Basketball

Missouri head coach Dennis Gates grew up in Chicago with an appreciation for elite Illini basketball and believes he saw it again Friday night in the Illinois Braggin’ Rights blowout win. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Reporter

December 24, 2023

ST. LOUIS — While growing up on the west side of Chicago, Dennis Gates had an appreciation for watching Lou Henson’s great Illinois basketball teams of the past. 

The early plan for the Illinois offense was simple: Take the ball off the rim and run until Missouri stops them. And the Tigers rarely did in a 97-73 blowout win for the Illini. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 23, 2023

ST. LOUIS — Illinois took its cue on offensive pace Friday night from the original and long-standing hockey tenant of the Enterprise Center - get it and go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyF69uXEFhY  

By IlliniGuys Staff December 22, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Illinois guard Terrence Shannon says he circled the date of his final Braggin’ Rights game immediately upon his announcement to return to college basketball this season. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 22, 2023

CHAMPAIGN — Terrence Shannon’s only memory of the Braggin’ Rights Game certainly isn’t a good thought. 

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

January 22, 2023

Although the talk is always of Big Ten Championships and NCAA runs, for people who live in the St. Louis metro area there is often no bigger game than the annual McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights game each December. The Illini struggled a year ago in this game as the Tigers cruised to a win, but this Illini team appears different, and they seem to understand the importance of this game and want to have a Merry Christmas. It all starts with a win over Mizzou. 

McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights

#13/11 Illinois (8-2) vs. Missouri (7-4) 

Dec. 22, 2023 // 8 p.m. CT // St. Louis, Mo. // Enterprise Center 

TV: FS1 – Jason Ross Jr. (Play-by-Play), Robbie Hummel (Analyst) 

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

(From Illinois Sports Information Office)   WEST PALM BEACH, […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 21, 2023

Illinois assistant men's basketball coach Chester Frazier headed west to look towards the future. The class of 2025-26 preps are on full display. Illinois has been involved in the transfer portal the past few years, but high school preps still matter at Illinois. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

December 18, 2023

Social media is one way to keep up with recruits, but the obvious place is here at IlliniGuys.com. Junior guard Jeremiah Fears is back in the limelight with his two recent X (Twitter) posts that he is planning to visit Providence and Michigan.

Missouri shoots 75 percent from the field in the fourth quarter to escape with a 69-66 victory at State Farm Center as Illinois loses fifth straight game to a power conference opponent. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 17, 2023

Illinois head coach Shauna Green isn’t interested in allowing her public mood to be ruined despite a fourth-quarter defensive breakdown resulting in another loss to a power opponent. 

As Illinois dropped its sixth game in its last eight attempts to a power conference opponent dating back to the end of last season, Green is desperately trying to find signs of connectivity in her squad as they were coming off a 36-point home loss to Michigan. 

Illinois doesn’t allow any of Colgate’s All-Patriot League players […]

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

December 17, 2023

Colgate Preview

After a week off, final exams, and multiple recruiting trips, the Illini are finally back in action Sunday as they take on the Colgate Raiders. Colgate is the best team in the Patriot League and are coming off of an NCAA tourney season. They have made the big dance in 4 of the past 5 seasons and are favored to win the league again. 

Illinois is now #16 in the country and look like the 2nd best team in the Big Ten. They have 3 games in the next 2 weeks that are games they need to win heading into Big Ten play. 

Setting the Stage

#16 Illinois (7-2) vs. Colgate (6-4) 

Dec. 17, 2023 // 12 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center 

TV: BTN – Connor Onion (Play-by-Play), Trent Meacham (Analyst) 

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

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 17, 2023

The Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions (Washington, Illinois) is one of the best holiday Thanksgiving basketball tournaments in the county. Each year the event continues to bring in teams from all across the country, with several states being represented, including Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky, and Florida.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 16, 2023

Coming into the season freshman guard Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn appeared to be a lock in the 2023-24 men's basketball team rotation. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 14, 2023

The year 2028 seems so far away in terms of recruiting, but in the Illinois women's basketball program, they have found a gem who is a star in the making.