“Horrible”: Underwood Angry At Refs Over Melendez’s Technical After Dunk
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and Illini players still confused over explanation over the technical foul RJ Melendez was given in the NCAA Tournament second round loss to Houston.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
March 21, 2022
PITTSBURGH -- RJ Melendez still doesn’t know exactly how he’s supposed to handle his breakaway dunk to properly appease game official Brian O'Connell.
“Coaches decision”: Underwood Declines to Elaborate on Curbelo Benching
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer
March 21, 2022
(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)
PITTSBURGH -- “Coaches decision.”
This was the two-word answer from Illinois head coach Brad Underwood on why sophomore point guard Andre Curbelo sat on the Illini bench for the final 26 minutes of their 68-53 loss in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
The answer was short and, coming off a crushing 15-point loss to end the season, it certainly wasn’t sweet.
Curbelo, who missed 11 straight games from Nov. 26 to Jan. 14 with issues related to a concussion diagnosis, had a roller coaster of a 2021-22 season that started by being named to preseason national watch lists. Ultimately, Curbelo’s second season at Illinois ends with him not being on the playing floor after the 6:03 mark of the first half of Sunday’s game.
“What a year!!!!!! A lot of up and down moments but we still standing 10 toes down. Time to reflect!!! Coming back stronger than ever,” Curbelo posted on Twitter immediately after the loss on Sunday. “Didn’t go the way we wanted but we fought through a lot of adversity. Love my brothers for life.”
In the post-game media conference, Underwood addressed a reporter's question...
Heat Checks and Hail Marys - Amazing Year Closes in Round of 32
Mike Cagley, IlliniGuy March 21, 2022 The Illini ran […]
Illini Seniors Struggle Through Tough Afternoon As They Exit NCAA Tournament
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer
March 20, 2022
(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)
PITTSBURGH -- The final moment for the Illinois seniors resulted in another disappointing NCAA Tournament thud.
Trent Frazier, Da’Monte Williams, Jacob Grandison and Alfonso Plummer will never wear an Illinois uniform again after March 20, 2022 and all four of those players will be taking that jersey off following a second round exit when they were the higher seed. The exit of these four players comes in a 68-53 loss to an aggressive Houston squad and another sputtering offensive outing where they were 4 of 18 from the field, 3 of 14 from the three-point arc.
“We didn't shoot it very well. We played well enough; we didn't shoot it very well. You look at our two games here, and we just -- we just shot it terrible,” Illinois head coach Brad Underwood said. “I've been through more things this year with this team than I have my entire career put together. And that's 35 years.”
Illini eliminated from NCAA tournament in 68-53 loss to Houston
By IlliniGuys Staff March 20, 2022 (Cover photo courtesy […]
Illini 2nd Round NCAA Tournament History as a 4-seed
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer March 20, […]
Illini Basketball Preview - NCAA Tourney - Illini vs Houston
Connor Cagley, IlliniGuys Basketball Writer March 20, 2022 Essentials: […]
Sturdy's 6 Things to Look for Against Houston
Brad Sturdy, IlliniGuy
March 19, 2022
Brad Underwood on Houston: they do simple well.
Are You Ready to Rumble?: Illinois and Houston Prepared For 2nd Round Fight
The second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament in Pittsburgh is where the reputations of the Illinois and Houston program will collide in a fight disguised as a basketball game.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
March 19, 2022
PITTSBURGH -- At just past high noon tomorrow local time, the PPG Paints Arena might as well be a well-attended Pizza Hut parking lot.
When Rejection Leads to Elation: Illini’s Coleman Hawkins Story
Illinois sophomore forward Coleman Hawkins’ ability to get the block of Chattanooga's final shot Friday night sent the Illini into the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
March 19, 2022
PITTSBURGH -- Coleman Hawkins says he doesn’t know if his block on Malachi Smith to ensure a victory in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament was his best play.
Sturdy's 3 Takeaways - Defense Keys Victory Over the Mocs
Brad Sturdy, IlliniGuy
March 19, 2022
The Illini stole a win from a game Tennessee Chattanooga team on Friday night
Heat Checks and Hail Marys - 25 Seconds Equals Forever
Mike Cagley, IlliniGuy March 19, 2022 As an older […]
Illini Survive Scare From Chattanooga to Avoid NCAA 1st Round Upset, 54-53
IlliniGuys Staff March 18, 2022 (Cover photo courtesy Joe […]
Illini’s 4-seed NCAA Tournament History
Illinois will be trying on Friday to make seven consecutive times where they’ve won its first game of the NCAA Tournament as a 4-seed.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
March 18, 2022
PITTSBURGH -- The good news for Illinois fans on Friday is their favorite program has always had first-day success in the NCAA Tournament when they’ve received a 4-seed.
Kofi Must Be King for Illini to Win
In order for Illinois to win Friday, Kofi Cockburn has to prove one 7-foot All-American is better than a revolving door of Chattanooga bigs.
Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
March 18, 2022
PITTSBURGH -- Kofi Cockburn says Friday is the exact moment he returned to Illinois for his third season of college basketball.
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