Basketball

December 30, 2021

It's been a great year for Illini sports!  And not just in the revenue sports, where - for the first time in a decade - Illini football won five games (yes, it's been slim pickins) in the same year Illini men's basketball won a game in the NCAA tournament.

Ian Skirkey won an NCAA title in gymnastics, the Illini men's golf team again advanced to the NCAA championships, and the Illini men's tennis team reached the NCAA Sweet 16.

That's just a taste of the good times celebrated in Champaign-Urbana this year.  We polled IlliniGuys members on what they think were the top Illini moments of 2021 and here's what they told us:

By W. Elijah Smith -- IlliniGuys Contributor December 28, […]

From University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Champaign, […]

Champaign, ILL.– The Illinois men's basketball home game vs. […]

Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

December 27, 2021

Illini-commit Jayden Epps courtesy of Virginian-Pilot

Illinois assistant coach Chester Frazier put his name on the map early upon arrival in Champaign.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

December 26, 2021

Camille Jackson is the prize recruit for Illinois Nancy Fahey. Jackson is 5-foot-11 point guard from Butler College Prep in Chicago.

Kedric Prince, IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting 

December 25, 2021

Illinois' top basketball recruit in the class of 2024 is 6-foot-9, 210-pound power forward Morez Johnson of St. Rita High School in Chicago. 

Coleman Hawkins must now learn to love the energy role off the bench after an inconsistent start to the 2021-22 season.

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

December 24, 2021

ST. LOUIS -- Coleman Hawkins might have to get used to being the first guy to check in off the bench instead hearing his name called out as a starter. 

Illinois junior center Kofi Cockburn thoroughly enjoys a dominant performance in 88-63 win over Missouri in rivalry win. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys 

December 23, 2021

LOUIS -- If this was the final Braggin’ Rights matchup for Kofi Cockburn, it’s safe to say the Illinois center thoroughly enjoyed the experience. 

Mike Cagley, IlliniGuy December 23, 2021 The Illini demolished […]

IlliniGuys Staff December 22, 2021 ST. LOUIS, Mo. - […]

By Brad Sturdy -- IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst December 22, 2021 […]

By W. Elijah Smith -- IlliniGuys Contributor December 22, […]

Connor Cagley, IlliniGuys Basketball Writer December 22, 2021 The […]

The wake up call at the hotel was 5:45AM […]