Basketball

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

November 17, 2023

After falling to #4 Marquette the Illini are back in action against the Valparaiso Crusaders at the State Farm Center on Friday evening. Valpo features former Illini star Roger Powell, who helped the Illini to the Final Four back in 2005. Powell is 2-1 in his first season as he attempts to bring a once proud program back into relevance. Powell accumulated 1,178 points and 531 rebounds during his four-year career for the Fighting Illini. He helped the team to three Big Ten regular-season titles, two Big Ten Tournament crowns and three Sweet Sixteen berths. During his senior year in 2004-05, Powell was part of an Illini team that finished 37-2, won 29 straight to open the season and reached the national title game. He will feel right at home during his first road game as a collegiate head coach.

Setting the Stage

 #23 Illinois (2-1) vs. Valparaiso (2-1) 

Nov. 17, 2023 // 7 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center 

Stream: B1G+ – Scott Sudikoff (Play-by-Play), Alec Gilmore (Analyst), Ethan Oskroba (Sideline) Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Scott Beatty (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas (Analyst)

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 17, 2023

On the big stage on Tuesday night, the Fighting Illini hosted the nation's fourth ranked team in the Marquette Eagles; Illinois lost the contest 71-64.

Illinois moves to 2-1 with the third-largest victory in […]

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

November 15, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini fell to Marquette on Tuesday night in a matchup of Top 25 teams at the State Farm Center. Tyler Kolek dismantled the Illinois defense to the tune of 24 points and the Illini turned it over 15 times as they faltered down the stretch in a 71-64 defeat at the hands of the Golden Eagles. Terrence Shannon scored 21 to lead Illinois and Marcus Domask added 18 to lead the Illini, who fell to 2-1. 

Here's a look back:

These 3 Things

Turnovers are Killers - Illinois turned it over 15 times in a 66 possession game, which equates to a 22.7% turnover rate.

By IlliniGuys Staff November 14, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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

November 14, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini welcome #4 Marquette to town on Tuesday evening as a part of the Gavitt Games. The Golden Eagles are the reigning Big East champions and return 4 of their 5 starters from a year ago. This will be a stiff early test for both teams, but especially for the Illini who once again have a host of new faces in the lineup. 

Here’s a look at the two teams, the keys to the game and a pick. 

Setting the Stage

Gavitt Tipoff Games

#23/23 Illinois (2-0) vs. #4/5 Marquette (2-0) 

Nov. 14, 2023 // 7 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center 

TV: FS1 – Jason Benetti (Play-by-Play), Jim Jackson (Analyst) 

Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas

Notable

*No. 23 Illinois hosts Game 3 of a six-game, season-opening homestand on Tuesday night, welcoming No. 4 Marquette to sold out State Farm Center (7 p.m. CT, FS1) for the final year of the Gavitt Tipoff Games series between the Big Ten and Big East. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 12, 2023

The women's game has evolved to a new level; the recruiting has really picked up to a new level. IlliniGuys caught up with Prep Hoops analyst Lisa Jordan. She has kept a close eye on the Illinois women's program and the success Shauna Green has built in Champaign. Here is a question-and-answer session with Jordan.

(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.