Basketball

Illinois is in a perfect position after two days […]

Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular May 16, 2023 […]

Illinois finishes first day of regional play way inside the cut line to qualify for NCAA Championships at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Beat Writer

May 15, 2023

On a day where low scores were desperately needed to comfortably feel inside the advancing cut line, the Illinois men’s golf team showed once again why they’re a top ranked program.

May 14, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Toledo Athletics)

IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst Brad Sturdy is honoring his wife for Mother's Day today, but yesterday he spilled the goods for all the members on our premium message boards.

How did the campus visit go for top point guard target RayJ Dennis?  How close is Terrence Shannon Jr. to making a decision on his NBA Draft status?  And what about Coleman Hawkins and his future?

You have questions...Sturdy has answers!  

May 13, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Illinois men's golf coach Mike Small and his program are coming off another incredible regular season.  Seven tournament wins and their eighth consecutive Big Ten championship.  Small won his 13th Big Ten Coach of the Year award and all of his players received all-conference honors.

He appeared on the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular show this weekend ahead of the team's trip to the NCAA Regional in Bath, Michigan where the Illini are the #1 seed.

Larry Smith: NCAA tournament time is here, but let’s talk about your team’s amazing and dominating performance at the Big Ten tournament in New Jersey a couple of weeks ago.

Mike Small:  Yeah, you know, we knew the weather could be iffy. Two weeks out, we looked at the extended forecast and the closer we got, it still stayed the same. And when we flew out there, we knew that this thing could be shortened to one or two rounds, you never know. So we prepared for that mentally. And the first round, we played solid at a six-shot lead. But there's some good teams in the Big Ten. There's four teams inside the top 35 or 40 in the country. So it's a good, good conference. After the first round, the weather lightened up a little bit. And we knew we had to go and because the last day’s forecast was bad again. So we prepared for this, we were ready for it. And we came out the second round and extended our lead. And yeah, (a lead of) 17 shots for two rounds is a lot. We'd won by a lot more than that when the event used to be four rounds. But since it's been condensed to three rounds, I think that's one of the bigger wins.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

May 12, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

For those of you who were betting Coleman Hawkins would enter the transfer portal before Thursday night's deadline, your pockets are a bit lighter today.

For those laying odds that he won't be in the NBA next season, well...at least you still have a chance.

Truth is, the NBA is a real possibility for the 6'10" forward.  At least 50/50 with a return to Illinois for his senior season and some would lay even greater odds that he'll be cashing an NBA paycheck instead of chasing NIL payout.  I've talked with several reporters, former NBA players, and scouts. All come up with the same report.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 11, 2023

Duke transfer Shay Bollin admitted she had a lot of interest from schools once she entered the transfer portal, from every conference to traditional powerhouse to smaller schools. 

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 11, 2023

The Illinois men's basketball team is still on the lookout for a veteran point guard. The most talked about is former MAC conference player of the year RayJ Dennis.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer May 10, […]

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 9, 2023

I was recently asked what is going to happen in June and July? No worries, my friend; it is 2023, and there are no off-seasons anymore.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular May 9, 2023 […]

Class of 12 Star Athletes, Coaches and Administrators Highlight […]

May 8, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

Illinois women's golf coach Renee Slone appeared on the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular radio show this weekend to talk about her team's first Big Ten championship and ticket to the NCAA tournament.

Larry Smith: Coach, let’s start with the weekend that got you here.  Talk about winning the first Big Ten women’s golf championship EVER, the victory that sends you to the NCAA Regional in San Antonio.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

May 6, 2023

There is an old saying: never look back.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys.com Director of Recruiting

May 4, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Utah Valley University Athletics)

For a moment this spring, there was some buzz that star Michigan center Hunter Dickinson's transfer portal journey might land him in Illinois orange and blue for his final collegiate season.

But, long before Dickinson's Thursday morning announcement that he will run with Kansas, the Illini coaching staff had already turned its attention to Utah Valley transfer big man Aziz Bandaogo.