Basketball

From Illinois Sports Information Office & IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst Brad Sturdy

February 23, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Illinois (18-9, 9-7) vs. #21/22 Northwestern (20-7, 11-5)
Feb. 23, 2023 // 8 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), Deon Thomas (Analyst) // SiriusXM 383, SXM App 973

Illinois plays its penultimate game at State Farm Center on Thursday night, facing No. 21 Northwestern. Illinois is 4-3 against ranked opponents this season and has won 15 of its last 24 games vs. Top 25 teams.

Illinois will likely have a limited timeframe to figure out how to play its best basketball at the most important time of the season without two key players.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 22, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Shauna Green says she’ll be in the office at the Ubben Basketball Facility beginning a game plan for the season finale against Rutgers.

By IlliniGuys Staff

February 22, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois said goodbye to two seniors on Senior Night, but it was the absence of a pair of underclassmen that made the difference as the 25th ranked Illini suffered a 90-57 to Nebraska Wednesday night at State Farm Center.

The Cornhuskers (15-13, 7-10 in Big Ten) shot lights out all night, hitting 59% from the field and 42% from three-point range to avenge a 72-64 loss on their home court 13 days earlier.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 21, 2023

Warren High School in Gurnee, Illinois, has an intriguing basketball recruit who has several, actually 38, DI schools showing major interest in her including Illinois

The first career double-double from Illinois sophomore RJ Melendez in the 78-69 win over Minnesota was an emotional night for him, his coaches, his teammates and the 15,544 in attendance.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 21, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- For the first time in a few months, Illinois guard RJ Melendez emotionally felt the meaning of the word joy. 

By IlliniGuys Staff

February 20, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- RJ Melendez posted his first career double-double and was one of five Illini scoring in double figures as Illinois held off a pesky Minnesota squad for the 78-69 victory Monday night.

The game was a makeup from February 7th, when Minnesota had to postpone due to health and safety concerns within the team.

It was the second game in a row that Illinois played without its leading scorer Terrence Shannon Jr., who suffered a concussion in the Penn State game last Tuesday.  But unlike the loss at then-#14 Indiana on Saturday, the Illini were in charge throughout.

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 20, 2023

Illinois (17-9, 8-7) vs. Minnesota (7-17, 1-13)

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 20, 2023

Illinois fans, if you follow Twitter, I am sure by now, you have seen video updates on your future point guard.

Illinois junior guard Genesis Bryant’s first game back since severely injuring her ankle at Nebraska 10 days ago ended with 21 points and a blowout win for the Illini.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 19, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Madison Dabrowski/Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Genesis Bryant took a page from Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito’s playbook on how to recover from a severe ankle injury in a week - just don’t leave the practice facility.

Ever since suffering the injury, which Illinois head coach Shuana Green has publicly admitted multiple times after the eight-point win at Nebraska just 10 days prior was in her mind “really bad”, the Ubben Basketball Complex across the street from State Farm Center became her new home.

By IlliniGuys Staff February 19, 2023 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- […]

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 19, 2023

The Illini couldn’t get it done on the road at Indiana on Saturday

Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular February 19, 2023 […]

The Illinois sixth-year head coach enjoyed the effort and early-game intensity that he saw from an Illini team that was missing its leading scorer and didn’t make a three-pointer in the second half. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 18, 2023

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The first three words Illinois head coach Brad Underwood used to describe his team’s third straight road loss were proud, excited and elated. 

Indiana managed to connect on five of its last seven field goals to lead into a 71-68 victory over the Illini as Illinois has now lost three games in a row away from State Farm Center. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 18, 2023

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Illinois simply couldn’t close a critical road game out as Indiana made five of its last seven field goals in route to pulling off a 71-68 victory. 

Without leading scorer Terrence Shannon Jr. at Indiana today, Illinois may need more from newly activated Luke Goode as he makes his return to his home state. 

Matthew Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

February 18, 2023

Luke Goode categorized his goal of getting back on the floor for Illinois by mid-January to play Indiana in Champaign as “ambitious” and a lesson he learned from his father Craig.