Basketball

By IlliniGuys Staff

February 26, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Jada Peebles tied a season-high with 20 points as #25 Illinois jumped out to a 21-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and cruised to a 75-53 victory at Rutgers Sunday afternoon.

The win caps off an historic season for the Illini program and head coach Shauna Green.  The 21 wins is the most ever under a first-year coach and ties the third highest win total in team history, while the 11 Big Ten victories is one shy of tying the program record.

By IlliniGuys Staff February 26, 2023 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 26, 2023

I think it is pretty safe to say that the University of Illinois men's basketball team did very well for itself in the transfer portal last season. 

Brad Sturdy, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 26, 2023

Illinois (19-9, 10-7) at Ohio State (11-17, 3-14) 

February 24, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Larry Smith: Three Illini women have been named District all Academic - Geo Lopes, Kendall Bostic, and - the IlliniGal herself -  Adalia McKenzie. She gets those dubs and she gets those A’s!  Adalia – congratulations!

Adalia McKenzie: Thank you so much!

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

February 25, 2023

Morez Johnson from St. Rita High School already appears to be a fan favorite, because he committed to the Illini two years ago.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

February 24, 2023

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Right before the halftime buzzer, Northwestern guard Boo Buie knew in his mind that Illinois didn’t have a guard to handle his offensive skills. 

By IlliniGuys Staff

February 23, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Terrence Shannon Jr., in his first action after missing two games due to a co scored 24 of his team-high 26 points in the second half as Illinois rallied from a season-worst 18 point halftime deficit to shock 21st ranked Northwestern 66-62 Thursday night at State Farm Center.

The victory overshadows a career-high 35 points from Wildcats star guard Boo Buie, but who was held without a field goal for the final 12 minutes of the game.

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)