Basketball

Illini Athletic Director Josh Whitman gave media members a […]

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

Oct. 13, 2022

When 6-foot-9 power forward Morez Johnson from St. Rita committed to Illini basketball almost a year ago, not a lot of people knew much about him. The skinny from gurus was all the same; he's young, needs to shoot better, get stronger blah, blah, blah.

The current high school junior just simply rolled up his sleeves and went to work. Johnson, now a guaranteed first-team all-state selection, is one of the nation's top 50 basketball recruits. The extra notoriety hasn't changed the perspective on his future at all.

October 12, 2022

IlliniGuys' Brad Sturdy (front row, 3rd from left) was one of several media members to accompany the Illinois basketball attendees at the Big Ten Media Days event in Minneapolis earlier this week.

Big Ten Basketball Media days took place in Minneapolis and although it was by far the smallest media turnout outside of a COVID year, it was still a fantastic event that gave us an opportunity to learn more about the Big Ten.  IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst Brad Sturdy made the trip north and offers these thoughts:

By IlliniGuys Staff

October 10, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy IlliniGuys Staff)

In case you are counting at home - and, trust us, we are counting down here! - it is now just 28 days until the Fighting Illini men's basketball home opener.

This is year six of the Brad Underwood era and, without question, the most intriguing start of any season during his tenure.  The 58-year old has not only become a fan favorite, but is establishing himself as one of the top coaches in the country and one who will impact all of college basketball for the next decade.

IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst Brad Sturdy spent the day with the team on Friday during Media Day and offers these insights:

Illini men's basketball coach Brad Underwood begins his 6th […]

New Illini women's basketball coach Shauna Green talks with […]

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

October 6, 2022

The question so far early in the tenure of newly hired head coach Shauna Green is, when will she land the big one?

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting 

October 2, 2022

The Illinois men's basketball staff refuses to rest.

Brad Sturdy, IlliniGuy

September 30, 2022

The Skinny

The Illini landed their 2nd commitment in the class of 2023 on Friday when Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn joined the Fighting Illini.

By Larry Smith & Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Staff

September 30, 2022

Illini basketball coach Brad Underwood and his staff continue to excel in recruiting with another commitment in the class of 2023 today.

Monteverde (Fla.) Academy point guard Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn gave his pledge this morning after his visit to campus last week.

Following the first full day of in-season practice, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood knows he’ll have to coach his young, inexperienced point guards through early-season blunders.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

September 26, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy George Walker IV/Nashville Tennessean

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Following one day of preseason practice, Brad Underwood isn’t under this perception that the road to success for his point guards won’t be a consistently smooth drive. 

Following the departure of Trent Frazier to graduation and Andre Curbelo to the transfer portal, the lead guard position at Illinois is set to have the team’s most important transformation leading into a 2022-23 campaign. 

At this point last season, Underwood was content with Frazier, a fifth-year senior and then-sophomore Curbelo understanding everything they wanted from the moment of the first minute of preseason practice. Now, nothing can be guaranteed about the chemistry as Illinois looks to replace all five starters from last year’s Big Ten regular season championship starting lineup. 

September 26th, 2022

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

College basketball teams across the country open practice today.  It's a date that's earlier than in the past and means that new Illini women's basketball coach Shauna Green will get to spend extended time with her players a few weeks sooner.

Coach Green recently appeared on the syndicated IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular radio show to talk about the process of reshaping the Fighting Illini program:

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

September 25, 2022

The Fighting Illini men's basketball team is still flexing its muscles in the world of recruiting.

Kedric Prince – IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

September 22, 2022

This is a big week for the men's basketball staff as they have a former 2023 top 10 recruit on campus starting Thursday. Montverde Academy point guard Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn is a four-star recruit at 6-foot-0 and 165 pounds. It is said to be a two-team race between Illinois and Memphis.

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

September 21, 2022

The Illinois men's basketball staff has been amazing on the recruiting trail for the past several years.