Basketball

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

October 18, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini are now a couple of weeks into practices and there is a definite optimism. Not the usual false bravado of every team, but a feeling that this team can be very good if things click. The first exhibition is only a couple of days away, so Let's take a look at what we see from the roster right now. Of course, we are always watching when we can and gathering info from a variety of sources on practices.

First of all, we will have a game preview for the exhibition, but make no mistake, I don't think we will see the best Illinois team.

For the first time since November 1999, Illinois women’s […]

Illinois was one of three Big Ten Conference programs […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 14, 2023

Illinois point guard commit Jase Butler has heard all of the criticism of his game and his ability to play Power 5 basketball. There is an unwritten rule that has been around for a long time with some basketball players: “If you're going to bet, bet on yourself.” Former Illini guard Ayo Dosunmu lived by that cliche.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 13, 2023

Back in November 2021, Baylor transfer Dain Dainja committed to the Illini. Back then transfer rules were different, but now that he is a mainstay for Illinois and head coach Brad Underwood, Dainja is expecting a lot more from himself this season. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 12, 2023

Several days ago, the Fighting Illini women's basketball program lost a tough recruiting battle for an Illinois prep. If you read my piece, one of the items mentioned in my closing paragraph was that this staff will roll up their sleeves and get back to work; that is what they have been doing. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 11, 2023

Illinois assistant basketball coach Chester Frazier went back to the lab (gym) looking to find another player that may have been overlooked by other Power 5 foes.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 10, 2023

The men's basketball program held its annual media day a week ago. Our staff provided multiple videos with different questions and answers. This year, unlike in the past, I am going to focus on three players that I spoke to off the video, not the entire team, for the subscribers here at IlliniGuys.

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio

October 9, 2023

The Illini hoops team welcomed some quality talent on Friday for the first practice and the football game against Nebraska along with an indoor tailgate at Ubben due to the weather. They did get out on the golf carts to see some tailgating prior to the Football game. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 9, 2023

One of the many reasons to be a member of IlliniGuys is obviously the great staff, but also because of the “inside” information you receive. With the recruitment of junior guard Jeremiah Fears, things just got really interesting.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 6, 2023

Former Illinois All-American guard Kendall Gill is a name that even the younger generation can identify with. He is very active with the Chicago Bulls, where he is an analyst for NBC Sports Chicago. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 5, 2023

Davenport, Iowa--This is a very busy week for the Illinois women's basketball coaching staff, which is traveling the country trying to find talent that will keep the Illini in contention for Big Ten titles. Word from several of my AAU and high school contacts says the Illinois coaches are in the following states this week: Minnesota, Missouri, Virginia, and Iowa.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

October 4, 2023

California guard Jase Butler makes it official: he is going to play Big Ten basketball.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 30, 2023

 The Illinois women's basketball team caught the country by surprise last season. It broke several school records last year, a surprise roster that was able to compete with a rugged Big Ten schedule. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 29, 2023

Illinois hosted several recruiting targets recently, and one that went unnoticed could be a great catch if Illinois could land the Milwaukee recruit.