Basketball

January 19, 2024 Breaking news this afternoon... A federal […]

In what he and his head coach agreed was the best all-around performance of his college career, Coleman Hawkins’ excellent play on both ends of the floor lifted No. 14 Illinois to a road win.  

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 19, 2023

ANN ARBOR, Michigan — Mark it down - January 18, 2024, was the night Coleman Hawkins showcased every one of the vast amounts of skills he was recruited to display at Illinois.

By IlliniGuys Staff January 18, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]

By IlliniGuys Staff January 18, 2024 As expected, Illinois […]

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

January 18, 2024

Illinois Road Test at Michigan

Illinois travels to Michigan on Thursday night to take on the disappointing Michigan Wolverines. The Wolverines have been on the struggle bus through coaching health issues, player suspensions and just an odd season thus far that has led to a 7-10 start. The Wolverines did get a win over Ohio State in their last outing but have lost 5 of 6 and 8 of 11 in the last six weeks. 

Illinois is licking their wounds a bit after a loss to another underachiever in Maryland on Sunday at home. Illinois has been a different team on the defensive end without Terrence Shannon and will need that defense to step it up against a quality Michigan offense. 

Here are our keys and a pick:

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

January 18, 2023

The Illini laid an egg on Sunday against a Maryland team that had underachieved relative to their talent level this season. The Terps were clicking on Sunday and the Illini were on the struggle bus, shooting 9-40 in the second half and repeatedly forcing Maryland into shots in the paint. 

Is it the start of a disturbing trend or a one-off bad day at work? 

It’s a question we will learn the answer to over the next few games at Michigan and Rutgers at home, but looking at it now, how does Illinois make the necessary adjustments? 

In the first game since Jada Peebles’ season-ending Achilles injury, Illinois picked up a 28-point home win over Rutgers thanks to six players in double figures. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 17, 2024

CHAMPAIGN — The perfect formula for another Illinois blowout wins in Big Ten Conference play was executed for the second consecutive time.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

January 17, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy player's page on X)

IlliniGuys received news from Jeremy Fears Sr. that his son Jeremiah has had enough. 

"He called me and woke me up this morning and told me he's ready to be done with his recruitment, but this time, I don't know," Fears said. 

The injection of North Carolina State graduate transfer center Camille Hobby into the starting lineup resulted in 11 first-quarter points and an immediate boost in a blowout win. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 17, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — One tweak to the playing lineup and Shauna Green hopes she’s unlocked her team’s offense. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

Cover photo courtesy of player family

January 16, 2024

Texas prep Bryce Dixon was on an unofficial visit Sunday while Illinois battled Maryland and ultimately lost 76-67.

In a 76-67 home loss to unranked Maryland, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood saw his team’s ‘Everyday Guys’ mentality challenged during a disastrous second-half performance. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 14, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — On some level, Illinois players and coaches have admitted to a temporary version of false advertising. 

By IlliniGuys Staff January 14, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]

By IlliniGuys Staff January 14, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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

January 14, 2023

The Illini will host Maryland on Sunday at 1PM on a bitterly cold afternoon. The Illini have won 5 of their last 6 and are 3-1 since losing Star Guard Terrence Shannon. Maryland comes in off of a home win against Michigan. The Terps have been good defensively, but have struggled on offense this season, shooting just 27.7% from 3 thus far. The Illini are on a roll offensively and will have a tough battle against the stingy MAryland defense. 

Here are our keys and a pick.

Setting the Stage

#10 Illinois (12-3, 3-1 B1G) vs. Maryland (10-6, 2-3 B1G) 

Jan. 14, 2024 // 1 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center 

TV: BTN – Kevin Kugler (Play-by-Play), Robbie Hummel (Analyst) 

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

Notables

Illinois welcomes Maryland to State Farm Center on Sunday afternoon (1 p.m. CT, BTN) for the second game of back-to-back Big Ten home contests, following Thursday night’s thrilling 71-68 victory over Michigan State.  The Illini are No. 10 in the latest AP ranking, marking the team’s seventh consecutive week inside the top 25. 

In the tradition of Ayo Dosunmu, Kofi Cockburn, Jacob Grandison and Giorgi Bezhanishvili, it’s possible Thursday night was another Illini formal introduction to Michigan State by a heralded addition. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 13, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Whether it’s in State Farm Center or East Lansing, the coming out introduction party game for an Illinois player typically comes in a game against Michigan State. Welcome Ty Rodgers, make yourself at home.