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By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & Co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

January 14, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

The Illini are headed to Indiana after their loss on Saturday at home in need of a bounce back win. Of course, Indiana was demolished by Iowa so both teams should be hungry. The status of star Freshman Guard Kasparas Jakucionis is still up in the air, but we are told that he did practice on Sunday and will be a game time decision.

Setting the Stage

#19/20 Illinois (12-4, 4-2) at Indiana (13-4, 4-2)
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 // 6 p.m. CT (7 p.m. ET) // Bloomington, Ind. // Assembly Hall
Stream: Peacock – Noah Eagle (Play-by-Play) & Robbie Hummel (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play) & Doug Altenberger

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 14, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Kedric Prince/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Lincoln Williams, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Kankakee, has become a familiar face on the University of Illinois campus. As a legitimate basketball prospect for the Illini, his visits are a testament to his growing interest in the program. But for Williams, the connection runs deeper—his sister is a proud Illinois graduate.

Illinois head coach Brad Underwood stresses Monday that if his team’s process is solid, the results will take care of themselves - including the results on Tuesday night at Indiana.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 13, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After ending the 2022-23 season on a three-game losing streak, Brad Underwood’s Illinois squad failed to have consecutive losses in the following campaign.

With a 2024-25 season squad that only returns one contributing player, Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn, it’s possible trying to find comparisons is a fool’s errand but since the 2020-21 season, the Illinois eight-year head coach is 25-5 in the game immediately after a loss in regular season play. Ironically, Underwood said Monday his team’s ability to, as Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema would say, ‘not allowing one loss to beat you again” comes from “being process oriented” as his team approaches a five-month season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJbAZw4v94E    

Steve Sturm, IlliniGuys Football Analyst

January 13, 2025

Illinois checked the final item off its offseason shopping list when Purdue punter Keelan Crimmins transferred for the second time in two years. Crimmins is an Australian who learned the American game at the Australian kicking academy.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]

Brad Sturdy, IlliniGuys Illini Insider & Co-Host of the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

January 12, 2025

The Illini were humbled on Saturday by the USC Trojans in Champaign, losing 82-72. The Illini shot poorly, which has become a common theme, and they didn’t rebound well enough, which was surprising. Desmond Claude scored at will in the second half, scoring 21 points after the break and 31 for the game, and Illinois struggled to do anything on offense. 

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 12, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's Hudl page)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois head coach Bret Bielema discussed his unique recruiting strategy during a recent press conference, on how his staff identifies talent overlooked by other programs. The Illini carefully assess players before extending offers, knowing their evaluations often prompt other schools to follow suit within 24 hours.

For just the second time this season, Illinois was outrebounded in a basketball game and Illini head coach Brad Underwood knows both of those times resulted in home losses.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 11, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy Joe Clark/IlliniGuys)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois head coach Brad Underwood may have created a new routine for his basketball team after what he witnessed Saturday afternoon.

Following the 82-72 loss to Southern California inside its home arena, Underwood suggested as the eight-year head coach the possibility of a new plan for his team to be ready to play.

By IlliniGuys Staff January 11, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]

Brad Sturdy, IlliniGuys Illini Insider & Co-Host of the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular

January 11, 2025

The Illini welcome the USC Trojans to the State Farm Center in the 10th all-time meeting between the two programs and the first as members of the Big Ten.

By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting

January 10, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy player's page on X)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Are you surprised that Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema landed one of the state’s top prospects from the Class of 2026? After an early-week meeting with Bielema, 6-foot-4, 200-pound junior wide receiver Davon Grant of DeKalb made his decision: he would stay home and play for his state university.

By Larry Smith - Co-Host & Executive Producer, IlliniGuys […]

After losing two starters this week for the rest of the season and having a six-player rotation, the Illinois women’s basketball program managed to still beat a Top 25 program. 

Matt Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer

January 10, 2025

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — What’s left of this Illinois women’s basketball roster would very much prefer for the doubting outside of its locker room to continue. 

By IlliniGuys Staff January 9, 2025 (Cover photo courtesy […]