Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illinois Picks Up Commitment From Wisconsin DE Leon Lowery
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
December 17, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois Fighting Illini added a key transfer to their roster Tuesday night, securing a commitment from defensive end Leon Lowery.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Freshman Guard Jhaliana Guy Shows Off Skills
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruiting
December 17, 2024
BETTENDORF, Iowa – The Quad Cities has added another nationally ranked prospect to Illinois' recruiting radar. Jhaliana Guy, a 5-foot-9 combo guard, has showcased an exceptional athletic ability that has drawn the attention of 25 college programs, including the Illini.
Guy, ranked in the top 10 nationally by ESPNW, displayed her talents Friday night when the Bettendorf Bulldogs faced the Assumption Knights. While she didn’t dominate the scoreboard on this night, she did finish with 11 points on 4-for-10 shooting. But here's why she's drawing so much interest:
Jakucionis Earns Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Week Honors
(From Illinois Sports Information Office) (Cover photo courtesy Joe […]
Berry Wallace Leads Illini Bench Effort in Key Win over Southern Indiana
Despite again having a short bench, Illinois head coach Shauna Green was able to turn to reserves, such as Barry Wallace, to flip the momentum Sunday afternoon.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer
Decembere 16, 2024
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — If she had never suffered an injury to her shooting hand, Berry Wallace’s role off the bench in her freshman season might have been exactly what she showed Sunday afternoon.
Following a nine-point opening quarter that saw Illinois down early to a upset-minded Southern Indiana team that came four points away from defeating Indiana in Bloomington’s Assembly Hall, Illini head coach Shauna Green turned to arguably the most prestigious women’s basketball signee in the last decade to get them out of an offensive slump.
Wallace responded to the call by her head coach with 12 points in the second quarter of a 73-50 blowout win by showcasing her ability to do the thing Illinois (9-2) has failed to show consistently throughout these last few weeks - hit jump shots.
Heat Checks & Hail Marys - CFP Predictions, Heisman & Belichick Thoughts, Illini BB Development & Luke Altmyer Returns for 2025
Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular and Big Sports Radio […]
Berry Wallace’s Career Day Helps Illini Find Offensive Rhythm in Blowout Win over Southern Indiana
Illinois freshman wing Berry Wallace produced a career-high 18 points off the bench in a 73-50 victory over Southern Indiana.
Matthew Stevens, IlliniGuys Staff Writer
December 15, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Berry Wallace finally got to show why she was a McDonald’s All-America selection and arguably the most Illinois coveted signee of the Shauna Green era.
Sturdy's Rewind - Tennessee
Brad Sturdy, IlliniGuys Insider & Host of the IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular
December 15, 2024
The opportunity was there in front of the Fighting Illini as they led Tennessee by as many as 6 points in the final 10 minutes and had the ball late with multiple opportunities to deal a knockout punch. Instead, they turned it over, failed on inbounds attempts, missed open shots, missed free throws, and allowed Justin Gainey to go coast to coast in the final seconds for a layup in a 66-64 loss. The Illini failed to make a field goal in the final 5 minutes as they fell to 7-3, with #1 Tennessee moving to 10-0.
After watching the film, three things pop out.
Illini Women Look To Add To Home Win Streak vs. Southern Indiana
(From Illinois Sports Information Office) Illinois vs. Southern […]
‘I should have called a timeout’: Underwood Blames Himself For Illini’s Late-Game Meltdown
In a 66-64 loss to No. 1 Tennessee, Illinois head coach Brad Underwood immediately knew he’d made what he would consider an inexcusable coaching blunder.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer
December 14, 2024
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It is exceedingly obvious that Illinois head coach Brad Underwood’s 61st birthday wish on Saturday would be for five seconds to be put back on the State Farm Center game clock and Tennessee’s final offensive possession to be replayed.
After he watched Tennessee guard Jordan Gainey drive practically the length of the floor to make a driving layup just as the buzzer sounded completing a 66-64 victory for the No. 1 Volunteers, Underwood immediately realized he forgot to do something.
Illini Nipped At Buzzer By #1 Tennessee, 66-64
By IlliniGuys Staff December 14, 2024 (Cover photo courtesy […]
‘I can’t wait for next season’: Luke Altmyer Announces Return to Illinois For 2025 Season
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer announces his return to the […]
Sturdy's Game Preview: #1 Tennessee Comes To Town
By Brad Sturdy - IlliniGuys Insider/Analyst & co-Host, IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular
December 14, 2024
The top ranked Tennessee Volunteers are invading Champaign on Saturday as the Illini look to grab another signature win in what should be a rocking State Farm Center. The Illini are coming off of a win over #20 Wisconsin this week and are looking for another signature win in their difficult non-conference schedule.
Here are the particulars.
Setting the Stage
Illinois (7-2, 1-1 B1G) vs. #1ap/1 Tennessee (9-0)
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024 // 4:30 p.m. CT // Champaign, Ill. // State Farm Center
TV: FOX – Jeff Levering (Play-by-Play) & Robbie Hummel (Analyst)
Radio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network – Brian Barnhart (Play-By-Play), Deon Thomas
Let’s Get Ready to Rumble: Illini Preparing For Physical Tennessee Defense
Illinois will host No. 1 Tennessee inside State Farm Center on Saturday where Vols head coach Rick Barnes expects his fundamentally physical and sound defense will travel to Champaign.
By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Staff Writer
December 13, 2024
(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The physicality of the college basketball game is one of the main reasons Kasparas Jakucionis wanted to attempt the transition from European amateur leagues to the University of Illinois.
If physical, in-your-face defense and rebounding was what the 18-year-old wished to see in his journey from Lithuania to Barcelona, Spain to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, he’ll more than likely get his fill when No. 1 Tennessee comes to State Farm Center on Saturday afternoon.
Tennessee (9-0) comes into this game with one of the most intimidating and disciplined defensive operations in college basketball. The Volunteers, led by 10th year head coach Rick Barnes, are No. 2 in defensive efficiency by KenPom.com and it’s the style of play that routinely gets offenses out of its comfort zone with what could be classified as the Mike Tyson plan as the former world heavyweight champion said that “everybody has a plan, until they get punched in the face”.
Ked's Recruiting Roundup: Illini Football Transfer Portal Update
By Kedric Prince - IlliniGuys Director of Recruting
December 13th, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — December is typically basketball season for Illinois fans, but this year is different. The 9-3 Fighting Illini football team is gearing up for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on December 31st and the newly active transfer portal is creating a buzz around the program. Illinois is able to market what they have to offer.
Here’s the latest on Illinois’ activity in the transfer portal:
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