Basketball

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 9, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Monteverde Academy Athletics)

The Illinois Women’s team also had a successful signing day on Wednesday as they added a pair of coveted scorers in Gretchen Dolan and Cori Allen to the FamILLy. The Illini women may not be done in the class of 2023 as they look to bolster their roster. Stay tuned to Illiniguys.com to see who’s next for Shauna Green and company. 

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst

November 9, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Amani Hansberry Twitter page)

(Editor's note:  This is a compilation of today's official signing of National Letters of Intent by future Illinois men's basketball student-athletes.  Check back in throughout the day as we will update this as other players submit their signed NLIs.)

The Illini have been on a recruiting roll over the past few seasons and the class of 2023 has done nothing to diminish the expectation that this program will continue to recruit at a high level both in the high school ranks and in the portal. On Wednesday, the Illini are expected to add to their roster with 3 talented prospects.

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst

November 8, 2022

The Illini took care of business against EIU in their opener on Monday night by an 87-57 score behind 23 points and 12 rebounds from Coleman Hawkins and 24 points and 8 rebounds from Terrence Shannon. The Illini also got 17 and 10 from Dain Dainja, as they led by 15 at the break and by as many as 35 in the second stanza. 

Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular November 8, 2022 […]

Illinois freshman Ty Rodgers is finding a key role as Underwood's favorite player on a night where he only scored one point in 23 minutes of action. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

November 8, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Kaijah Weller/Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Of all the new pieces on this Illinois roster, we’re very close to learning who Illinois head coach Brad Underwood loves the most - if we haven’t already figured that out already. 

The Illinois head coach, who began his sixth season in Champaign Monday night with a easily dominating 87-57 win over Eastern Illinois, has already pointed to a freshman wing as the player he wants on the playing floor in crunchtime situations. 

The 23rd ranked Illini open the season with a […]

By IlliniGuys Staff November 7, 2022 (Cover photo courtesy […]

By Larry Smith – IlliniGuys Staff

November 7, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy EIU Athletics)

Illinois…you’ve come a long way, baby!

Remember that day five years ago this month?  The Illini made the unprecedented trip south to Charleston to play Eastern Illinois in an exhibition with the proceeds going to hurricane relief.  It was Brad Underwood’s first time coaching his new program in a game-like setting and an experience he may still have nightmares about.  The Panthers schooled Illinois in front of a sold-out Lantz Arena crowd to the tune of 80-67.

Luckily it was only an exhibition, but it showed Underwood just how far he needed to go to resurrect the once-proud Illini program to national status.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 5, 2022

The Illinois men's basketball program will have one of the biggest basketball recruits on campus in some time.

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular November 4, 2022 […]

Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood talks about his 23rd […]

Illini sophomore forward RJ Melendez talks about Monday's season […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

November 3, 2022

Friday's exhibition game against Quincy University was a success

Mike Cagley, co-host of the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular October […]

By IlliniGuys Staff

October 29, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

The 2022-23 basketball season tipped off as expected for the Ilinois men's basketball team.  It was a lopsided win, but more importantly it was a night that allowed the Illini coaching staff to get a look at players and situations in a game setting.

IlliniGuys Inside/Analyst Brad Sturdy breaks down the win and offers his postgame analysis: