starting pitching plan for the next day, we’re going to stay focused on the game in front of us on that day,” Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb said. “Everybody knows that in tournament play, you need to stay in the winners bracket as long as possible to move on.” 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 31, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois Women's Basketball program continues to add to their roster for the upcoming season. Head Coach Shauna Green and her staff, emphasizing the need for size, secured another piece.

Indiana State electing to give its best reliever his first start of the 2024 season in this NCAA Lexington Regional opening game against the Illini. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 30, 2024

LEXINGTON, Ky.  — The riddle surrounding Illinois as they enter NCAA postseason play is simple: Which version will show up? 

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 29, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Baylor Athletics)

The Illinois women's basketball program has upgraded its roster by adding Lety Vasconcelos, a 6-foot-7 transfer from Baylor today. Vasconcelos, who played high school basketball at Montverde Academy in FL., was ranked 36th overall in the 2023 class by ESPN HoopGurlz. She teamed up with current Illini sophomore guard Cori Allen to lead the team to back-to-back GEICO High School National Championships.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 28, 2024

 When IlliniGuys learned there was significant traction regarding Kasparas Jakucionis committing to Illinois, we sought insights from people familiar with his game over the past few years.

Georgia Tech used a furious back nine run to […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting May 28, 2024 […]

Georgia Tech will likely not have the services of […]

Illinois won four-day stroke portion of NCAA Championships by 16 shots and will play No. 8 seed Georgia Tech in the quarterfinal round on Tuesday afternoon. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 27, 2024

Don’t make the mistake of asking Illinois men’s golf head coach Mike Small if he’s surprised his players produced one of the more dominant four-round stroke play performances in the NCAA Championships. In the view of the Illini’s 24-year head coach, the last four days were the excellent execution of a long-term plan.

After winning the Big Ten Conference regular season by two games, Illinois must patiently be viewers of the NCAA selection show today to learn their postseason fate. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 27, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — The University of Illinois baseball team is currently scheduled to have a 2 p.m. practice on its home field and in a few hours Dan Hartleb’s club will soon learn if that workout is necessary or not. 

An underdog Illini squad uses an extraordinary Sunday round to announce its itself as NCAA Championship favorite with one day remaining until the match play knockout stage. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

May 26, 2024

Days before the 2024 NCAA Championships began, Illinois was playing an uniquely different underdog card but that distinction ended abruptly Sunday after they concluded their third round of stroke play. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 26, 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — As the Illinois men’s basketball roster continues to take shape, some new players have already made their way onto campus, offering a glimpse of the potential for the upcoming season.