Basketball

#21 Illini Survive Physical Test to Complete Regular Season Sweep of Northwestern

#21 Illini Survive Physical Test to Complete Regular Season Sweep of Northwestern

#21 Illinois dominates Northwestern in the paint 44-20 thanks to a double-double from Kendall Bostic to take the first regular season sweep of the in-state rivalry in a decade.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 22, 2023

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Illinois head coach Shauna Green sent a text message to Kendall Bostic

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Heat Checks and Hail Marys - A Bad Night for All Against Indiana

Heat Checks and Hail Marys - A Bad Night for All Against Indiana

Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular January 22, 2023 […]

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The Future Plans for Guard Niccolo Moretti

The Future Plans for Guard Niccolo Moretti

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 21, 2023

When the Fighting Illini introduced point guard Niccolo Moretti to their roster

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“They didn’t ever send the double so I had to make them pay”: Underwood Not Worried About Trayce Jackson-Davis’ 35 points in Loss to Hoosiers

“They didn’t ever send the double so I had to make them pay”: Underwood Not Worried About Trayce Jackson-Davis’ 35 points in Loss to Hoosiers

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood publicly says he’s fine with giving up nearly a career night to Trayce Jackson-Davis but was worried about Indiana’s perimeter shooting if they doubled the post. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 20, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Everything out of the mouth of the Illinois’ six-year head coach insists Trayce Jackson-Davis’ 35 points wasn’t a problem.

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Illini See Their Four-Game Win Streak Crash & Burn Against Hoosiers

Illini See Their Four-Game Win Streak Crash & Burn Against Hoosiers

By IlliniGuys Staff

January 19, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - There is nobody in America who is happier that Kofi Cockburn no longer wears an Illini uniform than Trayce Jackson-Davis.

After being owned for three years by the massive two-time All-American, Jackson-Davis exploded for a season-high 35 points as Indiana dominated their rival, 80-65 Thursday night.

It was a must-win effort for the Hoosiers, the preseason Big Ten favorite who was in danger of falling four games behind front-running Purdue. But they played like a team with everything to lose, dominating the game on both ends.  Indiana shot a season-best 65% from the field, eclipsing the 61% effort against Morehead State in their season opener back in early November.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

January 19, 2023

The next highly touted point guard to attend the University of Illinois is Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn.

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Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Amani Hansberry Update

Ked's Recruiting Roundup - Amani Hansberry Update

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 19, 2023

We are in the meat of the basketball season

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‘We’re not very deep’: Illini Backup Bigs Can’t Handle Indiana’s All-American Center

‘We’re not very deep’: Illini Backup Bigs Can’t Handle Indiana’s All-American Center

Kendall Bostic’s foul trouble leads to a dominating night for Indiana center Mackenzie Holmes in front of an energized State Farm Center crowd.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 19, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- At one point in the third quarter

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Foul-strapped Illini Women Fall Short Against #6 Indiana

Foul-strapped Illini Women Fall Short Against #6 Indiana

By IlliniGuys.com Staff January 18, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

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Illinois Dominates Inside Williams Arena Again; Illini Second Half Run Guarantees Fourth Straight Win

Illinois Dominates Inside Williams Arena Again; Illini Second Half Run Guarantees Fourth Straight Win

A 35-11 run in the second half opened up the opportunity for Illinois (13-5, 4-3 in Big Ten) to cruise to another comfortable Big Ten road victory. 

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 16, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Matt Krohn/USA Today Sports)

If Illinois keeps up this kind of trend inside Minnesota’s Williams Arena, Brad Underwood’s program may have to start considering these trips home games. 

For the third straight season, Illinois will be leaving the twin cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul with a blowout win as an impressive second-half stretch clinched a 78-60 victory. In the last two seasons, Illinois had left Minnesota with a victory where the average margin in those games was 27 points. 

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Illini Men's Basketball Preview at Minnesota

Illini Men's Basketball Preview at Minnesota

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

January 16, 2023

Illinois (12-5, 3-3) at Minnesota (7-8, 1-4)
Jan. 16, 2023 // 5 p.m. CT // Minneapolis, Minn. // Williams Arena
TV: BTN – Cory Provus (Play-by-Play), Stephen Bardo (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas (Analyst) // SiriusXM 84, SXM App 84

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Illinois Defense Travels to Twin Cities in No. 24 Illini’s 70-57 Victory Over Gophers

Illinois Defense Travels to Twin Cities in No. 24 Illini’s 70-57 Victory Over Gophers

Illinois holds Minnesota to a season-low, single-game point total in a Big Ten road game in the Illini’s first game as a ranked team in 23 years. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 15, 2023

MINNEAPOLIS -- Along with its Associated Press Top 25 ranking, Illinois didn’t forget to pack its week-long defensive practice emphasis in its luggage up north this weekend.

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Moretti is Officially an Illini

Moretti is Officially an Illini

Illinois Department of Athletics & IlliniGuys Staff

January 15, 2023

Champaign, ILL.– As expected, Italian point guard Niccolo Moretti has signed a Big Ten Tender of Financial Aid and is set to join the Fighting Illini Basketball program.

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Sturdy's Takeaways: Michigan State

Sturdy's Takeaways: Michigan State

By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst

January 14, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

The Illini trailed by as many as 9 points in the second half, but rallied to win by 9, 75-66 behind 20 points from Dain Dainja and 19 from Matthew Mayer as they took down a red hot Michigan State team in Champaign. The Illini are now 12-5 and 3-3 in league play with a 3-game winning streak as they head to Minneapolis for a Monday tip from Williams Arena. 

Here’s a quick recap:

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Technical Knockout: Illinois Win Physical Friday Night Fight With Spartans

Technical Knockout: Illinois Win Physical Friday Night Fight With Spartans

Even down by as many nine points early in the second half, Illinois rallied to knock down and match the physicality of Michigan State - the reigning Big Ten bully of physical play. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

(Cover photo courtesy Ron Johnson/USA Today Sports)

January 14, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Call it a technical knockout for Illinois. 

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